10 Best European Cities for Valentines Day [2024]
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This year, take your loved one to one of the Best European Cities for Valentines Day to make it even more unique.
Valentine’s Day is one of the most special times of year for a couple and the best way to make it more romantic is to head to some of the most romantic cities in Europe.
It doesn’t have to be an expensive trip away, you can often find cheap flights to most of these destinations with budget airlines. Instead of spending Valentine’s Day with dinner and a movie or your usual typical dates, exploring a European city together is a great way to switch it up!
We will share with you some more information about Valentines Day and what it’s all about. You will find the top destinations in Europe for love to whisk your partner away for a romantic Valentine’s weekend getaway.
What is Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is on the 14th February every single year where you celebrate your love for someone.
Often a lot of people don’t enjoy Valentine’s Day because it is said that you should show your partner you appreciate and love them every single day.
Whilst we can understand this point of view, we actually see that Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to ensure you have quality time together. On a day to day basis, everyone gets caught up in their lives with work, responsibilities and potential children.
Valentine’s Day is the one time a year where you should make an effort to dedicate your time to each other and not let anything get in the way.
Saint Valentine is said to have gone against the emperor’s wishes by secretly marrying couples so that the husband did not need to go to war. This is why Saint Valentine is now resonated with romance and love.
Saint Valentine’s skull can be viewed at Basilica di Santa Maria in Rome. You’ll be unsurprised to know that Rome has made our list of best European cities for Valentine’s Day. We’re not giving you any more spoilers though so read on to find out the rest!
What do Couples Usually do on Valentines Day?
Generally speaking, most couples will usually arrange for a date night together to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
For a Valentine’s date night, you will often find that couples will go for a fancy meal out at a restaurant followed by cinema or a few drinks at a cocktail bar.
Alternatively, some couples like to plan a romantic staycation so that they can spend some quality time together.
Gifts are usually given for Valentine’s Day to symbolise your love for the other person. You do not need to get much for each other, it just needs to be small as a token of love.
Roses are the symbol for Valentine’s Day so these are commonly given out on this day. Alternatively, chocolates are also given out or a small gift to symbolise your relationship.
The main thing to take away from this is to not go too crazy, it just needs to be a little something to show your loved one that you appreciate them and everything they do.
Best European Cities for Valentine’s Day
Europe is one of the best continents to visit if you’re wanting to celebrate Valentine’s Day together.
We’ve created a list of some of the most romantic cities in Europe for you to spend your Valentine’s Day this year.
A lot of the destinations we’ve included may not be because they have a particular link to Valentine’s Day. Some of the cities that we’ve added are also because of the romantic atmosphere in the air.
We would highly recommend all these Europe cities for valentines so that you can have a romantic break away and spend some quality time together.
1. Rome, Italy
Coming in straight away is Rome in Italy which should come as no surprise if you read our spoiler at the start of this post! We won’t be mad though if you just skipped straight here.
Rome is the home of Saint Valentine’s skull remains so it is a great location to spend Valentine’s day by visiting where it is said to have originated.
Spending Valentine’s Day in Rome is definitely one for the bucket list that you can tick off.
Other than the amount of beautiful architecture that you can explore together there are also plenty of romantic activities for you to enjoy.
In particular, we would recommend looking at joining a cooking class together. This way you can explore not just the sights that Rome has to offer but also what the cuisine has to offer too.
There is nothing more romantic than learning to make fresh pasta or pizza together and then enjoying the fruits of your labour afterwards. Some of the cooking classes will also show you how to make gelato and you can try some different local wines too.
We’ve created a post about the most romantic things to do in Rome which is perfect if you’re planning to visit for Valentine’s Day.
Romantic Places to Stay in Rome:
Romantic Experiences in Rome:
2. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Whilst Ljubljana doesn’t necessarily have any ties to Valentine’s Day itself, we feel that this is a beautiful place to spend this special day.
Ljubljana gives off serious fairy-tale vibes so it is one of the best cities in Europe for you to spend Valentine’s Day. You can head to Lake Bled and enjoy a romantic picnic at one of the viewpoints to commemorate your special day.
