17 Most Romantic Cities in the World | Celebrity Cruises (2024)

New experiences in beautiful destinations are so much better shared. So why not seek out the most romantic cities in the world to explore with your loved one?

Whether you love the idea of wandering along the banks of the Seine in spring, learning to tango in sultry Buenos Aires, or even doing a bungy jump together in New Zealand, there are dozens of wonderful experiences in some of the world’s most gorgeous cities that are perfect for couples.

Here are some of the most romantic cities in the world to consider for your next adventure together.

Paris, France

Paris is known for romance. Stroll hand in hand along the Seine and admire the Mona Lisa in the Louvre and the great impressionists at the Musée d’Orsay.

Listen to the buskers in Montmartre and drink wine in a hidden bistro. It’s no wonder that the French capital is dubbed the “City of Love”.

There’s so much to fill your time in Paris. Take a trip up the Eiffel Tower for views of the city stretching in every direction, or window shop on the chic Champs Elysées.

Wander through the pretty Jardin des Tuileries or the Jardin du Luxembourg, situated on the edge of the Latin Quarter.

Shop for vintage wares at the Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen, the biggest flea market in the world. In summer, you can even relax with the locals on the pop-up urban beaches along the river.

Venice, Italy

There’s nothing more romantic than losing yourselves in the sleepy back alleys of Venice, where cats snooze on flower-filled window ledges and the “streets” are canals.

Wander across the Rialto Bridge and stop for snacks at the bustling food market, or take a ride in a gondola and see this dreamy city from the water.

If you have more than one day in Venice, take a cruise on the misty Venice Lagoon to colorful Burano, or shop for Murano glass at one of the island’s many glassmakers.

Join a tour of St. Mark’s Basilica, where the shimmering mosaics have to be seen to be believed, or do the “Secret Passages” tour of the Doge’s Palace to see where Casanova, one of history’s great lovers, was imprisoned.

Read: Most Romantic Places in Italy

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Home of the tango, elegant Buenos Aires is an inspiration to lovers. Watch street performers demonstrate their sinuous moves, go to a tango show, or even take a class.

Dubbed the “Paris of South America,” the city does indeed have some resemblance to the French capital with its grand architecture and sweeping boulevards.

Explore the neighborhoods in Buenos Aires to get a feel for the place. Head to La Boca for that iconic shot of the brightly painted houses on Caminito, and the Boca Juniors “Bombonera” soccer stadium.

Ubud, Bali

One of the best things to do in Bali is to spend a romantic day in arty Ubud, a pretty town famous for its boho atmosphere. It’s packed with temples, galleries, coffee shops, traditional Balinese healers, and restaurants.

Ubud is surrounded by hills, rushing rivers, and the emerald-green terraces of paddy fields, and has a deeply spiritual feel. Renting bicycles is a wonderful way to explore the hilly countryside.

In town, browse the craft market for souvenirs, pick up a traditional Balinese painting, visit the intricate Royal Palace, and wander through the serene Monkey Forest, which gives you a real feel of rural Bali.

Hoi An, Vietnam

Pretty Hoi An is one of the most enchanting towns in Vietnam, its center criss-crossed by canals and its streets lined with more than 800 colorful old merchant’s houses and temples.

Wander around the market and admire the ornate, 16th-century covered bridge, built by the Japanese. You could perhaps join a cycling tour through the town and out into the verdant countryside.

You’ll see cooking schools all over Hoi An. Consider joining a class with your loved one and learning to make some of Vietnam’s most famous dishes, such as fresh spring rolls, grilled pork noodles, and banana flower salad.

Rome, Italy

Everything in Rome is on a grand scale and invites exploration. From the dazzling St. Peter’s Basilica to the Colosseum, with its dramatic history, and the Pantheon, one of the best preserved Roman temples in the world, you’ll never run out of historic landmarks to discover.

Pack a picnic of local cheese, bread, and wine, and head for the lush beauty of Villa Borghese, a gorgeous Italian garden.

