There’s something about a summer honeymoon that feels like it should be obvious - somewhere beautiful, somewhere warm, and somewhere you can finally put your phone on Do Not Disturb. But lately, the travel landscape has shifted to spots that feel a bit more under the radar. As much as St. Tropez and Positano will always have their place, we’re leaning into destinations that feel a bit less talked about and a lot more personal. Places that still carry that sense of discovery, where the setting does most of the work and the itinerary can stay relatively loose (and, ideally, crowd-free). The kind of honeymoon that feels just as good in the moment as it does looking back on it. So if you’re in the early stages of planning or already hovering over “confirm booking” consider this a look at the destinations we’re loving for summer honeymoons right now.
Sicily
Sicily is one of those destinations that manages to feel both classic and current at the same time. It has that cinematic quality people look for in a honeymoon, the sun-soaked coastlines, the historic towns, and a scale that makes everything feel a bit more expansive. The food alone could carry the trip, but it’s the mix of architecture, landscape, and atmosphere that really lands. It’s layered without feeling complicated, and it delivers in a way that feels almost expected, just done better.
Dolomites
For a different type of honeymoon, the Dolomites offer something distinctly removed from the usual coastal itinerary. The landscape is picture perfect and the overall trip there is really centered around being outside. It also falls into the recent shift toward “coolcations,” where couples are opting for fresh mountain air and a slower kind of reset over traditional beach destinations. At the same time, the region is known for its hotels and spas, which bring a level of comfort and design that balances out the more active side of the trip. It’s a setting that encourages both movement and rest, often within the same day.
The Turkish Riviera
The Turkish Riviera has been having a bit of a moment lately, particularly along its coastline, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Some are already calling it the new South of France, which feels slightly ambitious, but not entirely wrong. It has that same sun-soaked appeal as the Mediterranean, but with a bit more texture to it—ancient ruins, clear water, and a coastline that feels both expansive and considered. Bodrum in particular has become something of a focal point, with a new wave of hotels, beach clubs, and design-forward stays that give it a slightly sharper edge. It’s social without feeling overdone, and polished without losing its sense of place. The overall experience lands somewhere between relaxed and well put-together, which makes it an easy one to say yes to.
Careyes
Careyes is one of those places that’s been quietly showing up everywhere lately, and once you see it, it’s hard to unsee. You’ll likely recognize it for its bright, sculptural villas and hotels set high above the Pacific, each one somehow framing the view even better than the last. There’s a strong visual identity to the whole place, from the architecture to the way everything is positioned against the coastline. It doesn’t feel overly built up or crowded with options, which ends up working in its favor. You arrive, take it in, and very quickly understand why people keep coming back to it.
The Azores
The Azores, an archipelago off the coast of Portugal, offer a completely different take on a honeymoon. Instead of beach clubs and packed itineraries, the focus here is on nature. So think volcanic landscapes, crater lakes, hot springs, and wide open views. Days tend to be spent outdoors, whether that’s hiking, swimming, or simply driving between towns and stopping when something catches your attention. It’s quieter and more remote than most destinations on this list, which is exactly what makes it appealing. The Azores feel immersive and adventurous. It’s an ideal trip for a couple who wants their honeymoon to feel more like an experience than backdrop.
Bermuda
Bermuda is one of those places that just works for a honeymoon, it has everything you want without needing to overthink it. It’s easy to reach from the East Coast, and once you’re there, everything feels well-paced and accessible. The island is known for its pink sand beaches, clear water, and a mix of hotels and restaurants that make planning simple. It’s also bigger than people expect, with enough to explore that you don’t feel confined to one stretch of coast. And while it has that classic island feel, the climate is slightly milder than the Caribbean, which makes it especially appealing in the summer months. It’s the kind of trip you can settle into almost immediately.
Mallorca
Mallorca has quietly become one of the hotspots for European summers, and once you go, it’s easy to see why. It has range in a way that’s hard to beat, coastal villages, mountain drives, beaches that shift from one side of the island to the other, and a food scene that more than holds up. You fall into a rhythm pretty quickly here, starting by the water and ending the day somewhere you didn’t really plan, but are glad you found. There’s also a strong mix of boutique hotels and more refined stays that feel design-forward without trying too hard. It’s the kind of place that feels easy to get into, and even easier to stay longer than you planned.
Napa Valley
Napa Valley is just about as romantic as it gets on the West Coast. Rolling vineyards, long lunches that turn into the afternoon, and a pace that naturally slows everything down. It’s the kind of place that’s built for lingering, whether that’s over a tasting, a drive between wineries, or dinner that stretches later than planned. It also works especially well as a road trip, with just enough structure to guide the day without needing to over-plan it. It might be time to trade in the usual European summer for a West Coast one instead.
Seychelles
The scenery in Seychelles is hard to overstate. The beaches are framed by massive granite boulders, the water shifts between shades of blue that don’t quite look real, and everything feels wide open in a way that’s hard to find elsewhere. It has all the elements you want in a honeymoon, clear water, soft sand, and that sense of being completely removed. But it still carries a slightly more untouched, natural feel that sets it apart from your typical tropical honeymoon spot. Days are spent beachside, or just as easily by the pool, followed by long, slow meals that don’t require much planning. It's the kind of place where your bags are mentally packed already
Japan
At this point, it feels like everyone knows someone who’s just been to Japan, or is about to go, and for good reason. It’s one of those trips that actually lives up to the level of attention it’s getting. For a honeymoon, it offers a bit of everything: the energy of Tokyo with its shopping, food, and design-forward hotels; the quieter, more traditional side in Kyoto; and the option to move further out into nature or onsen towns when you want to slow things down. The experience shifts as you go, which makes the trip feel layered without ever feeling overwhelming. It’s a honeymoon that feels like a real journey, and one you don’t really replicate anywhere else.
Ischia
Often compared to Capri, Ischia offers a similar level of beauty with a more laid back vibe.The island is known for its thermal spas, coastal views, and gardens, making it easy to settle into a slower rhythm. Days can be spent moving between the sea and the island’s natural springs, with evenings centered around long, unhurried dinners. It feels refined without being overly structured, which makes it particularly well-suited for a honeymoon. You get the atmosphere without feeling like you need to keep up with it.
Croatia
Croatia has become a go-to for laid-back coastal European summers, but how you do it makes all the difference. The better version of the trip leans into the smaller islands, where the pace feels more balanced and the setting a bit more personal. Places like Korčula bring that old-town atmosphere, local wine, and waterfront dinners, while Mljet shifts things into something quieter, with national park landscapes and slower days. It’s less about seeing everything, and more about moving between a few well-chosen stops that each bring something different.