Whilst Ljubljana is quite small, but there is something magical about wandering hand in hand through the charming city centre with your loved one. In our opinion, this is one of the best couple destinations in Europe.
What most people may not know is that Slovenia actually has 2 days dedicated to love. You get to enjoy Valentine’s Day in February but there is also a second day called St. Gregory’s Day on the 12th March.
On St. Gregory’s Day, it is said that birds are found in wedlock after meeting their partner’s the month before on Valentine’s Day.
It is an old custom but is still celebrated as Slovenia’s 2nd Valentine’s Day in modern times. In the past, baked goods would be hung up outside to commemorate the day. In another customer, it is said that women would look to the sky and the first bird that they saw from the start of Spring would symbolise the type of husband they will marry.
Whilst this tradition does not seem to have carried on into today’s world, lights and lanterns float down the river.
If you are unable to get time off around Valentine’s Day itself then look to head to Slovenia for a second chance at the day of love.
Romantic Places to Stay in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Romantic Experiences in Ljubljana, Slovenia
3. Barcelona, Spain
Similar to Slovenia, Spain also celebrates two versions of Valentine’s Day both in February and March.
Barcelona is such a picturesque city to visit that you will be awestruck spending your Valentine’s Day here.
Gaudi’s architecture makes the perfect backdrop for couples to wander and explore the city. Strolling through Parc Guell, soaking up the beautiful sun and admiring the work of Gaudi is one of the best ways to spend your Valentine’s getaway in Barcelona.
There is something about this city that just crawls under your skin and once you’ve visited, it’s almost impossible to shake off.
If it’s your first time visiting then explore Barcelona like a pro with these tips. There is so much to learn about the city and the more time you have there, the better!
Romantic Places to Stay in Barcelona, Spain
Romantic Experiences in Barcelona, Spain
4. Aviemore, Scotland
When tourists visit Scotland, they tend to stick to the most popular destinations such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Isle of Skye etc.
Whilst Aviemore is still a popular tourist spot in Scotland, it is often overlooked for the larger cities. For any couples that love to get out into nature by walking and hiking, this is the spot for you.
Scotland is such a picturesque country to visit and Aviemore is no different. You will find plenty of beautiful nature spots to hike, stunning lochs and a bountiful of activities to spend quality time together.
This is also a great choice if you’re looking for some budget things to do in Aviemore. As there are so many nature walks, you don’t need to spend any money for this at all.
Romantic Places to Stay in Aviemore, Scotland
Romantic Experiences in Aviemore, Scotland
5. Faro, Portugal
Still a hugely underrated destination to visit in Portugal, Faro is a great location to visit in Europe for Valentine’s Day.
As it is not as popular as Lisbon for example, you will find that it is not bustling with as many tourists. This allows for you and your partner to take some time together without getting lost in a crowd.
As Faro is not as busy, you will get to visit popular attractions such as Benagil Caves with minimal tourists.
There are plenty of amazing things to do in Faro for couples where you will get to see beautiful sights and enjoy the delicious cuisine.
We spent around 4 days in Faro which we felt was a good amount of time to get to see the main attractions and to relax. However, you can easily see the main sights of Faro in 2 days too so it doesn’t need to be a long break away.
As there are so many small tavernas and restaurants in Faro, you can guarantee that you will have some romantic meals out whilst visiting Faro.
One of the best things about spending Valentine’s Day in Faro is that it is an extremely affordable destination to travel to in Europe. We’ve popped a calendar to track the prices of flights below to make this easier for you.
Romantic Places to Stay in Faro, Portugal
Find more places to stay in Faro for couples here!
Romantic Experiences in Faro, Portugal
6. Paris, France
Known as the city of love, it will come as no surprise that Paris has made the list for the best cities for Valentine’s Day in Europe.
It is true what they say though, Paris really is the city of love and makes it a perfect destination for you to visit for a few days.
The only thing we will say is that Paris is an expensive destination to visit so it is more suited for couples where budget is less of a stress.
There are a lot of amazing things to do whilst you’re in Paris that a couple of days is never enough, no matter how many times you’ve visited.
Imagine a beautiful cruise down the river Seine, taking in the sights of Paris with a glass of champagne in hand and your loved one by your side.
