The 11 Most Romantic Small Towns in Europe to Visit in 2024

The setting for the best-selling novel and popular Netflix series All the Lights We Cannot See, Saint-Malo is a small seaside town that inspires big emotions. It spent centuries as a stronghold for privateers, and 80 percent of it was destroyed during the Second World War. Today, modern Saint-Malo is just as defined by couples walking the narrow, twisty streets of the walled city hand in hand.

A romantic few days of exploration in historic Saint-Malo should start with a simple stroll to visit artisan shops and Breton clothing boutiques such as Saint James and Mat de Misaine, as well as a stop in one of the many créperies to try out Brittany’s most famous foods: crepes and their savory companion galettes. Order a galette complète (egg, cheese, and ham) as a main, and a crêpe au sucre (butter and sugar) as a dessert. Like me, a real-life Breton, wash it all down with local cider served in a bôlée.

Must-sees in Saint-Malo include the 12th-century cathedral, where you can sit and take in the immense beauty of the rose window and other stained glass windows. Just be aware that such beauty is bound to inspire a marriage proposal or a renewal of vows. For outdoor activities, take the 1.2-mile walk around the ramparts to see the city, the beaches, and the sea from a magnificent vantage point, or, if the weather allows, take a refreshing swim in one of the two saltwater pools at Plage de Bon Secours or Plage de l’Eventail. The saltwater pool at Plage de Bon Secours has a diving board that passes the fun test with flying colors. If the tide and the weather are on your side (and please be very mindful of the tide), walk from the city to the small islands of Grand Bé and Petit Bé, where you can visit the grave of French writer François-René de Chateaubriand, see an 18th-century fort, or just sit and enjoy the views and each other’s company.

Loved-up visitors to Saint-Malo have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to hotels, but being on the northern coast of Brittany in the city known for its sailors, it would be a shame to book a hotel that lacks views of the sea. The beautiful, five-star spa Hotel des Thermes is right on the beach — perfect for long, romantic, windswept walks before going for a meal at the on-site restaurant or a couples massage. The four-star spa Hotel du Nouveau Monde is another great option by the sea. — Morgane Croissant

In 2023, my now-wife Heather and I held a ceremonial wedding in Tuscany after 15 years of being together. After, with our six-month-old in tow, we headed to the Amalfi coast for five days. The region has long been a dream vacation destination, and for the past couple of years it’s felt like everyone with an Instagram account has flocked to Positano for at least part of the summer to take in the breathtaking views and la dolce vita. Positano, however, wasn’t for us — too many stairs to make a stroller practical, jaw-dropping high-season prices, and far too many aspiring influencers. Instead, we set our sights slightly up the coast to Maiori. Here, the streets are relatively flat and the smattering of other tourists largely Italian.

Romantic locales are often only as romantic as a person makes it. Maiori certainly makes romance easy, though. We stayed at Hotel Sole Splendid, located on the edge of town, in a balcony room that looks out over the beach and seasonal snack and aperitivo shack. Its location makes for easy quick dips in the Mediterranean, and it’s the perfect starting point for strolls along the waterfront promenade. The number of small places to pop in for a drink and bite to eat is extensive, but Made in Eataly is a stand-out quaint spot for small plates and local wine and beer. For seafood, walk past the cats lounging near Ristorante Pizzeria Nettuno to indulge in hearty servings of the day’s catch.

Ristorante Torre Normana, housed in a medieval Normal watchtower jutting into the sea, is the celebrity-approved special occasion restaurant along the Amalfi Coast. Make reservations ahead of time, as the restaurant-hotel-beach club books up fast. The seasonal menu focuses on everything from the sea, naturally, and the multi-course meals pair perfectly with the well-curated wine list — particularly the local and French sparklings and wines from just up the road in Ravello. There’s not a bad view in the tower, but when the weather is nice, it’s hard to beat the open outdoor section. Don’t forget to head to the top of the tower for photos after your meal.

In the afternoons, take your aperitivo along Corso Reginna, which follows the river. Ristorante Pinata 1903 has a dining courtyard with lemon trees serving as a roof, each tree hanging its fruit above tables as diners indulge in all things lemon infused (don’t skip the lemon-sorbet-filled lemon for dessert). Casa Ferraiuolo does classic cocktails just as well as innovative signature drinks during aperitivo hour that bridge the gap to a pasta dinner. The restaurant also sits near the stunning Palazzo Mezzacapo Gardens with its rose bushes and open-top tunnels filled with clear water.

While Maiori may not have the name recognition of Positano, it does have one of the most stunning walking trails on the coast: Sentiero dei Limoni. Countless lemon trees shade the path from Maiori to neighboring Minori. Along the way, family farms open their doors to walkers for fresh lemonade breaks. Passing donkeys are just as likely to share the trail as other people. Near the Minori side, make a reservation for dinner at Cuonc Cuonc for lemon-heavy dishes made by the family running the attached organic farm. The views alone are worth the reservation, though the home-style food (and friendly cat) make the rustic dinner stand out most. While you wait, give your calves a break from the many stairs with all types of lemon- and other -cellos at the distillery Liquorificio Mansi Carlo.