Stroll along the Via Veneto, browsing designer shops, and stop for gelato in the impossibly beautiful Piazza Navona, famed for its outdoor dining and exquisite baroque fountains.

Remember, too, to visit the opulent Roman landmark of Trevi Fountain, the largest in the city. Throw in a coin to guarantee (in popular belief) that you’ll return one day to this lavishly romantic city.

Read: The Ultimate Rome Neighborhood Guide

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is one of the most romantic places in Spain. Dig into tapas with your toes in the sand on Barceloneta Beach, or stroll the shady alleys of the Gothic Quarter.

Admire Gaudí’s colorful, undulating architectural creations in Parc Guell, or graze the enticing food stalls in the bustling La Boqueria market.

There are superb Spanish museums to explore, from the Picasso Museum to the Joan Miró Foundation on top of Montjuic Hill. No visit would be complete without a visit to the magnificent Sagrada Familia basilica, Gaudí’s most famous work.

Be sure to book tickets for one of the towers; the views of Barcelona from the top are stupendous, and there’s no better spot in the city for a photo to commemorate your time here together.

Melbourne, Australia

Multicultural Melbourne is more a collection of individual neighborhoods than a hom*ogenous city, and each has its own character.

Start in the center and admire spectacular Aboriginal artworks at the National Gallery of Victoria, one of the best places to visit in Melbourne. Stroll the narrow laneways and photograph the extraordinary street art, arguably some of the most creative in the world.

Pack a picnic and do as the locals do, lounging on the grass in the beautifully landscaped Royal Botanic Gardens. Then head out to cool St. Kilda and wander along the waterfront, admiring the traditional pier and the city skyline, and look out for the little penguins that nest on the breakwater.

London, England

Wear good walking shoes for a romantic day out in London, England; on foot is by far the best way to discover the capital. Get your bearings with a ride on the London Eye observation wheel, with magnificent views from the top along the Thames.

Peek into the ornate Westminster Abbey, where the Prince and Princess of Wales were married, or stroll the colorful streets of quirky, boho Notting Hill.

Head up to Primrose Hill for more sweeping city views, or take a trip up the towering glass Shard building for co*cktails in the sky. Back at ground level, shop for gourmet treats in Fortnum & Mason, and make time for a romantic drink in a cozy pub.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Beguiling Amsterdam is one of the most romantic cities in Europe. Take a canal cruise and gaze up at elegant old gabled houses.

Wander through the flower-filled Jordaan neighborhood. Rent a bicycle—maybe even a tandem, if you’re brave—and cycle through the city parks.

Don’t miss the Van Gogh Museum, and book in advance to take in the poignant Anne Frank House in Amsterdam Centrum.

Browse intriguing independent shops in Amsterdam, located along Negen Straten, and make time for coffee with apple pie or poffertjes, mini fluffy pancakes dusted with sugar or drizzled with melted chocolate.

Istanbul, Turkey

You’ll never tire of gazing at the dreamy skyline of Istanbul, defined by the domes and slender minarets of countless mosques.

Take a boat ride along the Bosphorus, which divides Europe and Asia, to see quaint riverside suburbs and grand palaces lining the banks.

Spend a day in Sultanahmet, one of the best neighborhoods in Istanbul, visiting the lavish Topkapi Palace, ornate Hagia Sophia, and the dazzling Blue Mosque.

Browse the chaotic, colorful Grand Bazaar (and remember you must haggle here), and shop for spices in the Egyptian Bazaar. Watch the fishermen on the Galata Bridge, spanning the Golden Horn.

And make time to explore Istanbul’s outstanding cuisine. Even the most modest restaurants will introduce you to savory pastries, eggplant dishes, sizzling kebabs, falafels with hummus and, of course, rose-scented Turkish Delight.

San Francisco, California

Beautiful, boho San Francisco, sprawling over impossibly steep hills and surrounded on three sides by water, can’t fail to seduce, and deserves its place in any list of the most romantic cities in the world.

