The last time I spoke about my personal life, I said something along the lines of finally finding my one and only. Now with a wedding on the horizon, the best part of the stressful wedding planning is knowing there will be a honeymoon. And, of course finding the ideal honerymoon destinations. 

However, honeymoons aren’t one size fits all. They can vary based on location, time spent, and especially the budget. So, we’ve compiled the top five luxury and budget hidden gem honeymoon destinations for you and your loved one to sit back and relax—or get up and explore!—following your vows. 

Disclaimer: All estimated prices were either pulled from the hotel website or Booking.com. Thus, pricing may vary based on where you book and what days you go. 

Let’s get started!

Honeymoon Destinations for Living a Life of Luxury

First, let’s go over luxurious honeymoon destinations that deliver a one-of-a-kind experience. If you opt for one of these honeymoon destinations, remember that a local guide can be the difference between exploring your surroundings like a tourist and seeing things off the beaten path.

Here are our suggestions for 5 luxurious honeymoon destinations you should consider. 

#1. Puglia, Italy

Our first stop is the heel of Italy’s boot. It has everything you could want in a romantic getaway: towns disappearing into the hills, farmlands galore, tons and tons of olive groves, and a Mediterranean coastline that stretches as far as the eye can see. 

Here are the things you should consider adding to your intimate itinerary:

• Visit “Pasta Alley” in Bari, the capital of Puglia. Here, women sit outside at tables and make orecchiette, the pasta that comes from this region.
• See the sunset at Terrazza Santo Stefano viewpoint in Polignano a Mare.
• Go to Otranto and swim in the turquoise sea. If swimming isn’t your thing, you can always enjoy the seaside views from the safety of the boardwalk!
• Do a wine tasting. You can do this literally anywhere in the whole region.
• Hike along the Gargano Peninsula.
• Go to Ostuni and shop for handmade ceramics. You can also go to Borgo Antico Bistrot for a beautiful sunset view.
• Get yourself a table at what is voted the most romantic restaurant in the world: Grotta Palazzese. This restaurant is in a cave, and the pictures alone make your heart melt.
• See the trulli (stone huts with conical roofs) in Alberobello. These are UNESCO Heritage sites!
• Grab some paper mache craft souvenirs in Lecce, lovingly nicknamed “Florence of the South.” Check out the beautiful baroque architecture there, too.

For accommodations, I’ve listed them from least to most expensive:

• Masseria Le Carrube: Located just outside of Ostuni, this stone farmhouse is the exact definition of farm-to-table dining, as all food is made from the fruits of the orchards, gardens, and olive groves.
• Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa: This 18th century manor also in Ostuni has had many faces. What was once a convent turned science institute turned police barracks soon became the home of the city’s first mayor. Today, it’s an adults-only hotel. The suites have antiques and frescoes. Fun fact: it has the city’s largest garden and the city’s only pool!
• Castle Elvira: Surrounded by forests and groves, this 20th century castle has frescoes, floral-motif floor tiles, stone bathtubs, and circular bed frames.
• Masseria Torre Maizza: Everywhere you look out from Masseria Torre Maizza has a view of ancient olive trees and the Adriatic Sea. The designer, Olga Polizzi, combined traditional Pugliese art with contemporary Italian designs, creating the beauty that resides in Puglia today. Not only does this hotel use local ingredients for its restaurant, but it also has a spa, pool, cookery school, golf course, and beach club.

#2. Sumba Island, Indonesia

There are lots of things you can get up to on Sumba Island, but you can always fall back on doing absolutely nothing. 

Just sit by one of the many deserted beaches like Mandorak Beach and breathe in the salty air with a beverage in your hand. If relaxation is the last thing you want, here are some other options to keep you busy:

• Go surfing. Sumba Island is known for its incredible waves, so take advantage of them if you’re a surf expert.
• Hike to the Lapopu Waterfall or up the Wairinding Hill. Both are promised to give you picturesque views perfect for you to add to your journal on the ALLMYNE app.
• Enjoy the Weekuri Lagoon turquoise tide pool.
• Learn about Sumbanese culture by visiting the traditional villages of Tarung and Pasunga in Waikabubak or Waigali and Praigoli in the Wanokaka District.
• Take part in one of the traditional rituals held throughout the year.
• See the megalithic relics in the Customary Village.

