Minimoons and babymoons are two types of holidays that have soared in popularity over the last couple of years.
For many newlyweds, the costs of a wedding means they can’t afford to embark on a luxurious honeymoon straight away, so choose to opt for a shorter break instead (known as a “minimoon”), so they still get to spend quality time together, whilst giving them extra time to save for a honeymoon.
Similarly, a babymoon is a holiday for couples just before the baby’s due – typically the last romantic holiday they’ll have for a while! And, with celebrities such as Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle taking babymoons; the trend is increasingly becoming more popular, with searches for “best babymoon UK” up 100%.
The Best Destinations
If you’re planning on a break go direct to see where is best for you…
The best destinations for a minimoon in Europe
The best destinations for a minimoon in the UK
The best destinations for a babymoon in Europe
The best destinations for a babymoon in the UK
So, whether you’re considering booking a minimoon or babymoon or both!, read on to discover the best destinations for them across the UK and Europe.
The best destinations for a minimoon in Europe
To uncover the best destinations, we looked at cities that were the most cost-effective, as well as the ones that have the most things to do, including attractions, restaurants, bars, and spas – so, once you’ve booked your flights, don’t forget to book your airport parking in advance, to secure the best deal.
1. Paris, France
Is it any surprise the City of Love came in top place for a minimoon? Paris has so many things to see and do, with not only the most attractions (8,837), but the most restaurants (15,737), spas (934), and the third most bars (290).
The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the cobblestoned streets of Montmartre are perhaps the most iconic things to do in France’s capital, but you could also enjoy a romantic picnic in the Jardin du Luxembourg, and spend your evenings hopping between wine bars.
2. Rome, Italy
Italy’s capital comes in second place for a minimoon, with the greatest number of bars (426), the cheapest bottles of wine (£3.01), and the third most restaurants (9,977). Italian food is some of the best in the world, so make sure you get your fill of candlelit dinners where you can sample pizza, pasta, risotto, and more.
There are also tons of things to see and do in Rome during your minimoon, with 6,448 attractions (the second most on our list), and 393 spas (the third most). So, enjoy a romantic stroll through the Villa Borghese Gardens, and watch the sunset on Aventine Hill – bringing a bottle of wine with you, of course!
3. Barcelona, Spain
Rounding off our top three minimoon destinations is Barcelona, with the second most number of spas (633), and the third most attractions (5,058). So, if you’re looking for a more relaxed honeymoon, why not make the most of those spas in the day, and then discover some of the 8,524 restaurants, and 287 bars Barcelona has to offer at night?
Aire de Barcelona is one of the best spas, offering an intimate feel with it tucked away in a basement; or if you’d prefer to indulge in some treatments, then why not pay a visit to Rituels d’Orient?
Prague and Madrid complete our top five minimoon destinations, but there are so many amazing cities you can visit, to enjoy a romantic trip away with your other half. If cost plays the biggest factor, then why not consider Bucharest or Sofia, which offer the cheapest accommodation at around £216.23 and £246.20 for a three-night stay in a hotel.
For cheap flights, you can’t beat Amsterdam or Oslo (£55 and £56 respectively for a one-way flight from Heathrow), with Porto offering the cheapest meal out (£34.39 on average, for three courses), and the second cheapest bottles of wine (£3.44).
The best destinations for a minimoon in the UK
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to minimoon in the UK, then why not take a look at these top-rated destinations?
1. London
With the sheer number of things to do, London was always going to be top. Whilst it might not be the most cost-effective, it has the most restaurants (17,632), bars (590), attractions (9,142), and spas (955).
Eating and drinking your way around the city is one of the best things to do, but why not visit the second-hand bookshops of Notting Hill and pick out the perfect book for your other half, or head to Primrose Hill and watch the sun set over the city together?
2. Birmingham
Birmingham is the second best place to minimoon in the UK, with the joint cheapest cost of a meal, at around £50 – tying with Nottingham, Wolverhampton, Leicester, and Southampton.
Not only that, but it has the third most number of restaurants (1,809), and the joint fourth cheapest cost for a bottle of wine (£7).
From Indian to Italian, Thai to tapas; Birmingham isn’t short on different types of cuisine, and you could really amp the romance up by shopping for something special together in the Jewellery Quarter.
3. Leicester
Situated in the heart of the Midlands, Leicester comes in third place for a minimoon due to its cost-effectiveness, with the joint cheapest cost for a meal out (£50), as well as the joint fourth cheapest bottle of wine (£7).
While you’re in Leicester, make sure you check out both the Botanical Gardens and the Space Centre – both key attractions in the city.
Hull and Nottingham make up the top five minimoon destinations in the UK, with both of them offering the cheapest three-night stays, at £357.94 and £365.77 respectively.
If you’re both foodies, then consider Manchester, which has 1,951 restaurants (the second most on our list), or Plymouth, with a bottle of wine costing an average of just £5.
Alternatively, if you don’t fancy a break in the capital but still want to visit lots of attractions, then Edinburgh and Liverpool rank highly; with Edinburgh also boasting the second most number of spas in the UK, at 119.
The best destinations for a babymoon in Europe
Babymoons will naturally be much more relaxing, and taken at a slower pace, so in addition to the cost-effective side of things, we analysed the number of parks, hospitals, and shops in each city.
1. Paris, France
Paris also scores top for babymoons, as, in addition to having the most spas out of everywhere on our list, it also has the most parks (179) and shops (1,158), as well as the second most number of hospitals – which hopefully, you won’t need, but could help to put your mind at ease.
