The best honeymoon destinations for post-wedding bliss

For newlyweds who don’t want to leave the comfort of their hotel room, these are the honeymoon destinations that promise luxury, relaxation and romance. From island getaways to beautiful beach resorts, here is our pick of relaxing honeymoon spots.

If you are in search of screensaver-worthy seascapes and ocean villas that look as though they belong on Pinterest, the Maldives is your place for a honeymoon. It is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime holiday and the archipelago’s luxury resorts such as the Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives located in the South Ari Atoll make this a perfect fly-and-flop destination.

Newlyweds will want to take particular notice of the hotel’s Mandara spa where couples can indulge in a relaxing massage, the sauna and the Turkish bath along with a wide range of treatments. Yoga and pilates classes are also offered to guests here but the star of the show is the 37-metre-long infinity pool where relaxation is guaranteed. When not immersing themselves in the hotel’s luxurious facilities, guests can enjoy scuba diving lessons in the Indian Ocean, close to the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) home to whale sharks and splendid sunsets. 

Fancy staying just footsteps from one of the top ten beaches in the world? The Barceló Bávaro Beach - Adults Only hotel is located on the shoreline of the prestigious Bávaro Beach in the popular resort of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and it is the perfect hideaway for newlyweds. With a 24-hour casino, nightclub, pool and a relaxing spa, it will be hard to choose your favourite part of the resort. Not to mention the hotel’s vast gastronomic offering ensures that all needs are met at all times. 

Yet suppose you fancy venturing out of the resort. In that case, the hotel offers excursions to famous landmarks such as Saona Island and Santo Domingo along with outdoor adventures involving buggies, scuba diving, horse riding and swimming with dolphins. If it is a luxury honeymoon you are after, newlyweds will fall in love with Punta Cana’s lush tropical scenery and exotic local culture making it one of the best honeymoon destinations for those seeking both relaxation and adventure.

Imagine starting your life as Mr & Mrs on a luxury private beach in Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah area, with all the trimmings of 5* opulence. That is exactly what a honeymoon at Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel looks like. Enjoy an Arabian adventure at this emblematic resort complete with an infinity pool overlooking Dubai Marina, a lazy river, a champagne and tea lounge, the famous Dukes lounge and a cigar and whisky bar amongst other indulgent facilities. If you get tired of the confines of the hotel, Dubai itself offers endless plans to occupy newlyweds looking to celebrate their new status. Do some shopping at the Dubai Mall, enjoy a romantic walk in nature at Dubai’s Miracle Garden and take a honeymoon snapshot at the Dubai Frame.

Stunning beaches, vibrant coral reefs and luxurious resorts - there is no surprise that Cancún is one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world. Here, romance and adventure go hand in hand as newlyweds can enjoy activities such as snorkelling in the crystal-clear Caribbean Ocean, exploring ancient Mayan ruins or enjoying hand-held sunset strolls across paper-white beaches. Hotels such as the Occidental Tucancún - All Inclusive offer a romantic bolthole right on the shoreline of the famous Marlin Beach, ideal for recharging and relaxing after the busy wedding preparations. When in Cancún don’t miss out on the shopping, nightlife and cultural experiences available, all of which can be arranged through your hotel. With so much to offer, Cancún is full of great honeymoon places to make your trip unforgettable.  

If your idea of the best trip for a honeymoon involves immersing yourself in local life and soaking up the heritage and traditions of a new place, these are the best honeymoon destinations for you. 

Short on time? Funds running low after the wedding? You don’t have to travel long haul to call it a honeymoon. Lanzarote is one of the best European honeymoon destinations thanks to its curious volcanic landscapes that will make you believe that you have landed on the moon instead of the Canary Islands. When honeymooning in Lanzarote, take your pick from the island’s premium hotels. 

From Adult-only stays to beachfront bedrooms, Lanzarote seems to have it all. And, that’s without exploring the island’s landmarks. Make a beeline for Cesar Manrique’s Jameos de Agua, an impressive art and culture centre that is as Instagrammable as it is interesting. Cool off on the refreshing waters of Costa Teguise or soak up some rays on Playa Blanca, one of the island’s best beaches. Then when it is time to enjoy a sundowner, head to one of the island’s wineries to discover the unique way that wine is produced on the island. However you choose to spend your time, you won’t be short of things to do.  

From afar, what may look like a post-apocalyptic film-set, up close resembles a quirky fairy kingdom straight from the pages of a fairytale. Cappadocia’s volcanic terrain is a welcome change to the traditional beachy backdrop most couples choose for their honeymoon photos. Yet, it is not just its impressive geography that makes Cappadocia one of the best honeymoon destinations for couples. The vast array of multicoloured hot air balloons that float on the dusty breeze at sunrise and the 36 underground cities have their part to play in the decision too.

Married life is guaranteed to start well when newlyweds choose to honeymoon at the Barceló Cappadocia located in the picturesque village of Ortahisar. Couples will enjoy the luxury of the hotel’s cave rooms complete with a private pool and Turkish bath. Yet, while it may be hard to leave the comfort of the hotel with its delicious gastronomic offering and state-of-the-art spa, Cappadocia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a region of Turkey that is a must-visit. Head to the Gorëme Open Air Museum to explore the history of the region and marvel at the beauty of the Zemi Valley. Without a doubt, Cappadocia is one of the world’s most unique honeymoon spots.

Sri Lanka, fondly known as the teardrop island, offers a unique place to honeymoon. While ideas for a honeymoon commonly centre around a white sand beach and Balinese beds, Sri Lanka offers an escape steeped in tradition and heritage. When browsing accommodation, choose between a beachfront hotel in Beruwala or a jungle villa in Dambulla for the opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the island. Embrace slow travel and venture off on train rides through the island’s countryside stopping off to visit cities such as Colombo and Kandy along the way. Or, spend a day learning about the origin of tea and the agricultural processes behind the perfect cuppa. Whether you choose to while away the days lazing by the hotel pool, pampering yourself at the spa or acquainting yourself with local customs with trips to temples (the Temples of the Sacred Tooth Relic is considered one of the holiest in Sri Lanka), the island is one of the best honeymoon destinations for couples young and old.