7 Cheap Honeymoon Destinations in Europe You’ve Never Heard Of

Cheap honeymoon destinations in Europe

When you think about a European honeymoon the first thought in your mind is Europe is expensive.

It is true because the destinations that come to mind are places like Paris, London, Copenhagen or Venice.

But let me tell you, there are too many hidden gems in Europe you can enjoy a very cheap honeymoon without sacrificing good accommodations, food, activities and beauty.

Famous countries for tourism like Italy or Greece have really affordable destinations where you are going to enjoy the best romantic journey of your life.

Below I´m going to share 7 cheap honeymoon destinations in Europe that are going to surprise you.

 

 

Honeymoon destinations in Europe for couples looking for a romantic getaway

Europe is usually a top contender when it comes to honeymoon places.

There is definitely something for everyone, from the incredibly picturesque countryside of England to the vibrant metropolitan life of Paris.

So if you’re looking for a truly romantic and unforgettable honeymoon experience, Europe is definitely the place to go.

Remember Europe has a great variety of cultures.  So there is too much to see and do from one region to another.

Portugal and Spain are really beautiful with a great culture and a romantic atmosphere that competes with Paris.

Italy and its flavours is another world.  It is so easy to keep the fire burning to breathe the Italian air and you are going to spend a wonderful time there.

The United Kingdom with its charm is another kind of romanticism.

London is amazing but outside the capital cities like Liverpool, Manchester or Bristol have their charm.

If you decide to visit the highlands, you will feel the magic around you.  Scotland is very impressed with the great lakes and castles all around.

France is considered the most romantic country on earth.  It can be because of the language or the food but the majority of travellers consider France the world capital of Love.

But, are there cheap honeymoon destinations in Europe?  Let´s find out.

 

Factors to consider when choosing a honeymoon destination in Europe

When planning your honeymoon, there are a few factors you should consider. Some of these factors include:

 

Your budget

First and foremost, you want to make sure you have a realistic budget in mind. Do you want to stay on a resort island or go off the beaten path?

 

The climate

Another important factor to consider is the climate. Is it hot or cold where you want to go? Do you want to stay in the sun or stay in the shade?

 

The activities

Do you want to stay in the city or go someplace more rural? Are there activities you want to do, like zip lining or white water rafting?

 

The culture

Are the culture and food appealing to you?  Is the language barrier going to be a problem?

So these factors are going to influence your decision and you don´t want to miss the most attractive European things like beaches or food or culture or romantic atmosphere.

Don´t worry, I´ve got you covered.

Here is my list of 7 cheap honeymoon destinations in Europe.

 

Cheap Honeymoon Destinations in Europe List

Imagine you find affordable places that have castles, incredible beaches, wonderful nature and the romantic environment like the most expensive European cities.

Wouldn´t it be nice?

Let me tell you, those destinations exist and are not very well known.

Here are the top 7 cheap honeymoon destinations in Europe.

 

 

Lake Iseo, Italy

We start this cheap honeymoon destinations in Europe list with this wonderful Italian destination.

The rugged Prealps of northern Italy comes in second on this list of the most affordable honeymoon destinations in Europe for 2022.

Then there’s Lake Iseo (or Lake Iseo to give it the less-romantic English moniker).

Allow the throng to flock to Garda and the billionaires to flock to Como; this is the stunning alpine lake you’ve probably never heard of. It’s nestled between the craggy peaks of the Val Camonica and the gurgling Oglio River.

Iseo, while not as busy as the other lakes in the area, has a distinct Italian flavour.

This helps to keep prices cheap, even during the busier summer months when locals from Bergamo and Milan come to visit.

We’d previously stayed for a month and paid under $1,000 for a flat in the heart of a historic town, just five minutes from the lake.

We suggest continuing on to the northern end of Lake Iseo.

There, the mountains begin to rise, and you’ll pass through charming towns like Pisogne and Lovere (the clue’s in the name, eh, honeymooners?).

The latter is a member of I Borghi più belli d’Italia, a league of the country’s most beautiful towns and villages – which is saying a lot, considering this is Italy, after all.

 

 

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Slovenia is a beautiful country. Just look at the Julian Alps, which weave their way through the country’s north end in a symphony of dagger-like heights clothed in pine forests and sliced through by blue rivers.

If this seems like a nice spot for a honeymoon, it is.

Lake Bled is located in the centre of it all.

The location appears to have been plucked from the pages of a fantastic novel.

A historic chapel stands on an island in the midst of the sea, silhouetted against snow-capped peaks and surrounded by transparent alpine water.

There are fir, chestnut, and oak trees all around, as well as the delightful tiny village of Bled itself, which has Slavic taverns serving lemon tea and dumplings.

Slovenia is no longer as inexpensive as it once was.

Lake Bled, on the other hand, deserves a spot on this list of Europe’s finest cheap honeymoon destinations, if only because it provides a taste of genuine Alpine beauty for a fraction of the price of other mountain destinations such as Austria or France.

 

 

Krakow, Poland

The UNESCO-designated core of Krakow has an undeniably romantic feel to it.

The cityscape is dominated by the majestic spires of Gothic churches, castles crowning the banks of the Vistula River, and tiny Slavic dumpling houses now occupying the mansions of Poland’s former royal family.

Okay, so Poland won’t provide much in the way of sun and sea – the closest saltwater is 13 hours north on the Baltic.

But the city’s charming Old Town more than makes up for it.

It’s completely pedestrianised, with jazz bars and underground beer halls where you may raise a glass to the big day.

