Travel Index Reveals the Most Romantic Cities Around the World
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, offering the perfect excuse to travel with a loved one. All across the world, each continent is home to some breathtaking destinations and romantic cities, providing the perfect backdrop to spend some uninterrupted quality time.
Whether it’s the ‘City of Love’ (Paris) or the iconic Big Apple (New York), there’s no shortage of incredible locations, perfect for a loved-up trip - but which destination takes the top spot, ahead of all others?
To explore this further, we at Riviera Travel wanted to uncover the most romantic cities around the globe for Valentine’s Day. To do this, we created an index ranking the top ten locations renowned for their dreamy hotspots, hotels and eateries.
So, without further ado, let’s reveal the top ten…
Most Romantic Cities Index
To develop our index and find the most romantic destinations, we evaluated several key factors across various countries around the world, including the number of romantic hotels, restaurants and the total number of attractions labelled ‘good for couples’ on TripAdvisor.
Each destination was then scored individually on each factor and given a total score out of 90. The locations were then ranked from 1-10.
| Rank | Destination | Number of romantic hotels | Number of romantic restaurant | Number of attractions | Total score / 90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rome, Italy | 1,341 | 1,595 | 890 | 87 |
| 2 | London, UK | 289 | 2,141 | 1,048 | 84 |
| 3 | Paris, France | 56 | 1,615 | 610 | 82 |
| 4 | Florence, Italy | 478 | 533 | 442 | 73 |
| 5 | Marrakech, Morocco | 1,337 | 333 | 769 | 72 |
| 6 | New York, USA | 139 | 914 | 703 | 71 |
| 7 | Prague, Czech Republic | 260 | 489 | 485 | 69 |
| 8 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 213 | 572 | 407 | 69 |
| 9 | Santorini, Greece | 722 | 389 | 162 | 60 |
| 10 | Madrid, Spain | 101 | 844 | 385 | 60 |
1. Rome, Italy
Ranking as the most romantic destination in the world for 2025 is Rome. The Italian capital city scored an impressive 87 out of 90 points, making it a brilliant option for lovers this upcoming Valentine's Day.
In total, Rome is home to 1,341 romantic hotels and 1,595 restaurants. Additionally, with almost 890 attractions labelled ‘good for couples’, there’s no shortage of incredible options dotted throughout the popular city to keep romantics entertained.
Overall, the city is the ideal setting for a cupid-approved escape, allowing couples to enjoy high-quality restaurants and hotels while having well-known attractions such as the Colosseum and Pantheon right on your doorstep.
2. London, United Kingdom
According to our index, London is the second-most romantic city in the world, scoring 84 out of 90 points. The location’s combination of nature, iconic landmarks, and charming atmosphere makes it a great option for a romantic city break.
Couples can choose from 290 romantic hotels and 2,141 restaurants - by far the most eateries out of all examined destinations. Kinaara is a go-to Indian restaurant with an intimate vibe, while Bustronome offers a unique experience, serving meals on a moving bus.
Additionally, London offers visitors 1,048 attractions that are suitable for couples, including sightseeing at the Tower of London and informative visits to the British Museum. We believe London remains a great choice for lovebirds this Valentine’s Day.
3. Paris, France
Dubbed the ‘City of Love’, it was only a matter of time before Paris appeared on the list. Scoring 82 out of 90 points, the French capital ranks as the third most romantic city in the world.
Known for its high-quality local cuisine, Paris is home to 1,615 romantic restaurants. Nectar, Au P’tit Curieux, and Le Maxan Restaurant all offer glimpses into the authentic French dining experience on offer throughout the city.
Furthermore, couples can choose from 565 romantic hotels and 610 attractions to keep them busy, including visits to the iconic Eiffel Tower and tours around the charming cobblestone streets.
4. Florence, Italy
In fourth place, and the second Italian city to feature in the top five, is Florence. Overall, the destination scored 73 and is an intimate choice due to its combination of stunning architecture and natural beauty - with the Arno River flowing through the city.
Lovers of Italian cuisine will be pleased with 533 romantic restaurants, meaning there’s no shortage of choice for a perfect Valentine’s Day date venue. There are also 478 hotels offering a cosy atmosphere, well suited for couples trips.