Getting to Maiori requires driving the organized chaos of coastal road SS163. I was thankful for small rental cars as I squeezed past busses, bikers, hikers, and two-way traffic along the windy road. But a romantic stay in Maiori is more than worth the effort. — Nickolaus Hines

Few settings are more romantic than a village in the English countryside, and Ham, in the rural county of Wiltshire, is just that. Home to only 180 inhabitants who mostly live in rose-covered, thatch-roofed, timber-framed cottages, Ham is a real-life English storybook village. I went to Ham just a couple of weeks ago without my partner and, upon arrival, I knew that I might have scored a proposal if I had brought him with me.

The center of Ham is undoubtedly The Crown & Anchor, the one and only pub in the village, that doubles as an intimate restaurant with a small but gourmet menu — it even managed to make my simple parsnip soup a delicious meal. Above the pub-restaurant, there are a few cozy and beautifully decorated rooms. After a good, comfy sleep during which the only noise is the rustling of the wind in the trees, enjoy a hearty, but refined, breakfast. Opt for the full English or, like me, go easy and order the ginger porridge, a slice of thick brown bread, and a cafetiere of coffee — the perfect start of the day to brave the English weather.

Ham is the starting point of many walking trails of varying lengths, from two miles to 77 miles, but start your visit by taking a simple stroll around the village. Play a game of “which stunning cottage would I choose if I could pick any of them” and pay a visit to the small 12th-century All Saints Church and the picturesque Grade II-listed Manor House next door. Don’t forget to take a picture with the old-fashioned sign that sits on the village green.

Once you’ve thoroughly explored Ham, make your way to one of the world’s most famous prehistoric sites, Stonehenge, only 50 minutes away by car. Or opt for a romantic, tranquil, and traditional horse-drawn boat trip on the Kennet and Avon Canal, just 15 minutes away.

Note that Ham is a semi isolated location and you won’t be able to get there if you don’t have a car and aren’t willing to tackle the narrow and bumpy roads of the English countryside. If when you get there it’s pouring rain, be extremely careful. The roads get flooded quickly and driving is treacherous — trust me and my near-death experience. — Morgane Croissant

Pärnu, a resort town of just under 40,000 people on Estonia’s east coast, is bisected by the Pärnu River. Think Cape Cod without all the shirtless, sandy-footed tourists. Think St. Tropez with restaurants and boutiques that are actually reasonably priced. Pärnu is known for its beach, stunning waterfront promenade, walking paths on both sides of the river, and of course, its neoclassical spas.

Spas are synonymous with romance, and you shouldn’t have to empty your bank account for a 30-minute couples treatment. Hedon Spa & Hotel has one of the largest spas in Estonia, and it offers a wide range of affordable spa treatments that’ll put you in a romantic mindset. From the classics — couples massages, facials, and body wraps — to special offerings like the silent spa (a sound-free relaxation experience) and evening night spa, you’ll have a whole menu of rejuvenating, intimate experiences to choose from. For just $11, you can also use the spa bathing area and sink into the massage pool or take a steamy sauna break.

Even if you only have a day or two in Pärnu, don’t feel pressured to schedule tons of activities to fill your days. One of the most enjoyable delights of this coastal city is simply strolling its streets. Walk along the river, or down the beach promenade to the sandy Baltic shore. Explore the narrow cobbled roads, or sit down for an outdoor coffee or lunch date at Supelsaksad Pärnu, a cozy traditional restaurant in the heart of town that’s perfect for people-watching. My most lasting memory of Pärnu was having an outdoor lunch and spotting a couple in bathrobes — clearly coming from the spa — walking hand-in-hand down a cobbled street, passing a bottle of wine back and forth. It’s emblematic of the vibe of the city itself: a slower, laid back pace; intimacy without stodginess; and a relaxed vacation mindset that hits you right when you get to town. — Eben Diskin

Ireland has always held a special place in my heart, and the same is true for my immediate family. My trips have generally focused on the country’s whiskey and beer. But my mom, Gail Hines, knows a far wider scope of all that Ireland has to offer and for years has operated custom Ireland trips through her company, Ireland Enchantment Tours. There’s just something about the Emerald Isle that draws her and the people she’s leading back.

“I began Ireland Enchantment Tours because I sincerely believe Ireland is one of the most romantic countries hands down,” she says. “To me, a romantic travel destination means a little bit of countryside, music, food, drink, comfort, and gleeful surprises from the native residents. Killarney has all of that.”