As for accommodations, we recommend:

• Cap Koroso: The wall in the reception area is covered with arts and crafts from the locals nearby. Isn’t that adorable? There are tons of panels with indigenous symbols and wabi-sabi pottery and glassware from the locals, too. Better yet, the shamans have shared their healing knowledge with the spa, allowing you to achieve the highest tier of relaxation during your stay. They also use native ingredients grown on their farms to feed you beautiful meals.
• The Sanubari: These thatched villas reside amongst the locals who live in the village. They practice ancient Marupu religious rites. In the villas are ikat weavings and ceramics from these villagers. You can also get a chance to “swim” with horses and see buffalo on the beach!
• Nihi Sumba: Everywhere I searched to see what hotels looked like on Sumba Island, this place popped up—and understandably so! While this is the most expensive stay on our entire list with prices starting upwards from $2,000 a night, it is one of the most beautiful places to spend your honeymoon. From torch-lit dinners on the beach and an equestrian center to treehouse barbecues and in-villa lobster feasts, Nihi Sumba has yet to disappoint a single visitor. This is another wonderful place for surfers. You can also enjoy the beach cinema and open-air spa.

#3. Zanzibar, Tanzania

Whether you have your old man’s car or a tab at Zanzibar tonight or not, this is a place you don’t want to miss out on when deciding where you’re going to fly off to with your new life partner. We recommend that you visit between January and February or June and October because this is when the dolphins visit! If you tour Kisimkazi Beach, you’re sure to see some. Some other things you’ll want to add to your list of must-sees are:

• Visiting the House of Wonders: This is one of six palaces built by the second Sultan of Zanzibar.
• You can go scuba diving with the Menai Bay Conservation Area or Mnemba Atoll.
• Sailing away with your honey bunches of oats on a dhow, a handcrafted wooden boat.
• Seeing some baobab trees, Sykes’ monkeys, and bush babies at Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park.
• And for the adrenaline junkies, go kitesurfing in Paje. This one is definitely on my bucket list!

Now, when it comes to where you’ll stay as the hub for this luxurious experience, we have the top three options for you (again from least to most expensive):

• Zuri Zanzibar: With gardens leading to the shore along an infinity pool, Zuri Zanzibar is something out of this world. You can take part in the outdoor gym or just stroll around the spice garden. In the evening, you can journey through the tropical gardens lit up by dozens of hanging lamps, which creates a very romantic atmosphere.
• Zanzibar White Sand: This is a barefoot resort, which is something I had never heard of before researching all of this. Located on Paje Beach, this hotel has gardens of exotic flowers, and all the buildings have traditional palm roofing. There’s a kitesurfing class there and open-air spa huts. As far as I’ve read, the saffron-dusted tiger prawns here are to die for!
• Bawe Island: This one is just private villas, so you get a whole fairy tale setting to yourself. With private pools, four restaurants, and alfresco dinners, you’ll be having the time of your life among blissful surroundings. And how about some paddleboarding in the morning to watch the sunrise?

#4. Whitsundays, Australia

Australia is just breathtaking in general, but not a lot of people think of it when considering where to honeymoon. However, the home of the Great Barrier Reef has countless things to do that will make your honeymoon an unforgettable experience:

• Go on the Journey to the Heart tour. Either from viewing it in the sky in a helicopter or heading to it on a glass-bottom ferry, the Heart Reef is the perfect thing for you and your loved one to come across.
• Kayak to wherever you’d like and find a quiet cove for a romantic picnic.
• Take a day trip to the Conway National Park.
• Have your choice of snorkeling, diving, or bareboating.

For Whitsundays, we have two incredibly luxurious stays for you to look at:

• Elysian Retreat: This is the first solar-powered resort in the Great Barrier Reef, and it’s only open to 20 guests at a time! Talk about remote! The hotel has its own boat, a magnesium mineral pool, and an Ayurveda-inspired spa. Ooo la la!
• Qualia: The Pebble Beach restaurant at this resort uses locally caught seafood, and the sunset champagne cruises are the epitome of how it feels to fall in love. You can go on a submarine adventure if you’re feeling bold.

#5. Mendoza, Argentina

Our final indulgent honeymoon destination is in Argentina. It’s important that you know that the Bodegas—like Bodega Catena Zapata and Bodega Salentein—are the place to go for wine tastings.