Finally, in Florence, 442 attractions are labelled ‘good for couples’, including Piazzale Michelangelo, a square offering picturesque views of the city and the Arno River, perfect for romantic moments and proposals.
5. Marrakech, Morocco
Next, Marrakech scored 72 out of 90 points, ranking inside the top five most romantic cities across the globe. It’s a popular choice for honeymoons and anniversaries, and with so much on offer, it’s easy to see why.
Marrakech is home to 1,337 romantic hotels, second only behind Rome, including traditional Moroccan houses called riads. In particular, Riad Andallaspa is a great example of the accommodation's charming and romantic atmosphere, perfect for a couples holiday.
The city also offers 333 restaurants, suitable for a date night meal and 769 attractions that are ‘good for couples’ - including trips to Bahia Palace and Jardin Majorelle.
6. New York, USA
Placing sixth in the rankings is New York, USA. The widely popular American city is a go-to destination throughout the year, especially around Christmas. Despite the busy atmosphere, we believe it’s a breathtaking place to spend a romantic holiday with a loved one.
New York has 914 romantic restaurants offering a wide range of cuisines throughout the city. Plus, Arlo Soho is just one of the high-quality romantic hotels available, with 139 in total.
Thinking of visiting the Big Apple for your next couples trip? Be sure to take a romantic stroll through Central Park before watching the sunset from the top of the Empire State Building. Or, choose from one of the other 703 attractions suitable for couples.
7. Prague, Czech Republic
Now, back to Europe for Prague. The Czech capital city placed seventh in the ranking with a score of 69. Home to incredible architecture, cobblestone streets and a bustling city atmosphere, Prague offers visitors the perfect scenery for a romantic holiday.
The MANES Boutique Hotel and Hotel Julian are just two of the many (260) enchanting options to be found throughout the city. There are also 489 restaurants perfect for a picturesque meal - with Restaurace Mlynec being the pick of the bunch.
There’s plenty to keep couples busy when visiting Prague, such as a day trip to Prague Zoo, a walk along Charles Bridge or a visit to Prague Castle, the largest castle complex in the entire world.
8. Amsterdam, Netherlands
In joint seventh position, also scoring 69 out of 90 points, is Amsterdam. The Dutch capital city is a popular tourist hotspot all year round but remains a brilliant choice for couples around Valentine’s Day.
Travellers can pick from 213 romantic hotels, many situated near the city’s beautiful canals, providing beautiful views of the city. Additionally, with 572 romantic restaurants, couples are surely spoilt for choice come dinner time.
Various museums, including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House, allow couples to spend insightful days together soaking in the city's history and culture. Overall, Tripadvisor labels 407 attractions as ‘good for couples’.
9. Santorini, Greece
Nearing the end of our ranking is Santorini. The Greek island, situated in the Aegean Sea, scored 60 out of 90 points. The destination is famed for its white sandy beaches, natural landscapes and views of the sea. Has there ever been a more romantic-sounding location to unwind with your partner?
In total, 389 romantic restaurants are available, offering a mixture of Mediterranean and European cuisine. Most establishments have outside seating arrangements, allowing couples to enjoy the view while indulging in high-quality meals.
There’s so much on offer throughout Santorini, with 722 romantic restaurants and 162 attractions suitable for lovers this Valentine’s Day and beyond.
10. Madrid, Spain
Finally, rounding off the top ten rankings and also scoring 60 out of 90 points is the Spanish city of Madrid. Similar to Santorini, the city is a go-to travel destination due to its warm climate and beautiful beaches, making it a strong choice for a passionate getaway.
Throughout the city, there are 101 romantic hotels, including Only YOU Boutique Hotel and Hotel Sardinero - two popular picks. In terms of restaurants, we recommend La Burbjeria, but there are 844 in total if that doesn’t take your fancy!
Overall, Madrid has 395 attractions deemed suitable for couples, including a visit to Parque del Retiro, a picturesque location perfect for a romantic stroll by a natural lake.
Methodology
The Most Romantic Cities Index, created by Riviera Travel, assesses a range of factors to highlight the best destinations around the world for a couples getaway.
We examined three key areas: the number of romantic hotels, romantic restaurants, and the amount of attractions labelled ‘good for couples’ online.
Each destination was then given a score out of 90 and ranked in accordance with the other findings.
The three factors used to rank each location were sourced from TripAdvisor.
