10 Incredible Budget Honeymoon Destinations in Europe

YAY! You are getting married! One of the very best parts about getting married is getting to jet off an an incredible honeymoon. Weddings are expensive, but the last thing you want to do is ditch the honeymoon to try to make up for it. To help, we have a list of the 10 best budget honeymoon destinations in Europe. 

We are bringing you a series of AMAZING budget honeymoon destinations that are all around the world. Whether you are looking to honeymoon in Europe, honeymoon in Asia or honeymoon in North America we have lots of budget friendly destination ideas for you.

In this article we are going to bring you the 10 best budget honeymoon destinations in Europe. These are the most beautiful places on the entire continent, and you can have a bucket list trip of a lifetime, all on a shoestring budget. Are you ready? We sure are! Let’s get to it, the 10 best budget honeymoon destinations in Europe.

Galway, Ireland

Suggested by: Emer and Nils from Let’s Go Ireland

If you are looking for a romantic budget honeymoon destination in Ireland, then look no further. Galway, on the west coast, should be at the top of your list! This city, which is the European Capital of Culture 2020, boasts so many free attractions that it is easy to have a fabulous trip on a small budget.

Galway is known for its street buskers who perform their acts on Galway’s small romantic cobbled-stone streets. It is easy to lose track of time while watching their often incredibly good performances.

Another romantic thing to do is to learn about the history of Ireland’s most famous ring in the Legend of the Claddagh Ring Museum. This museum is free of charge and explains the Claddagh ring, which is a symbol of love, friendship and loyalty.

Another top class museum with free admission is the Galway Museum, which tells you all about the history of Galway.

Besides free cultural activities, Galway has some of the most stunning natural surroundings in the world. For some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in Ireland you might want to rent a car for a day and enjoy the scenic Connemara National Park.

Alternatively, why not enjoy a romantic stroll down the Salthill Promenade just outside of Galway city centre. This is easily one of the most beautiful waterfront walkways in Ireland.

Lisbon, Portugal

Suggested by: Bruna at Maps ‘N Bags

Pastel-colored houses, intriguing tiles, and an incredible food scene. Lisbon is one of the best budget honeymoon destinations in Europe. The city is packed with family-owned restaurants hidden in cobblestone streets and filled with excellent wine. Unlike other European capitals, Lisbon is relatively affordable, and eating out won’t break the bank.

When my husband and I were planning our honeymoon in Portugal, we weren’t sure whether to go to Lisbon or Porto. We ended up going to both. Although Porto is more affordable than the Portuguese capital, Lisbon has a bohemian feel that made us fall in love with the city.

Still, it is essential to book your trip in advance to snag good deals. By doing that, you can easily find accommodation for as little as €50/day.

As for eating out, a family-owned venues outside the touristy routes will cost around €10-15 for a heavy meal. Beyond that, the funky bars and traditional bakeries coexist in perfect harmony and fill you up well.

Needless to say, as a hilly city, Lisbon is filled with romantic spots to watch the sunset. Newlyweds can also go for a romantic stroll holding hands along the River Tagus promenade, or head over Cascais for a lovely day trip in a fishing district of Lisbon.

 Cascais also has some pretty enjoyable beaches to sunbathe. Whether you can swim or not will depend on the season as the water here can be very cold.

If you’re looking for a budget honeymoon in Europe where you can enjoy eating and drinking well with your significant other, Lisbon is your best bet!

Crete, Greece

Suggested by: David Angel from Delve into Europe

Crete, the largest island in Greece, is one of the most romantic places in the world to start your married life together. In fact, it is one of the best Greek islands for couples to visit. The landscape is incredibly dramatic, with the White Mountains and hundreds of breathtaking beaches to explore. It also has some beautiful cities, towns and villages to discover.

One of the best places to stay is the city of Chania, especially the romantic Old Town. Between Spring and Autumn, the harbour and squares are buzzing late into the night with people out dining and drinking outdoors. Splantzia Square in the old Turkish district is one of the best, with cafes open well into the night. 

Crete’s beaches are amazing, with the best of them on the west side of the island. You can drive most of the way to Balos Beach, and catch a ferry from the port of Kissamos. Or drive down the coast to Elafonissi, a famous beach with a fringe of pink sand. Falassarna is another gorgeous beach, with relatively cheap accommodation, especially in the shoulder season.

Prices are highest in summer, so May, June, and October are the best times to go. You also miss the worst of the crowds. In October you’ll often find rooms in the 50 euro range, perhaps even less. A meal for two usually works out at around 30-35 euros, especially at the tavernas in the smaller resorts.