Romantic Places to Stay in Paris
Romantic Experiences in Paris
7. Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is such a beautiful place to visit and wander around with your loved one. If you didn’t have a chance to visit Bruges for the Christmas Markets then Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse.
Strolling around this small city will feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. There is something about Bruges that creeps under your skin and enchants you.
One of the best reasons for visiting Bruges for Valentine’s Day is the myth around Minnewater Lake, otherwise known as the lake of love. It is said that if you walk across the bridge with your partner then you will have eternal love.
The beauty of this is that once you cross the bridge, you will enter the park which gives you a stunning view of the castle.
If you’re on a bit more of a budget for Valentine’s Day then this is perfect destination for you. Often the flights are quite cheap from the UK or you can even look at getting a coach tour there too. We’ve added a search form below so you can see what would be the best way for you to travel to Bruges.
Romantic Places to Stay in Bruges
Romantic Experiences in Bruges
8. Edinburgh, Scotland
With its wonderful gothic charm, Edinburgh is a great city to visit for celebrating Valentine’s Day. One of the main reasons being is that there are plenty of unique things for you to do together in the city.
Alongside this, there are also lots of romantic restaurants for you to try whilst you’re in Edinburgh ranging in cuisines too.
If you and your partner enjoy comedy nights, Harry Potter and exploring historic places then this is the ultimate place in Europe for you to visit.
One of the main reasons that tourists visit Edinburgh is to explore the Harry Potter sights within the city. As Edinburgh has a gothic vibe to it, it feels like you’re wandering through Diagon Alley itself.
There are plenty of great things to do in Edinburgh to spend your date nights too so we’ve even got a separate list of the best dates to go on in Edinburgh.
Romantic Places to Stay in Edinburgh
Romantic Experiences in Edinburgh
9. Lisbon, Portugal
With plenty of miradouros, warm weather and historical sights, Lisbon makes for a great getaway for Valentine’s Day.
You’ll find that Lisbon has lots of opportunities for romantic experiences that you can enjoy together whilst exploring the city.
There are plenty of places for you to enjoy the sunrise and sunset together throughout Lisbon. This is a great opportunity to see the city in a unique light with no view being the same.
If you’re spending a few days in Lisbon then you can also head to the fairy tale city of Sintra. With a vibrant yellow palace, it offers the perfect backdrop for a romantic trip away in Lisbon.
Enjoy cocktails together at different beautiful rooftops, wander through the trendy area of Barrio Alto and enjoy some tasty Portuguese food at some of the many incredible restaurants. There are so many things you don’t want to miss in Lisbon whilst you explore together. It is easily one of our favourite cities in Europe to visit and we loved the romantic aura surrounding it.
Romantic Places to Stay in Lisbon
Romantic Experiences in Lisbon
10. London, England
Whilst the weather may not be as warm as some of the other European cities we’ve listed for Valentine’s Day, it is still a top option to spend some time together.
London is busy all year round and if it is your first time visiting London, it can take some getting used to. However, there are so many amazing things to do that it leaves you wanting more.
Following Banksy’s Street Art through the streets of London, exploring some of the many rooftop viewpoints or even just enjoying a winter picnic in one of the beautiful parks, you will certainly not be bored.
As London is quite a central area, you can head out of the city to explore and take a break from the hustle and bustle. The best part about visiting London is that you have so many choices available to you.
You’ll be spoilt for choice on restaurants to enjoy a romantic dinner, marvellous attractions and exciting experiences in London making the perfect recipe for Valentine’s Day.
Romantic Places to Stay in London
Romantic Experiences in London
If you’re animal lovers and looking for a really unique way to spend Valentine’s day then why not consider an activities in London for cat lovers? There are so many amazing spots across the city where you can fall in love with different felines. You can even visit the infamous Street Cat Named Bob memorial in Islington!
Spending Valentine’s Day in Europe
There you have it! Some of the best European cities to spend this Valentine’s Day!
Whilst a lot of these destinations are not your typical Valentine’s Day locations, there is something undeniable about the beauty and romantic aura of these places.
Where is on your bucket list for Valentine’s Day? We’d love to hear what is on the cards for you and your SO this year!