For non-wine drinkers, you can horseback ride in the Andes or through the vineyards if you’re afraid of heights. We also recommend that you go to Potrerillos for some zip-lining, rafting, and kayaking!

Here are the unique places to stay that we found, too:

• Casa de Uco: A prime example of industrial architecture, this hotel’s spa has both hydrotherapy and vinotherapy, along with a cedar sauce and open-air solarium.
• Entre Cielos: This hotel is Euro-Argentinian. They have frequent Malbec tastings, and you can even bathe in Malbec in their cool, concrete spa! Entre Cielos also has a hammam with a steam room within the spa, and it’s the only one like it in all of Argentina.
• SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites: This place is owned by Susana Balbo and her daughter Ana. Susana Balbo is the woman behind Argentina’s women-led wine brand, so her arsenal of signature wines is at your disposal. She and her daughter opened up their country home to the public for those who are looking to relax. With pebble-like concrete bathtubs, in-suite spa treatments, and heated furniture on the deck, it would be impossible not to!

Honeymoon Destinations for Sticking to a Budget

So maybe your wedding was a little bit over the top and you don’t have much funds saved for your honeymoon. That doesn’t mean you still can’t go do something special. These next five places are inexpensive while also being exciting, relaxing, and—most importantly—romantic.

#1. Cartagena, Colombia

Our first stop is over in Colombia. You could spend days on end exploring the Walled City, but there are plenty of other things you can do while there, like:

• Visit the historic fort called Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas.
• Go see the Clock Tower on one of the plazas.
• Take a ride on a romantic, horse-drawn carriage.
• Go on a walking food tour. These are really popular here!
• Get lunch at Mercado Bazurto and shop at La Serrezuela.
• For you book lovers, check out Abaco Libros y Cafe.

Now, for cheap accommodations, a lot of people recommended looking into Airbnbs; but if these aren’t your cup of tea, we have a great option for you: Bondo Estudio. Rated an 8.5/10 by couples, this hotel has a hot tub, public bath, rooftop pool, sun terrace, coffee shop, and bar. With garden access for relaxation and an 8-minute walk to Marbella Beach, this is the perfect setting for you to go back to and unwind after a long day of exploring.

#2. Budapest, Hungary

You might be wondering how Budapest, the well-known, extremely populated capital of Hungary, could be on this list. While Budapest isn’t as cheap as the other ones on this half of the post, it is still really inexpensive in comparison to the top half. Plus, there are so many things to experience there:

• Visit Buda Castle in the Castle District. The courtyards are open 24/7, so it would be the perfect place to share a sweet moment with your true love under the lights of the castle.
• Go to the top of Gellért Hill to get one of the best views possible of the Danube River.
• Visit Trinity Square. While there, you have to stop at the Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion. These places are gorgeous, and the photos don’t do them justice!
• See the State Opera and/or State Ballet perform at the Hungarian State Opera House for a little taste of theatrics.
• Check out the Széchenyi Thermal Baths located in City Park.
• Witness the incredible architecture of the Hungarian Parliament Building.

Locals tip: Take the BKK boat in the summer to go across the Danube. It’s $2 USD, which is way cheaper than booking one of the expensive cruises.

A lot of your time will be spent craning your neck to look at all the astounding, captivating views before you, so you’ll need the perfect place to come back and recharge. Most of the affordable accommodations are considered apartments, which are sort of like suites or condos in the U.S. The best ones to look into are the Emerald Downtown Luxury Suites by Continental Group, Budapest Magic in Downtown, and Three Corners Avenue Hotel.

#3. Marrakech, Morocco

First of all, you should probably bring a whole suitcase just for all the souvenirs you’re going to get because the souks of Morocco can put any impulse buyer into a lot of debt. These marketplaces have everything from Moroccan rugs to cooking classes and beyond. There is no way you can walk around the souks and not get something, unless of course you don’t like shopping. If so, here are some other things you might want to do instead:

• Go to Medina Quarter. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site!
• Visit Jardin Majorelle. This 2.5-acre garden sits in the middle of the city.
• Visit the Bahia Palace Museum and relax in the Court of Honour.
• Take a hot air balloon ride! (This is something I’ve always wanted to do, so maybe Morocco should be on my list of possible honeymoon destinations!)