Tuscany, Italy

Suggested by: Chrysoula from Travel Passionate

If you want a honeymoon to remember but don’t have a big budget, that is okay! There are some incredible, budget-friendly honeymoon destinations right in Europe, such as Tuscany, Italy!

Italy, and Tuscany in particular, is a fantastic destination for a honeymoon. The weather is good and the landscapes are beautiful. Plus there is an array of delicious food and wine too. This will ensure you can toast to your marriage in style.

A three-course meal for two out will only cost around €60 so you can dine on divine Italian cuisine until your heart’s content!

Start your honeymoon in the romantic city of Florence. This city boasts stunning architecture, picturesque winding streets and an amazing (and free) view from the Piazzale Michelangelo. From there, make your way out to the wine region. Here you can enjoy vineyard tours and walking, perhaps staying in a reasonably-priced Tuscan villa or boutique hotel.

Staying in a villa means you can save a little money by buying fresh produce from local markets. In doing so you can enjoy a crisp salad on your terrace or balcony served alongside a bottle of Tuscan wine for €5!

Visiting Tuscany in Spring and Summer means you’re pretty much guaranteed warm weather. You can spend your days exploring regional hamlets, eating outside in local trattorias, walking in the rolling hills and chilling out on your private terrace.

Barcelona, Spain

Suggested by: Vicki from Vicki Viaja

Barcelona is, without any doubt, one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world. Hardly any other European city combines romantic beach holidays, great food, perfect weather, and breathtaking architecture so wonderfully with each other.

Barcelona might be one of the most expensive cities in Spain. However, Spain, in general, is a way more affordable travel destination than Northern or Central European cities.

There are so many romantic activities in Barcelona and affordable day trips by train you can do to escape the city. In addition the beautiful parks, especially the Gothic city center, it is fantastic for a wonderful walk.

Stroll through the narrow streets of the district. Take time to stop in the small boutique shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes that make this neighborhood so unique. Enjoy a few traditional tapas and try a full-bodied Spanish vino. Also, a sangria or ice-cold beer is the perfect refreshment here in summer.

Of course, you shouldn’t miss the city’s beach. Enjoy the Spanish sun that shows up almost every day in Barcelona. Refresh yourself in the cool water, sunbathe on the beach or enjoy the view of the Mediterranean from one of the many bars on the beach. And the best thing about the beaches in Barcelona? They are entirely free to use!

A great way to save money on accommodation is to use Airbnb starting at about 25 € per night for a double room. You can eat out with your significant other in a nice restaurant for just about 10-20 € per person.

Istria, Croatia

Suggested by: Maya & Sari from Chasing Lenscapes

An ideal honeymoon is romantic, beautiful, lots of attractions, good food and budget-friendly, right? If you have a similar checklist, the Istrian peninsula might be the perfect honeymoon destination for you!

The Istrian peninsula is located in the westernmost part of Croatia and shares a border with Slovenia. Here you’ll find beautiful medieval towns, quiet fishing villages, rocky beaches with crystal clear water, lots of attractions and stunning views.

For the foodies among you, wineries, seafood and lots of truffles with a very budget-friendly price tag.

Start in Rovinj’s old town for cobbled streets, pastel-colored houses, ancient monuments, a beautiful harbor, unique boutiques and stunning views of the Adriatic Sea. There are accommodations for every budget, and the food scene is one of the best in Croatia. 

In Istria you can rent a car or take the bus to visit romantic little villages in the area. Enjoy wine tasting or olive oil tasting, take a tour to explore the nearby islands, rent a bike and go cycling around the peninsula. Or just spend your days sunbathing and eating fresh seafood and truffle pasta.

A road trip through Croatia would be an incredible thing to do on your honeymoon as there is so much to see and do!

The Istrian peninsula is one of the best hidden gems of Croatia. It’s also one of the most beautiful and romantic parts of the country. If you are looking for a beautiful destination for your honeymoon in Europe with lots of delicious food, various attractions and reasonable prices, Istria might be the perfect destination for you! 

Valencia, Spain

Suggested by: Valentina from Valentina’s Destinations

Valencia is the perfect place for your honeymoon because it’s cosmopolitan, it’s beachy, it’s historic and it’s cheap! Most of all, it’s incredibly romantic. You’ll be walking along cobblestone streets, surrounded by blooming flowers, drinking wine every night!

The most well-known attraction in Valencia is the legendary City of Arts and Sciences (an ultra-futuristic museum campus). Although, Valencia is also loved because of its Mediterranean beaches and temperate climate. You’ll find white sands, warm waters, and lush palms.

Many tourists visit Valencia because of its interesting history. You can visit 14th Century towers, 13th Century Cathedrals, and the real Holy Grail.