Killarney is located along the incredibly scenic Ring of Kerry. Natural beauty speaks for itself and is never far away. The 65-foot tall Torc Waterfall is just outside of Killarney and is accessible via a short walk. The Lakes of Killarney has boating and sunset kayaking past islands filled with red deer and the stunning Ross Castle when the weather is nice (well, nice by Irish standards). Horseback riding with Killarney Riding Stables or taking a jaunting car ride on a horse-drawn carriage in Killarney National Park offers the chance to see the landscape by hoof. Not far away is the Gap of Dunloe and it’s Ice-Age-shaped mountains — and the drive there is worth the trip alone.

Visiting the town itself, population about 15,000, brings another side. Stay in town at Copper Kettle B&B, Dromhall Hotel, or Killarney Park. All are easy home bases to explore the town. Here, locals freely share their stories, and it feels like there’s always at least one person ready to pull out their instrument for a song or two at any given night in the pub (try Killarney Grand, John M. Reidy, and O’Connors Traditional Pub for live music). Try beer and whiskey from the source at Killarney Brewing and Distillery, or dive deep into all things Irish whiskey with Irish Whiskey Experience. When pub food gets too much, Murphy Brownes has cozy yet elegant dining, Harrow Killarney focuses on seasonal ingredients, and Bricin feels like a step back in time. — Nickolaus Hines

Few places have made me think, “man, I really wish I wasn’t single,” like Perast, Montenegro. It only takes an hour to drive from one end of the country to the other, but even if you don’t get out of the car, a drive along Montenegro’s coast is one of the prettiest hours you’ll ever spend behind the wheel. And if you do get out (which I highly recommend), it should be in Perast, a 300-person town on the bay that’s the perfect pit stop for couples.

Hence my consternation. I was standing on the Perast Lake Promenade looking out across the water at Our Lady of the Rocks, an islet home to a small church. The islet, set against a dramatic mountainous backdrop and reachable by water taxi, is a humbler and more intimate version of France’s Mont Saint-Michel. “That’s where I’d get married,” I thought to myself. “Well, when I have a fiancée. Or a girlfriend. Or when I get even a single Hinge match.” Hell, even the promenade itself — which spans the entire town — smacks of romance. Of course, you don’t have to be an amorous couple to enjoy Perast; I certainly had a blast taking a water taxi to Our Lady of the Rocks, and the nearby Blue Grotto swimming hole. Though when I went alone to the locally famous Boka Seafood, an oyster restaurant and farm right on the bay, the aphrodisiac effect was somewhat wasted on me.

Despite its small size, Perast still has plenty of lodging options for couples looking to stay a while. From the Conte Hotel & Restaurant with its picturesque waterfront dining, to this medieval bay-view Airbnb with a stone courtyard and traditional aesthetic. — Eben Diskin

The province of Agrigento is on the southern coast of Sicily. It’s home to one of the island’s most impressive and popular attractions, the UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Valley of the Temples (or Valle dei Templi in Italian). You’d be remiss not to visit one of the most impressive temples in the world on a visit to Sicily, but rather than a quick day trip, consider staying in the region for a week or two and taking day trips into Agrigento, other charming coastal towns, and the capital city of Palermo.

That’s what my partner and I did a couple of springs ago. However, we made a mistake. What we needed at that time was a vacation where we could stop, decompress, focus on our wellness, and spend time in nature together. Now, for us, Sicily embodies everything we seek in a romantic destination. The food and wine culture is outstanding (in my opinion, the best in Italy), the topography is varied, the coastline is breathtaking, the locals are welcoming, and biodiversity is thriving. That said, one small town stands out as the perfect romantic destination in Sicily: Siculiana.

Siculiana sits about eight miles west of Agrigento and has a history dating back to at least the 1300s. The narrow, hilly streets of the small hamlet and the ancient architecture surrounding them tell of myths, legends, and romantic love stories. It’s grown into one of the most important cultural and artistic hubs on the island, with local artists regularly creating masterpieces that adorn city walls and public spaces. Many of these masterpieces draw inspiration from Sicilian traditions and culture, showcasing the history and beauty of the area through art. You’ll see groups of visitors come to admire the Baroque and Renaissance monuments and picturesque Sicilian gardens. But as the groups of day tours leave in the afternoon, the village becomes very much a locals-only place. Because of this, there’s only a handful of pretty Airbnbs to choose from. All are traditional in style and amenities.

For something a tad more elevated, you could opt for one of the best wellness resorts in Sicily, which is a 15-minute drive up the coast from Siculiana. ADLER Spa Resort Sicilia is relevantly new to the scene, but it’s quickly becoming a popular place for Europeans who want a restful vacation. Through cutting-edge architecture (natural materials and a liberal use of glass) and eco-friendly practices, the resort seamlessly blends into the cliff edge and the wildflower carpet of lavender, fennel, and violets. Stay in one of the open-planned suites, which open onto manicured gardens and the ocean beyond. Afternoons can be spent lounging in a robe between sauna sessions and mineral baths. And when the sun sets, the experience of watching the crimson sky against the white cliffs that pour into the sea below will stay with you forever. — Katie Scott Aiton