If you have a special someone in your life to celebrate Valentine’s Day with, you should look for a way to surprise them and make them feel loved. While some people do not expect gifts, others are fine with some chocolates, flowers and quality booze and there are those looking for a nice date that will leave them breathless.
However, one interesting way how you can make this day memorable is booking a trip for you and your sweetheart. It can be to a neighboring town or to an overseas destination, your choices are truly limitless. Whether you’re flying solo or taking on the trails with a loved one, the great outdoors is the perfect place to spend this weekend. Lucky for you, everything you need to plan your date with nature is all in one place.
Spring is just around the corner, folks. And while spring cleaning is all well and good, why not do a little spring cleaning for the heart and soul too, huh?
Listed below are some of the most romantic cities to celebrate Valentine's Day that you should take into consideration as well as some activities you can fit into your itinerary while there.
Take a look at the best places to go for valentine's day.
1. Cinque Terre, Italy
Cinque Terre literally means "Five Lands" and consists of 5 villages located on a huge hill on the northwest coast of Italy. Of the five, probably the most famous is Riomaggiore, the southernmost city. Although there are many restaurants, small shops and beaches, most tourists visit Riomaggiore to see the vibrant colors of the houses on the hill. It is a unique landscape that you cannot leave behind.
We all know the hotspots like Rome, Venice, Florence and Verona but Italy has a huge offer that you can choose from for your Valentine’s Day trip – including Cinque Terre. This stunning coastal area consists of five villages all of which you should visit. While you can take the train to travel between them, you can also go on walks and hike around this region to see all of its wonders.
Taking a walk up to the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montenero will provide you with a stunning view while you can also take it easy and find a cozy and romantic spot to watch the sunset – for example, Stella Marina Beach at Monterosso is just the spot to see the other four villages during sunset. Of course, you can also experience the local cuisine and go for a dip in the gorgeous waters but it might be a bit cold in February.
2. Venice, Italy
For those who have just started in the love affair as a couple and are still in (almost) permanent state of enchantment, a destination that comes to them as a ring is Venice. In this tourist city par excellence it is possible, even if it does not seem like it, to find squares and corners where you can feel isolated from the crowd that runs through its streets and canals.
Venice is well-known for its beauty and for good reason. Everywhere you look, there are amazing and unique sights. Bridge over canals, charming piazzas, romantic gondolas, shop filled alleys, restaurants by canals, Doge Palace, St. Marks cathedral and the list goes on.
The city surprises, for good. They have even managed to turn the dark past of the Bridge of Sighs - through which the condemned were crossing - to turn it into a romantic meeting point for lovers on board gondolas. The thing about Venice, though, is that it’s very easy to get lost if you don’t have a really good map (or live there).
That is itself quite a sensible thing to expect to do. Yes, there are some very impressive churches and some beautiful pieces of artwork to see, but the fun of Venice is just wandering about the place and puzzling over how you’ve ended up where you are.
The Brenta canal hosts a series of baroque and palladian neoclassical mansions with impressive gardens, three of which can be visited. The mansions and their gardens can also be seen on a gruise from boats traeling up and down the canal.
3. Madrid, Spain
Madrid is the cultural Mecca of Spain. Watch a bullfight there and it is a disconcerting experience to say the least. Just like Paris, metro in Madrid is awesome and goes everywhere. Go on a day trip to a castle in Segovia which inspired Walt Disney for their Disneyworld castle.
Places of interest: Prado National Museum, Stadio Santiago Bernabeu
4. Barcelona, Spain
Ancient yet modern. Simple yet complex. Always exhilarating. The Catalonian capital is as wildly varied as the artists inspired by it. Built on the bones of the Roman city of Barcino, Barcelona is now one of Europe’s most spectacular cities and a permanent fixture on every bucket list.
Its towering gothic cathedrals, modernist masterpieces, and millennia-spanning quarters make it worth the visit alone, but architecture is only the facade. Underneath is a flourishing cultural paradise where fine art, music, food, and, of course, alcohol can thrive.
Grab your Cava. Welcome to Barcelona.
Legend has it Barcelona’s name stems from one of Hercules’ adventures with Jason and the Argonauts. A great storm separated their fleet, and Hercules found the last ship days later in what is now Barcelona. It was the ninth ship–Barca Nona.
Barcelona had no beaches until the 1992 Olympics. Until then, it was said the city “had its back to the sea.” The Sagrada Familia Cathedral is arguably Barcelona’s most iconic building..but it’s not finished. Designed by Barcelona’s most famous architect, Antoni Gaudi, the church broke ground in 1882. It’s expected to be completed in 2026 when the final tower is erected.
The city has over 55 stunning museums, but one reigns supreme over all the others: the Barcelona FC museum. It draws millions of visitors every year.
How much time have you got? Barcelona boasts boundless opportunities for intrepid travelers. From the coolest beachfront in Europe to the eclectic array of art and music on show, the city has so much to offer. It’s likely you won’t have enough time to scratch the surface, but this list of the best things to do will at least get you started.
Paella, croquettes, jamon iberico, gazpacho, Cava, fideua, chorizo…If we listed every type of food you needed to try in Barcelona, we’d need another three newsletters. We’ll condense it by saying this–come hungry; your tastebuds are about to go on an adventure.
If you’re maximizing your time in the city, you’ll need a good night’s sleep. Thankfully, Barcelona’s hotel scene is world-beating. Equipped with everything from high-end luxury sanctuaries to high-value-bare-bones hideaways, you’re spoiled for choice.