Valencia is also considered the birthplace of paella. The typical Valencian paella is made with generous portions of seafood and saffron. With your paella, you’ll drink high quality, local, wines. It’s heaven for foodies and wine-lovers.

Valencia is a young, fun city with plenty of nightlife and entertainment. From restaurants to shows, you’ll always find something exciting in Valencia. Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain, so it’s pretty easy to get to by train or by air.

Many of the historic churches and monuments can be visited for under 5€ per person (but there are also free days every week). The beaches are also free to visit. You can stay at a 4-star hotel near the city center of Valencia (during peak season) for only $100-200.

Rome, Italy

Suggested by: Jan from Budget Travel Talk

Forget Paris and honeymoon in Rome the city of passion! Many of Rome’s must see romantic icons like the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona are free to visit. 

The long lazy shape of Piazza Navona comes from a previous life as the Stadium of Domitian. Paved over in the 15^th Century it is now home to not one but three impressive fountains. Explore their marble beauty up close with a glass of wine from one of the many restaurant tables lining the piazza. 

Walking across Ponte Sant’ Angelo (bridge) with its towering angel statues is another romantic and free thing to do in Rome. Relax and enjoy the moment before strolling beside the Tiber and into St. Peter’s Square. 

Finish by targeting the maze of streets in Trastevere, the once working class suburb on the banks of the Tiber. It’s now one of the most romantic places to stay in Rome. 

Enjoy a simple meal in a vine covered Trattoria with wine for 25€ or a Margherita Pizza at a Pizzeria for an affordable 7€. 

A Romantic Trastevere Airbnb apartment is a perfect honeymooner’s nest costing as little as 24 euros/night. To enjoy Rome to the full, just follow your feet and your heart. 

Milos Island, Greece

Suggested by: De Wet & Jin from Museum of Wander

Milos starts working its magic from the moment the ferry docks in Adamas. Milos ticks all the boxes for the ideal honeymoon island. It has rustic villages, historic sites and stunning cerulean blue waters lapping on sandy beaches. Best of all is that most things to do in Milos won’t cost you a penny.

You go to Santorini for boutique hotels with infinity pools. You go to Mykonos to party all night long. But you come to Milos for laid back vibes, traditional Greek hospitality, cozy tavernas by the sea, mediterranean landscapes dotted with olive groves, small white washed villages, and possibly the best beaches in Greece.

Make sure to have the islands lovely beaches on your Milos itinerary. Rent a scooter in Adamas (20 euros/day) and beach-hop your way around the island. Don’t miss Sarakiniko beach. If they ever find water on the moon it will look something like this.

For some history check out the ancient theater (free) and catacombs (€4). Explore the maze of white washed alleys of Plaka. Pack a bottle of wine and climb to the top of the castle (free) in Plaka for a stunning sunset.

Do not leave Milos without going on a yacht cruise around the island. This fun day out costs about €50 per person for a full day cruise with no more than 10 other people. You’ll stop at a few stunning beaches and have a delicious home cooked Greek lunch on board.

End your honeymoon with a few days in Athens to overdose on everything ancient and you’ll have enough memories (and money) to last a lifetime together. 

Budapest, Hungary

Suggested by: Zach & Julie from right here at Ruhls of the Road

Budapest, Hungary makes for an excellent honeymoon destination, and offers TONS of awesome things to do. For starters, let’s talk about where to stay. Budapest has very inexpensive places to stay on Airbnb for 20 euros/night. There are hotels available as well, typically for a bit more expensive than that, but still relatively cheap overall.

Budapest is a place full of fun things to do. Our favorite activities were walking along the Danube River and seeing the Hungarian Parliament building, the Shoes on the Danube monument, and the Szechenyi Bridge (Chain Bridge).

Also while exploring, we rented a little pedal-car and explored all of Margaret Island, and HIGHLY recommend that. Pedaling through the park was a blast, and got us from A to B faster than walking would have!

For a romantic night, take a nighttime dinner cruise on the Danube. At night, the most famous buildings and landmarks in Budapest are bathed in orange light from the base.

On the Danube dinner cruise, you’ll get to see this wonderful site while enjoying an authentic Hungarian dinner. Enjoy some yummy wine, and of course each other’s company. Watch the amazing sites pass by and eat all the delicious food you can get your hands on.

Plan your trip!

We hope you found an awesome budget friendly honeymoon destination to enjoy with your new spouse. Venture off to Europe for a romantic honeymoon you won’t forget and enjoy incredible European architecture, European culture, European beaches and landscapes and of course, authentic European food and wine.

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