With Valentine's Day fast approaching, romance is undoubtedly in the air. Restaurant reservations are filling up, gifts are being selected, and searches for 'romantic holidays for couples' have surged by over 5000% in the last month, according to Google Trends data.
Expert Analysis of Romantic Getaways
In response to this seasonal demand, the travel specialists at Solmar Villas have undertaken a comprehensive study to identify the most romantic destinations worldwide, perfectly timed for the Valentine's period. Remarkably, travellers can access some of these top-rated locations from Birmingham Airport with fares starting as low as £50.
The research team meticulously evaluated February weather patterns alongside critical factors that define a romantic escape, such as sunset quality, crowd density, average restaurant ratings, and scenic walkability. They also incorporated real-time booking data to substantiate their findings with current travel trends.
Surprising Insights from the Data
Interestingly, the analysis revealed that traditional romantic hotspots, like the Eiffel Tower, are not necessarily the most genuinely romantic. Instead, ideal couple destinations are found in places like the Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, and even Argentina.
Global Ranking of Romantic Destinations
Here is the list of the most romantic destinations globally, ranked with scores out of 31:
- Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain — Total Score: 26
- Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain — Total Score: 26
- La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain — Total Score: 26
- Madeira, Portugal — Total Score: 26
- Seville, Spain — Total Score: 25.5
- Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain — Total Score: 25
- Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain — Total Score: 25
- Paphos, Cyprus — Total Score: 25
- Phuket, Thailand — Total Score: 25
- Maldives — Total Score: 24.5
- Marrakech, Morocco — Total Score: 24.5
- Lisbon, Portugal — Total Score: 24.5
- Santorini, Greece — Total Score: 23.5
- Barcelona, Spain — Total Score: 23.5
- Hvar, Croatia — Total Score: 23
- Buenos Aires, Argentina — Total Score: 22.5
- Côte d’Azur (French Riviera), France — Total Score: 22.5
- Nice, France — Total Score: 22.5
- Provence, France — Total Score: 22.5
- Vienna, Austria — Total Score: 22.5
Key Trends and Observations
The Canary Islands notably dominate the rankings, representing 25% of the top 20 destinations. Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and La Palma all share the highest score, cementing the region's reputation as a premier romantic escape.
Europe leads the list overwhelmingly, with 14 of the top 20 destinations located there, indicating a strong preference for short-haul romantic breaks over long-distance travel.
Spain emerges as the most successful country overall, featuring seven times in the top 20, encompassing mainland cities, islands, and coastal areas.
Island-based destinations outperform mainland locations, with over half of the top 10 ranked spots being islands. This underscores a clear preference for ocean vistas when it comes to romantic settings.
Traditional 'big-name' romantic destinations remain competitive but are no longer dominant. Locations like Santorini, the French Riviera, and Provence still rank highly, but they are increasingly matched or surpassed by quieter, less predictable destinations, reflecting a shift in how couples perceive romantic travel.
Expert Commentary
Sharon Bradbury, travel expert and General Manager at Solmar Villas, provided insights into the data findings: "One of the most striking patterns is the dominance of island destinations in this ranking, particularly across the Canary Islands and Atlantic Europe. Places like Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma, and Madeira have all topped the list due to their reliable February climates and stunning dramatic sunsets. They also excel in manageable crowd levels, allowing for intimate romantic strolls and affectionate moments.
These destinations may not always be marketed as classic romance hotspots like Paris or the Maldives, but when we consider all the practical elements needed for a romantic holiday, they truly shine. For instance, sunset quality is a key component, so west-facing coastlines during this time of year are crucial, as are elevated viewpoints and open horizons—all features the top spots offer. This likely explains why locations like Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Paphos in Cyprus also feature prominently.
Ultimately, this data shows that modern romance isn't about visiting the most famous destinations anymore; it's about how a place makes you feel when you're there. The highest-scoring locations weren't necessarily the most glamorous on paper; they are the ones that provide winter sunshine and the freedom to explore hand in hand without crowds."