Barcelona is extremely safe. The likelihood of you finding yourself in danger is extremely low. But the city has a reputation for playing host to skilled pickpockets. La Rambla, the sprawling pedestrian avenue in the middle of the city, is prime territory for swift fingers, so take extra care in this area.
You already know the basics. Don’t make yourself stand out, don’t dangle your camera off your shoulder, keep those handbag and purse straps shorter, and keep a healthy dose of skepticism if a local has an unsolicited burst of pleasantries for you.
Barcelona is geographically and politically in Spain, but its province, Catalonia, is fiercely independent, and it’s not hard to feel the cultural difference. The province has tried multiple times to gain independence from Spain.
The most obvious difference is the language. The province names Catalan and Spanish as its two official tongues. Don’t worry about not knowing Catalan; the locals don’t expect visitors to know the language and will respond in Spanish or even English. But learning a few Catalonian phrases goes a long way, as you’re not only respecting their language but acknowledging their unique culture.
And don’t call it a dialect. Catalan is not derived from Spanish. It actually shares more linguistic roots with French. You might hear the word Barna thrown around when listening to locals or some tourists showing off their newfound knowledge. You didn’t mishear.
Despite what would make sense to us, Barna is the city’s nickname. It’s not completely clear why, but the general assumption is that it’s a contraction. BAR-celo-NA = Barna.
Barca, on the other hand, only refers to the football (soccer) team. It’s an easy mistake to make, especially if you’re a soccer fan, but noticing the difference might be appreciated by the locals.
Barcelona is famous for its beaches and the best nightlife in Europe. Strolling through the Gothic quarter and La Rambla with hordes of tourists is an astounding experience. You'll love the Spanish music there and find yourself humming the songs. Barcelona is home to Barcelona FC and going to Camp Nou is fun.
Places of interest: Gothic Quarter, Camp Nou stadium, Sagrada Familia.
5. Paris, France
Paris is the most visited city in the world and rightly so. Merely walking through the streets is like wandering through picture postcards. Although the tourist attractions were very far from each other, the Metro in Paris is awesome and runs everywhere.
We know it, it's a classic, but like all classic is eternal. For this type of couples who associate Valentine's Day with dinner with candles and walks in the light of the moon, what better destination than Paris, the city of love and light. All for a kiss from Pont Neuf or on top of the Eiffel Tower. On the wall of Square Jehan Rictus, the artist has translated the phrase, I Love You, into more than 400 languages, an ideal place to declare love.
Paris is a city of man made monuments, museums, sculptures and nightlife. Indeed they make it the most visited travel destination in the world and everything mentioned above is really unique and beautiful. Ballon Generali is one of the biggest hot air balloons installed right middle in the city.
If you never ever experienced hot air balloon ride and feel that such rides for about 4 hours in countryside area would be very costly, then you must try this short and very cheap ride for about 12 Euros. If you have some time after visiting all the famous monuments in Paris, visit latin quarters and street markets in Paris. They are very unique and happening if you would be lucky at that certain day.
Places of interest: Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Notre Dam Cathedral.
Interesting Reads: Things To Do In Paris On Valentine's Day
6. Prague, Czechia
Visit the Prague castle and through the old town and the Jewish quarter. Its a city best explored by foot. Watching the sunrise at Charles bridge will be the picture-perfect postcard moment of your entire trip. Not in vain the tourism promotion authority of the city has created a site called Prague for lovers.
Places of interest: Astronomical Clock, Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral
More Information: 3-Day Prague Itinerary
7. Vienna, Austria
Once you’re done, take a train till the main station and from there head straight to Vienna in another train (book your ticket at least 48 hours early). Travel time from Prague and Vienna is 3 hours. Reach Vienna - Austria’s capital. Start touring the lovely city of Vienna by visiting Schonbrunn Palace. Get here as early as possible in order to finish your tour faster.
You will have so much to see inside this place. Once you’re done seeing the inside, explore the lawns outside. Next, visit the Vienna State Opera. Also, observe this state opera’s own version of Hall of Fame here. If possible, attend a performance inside. Located close by is the MuseumsQuartier. This is one of the largest art and culture complexes in the world. Spend some quality time here.
Once you’re done sightseeing, go have some coffee in the evening. You don’t want to leave Vienna without trying its coffee. Hit any good cafe nearby and try their coffee.
8. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam has amazing architecture. It was never destroyed during the world wars. The canals run across the city. It is a city with amazing history, beautiful houses, remarkable art and cosmopolitan people. Have a great time at Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and the Heineken Experience. The most surprising thing is the number of bicycles on the road. It is said that you are more likely to be run over by a bicycle than by a tram in Amsterdam!
For lovers who have a broader sense of the 'couple' concept and for those for whom monogamy is a cultural norm that does not always have to be followed, suggestions go from a getaway to Amsterdam, city of sex par excellence. Not all its attraction is based on the Red Light District, which are icons such as the canals, the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum, or the Anne Frank House.
We also recommend a getaway to Leiden, the city with the most museums in the Netherlands and the place where Rembrandt was born.
Places of interest: Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Heineken Experience.
Interesting Reads: Best Things To Do In Amsterdam
Every continent has something special to offer and you can easily find a romantic destination that is a simple car ride away from where you live. Do some research and keep in mind that regardless of the destination you choose, what matters most is that you make your significant other feel loved and cherished.
