Looking for honeymoon inspiration and wondering what’s trending for 2026? Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all, fly-and-flop beach resorts. Honeymoons in 2026 are all about real experiences, slower travel, exploring together and discovering new places.
We’ve gathered the latest travel insights, booking data and industry reports to uncover what couples are really looking for in a honeymoon in 2026, and the European destinations that are capturing their hearts.
Travel behaviour & experience trends
Couples honeymooning in 2026 are looking for multi-destination escapes full of unique experiences and hidden gems away from the crowds.
According to Google Travel Trends, searches for “multi-destination honeymoons” have risen by 67% in the past year as newlyweds look for more variety from their stay. This could be combining a city escape with a coastal retreat or mixing days of adventure with time to unwind. The Virtuoso Luxe Report echoes this shift, with 72% of couples saying they prioritise “unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences” over traditional all-inclusive beach holidays.
The average honeymoon duration is around 7 to 10 days. However, this varies significantly by region. In the United States and Canada, most couples opt for honeymoons lasting between 5 to 7 days. In contrast, couples from Europe, Australia, and other countries with more generous holiday allowances often extend their honeymoons to 14 days or more.
Trending European destinations
For 2026, couples are looking beyond the classic hotspots to discover places with a little more authenticity and spaces where you don’t have to fight the crowds and queue for the most Instagramable spots!
According to an article by Conde Nast Traveler, based on data from Virtuoso, bookings for Slovenia have surged by an almighty 473% this summer and it’s easy to see why. This little gem packs a lot into a small country. The Slovenian side of Istria offers pretty coastal towns and a blend of Slovenian, Croatian and Italian flavours, while the Goriška Brda wine region is often called “Slovenia’s Tuscany” and is perfect for couples looking for good food, wine and rolling countryside. Best of all, even at the height of summer, Slovenia still feels refreshingly uncrowded compared to places like Venice or Dubrovnik.
Croatia follows closely, with a 356% increase, thanks to its stunning Adriatic coastline and lesser-known islands like Vis and Korčula, which offer all the charm of Greece but with fewer crowds. There definitely seems to be a theme here!
The classics haven’t disappeared though, with Virtuoso’s Annual Luxe Report 2026 showing that Italy and Greece are still top choices for luxury travel. Although travellers are swapping Santorini for Lefkada and smaller islands like Naxos and Folegandros, and in Italy couples are moving beyond the Amalfi Coast to explore Puglia’s sun-drenched villages, the rolling hills of Tuscany and the serenity of Lake Como.
There’s definitely a trend here – 2026 honeymoons are all about avoiding the crowds and finding beauty off the beaten path.
Portugal is also fast becoming one of Europe’s most desirable honeymoon destinations for 2026. According to CV Villas’ analysis of Google search data, Madeira has seen an 85% jump in honeymoon-related searches this year, while Virtuoso’s Luxe Report also lists Portugal among its top “destinations on the rise.” Couples are clearly falling for Madeira’s mix of adventure and tranquillity with its clifftop walks, lush botanical gardens and ocean-view boutique hotels overlooking Funchal Bay. It’s romantic, dramatic, and (here’s that trend again) refreshingly uncrowded.
Destination Amore’s top trending European honeymoon spots for 2026
For 2026, couples are chasing hidden gems where the crowds won’t follow.
Slovenia
Compact and diverse, offering vineyards, coastlines, and small towns that stay refreshingly uncrowded even in peak season.
Croatia – Vis & Korčula
Lesser-known islands with all the Adriatic charm but far from the busy hubs of Dubrovnik or Hvar.
Greece – Lefkada, Naxos & Folegandros
Dreamy beaches, whitewashed villages and golden sunsets without the Santorini crowds.
Italy – Beyond Amalfi
Regions like Puglia, Tuscany, and Lake Como providing the classic Italian experience without the Amalfi crowds.
Portugal – Madeira
Island landscapes combining adventure and tranquillity
What’s new for 2026
There’s a fresh wave of exciting hotel openings across the Mediterranean in 2026, and they’re just made for honeymoons. Booking just before a hotel’s first full season often means softer rates, first-pick suites, and that rare thrill of finding somewhere before everyone else. Here are some of the standout new openings perfect for honeymoons in 2026.
Le sirenuse Mare
One of the most anticipated Mediterranean openings for honeymooners is Le Sirenuse Mare, a new beach club debuting in Nerano on the Amalfi Coast in 2026 from the family behind Positano’s iconic boutique hotel, Le Sirenuse.
Set in a lush, terraced garden stretching from the shore, it promises an effortlessly glamorous all-day retreat with sun decks, a destination restaurant, multiple bar spaces and a beautifully curated Emporio Sirenuse boutique. Open from 10am to sunset from April – October, expect Le Sirenuse Mare to become one of the most sought-after honeymoon hotspots in the region.
There’s no official photos to view yet, but watch this space.
A new chapter for Lefkada luxury
Crystal Waters Lefkada, already loved for its laid-back luxury in the village of Nikiana, is getting a glamorous new sibling along the island’s coastline, a brand-new five-star property set to open in summer 2026.