It also shouldn’t be prohibitively expensive. A beer (or two, as the locals call it) cost around $2 the last time we were in town!

For those planning a winter wedding, Krakow is also one of the best budget honeymoon destinations in Europe.

Why is that? The jagged Tatra Mountains, usually considered to be one of the cheapest places to ski in Europe, are only 1.5 hours distant from the town.

Yes, you could celebrate your marriage by speeding down the slopes together, and the ski pass will just set you back $29 each!

 

Find More about Krakow

 

 

Dubrovnik, Croatia

You can’t go wrong with a destination like Croatia for a really unique honeymoon experience.

Croatia is the ideal honeymoon destination, with its incredibly picturesque coastline and crystal-clear ocean.

You’ll be able to relax on some of Europe’s best beaches while also exploring the country’s breathtakingly beautiful landscape.

If you’re searching for a little more adventure, Croatia also has some of Europe’s most exciting attractions, such as the stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Since Dubrovnik and Croatia as a whole were featured in HBO’s Game of Thrones and the country joined the EU in 2011, prices have steadily risen in both cities.

However, they haven’t increased significantly.

If you’re searching for a romantic getaway after the wedding but have spent too much money on table decorations and flowers, this is still a terrific option.

In Croatia, the prices are quite reasonable. In a medium restaurant in Dubrovnik Old Town, meals cost around $16 per person.

Many establishments sell beers for just a bit over $3, not including happy hour specials.

Oh, and an ultra-chic five-star hotel can be had for around $150-160 per night (much less than Paris!). Tempted?

Check out the President Valamar Collection Hotel in Dubrovnik or the luxurious Royal Blue Hotel.

 

Find more things to do in Dubrovnik

 

 

Porto, Portugal

A,long the  cheap honeymoon destinations in Europe Porto is really special.

Portugal defies European convention in that it is located on the westernmost edge of the continent but is significantly less expensive than many of its neighbours.

Within the country, Porto is the most cost-effective of the two big cities.

A typical mid-to-luxury vacation in these parts should cost roughly $100 per day, with food and alcohol being reasonably priced.

Porto is in northern Portugal, near the Spanish border.

It’s sandwiched between the Green Coast (or Costa Verde) to the north and the Silver Coast to the south.

You´ll find it’s easy to travel to either of those for some sand (or surf), but you might choose to head inland, where the Douro River valley’s famed vineyards mean you can sample rich red wines to your heart’s content.

If you only have a couple of days to spend on your honeymoon, Porto is an excellent option.

The town’s core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, complete with lovely vantage points overlooking the river mouth. The river’s south bank is home to centuries-old port cellars where you can drink fortified wine.

Then there’s Vitória, with its dark cafés, jazz bars, and cosmopolitan restaurants.

 

Discover more things to do in Porto

 

Crete, Greece

Crete, sun-drenched and bathed in the bath-warm waters of the Libyan Sea at Europe’s southernmost point, is a haven for newlyweds seeking a dose of Vitamin D after the big day.

For starters, it’s enormous; it’s the country’s largest island.

That means there are plenty of chances to get away from the masses and be alone. For another, it’s rather inexpensive, particularly when compared to Mykonos or Santorini.

Western Crete is most likely where you’ll want to concentrate your efforts.

The reason for this is that the east of the island, such as Malia, has larger resorts with substantial party scenes.

When you arrive in Chania, you’ll be greeted by a picturesque Venetian city with a harbour lined with romantic tavernas serving Cretan cuisine (we highly recommend Tamam, however, reservations are required!).

Beyond there, there are rising mountains with elevations of above 2,400 metres.

On the outskirts of stunning gorges like Samaria, they hide time-stood-still hamlets where you can settle in old boltholes with wood fireplaces.

Continue on to the south coast, where the pink-tinged beaches of Elafonisi will make you feel as if you’ve left Europe for the Caribbean.

An excellent option among the Cheap Honeymoon destinations in Europe.

 

 

Marche, Italy

While Tuscany and Umbria make headlines, little Marche seems satisfied to keep rolling along in its rustic pace in Italy’s central-eastern quadrant.

It occupies the area of The Boot between the summits of the Apennine Mountains and the glittering Adriatic Sea, a place of undulating hills and cloud-swirled settlements that – in some cases at least – stretch back thousands of years.

This little-known locale is a hidden gem for honeymooners searching for a lovely, inexpensive getaway.

With more pizzerias on the piazzas than you can shake a bottle of local Trebbiano wine at, it still has that touch of Italian romance.

It does, however, cost a fraction of what it would if you travelled closer to Rome or Florence.

There are numerous ways to pass the time. Take, for example, the plethora of agriturismo that clings to the Sibillini Mountains’ slopes, where you may eat hand-picked truffle kinds of pasta.

Or there are the honey-tinged walls of magnificent Macerata, a Roman-built city that now hosts arguably Italy’s best opera festival.

Closer to the coast is the town of Rimini, which has simple air access (even on budget carriers) and plenty of cultures, especially for fans of Federico Fellini’s films!

 

Conclusion

When looking for Cheap Honeymoon destinations in Europe, the eastern half of the continent is a great place to start. Poland, Slovenia, and Croatia, which are more budget-friendly countries, await you there.

You might also travel west to visit Portugal’s sandy beaches and cultural cities.

We also believe that some of Italy’s lesser-known regions have some of the most appealing possibilities.

The are many cheap honeymoon destinations in Europe to experience a wonderful time.

 

 

Video: Cheap Honeymoon destinations in Europe – Porto

 

More Honeymoon Destinations in Europe