Cheap honeymoon destinations in Europe: the best cities

Comparison: flights, budget and best month

Prices are indicative per person for a return flight; hotel is per room per night. Always check the current price for your dates.

Prague and Budapest: the smartest budget honeymoon

Prague and Budapest are the two best choices for couples seeking romance at a low price. Both cities have rich architecture, candlelit restaurants, castle walks and a romantic atmosphere that rivals Paris or Rome but at a fraction of the cost.

Return flights in the low season sometimes cost less than 60 euros per person; mid-range hotels with a romantic atmosphere are available from 70 to 100 euros per night.

Prague scores with Charles Bridge at sunrise (empty, magical, free), Prague Castle on the hill and the picturesque neighbourhoods of Mala Strana and Vinohrady. Eat in local restaurants for 10 to 15 euros per person for a full dinner including a beer.

Budapest adds thermal baths: a soak in the Szechenyi or Gellert baths is an unforgettable experience for couples for less than 30 euros per person. The city is also more compact than Prague, with everything within walking distance.

Best months for both cities: May, June and September. Avoid December-January for the lowest temperatures, unless you want to experience the Christmas markets (December is atmospheric).

Porto and Lisbon: wine romance on the Atlantic

Porto and Lisbon are the two Portuguese options on this list, and both are excellent honeymoon destinations for couples seeking sun, culture and wine romance without big-city crowds.

Porto is smaller and more intimate: the Douro Valley with its wine cellars just 1 hour away, the historic Ribeira quarter along the river, the typical blue azulejo-tiled facades and the romantic bell tower of the Dom Luis Bridge. Flights are available directly from Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Amsterdam Schiphol, and they are cheaper than to Lisbon.

Lisbon is livelier and more cosmopolitan, with excellent restaurants in Alfama and Chiado, views over the Tagus and a thriving restaurant scene. Both cities are considerably cheaper than Paris or Barcelona for hotels and food. Book hotels in the historic centre (Alfama in Lisbon, Ribeira in Porto) for the best atmosphere.

Malta: a Mediterranean island with great romance

Malta is a hidden gem as a honeymoon destination. The small island combines azure Mediterranean waters, impressive baroque architecture (Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage site), colourful fishing villages on Gozo and a welcoming atmosphere.

Flights from Amsterdam Schiphol take just 3 hours and are relatively affordable; it is warm enough to swim from April to October. Hotels are more affordable than on Santorini or Mykonos.

For couples who want to combine sea and culture, Malta is one of the strongest options on this list. The sister island of Gozo, reachable by a short ferry, is even quieter and ideal for a romantic stay.

Santorini and Dubrovnik: iconic but pricier

Santorini is the most photographed island in Europe: white houses with blue domes, sunsets over the caldera at Oia, volcanic beach and exclusive hotels with infinity pools.

It is also more expensive than the other destinations on this list, but smart planning can significantly reduce costs. Go in May (before the high season begins) or in September (after the busiest period): hotels then cost 100 to 180 euros per night instead of 250 euros or more in August.

Dubrovnik offers comparable romantic photo opportunities, with the medieval city walls, the Adriatic Sea and the Game of Thrones atmosphere, but is generally cheaper than Santorini. The high season is July-August with extreme crowds; book for May or September for the best result. Flights are available from Eindhoven (2 hours) and Amsterdam Schiphol.

When to book for the best price?

• Flights: 3 to 6 months in advance European flights for a honeymoon in May or June are cheapest when booked between November and February. Fly on Tuesday or Wednesday; avoid weekend departures.
• Hotels: 2 to 4 months in advance Popular honeymoon destinations like Santorini and Dubrovnik fill up early in high season. Book your hotel earlier than you think necessary.
• Avoid August August is the most expensive month throughout Europe. The same destination in May or September costs an average of 25 to 40 percent less in flights and hotels.
• Book flights and hotel separately For European city breaks (Prague, Budapest, Porto), it is almost always cheaper to book flights and hotel separately rather than as a package.
• Use the CheapTrips planner Enter your departure city, dates and budget to receive a complete proposal for your honeymoon.