Roma tops for most romantic honeymoon getaway

I'm a sucker for romance, especially when the press release includes some of my favorite destinations. By far, Rome remains the most memorable city I have ever visited, for several unromantic reasons -- the ruins, the lasagne, the language among them. I had not thought of romance because I went there alone, but that is a kind of romance, sì?
HotelwithTub (great name) crunched the numbers and shares its top 50 cities for the newly married. (In my view, these "honeymoon" destinations also double as great spots for singles, but then I'm biased.)
Here are the key findings:
1. Rome is the Most Romantic Destination in 2026
With 1,613 swoonworthy restaurants and 1,328 romantic hotels, the Eternal City earns the highest Romantic Score (66) and stands as the world’s most romantic destination in 2026.
2. London Leads Global Date-Night Culture
With 2,173 romantic restaurants and more than 12,800 romance-related hashtags, Blighty achieves a Romantic Score of 63, ranks #2 overall, and offers the strongest global presence for date nights and special occasions. I know even more about London than Rome, having gone to grad school there. I find it as suitable for singles as couples. Walk along the Thames and imagine all the travelers who have journeyed there, or take a train out to Windsor Castle or to the coast. The London tube is excellent for getting from place to place; and if you are single, you just might meet a handsome or beautiful stranger.
3. Marrakech is a Top Destination for Traveler Couples
With 1,000 attractions rated “good for couples” and over 5,112 activities for partners, Marrakech scores 50 and delivers one of the most "immersive travel experiences for modern couples". I am assuming by immersive they mean activities one can immerse themselves in, like the Koutoubia Mosque and Bahia Palace.
4. Paris Remains a Timeless Symbole d'Amour
With 1,631 romantic restaurants and 573 romantic hotels, the City of Light earns a Romantic Score of 49, ranks #4 overall, and maintains its reputation as one of the world’s most iconic places for romance. Again, I have been to Paris alone and have found it very romantic. I've also flirted with crazy Parisians in cafes and taken some blurry photos.
5. New York City is the Top Romantic Destination in the Americas
With 23,400 romance-themed hashtags, 923 romantic restaurants, and 705 couple-friendly attractions, New York City scores 45 and stands as the leading romantic hub across the United States and beyond. I am not sure what constitutes a particularly couple-friendly attraction, except I suspect a carriage ride in Central Park or walk along the High Line meets that bar.
6. Dubai Offers Luxury and Variety for Couples
With 5,884 things for couples to do and 1,174 romantic restaurants, Dubai scores 40 and provides one of the most diverse and luxurious romantic experiences worldwide.
7. Hanoi is One of Asia’s Fastest-Rising Romantic Cities
With 6,738 couple activities and 977 attractions rated good for couples, Hanoi scores 38 and emerges as a well-rounded romantic hub for modern travelers.
8. Phuket is the Top Tropical Escape for Couples
With 153 honeymoon spots, 526 romantic hotels, and 601 couple-friendly attractions, Phuket scores 34 and remains the strongest beachside destination for romance-loving travelers. I can attest that friends and friends of friends have visited or even moved to Thailand, and its sensual allure remains strong.
As a team, the Hotel with Tub crew analyzed destinations worldwide using TripAdvisor to understand what truly makes a place romantic in 2026. Rather than relying on reputation, they focused on measurable indicators such as romantic restaurants, honeymoon spots, couple-friendly attractions, scenic parks, romantic hotels, and how often destinations appear in #datenight and #dinnerdate posts on Instagram.
Using this data, every destination earned a Romantic Score out of 100, giving them a clearer picture of where couples actually find the deepest and most memorable experiences. Some cities, like Cusco, Hanoi and Cape Town surprised them, while of course, London, Rome and Paris, the big three, are timeless and less surprising.
Some cities, like San Francisco at #34 or Vienna at #39, seem unfairly scored (or maybe it's just my recollection of falling in love at the Fairmont as the late Tony Bennett walked by or wandering through the idyllic Schönbrunn Palace or Prater Park;
while others, such as Dublin at #44 seem overly touristy and too generously scored. I recommend flying into Shannon instead, then taking a private car up to Glin and Tarbert.
Please see the entire list and related information/research by Hotel with Tub: https://hotelwithtub.com/blog/romantic-getaways-and-destinations
Image top: by the author, Temple Tube, 2018; second image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons; third image: the author at Central Park, Christmas Day 2009; fourth photo: author's late mother Kathleen Leonard, in the Marina District, San Francisco, in spring; final picture: sketch by the author at Prater Park, Vienna.

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