Some of the parks to visit during your time here include the Tuileries, which is located right by the Louvre, and Parc de Belleville, which offers some of the best views of the city.
2. Bucharest, Romania
Romania’s capital comes in second place for a babymoon, with it one of the cheapest destinations on our list, with £59 on average for one-way flights, and £216.23 for a three-night stay in a hotel.
Not only that, but it also has the most number of hospitals, at 102. For a relaxing time away, spend some time wandering around the charming cobblestone alleyways of the Old Town, and enjoying a picnic by Lake Herăstrău.
3. Prague, Czechia
Rounding off our top three babymoon destinations in Europe is Prague, with the third most shops (628), and fifth cheapest flights (£60).
For a relaxing break, take your time discovering the Old Town, including a sunset stroll across Charles Bridge, ending at Prague Castle. Or, if you want to spend some time in nature, head to Riegrovy Sady, which is a sprawling park full of colourful flowers and manicured lawns.
Budapest and Barcelona make up our top five babymoon destinations in Europe, with Barcelona boasting the second most parks on our list at 83, and Budapest offering flights from London Heathrow for around £58.
The best destinations for a babymoon in the UK
Alternatively, if you’d prefer the convenience of enjoying a babymoon in the UK, these are the cities to consider.
1. London
Once again, London tops the list, with the most parks, shops, and hospitals, at 188, 1,301, and 52 respectively.
Some of the parks you could consider visiting include the sprawling Hyde Park, where you can rent a boat on the Serpentine, and Regent’s Park, which is home to London Zoo. Alternatively, if you want to tick off some sightseeing, then you’ll likely end up in Green Park and St. James’ Park, both of which are right by Buckingham Palace.
2. Birmingham
Birmingham retains its second position, with the second most parks (33), and the joint second most hospitals (13).
Canon Hill Park is perhaps one of the most well-known, which sprawls for 80 acres, and is home to the city’s Wildlife Conservation Centre.
3. Manchester
Manchester comes in third place for a babymoon destination in the UK, with the joint second most number of hospitals (13), as well as the fifth most shops and spas (105 and 62).
If you want to spend some of your babymoon buying things for your little bundle of joy, then you have both the Arndale and Trafford Centre to pick from; whereas if you’d rather spend some time relaxing, then you could spend the day at Heaton Park, which is the biggest park in Manchester.
Glasgow and Sheffield rank fourth and fifth for babymoon destinations, with Glasgow boasting the third most parks, at 27. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to spend your babymoon shopping, then Edinburgh and Glasgow could both be good options, with 240 and 137 – the second and third most on our list, after London.
Hopefully you’ve been inspired to book your next break! If you’re travelling abroad and have an early flight out, then why not book one of our airport hotels with parking, so you don’t need to set off super early? And, if you’re feeling fancy, check out our airport lounge deals, to get your holiday started the right way.
Methodology
Factors used (minimoons in UK):
• 3-Night Hotel Stay Cost – The average cost of a three-night stay for two adults, for the top 35 listed hotels on Trivago (26th-29th May 2024).
• Meal Cost – The cost of a three-course meal for two people, at a mid-range restaurant.
• Wine Cost – The cost of a mid-range bottle of wine.
• Restaurants – The number of restaurants in each city as listed on Tripadvisor.
• Bars – The number of bars in each city as listed on Tripadvisor.
• Attractions – The number of attractions in each city as listed on Tripadvisor.
• Spas – The number of spas in each city as listed on Tripadvisor.
Factors used (minimoons in Europe):
• Three-Night Hotel Stay Cost – The average cost of a three-night stay for two adults, for the top 35 listed hotels on Trivago (26th-29th May 2024).
• Flight Cost – The cheapest available direct flight from London Heathrow to each city, for two adults, on 26th May 2024.
• Meal Cost – The cost of a three-course meal for two people, at a mid-range restaurant.
• Wine Cost – The cost of a mid-range bottle of wine.
• Restaurants – The number of restaurants in each city as listed on Tripadvisor.
• Bars – The number of bars in each city as listed on Tripadvisor.
• Attractions – The number of attractions in each city as listed on Tripadvisor.
• Spas – The number of spas in each city as listed on Tripadvisor.
Factors used (babymoons in the UK):
• Three-Night Hotel Stay Cost – The average cost of a three-night stay for two adults, for the top 35 listed hotels on Trivago (26th-29th May 2024).
• Spas – The number of spas in each city as listed on Tripadvisor.
• Parks – The number of parks in each city as listed on Tripadvisor.
• Retail Shops – The number of major retail shops in each city as listed on Tripadvisor.
• Hospitals – The number of businesses listed under the “hospital” category on Google, for each city.
Factors used (babymoons in Europe):
• Three-Night Hotel Stay Cost – The average cost of a three-night stay for two adults, for the top 35 listed hotels on Trivago (26th-29th May 2024).
• Flight Cost – The cheapest available direct flight from London Heathrow to each city, for two adults, on 26th May 2024.
• Spas – The number of spas in each city as listed on Tripadvisor.
• Parks – The number of parks in each city as listed on Tripadvisor.
• Retail Shops – The number of major retail shops in each city as listed on Tripadvisor.
• Hospitals – The number of businesses listed under the “hospital” category on Google, for each city.
All data is correct as of 25/04/24. The ranking data shown is a compilation of multiple data sources and may not be representative of real life. All data is accurate with regards to the sources provided.
