Top 7 Honeymoon Destinations for 2026

A look at the four destinations my clients book most — and three under-the-radar alternatives that often deliver more for less.

Honeymoons sit in a unique category. You're not just picking a destination — you're picking a memory you'll talk about every anniversary for the next 50 years. Here's how I help clients pick well.

The four "classics" — book these if it's the trip of your dreams

1. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

The honeymoon archetype: overwater bungalows with glass floors, lagoon views, and quiet. Best months are May–October. Plan on $9,000–$18,000 for the week. Worth every dollar if it's been on the vision board for years.

2. The Maldives

Bora Bora's main competitor — also overwater villas, but with more variety in resort styles, better food scenes, and (usually) lower per-night rates. Longer flights from the US, but you get more days of "wow." Sandbank picnics and house-reef snorkeling are highlights.

3. Santorini, Greece

Cliffside cave suites, sunsets over the caldera, fresh seafood, white-and-blue villages. Pair it with 3 nights in Mykonos or Athens for a full Greek honeymoon. Best in May/early June or September to avoid peak crowds.

4. Saint Lucia

The Pitons. Jade Mountain. The Caribbean's most photogenic island, and only 4 hours from the US east coast. Sandals Grande and Jade Mountain are the two top picks here, depending on whether you want all-inclusive or à la carte luxury.

"The best honeymoon isn't the most expensive one — it's the one that matches the trip you've been imagining."

Three under-the-radar picks I've started recommending

5. Turks & Caicos (Grace Bay specifically)

Voted "world's best beach" multiple times, easy 3-hour flight from the east coast, calmer than the over-touristed Caribbean spots. Beach Enclave villas and Amanyara are the move for honeymooners.

6. Lake Como, Italy

Less-typical but increasingly popular for couples who want romance without a beach. Boutique hotels on the water, day trips to Bellagio and Varenna, easy add-on to Milan. Ideal in late spring or early fall.

7. The Seychelles

If the Maldives is the obvious choice, Seychelles is the "we did our research" choice. North Island and Six Senses Zil Pasyon are quietly some of the best honeymoon resorts on earth. Smaller crowds, dramatic granite-and-jungle scenery, and richer biodiversity than most beach destinations.

Booking advice that actually matters

• Book 9–12 months ahead for the rooms you actually want. Honeymoon-tier suites sell out first.
• Mention "honeymoon" everywhere. Most properties offer free amenities — sparkling wine, room decoration, late checkout — but only if it's flagged on the reservation.
• Travel insurance is non-negotiable. One missed connection on a $15k trip is the entire premium and then some.
• Build in a buffer day before the wedding. Flying out 6 hours after the reception is how stories about lost luggage start.

How I help with honeymoon planning

Honeymoons are the trips I most love planning. Through Virtuoso and preferred-partner relationships, I can layer in upgrades, daily breakfast, $100+ resort credits, and welcome amenities at no extra cost. We'll talk through what "perfect" means for the two of you, and I'll come back with options that actually feel different from each other.