All Articles 5 unique honeymoon destinations

5 unique honeymoon destinations

From Sumba, Indonesia, to Norway.

By Kate Templin Stahl26 Jan 2023 4 minutes read
Top down view of an idyllic island with a boat a coral reef in Fiji in the south Pacific ocean
Idyllic island with a coral reef in Fiji
Image: Didier Marti/Getty Images

Perhaps there is no trip with higher expectations than a honeymoon. After months of stressful planning, culminating in a spectacular, but short-lived event, there’s only way to come down—by embarking on a trip as memorable as your wedding day. But what if a luxurious beach resort or a romantic trip to London or Paris just doesn’t do it for you and your new spouse? If you want a honeymoon that’s anything but predictable, the following unexpected spots offer natural beauty, extraordinary experiences, and romance galore. Keep reading to find the unique honeymoon option that’s right for you.

Sumba, Indonesia

Silhouette of tree by sea against sky during sunset in Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Image: Teh Han Lin/Getty Images

On the western edge of the Savu Sea, a few islands east of Bali, lies Sumba, twice the size of its better-known neighbor and home to a mere sixth of Bali’s population. In short, this is a paradise where honeymooners will find ultimate privacy among natural swimming holes, waterfalls, magical beaches, and arid limestone hills. Most visitors stay on the west side of the island, making the 90-minute trek from Tambolaka Airport to resorts like NIHI Sumba (a Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best winner), home to 28 luxurious thatched villas with plunge pools and private butlers. If you stay here, be sure to get said butlers to organize horseback rides on the beach and a half- or full-day wellness experience at the outstanding Spa Safari Nihioka. Alternatively, the recently opened Cap Karoso hotel features 47 modernist rooms and 20 villas sitting on the shores of a coral reef, surrounded by turquoise lagoons.

Zermatt, Switzerland

Matterhorn and Zermatt, Switzerland
Matterhorn and Zermatt, Switzerland
Image: Jordan Lye/Getty Images

If you’re a snow-over-sand type of couple, Zermatt, Switzerland, is a wildly romantic destination that offers the longest summer skiing season in the Alps. Fly into Geneva, Basel, or Zurich, then travel by train to the quaint, car-free mountain town to take in the awesome sight of the Matterhorn, standing at 14,692 feet tall. Ski by day and sip hot cocoa or glühwein (mulled wine) in front of a fireplace as the sun dips below the horizon. While you’re in Zermatt, ride on gondolas, the funicular (Switzerland’s first entirely underground train route), and mountain cog railways, including Gornergrat Bahn, which goes from Zermatt’s main street to the Gornergrat observation center. There you’ll find multiple restaurants, scenic views, walking paths, and the epic 3100 Kulmhotel, the highest hotel in Europe with its own domed astronomical observatory. Other luxurious lodging options include the formal Mont Cervin Palace and the more contemporary Schweizerhof.

Budapest, Hungary

Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest, Hungary
Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest, Hungary
Image: ZoltanGabor/Getty Images

Rich with fascinating history and architectural beauty, Budapest is as romantic as European capitals come, made even more appealing by its relative affordability. Take romantic strolls along the Danube River, which winds through the city’s breathtaking Art Nouveau and Secessionist buildings and under stone bridges. Water is, in fact, at the heart of Budapest; the city rests on thermal springs, and Hungarians have been bathing in those mineral-filled waters for hundreds of years. It’s a must-do activity during your trip, especially at the indoor and outdoor pools at Széchenyi Thermal Baths.

Before your honeymoon wraps up, carve out some time to visit the grand Buda Castle, completed in the mid-13th century and sure to make you forget reality for just a bit longer with its cinematic views of the city. New hotel Matild Palace, a masterpiece in marrying contemporary and historically significant design, is a perfect place to call home base with its Michelin-starred Spago by Wolfgang Puck restaurant, rooftop bar with panoramic views, and rooms with soaring ceilings and windows looking out over the Danube.

Norway

Northern Lights in the Lofoten Islands, Norway
Northern Lights in the Lofoten Islands, Norway
Image: ASMR/Getty Images

Norway is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights, but that spectacle is only one of a myriad of visual majesties the country offers. Glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and deep coastal Norwegian fjords mingle with miles of imposing mountains and open sea. In short, there’s much to observe, and thanks to that midnight sun—a natural phenomenon that occurs in Norway’s summer months when the sun remains visible at midnight—you’ll have plenty of time to explore it all if you plan your trip for June, July, or August. Take a scenic trip from Oslo to Bergen on the Bergen Railway, one of the oldest train routes in Europe; book a cruise among the fjords; or check into a spectacular hotel, like the Hotel Union Øye or the Juvet Landskapshotell. Since 1891, the former has served as a temporary home for luminaries including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Kaiser Wilhelm, both of whom now have rooms named after them. Meanwhile, the Juvet Landskapshotell was made famous in the film Ex Machina and our community praises it as an “amazing experience” and “exceptional hotel that cocoons you in tranquility.”

Fiji

Scenic shoreline of Taveuni, Fiji
Scenic shoreline of Taveuni, Fiji
Image: Michele Westmorland/Getty Images

While Bora Bora and the Maldives get a lot of attention as ultimate honeymooners' getaways, their beauty is equally matched by Fiji, which has the added bonus of being a lot less crowded. The South Pacific destination is home to almost 300 islands featuring silky sand beaches, verdant hills, and postcard-worthy coral reefs, along with some of the most romantic, secluded, and luxurious resorts around. The super swanky Royal Davui Island Resort is located on a private island in the magical Beqa Lagoon, and each room features an incredible turquoise ocean view. The eco-conscious Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort proves that sustainability and luxury aren’t mutually exclusive with its in-house marine biologist, ocean conservation program, and 200 staff members catering to the mere 25 villas. And the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, an easy taxi ride away from the Nadi airport, is the only Fijian mainland resort to offer overwater bungalows, combining traditional thatched roofs with contemporary interior design.

Kate Templin Stahl
Kate Stahl is a Chicago-based journalist and essayist who has written for POPSUGAR, Chicago Tribune, and various Modern Luxury publications, among others. She also co-hosts and produces a podcast called My Mom Always Says.