The new hotel’s name is still under wraps, and construction is quietly underway, so for now, it’s a definite watch this space moment. If it’s anything like its sister resort, honeymooners can expect floating breakfasts, private candlelit dinners, and a dedicated concierge team – all the makings of a honeymoon hideaway with polished Greek hospitality.
Ritz-Carlton arrives on Lake Como
Set to open its doors in 2006, the Ritz-Carlton Lake Como will bring a new level of luxury to one of Italy’s most romantic destinations. The historic Belle Époque Hotel Grande Bretagne in Bellagio is being lovingly restored and reimagined as Ritz-Carlton’s first hotel in Italy.
The lakeside retreat will feature 59 elegant rooms and 46 suites, many with panoramic views over Lake Como, along with a spa, indoor pool, private dock, and beautifully landscaped gardens.
tuscany’s new coastal gem
The Tuscan coast is set to get a dose of timeless Italian glamour with the arrival of the Baglioni Hotel Forte dei Marmi, opening in 2026. Set just moments from the beach, the former Paradiso al Mare is being completely reimagined as a five-star retreat with 58 stylish rooms and suites, a rooftop pool and bar with views over the Ligurian Sea, and a spa designed for long, indulgent afternoons of relaxation.
If it’s anything like the other hotels in the Baglioni collection, we know it’s going to be fabulous.
mallorca’s most anticipated opening
The Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra on Mallorca’s southwest coast is set to be one of the island’s most glamorous new arrivals when it opens in Spring 2026.
The resort will feature 131 rooms, including 44 suites and 9 waterfront bungalows (some with private plunge pools). The spa promises full-service indulgence, with indoor and outdoor pools, fitness facilities and bespoke wellness treatments and dining will centre on Mediterranean flavours with locally inspired ingredients.
lesser know greek island luxury
Once the secret getaway of chic, holidaying Athenians, Kea is now stepping into the international spotlight with the arrival of One&Only Kea Island in 2026. Just 45 minutes by speedboat from Athens, it’s the closest Cycladic island to the capital, making it the perfect combination of Greek island allure and city convenience.
Honeymooners can expect ultra-private villas, many with cliffside infinity pools and panoramic Aegean views, all wrapped in the resort’s signature eco-luxury ethos. It’s a serene escape ideal for couples wanting romance and seclusion after a few days exploring Athens.
And for the ultimate in luxury:
paris to the amalfi coast with the venice simplon-orient-express
One of the world’s most legendary trains will embark on its first ever service from Paris to Italy’s Amalfi Coast on 4th May 2026.
The overnight route will whisk travellers from the French capital to Pompeii, to wander the ancient streets, before continuing by boat to Caruso, A Belmond Hotel in Positano, the definition of Italian romance.
Fares start from £8,600/ $11,479 per person including all meals, transfers, and excursions. A once-in-a-lifetime way to arrive on the coast, in true golden-age style.
zannier bendor – a private island reinvented, Île de Bendor, French Riviera
Fancy honeymooning on an iconic French private island? Zannier Bendor is set to make its debut in Spring 2026, bringing the French Riviera’s golden-era glamour back to life. Just off the coast of Bandol, the island will feature 93 rooms and suites, a beach club, and a holistic spa designed for long, lazy days by the sea. Dreamy!
Zannier Bendor – Delos Pool – © Zannier Hotels
With new hotel openings and quieter corners of Europe waiting to be discovered, 2026 is the year to find somewhere new rather than following the crowds (quite literally)!
FAQs
Honeymoons in 2026 are all about authentic experiences, slower travel, and discovering lesser-known destinations. Couples are moving away from one-size-fits-all beach resorts and opting for multi-destination itineraries that combine adventure, culture, and relaxation.
According to the latest booking data, the most in-demand European honeymoon destinations for 2026 include Slovenia, Croatia (especially the islands of Vis and Korčula), Greece (Lefkada, Naxos and Folegandros), Italy (Puglia, Tuscany and Lake Como), and Portugal’s Madeira.
Some of the most anticipated new openings include Zannier Bendor on the French Riviera, One&Only Kea Island in Greece, the Ritz-Carlton Lake Como in Italy, the Baglioni Hotel Forte dei Marmi in Tuscany, and the Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra in Mallorca.
The average honeymoon lasts around 7 to 10 days. However, this varies by region. Couples from the US and Canada tend to take around a week, while European and Australian couples often extend their trips to two weeks or more.
More couples are seeking unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences (such as vineyard stays, private island retreats, or boutique coastal escapes) over traditional all-inclusive beach holidays. There’s also a strong trend toward quieter or lesser known destinations with fewer crowds.
It’s best to start researching and booking at least 9 to 12 months ahead, especially for new hotel openings and high-demand regions like Italy and Greece. Booking early often means better rates and the first pick of rooms or suites.
Newly opened hotels often offer softer-opening rates, early-booking perks, and the rare thrill of being among the first guests to experience a new destination before it really hits the headlines.
