Honeymoon in bliss with these top romantic destinations for 2024
French Crowds Has Much The And City Of Charm Paris All The Bordeaux Smaller Of
As you set off on your first adventure as a married couple, it's only natural to want your honeymoon to be extra special.
Planning a honeymoon you'll remember fondly for the rest of your life may sound like a tall order, but in fact it's never been easier for Irish couples, with a range of fairytale-worthy destinations to choose from just a short, direct flight away or even on home soil!
The plaudits are coming thick and fast for Ireland’s oldest city — it was recently named European City of Christmas for 2024, and was also the only Irish destination on the New York Times 52 Places to Go list for this year.
Once you stroll through the city’s atmospheric streets and explore the county's stunning scenery, you can see why. The Viking Triangle, the restored core of the city, is perfect for a promenade à deux, and also home to an impressive selection of museums, craft shops, and cafés.
Go wild with windswept walks on the many beaches that line the Copper Coast or take a hike up the Comeragh mountains, home to one of the most spectacular lakes in Ireland, Coumshingaun.
Not too far away, near the town of Cappoquin, you will find Dromana Gate, a striking Hindu Gothic gate lodge, with a suitably romantic back story. It was originally constructed from wood and papier maché to greet the owner of the Dromana Estate, Henry Villiers-Stuart and his wife, Theresia Pauline Ott of Vienna, on returning from their honeymoon in 1826, and was later rebuilt in stone.
The Northern city has come into its own in recent years, not least because of the huge popularity of the television show Derry Girls, which has inspired a range of themed tours.
The still-intact historic city walls are among the city’s most famous attractions, along with the Peace Bridge and Guildhall Square, where Bill Clinton made his famous address in 1995, poignantly recreated by Derry Girls writer Lisa McGee.
Now a vibrant and welcoming city, drawing tourists from all over the world, Derry is also a gateway to the Causeway Coast and Wild Atlantic Way. Venture out into the county to Downhill Demesne, where you will find Mussenden Temple, now popular as a wedding venue. Perched dramatically on the cliffs overlooking Downhill Strand, the circular folly was built in the 18th century and inspired by the Temple of Vesta in Rome.
The Clare village is a great base from which to explore the many outstanding sights of this underrated county. A bustling hive of restaurants and top hotels, it’s the place to go if you enjoy a trad session along with your creamy pint.
Nearby are the legendary Cliffs of Moher, a sight which never fails to impress. In a romantic twist, the legendary geological feature also played a starring role in the classic movie The Princess Bride, where they doubled as the Cliffs of Insanity.
There is an abundance of beautiful beaches dotted along the coast, including the buzzy surfing spot of Lahinch and the more laidback Fanore, with the Burren on its doorstep.
The French city has all the charm, architectural grandeur and culinary attractions of Paris, not to mention one of the world’s most famous wine regions on its doorstep.
With short direct flights from Cork, it’s easy to get to and even easier to navigate, thanks to an enviable tram system.
Splash around to your heart’s content in the highly Instagrammable Miroir d’Eau, the world’s largest reflecting pool, in front of the Place de la Bourse. The fashionable seaside resort of Arcachon is only a short train trip away, and is home to Dune du Pilat, the largest sand dune in Europe. What could be more romantic than chilling out at one of the many restaurants which line the beach, sipping champagne and slurping the region’s famous oysters?
Not as easy to get to but worth the effort is this gem of a northern Spanish city, which, while famous for its culinary culture, has so much more to offer.
There are no direct flights from Cork, so fly to either Bilbao or Biarritz just across the border in France, from where it's a short trip by car or bus. There’s also the option of getting the ferry from Rosslare to Bilbao or Santander.
Explore the three beaches which skirt the city of San Sebastian before taking to the old town for a txikiteo — a Basque-style bar crawl where you indulge in some pintxos (Basque tapas) accompanied by a glass of beer or the delicious local wine txakoli.
We take it for granted because it’s on our doorstep but as one of the world’s greatest cities, London truly has something for everyone, especially culture-loving couples.
Who needs Broadway when there is a wealth of plays and musicals starring top-notch talent less than an hour away? Take your pick of romantic adventures — sip champagne on the London Eye, go stargazing at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich or have a picnic in one of the city’s many well-appointed parks. And that’s before you even begin to explore the vast array of bars, cafés and restaurants on offer!
The options range from afternoon tea in a high-end hotel to great street food in places like Borough Market. No matter how many times you visit, you’ll always find something new.