We have three accommodation recommendations for you. They are:

• Riad Boussa: A 10-minute walk from Madrassa Ben Youssef (the hub for Islamic college intellectuals), Riad Boussa has a terrace with deck chairs and offers a Moroccan breakfast every morning. You can even get food served to you—upon request—at the fireplace or up on the terrace. The hosts can even organize airport transfers for you!
• Riad NayaNour: This riad is located in the center of Marrakech. They offer packed lunches for your day-long excursions; and after your long day, you return to an indoor pool, terrace, and inner courtyard.
• Riad Soundouss: As if the lounge with a fireplace and terrace with sun beds wasn’t enough, every room has a painted ceiling, mosaics, and Moroccan handicrafts. Also, all the furniture is authentic Moroccan furniture!

#4. Antalya, Turkey

There wasn’t much I could find on this little hidden gem of a honeymoon destination, but I added it because that means it’s a true hidden gem. Some things you can do here include:

• Visiting the Grand Roman Theater at Aspendos
• Seeing the Roman-era remnants of Side
• Exploring the boutique hotels and guesthouses in the Old Town district. These places were built in the Ottoman era (the 13th century!).

The best options for where to stay are Hotel Lykia Old Town Antalya and the White Garden Hotel. The first one, a bed and breakfast, is just two minutes away from Mermerli Beach. It has a garden, a seasonal outdoor pool, and bicycles available for you to explore the area. The second choice is an adult-only resort. It has a garden, terrace, and bar; and they offer halal breakfast every morning!

#5. Sri Lanka of South East Asia

It’s no surprise that Sri Lanka would have dozens upon dozens of activities for you to choose from, especially with there being eight UNESCO World Heritage sites here! This is just a short list of what you can expect, but we encourage you to look further into it because this list is in no way exhaustive:

• Spend time in Colombo. See Bambalapitiya or the Cinnamon Gardens.
• Experience the Cultural Triangle. This is Kandy, the countryside capital with the Buddhist temples; Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital with the ruins and bike rentals for day-long exploration; and Anuradhapura, the ancient capital from the 3rd century BCE. Anuradhapura has holy sites and the world’s oldest living human-planted tree!
• Visit one of their national parks: Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park, or Horton Plains National Park. If you go to Horton Plains, be sure you don’t miss out on seeing the World’s End Precipice and Baker’s Falls.

To round out our post, we are concluding with three accommodation options for your potential Sri Lankan honeymoon:

• The Sun House: A 5-star hotel with motel pricing. For example, a week in mid-July costs under $900 for a standard room. This hotel includes an outdoor swimming pool, garden, terrace, bar, and restaurant. It’s also a 19-minute walk from the Galle Fort Beach.
• Riff Hikkaduwa: Another 5-star hotel with motel pricing if you look through Booking.com, they provide ironing services as well as access to business amenities like faxing and photocopying in case you have to work on your honeymoon (which sounds really awful). They have a sitting area in each room, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and an on-site wellness area with a sauna.
• The Weir House: This villa has an outdoor fireplace and pool, along with a shared lounge, terrace, and garden. You get free access to bikes, and it’s 19 miles from the Kandy Train Station.

Start Planning the Perfect Honeymoon Getaway Today!

And that’s all she—well I—wrote! Hopefully that wasn’t as painful as trying to find the right shade of flowers to match your bridesmaid dresses. In the end, it doesn’t really matter where you have your honeymoon. You could go away for a week and just stay in a hotel nearby. 

Any quality time you can spend as newlyweds (before your lives get chaotic again) is a good way to celebrate you working together to accomplish something so beautiful and long-lasting. 

If you’re having trouble figuring out where the best honeymoon destination would be for you and your partner, head over to the ALLMYNE app. We have tons of wonderful tour guides on standby to help you plan the perfect, personalized trip for an unforgettable experience.

Download the ALLMYNE app from the APPLE STORE or GOOGLE PLAY to seamlessly plan, capture, and share your travel journey with a global community of fellow explorers. Upgrade to our PRO subscriber level for even more perks, including audio recording in your journal, AI-powered location suggestions tailored to your interests, unlimited trip locations, and unlimited storage for all your travel memories. Download the ALLMYNE app now – the ultimate travel companion to enhance every step of your journey!

Happy traveling!