These are the best holiday destinations for a first-time trip with your partner

By Dianne Apen-Sadler Published on 27/05/2026 - 15:02 GMT+2 Share Comments Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp

The Couples’ Holiday Success index evaluates spots based on factors like affordability, safety and crowd stress.

The first trip together is real make-or-break territory.

ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT

What if they want a lie-in when you’re an early riser? What if they want to fly-and-flop, when you’re more of a museums and galleries kinda girl? What if they have no understanding of the need for 30 minutes of silent phone time in bed before dinner?

It might seem over-the-top, but we’re not the only ones who think so: According to a poll by Booking.com last year, more than two thirds of British travellers would take a trip to assess their compatibility.

Of course, you’re going to want to give your potential other half a solid chance at success – which is where this new Couples’ Holiday Success index comes in.

Created by relationship and sex therapist Georgina Vass in partnership with fashion brand Pour Moi, the ranking looks at factors such as crowd stress, affordability, safety, sleep and comfort, and bonding and experience to evaluate which destinations are ideal for couples.

Each destination was ranked out of 100 for each of the factors to create an average score – and overall, Italy’s Lake Garda came out on top.

Why Lake Garda is perfect for your first trip as a couple

Lake Como might be beloved by celebrities and influencers, but Italy’s largest lake is far more romantic as you won’t be battling as many crowds while visiting.

According to Vass, Lake Garda scored a perfect 100 for “bonding” thanks to its stunning vistas and potential for relaxation, and it also scored highly for “sleep and comfort”.

Found in northern Italy, it’s easily reachable from Milan, Venice or Verona.

Where else you should be headed

Second place went to another lake destination: Bled in Slovenia.

Incredibly picturesque, the lake is best known for its island which you can enjoy from a viewpoint or take a traditional pletna boat to in the summer months.

Next up was Essaouira in Morocco, which had the highest affordability score out of any destination in the top 10. Couples here can chill by the beach, explore the UNESCO-listed fortified medina or be pampered at a hammam.

Coming in fourth was Giethoorn in the Netherlands. Beloved as a day-trip destination, the village is known for only being navigable by boat or bike.

Rounding out the top five is Kotor in Montenegro. Here, couples can climb up to the fortress for spectacular views over the bay, and wander the UNESCO-listed Old Town.

The top 20 destinations for a couple’s holiday:

1. Lake Garda, Italy
2. Bled, Slovenia
3. Essaouira, Morocco
4. Giethoorn, Netherlands
5. Kotor, Montenegro
6. Tulum, Mexico
7. Santorini, Greece
8. Amalfi Coast, Italy
9. Seychelles
10. Venice, Italy
11. Dubrovnik, Croatia
12. Queenstown, New Zealand
13. Cinque Terre, Italy
14. Verona, Italy
15. Kyoto, Japan
16. Marrakech, Morocco
17. Positano, Italy
18. Madeira, Portugal
19. Zanzibar, Tanzania
20. Faroe Islands, Denmark

Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments

Read more

Economy

Cost of love: Europe’s most expensive and cheapest cities for a date