Where to Stay: Villa or Hotel?

Boutique hotel or private villa? Both have a lot of appeal for a couple, and each give a different kind of experience.

Villas for couples
Villas are ideal for romantic couples holidays where you want the highest levels of privacy and independence. Are you a midnight snacker or a dawn riser? Love to swim au naturel?  Or – without wishing to burst that romance bubble – maybe one of you snores??! Having a whole villa with a private pool to yourself means you get lots more space and you get to set the timetable – meals when you want, uninterrupted relaxation, and no fixed schedules. In many cases you can get extra services to come to you, from catering to massage or a private yoga class just for the two of you for the ultimate luxury couples holiday.

Hotels for couples
On the other hand, if you really want to feel pampered – think delicious fresh breakfasts served by the pool or delivered to your suite, and maybe a spa treat or two – hotels are a luxury option. If you don’t want to cook, it’s a stress free solution, plus there’s the option of a little like-minded company to share ideas and travel experiences with as you sit at the bar or around the pool. And if you prefer your pool time child-free, consider one of our Adult Only hotels that guarantee a more tranquil atmosphere for all.

What to do: Active or Relaxed?

Are you a Kindle and cocktails kind of couple? Or is your case full of sports kit ready for an action-packed escape?

Beach holidays for couples
Shades on, earbuds in, blissed out. If that’s your default holiday mode then you can find it all over the Med. Treat yourselves to the luxury and romantic break you deserve with long, lazy days on a sunbed, perhaps an hour or two shopping for a cool new cover up and then cocktails on the waterfront and dinner beneath the stars. For beach boys and babes, you can find a detailed guide to local beaches in all our featured areas, or check out some of our current blogs to help you find the best beaches in Greece, Mallorca, Corsica and the Aquitaine Coast of France.

Active holidays for couples
With clear warm water from June to October, the Med is a watersports playground like no other – paddleboarding is perfect for any experience level, and if you’re already qualified or would like to learn some new skills, we recommend diving in southern Corsica and windsurfing in Lefkada and Crete. Even tiny Ithaca now has some excellent little activity companies. Motor boat hire is the must-do activity in all the Ionian Islands, with Paxos and Corfu being two of the best places to discover from the water. A little closer to home, Hossegor on the Aquitaine coast is surf central, with a host of cool shops, bars and restaurants - a fantastic spot even if you never go near a surfboard.

If you prefer to stay on land, it’s easy to head for the hills and coastal trails in Corsica, cycle the mountain roads of Mallorca or take an ebike round the stunning hilltop villages and vineyards of Provence. The Basque coastal path is a classic southern French trail, alongside the Lycian Trail in Turkey. Or take it one step further and join one of our Special Interest holidays in Crete or Corfu.

Must-dos: see our list of unmissable experiences and activities to enhance your holiday, wherever you stay.

Where to stay: Coast or Culture?

When one wants coast and the other wants culture, here are the top places for couples in Europe where you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Couples holidays in the Peloponnese
For some of the best beaches in Greece coupled with extraordinary antiquities including Ancient Olympia, it has to be the Peloponnese in the south of the Greek mainland. The combination of upmarket little resorts like Kardamyli and Agios Nikolaos and the wild, untouched landscapes of the Deep Mani means more than enough to keep you both happy for a week or two, and you can easily mix it up with a few nights in Athens for even more variety.

Couples holidays in Puglia
Puglia’s cultural offerings feel so colourful and alive, including the UNESCO–listed Alberobello with its iconic trulli houses, Lecce’s baroque architecture, and the brilliant sugar white towns, like Ostuni and Locorotondo, that pull you in to discover winding alleys and panoramic views. And when you’ve had your fill of culture, not to mention the fabulous Puglian wines and seafood, you’re never far from the coast for a few hours at a lively beach club.

Couples Holidays in Mallorca
This holiday island is almost unique in having a vibrant capital city as well as incredible beaches, making it a fantastically versatile destination for a couple. Palma is packed with cultural gems, from La Seu cathedral and Bellver Castle to the Royal Palace nearby. The shopping is amazing, as are the tapas bars and cafes, and as it only takes about an hour to drive here from the pristine beaches around Pollensa, you can easily combine coast and culture every day. There’s lots going on around Pollensa too, with wine bodegas to visit, a superb Sunday market and a popular nine hole golf course near Alcudia.

Couples holidays in Crete
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands so it offers astonishing variety, from vibrant towns to tiny coastal villages accessible only by boat. Blessed with long summers, dramatic scenery and spectacular beaches, Crete is also full of cultural treasures, from the ancient Palace of Knossos to the Venetian harbour in Chania. Explore Heraklion’s archaeological museum, hike to historic monasteries, and enjoy the student vibe of Rethymno town. Traditional music, Cretan cuisine, and village festivals enhance your cultural journey.