Explore the different neighborhoods with your partner, from the grand mansions of Pacific Heights to the alleyways of Chinatown in Downtown San Francisco, where a stop for dim sum is essential.

Cycle through Golden Gate Park and head to Baker Beach for that classic shot of the gorgeous Golden Gate Bridge. Out of town, take the boat across to Alcatraz, or wander through the green shade of Muir Woods, admiring the magnificent old redwood trees.

Florence, Italy

One of the most beautiful cities in the world, dreamy Florence is an ode to love and beauty, with exquisite architecture at every turn.

Visit the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore for beautiful art, and if you’ve got a head for heights, take the tour up inside the vast dome for spectacular views of Florence.

Stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, one of the gorgeous bridges of Florence. Shop for handmade leather purses and shoes, and make time to gaze at the exquisite beauty of Michelangelo’s David, housed in the Accademia Gallery.

The river Arno bisects the city, and you can enjoy a different viewpoint from a renaioli, a traditional, flat-bottomed boat that drifts slowly under the city’s ancient bridges.

Afterwards, stop for lunch at a sidewalk trattoria on Piazza Santa Croce and then look inside the church that dominates the square; Michelangelo and Galileo’s tombs are here, among others.

Sydney, Australia

With its supermodel looks and sparkling harbor, Sydney inspires romance. The opportunities for couples to discover the city together are boundless.

A harbor cruise is a great way to admire one of the best skylines in the world. If you’ve both got a head for heights, the Harbour Bridge Climb is certainly a bonding experience—and the views are outstanding.

The Sydney Opera House is a popular Sydney landmark and fans of the arts can do a behind-the-scenes tour. Finally, no visit is complete without a trip to Bondi Beach to watch the surfers—or even to take a surfing lesson together.

Singapore

Lush, tropical Singapore is a wonderful place for romance. Head to the beautiful Gardens by the Bay and wander along the walkways between the astonishing Supertrees for gorgeous views.

Browse the designer shops on Orchard Road, or ride the Singapore Flyer wheel for more sweeping vistas.

One of the best things to do in Singapore for couples is to take in the colorful shophouses and temples of Little India. Stop by a hawker market for sizzling street food; the chili crab is a specialty here.

Don’t miss the chance to taste a Singapore Sling in the elegant Raffles Hotel, either.

Finally, if you need a break from the famously steamy heat, head for Sentosa Island and relax under a palm tree on Siloso Beach, one of the best beaches in Singapore.

Kyoto, Japan

Serene and spiritual, Kyoto is dotted with more than 2,000 temples and shrines, as well as ornamental gardens and ancient tea houses. All this beauty is bound to inspire romance.

Explore the Nishijin neighborhood to shop for handmade paper and lacquerware, or browse the Nishiki covered market to learn more about the intricacies of Japanese cuisine.

Gaze in wonder at the vast and elaborate Fushimi Inari shrine, sprawling over a wooded hillside and guarded by an avenue of scarlet torii gates. Wander through a tunnel of soft green at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove for a romantic photo opportunity.

Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland’s Māori name, Tāmaki Makaurau, means “desired by many”, which makes sense in this exceptionally beautiful city.

Rounded green hills, which are actually ancient volcanoes, and the glittering waters of the Pacific and the Tasman Sea surround the city, while endless beaches, wineries, and rainforest are all within easy reach.

One of the best things to do in Auckland is to head up Mount Eden, the highest volcanic cone, for the best views, gazing out over the Hauraki Gulf. Take in the art collection at the magnificent Toi o Tāmaki gallery and head up the Sky Tower for co*cktails.

If your idea of romance is a shared adrenaline rush, then try the bungee jump. Or jump on the ferry for Waiheke Island, a rural paradise of vineyards and native bushland, fringed by some of New Zealand’s best beaches.

Are you already dreaming of your next romantic getaway? Browse Celebrity’s itineraries here for more inspiration and book your dream cruise.