With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, romance is clearly in the air. Restaurant bookings are full, gifts are being purchased, and searches for ‘romantic holidays for couples’ have increased by over 5000% in the past 30 days, according to Google Trends.
With this in mind, the travel experts at Solmar Villas have made it their mission to reveal the most romantic destinations across the globe, just in time for Valentine’s season.
The experts analysed February weather conditions alongside key qualities that make or break a romantic getaway, including sunset quality, crowd levels, average restaurant rating, and scenic walkability. They also included their own booking data to validate the research in real-time booking data.
Surprisingly, the data revealed that it’s not necessarily classic spots – like the Eiffel Tower – that are genuinely the most romantic. In reality, some of the perfect spots for couples are located in the Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, and even Argentina. Find out more below:
The Most Romantic Destinations Globally Ranked
(Score out of 31)
| Rank | Destination | Combined Weather Score | Sunset Quality Score | Avg Restaurant Rating Score | Crowd Levels in Feb Score | Scenic Walk- ability Score | Booking Data Validation | Total Score |
| 1 | Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain | 9 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 26 |
| 1 | Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain | 9 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 26 |
| 1 | La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain | 8 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 26 |
| 1 | Madeira, Portugal | 8 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 26 |
| 2 | Seville, Spain | 8 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 25.5 |
| 3 | Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain | 8 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 25 |
| 3 | Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain | 8 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 25 |
| 3 | Paphos, Cyprus | 8 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 25 |
| 3 | Phuket, Thailand | 9 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 25 |
| 4 | Maldives | 9 | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 24.5 |
| 4 | Marrakech, Morocco | 8 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 24.5 |
| 4 | Lisbon, Portugal | 6 | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 24.5 |
| 5 | Santorini, Greece | 6 | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 23.5 |
| 5 | Barcelona, Spain | 7 | 4 | 4.5 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 23.5 |
| 6 | Hvar, Croatia | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 23 |
| 7 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | 7 | 4 | 4.5 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 22.5 |
| 7 | Côte d’Azur (French Riviera), France | 6 | 5 | 4.5 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 22.5 |
| 7 | Nice, France | 6 | 5 | 4.5 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 22.5 |
| 7 | Provence, France | 6 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 22.5 |
| 7 | Vienna, Austria | 6 | 3 | 4.5 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 22.5 |
Top-Level Key Insights Include:
- The Canary Islands dominate the ranking, accounting for 25% of the entire top 20. Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Palma all share the joint top score, reinforcing the region’s growing position as a go-to romantic escape.
- Europe overwhelmingly leads the list, with 14 of the top 20 destinations located in Europe, reflecting a strong preference for short-haul romantic breaks over long-haul travel.
- Spain is the most successful country overall, appearing 7 times in the top 20, spanning mainland cities, islands, and coastal regions.
- Island-based destinations outperform mainland spots, with over half of the top 10 ranked locations being islands. This highlights a clear preference for ocean views when it comes to romance.
- Traditional ‘big-name’ romantic destinations remain competitive but are no longer dominant. Locations such as Santorini, the French Riviera and Provence still rank highly, but they are increasingly matched or overtaken by quieter, less predictable destinations, indicating a shift in how couples define romantic travel.
Sharon Bradbury, travel expert and General Manager at Solmar Villas, has explained the data findings, sharing:
“One of the most striking patterns is the dominance of island destinations in this ranking, particularly across the Canary Islands and Atlantic Europe. Places like Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma and Madeira have all featured at the top of the list due to their reliable February climates and their stunning dramatic sunsets. They also top the ranking for manageable crowd levels which allows for solo romantic strolls and plenty of affectionate moments.
These destinations may not always be positioned as classic romance hotspots like Paris or the Maldives, but when we look at all the practical elements needed for a romantic holiday, they really do shine above the rest. For example, we know that sunset quality is a key component for a romantic destination so west-facing coastlines around this time of year are really key, as are elevated viewpoints and open horizons – all of which the top spots have to offer. This is likely why spots like Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Paphos in Cyprus feature in the top 3 too.
Ultimately, what this data really shows is that modern romance isn’t about ticking off the most famous destinations anymore – it’s about how a place makes you feel when you’re actually there. The highest-scoring locations weren’t necessarily the most glamorous on paper; they are the ones that offer winter sunshine and the freedom to explore hand in hand without crowds.”
