p.14/ The Best Honeymoon Destinations for 2027: Greece Takes the Top Spot
If Santorini has been on your honeymoon mood board, you're in good company. Virtuoso's 2027 Luxe Report, built on a survey of more than 3,100 luxury travel advisors in over 50 countries, has named Greece the top honeymoon destination for 2027, as Euronews reported on 9 October. It knocks Italy off the top spot. Here's what the list of the best honeymoon destinations for 2027 actually tells you, and how to use it without ending up on the same crowded clifftop as everyone else.
What the 2027 Honeymoon Ranking Says
Virtuoso's advisors ranked these as the top ten honeymoon destinations for 2027:
- Greece
- Bali
- Maldives
- Italy
- French Polynesia
- Japan
- Fiji
- France
- Thailand
- South Africa
A year ago, Italy held first place and Greece sat second, according to Greek Reporter's write-up of the report. Virtuoso's Misty Belles told Euronews that Greece's win ends "Italy's long-standing lead."
Two things worth knowing before you read too much into it. First, this is a ranking of what advisors are seeing and expecting, not a count of trips taken. Second, the same report lists "celebrating a milestone" as the number one reason affluent travellers will book a trip in 2027, with honeymoons sixth on that list. Put simply: people are travelling to mark the moments that matter, and a honeymoon is the original version of that.
Why Greece Took the Top Spot
Belles pointed to strong demand for places that combine romance with culture and cuisine. Kayla Zeigler, founder of the Virtuoso agency Destination Europe, went further and called Greece "almost tailor-made for honeymoons."
We'd agree, with one caveat. Greece is not two islands. It's a whole country of them, plus a mainland that's easy to overlook. The magic of a Greek honeymoon is in the rhythm: slow mornings, long lunches, a boat to the next island when you feel like it. That rhythm is easy to lose if you spend the trip in queues.
Beyond Mykonos and Santorini
The most useful part of the coverage isn't the ranking. It's where couples are actually going instead of the obvious.
Zeigler told Euronews that couples are looking past the classic Mykonos and Santorini pairing, which she described as busier and more cruise-oriented. Instead, newlyweds want a more relaxed, authentic island experience without giving up luxury, and three islands are emerging as favourites:
- Paros
- Milos
- Crete
The same thinking is showing up in the rest of Europe. In Italy, she points to Ischia over Capri for its thermal spas and slower island feel, Puglia for its masserias and coastline, and Piedmont and Umbria in place of Tuscany. The Dolomites paired with Venice are "having a moment." In France, couples are pairing Paris with Provence or the Riviera, and Champagne is a natural fit for a trip that's all about celebrating.
This is the part we love. "We're travelers, not tourists" isn't a slogan for us. It's how we build every route.
Timing Your Trip: The Case for Shoulder Season
If there's one practical change to take from this news, it's when you go.
According to Zeigler, June and July in southern Europe are getting hotter and more crowded, and her agency is booking more honeymoons in April, May, October and even November. Her reason: more comfortable weather, fewer crowds and better value. She also notes that European honeymoons with her agency typically run 10 to 14 nights, often across several regions or countries.
That fits how we think about a honeymoon. It isn't a long weekend. It's the first real trip of your married life, and it deserves room to breathe. If your wedding or elopement date is flexible, building the trip around the season rather than the other way round is one of the smartest moves you can make.
Where to Splurge, and Where Not To
Zeigler summed up the shift neatly: luxury is becoming "less about extravagance at every turn" and more about choosing where to splurge. In practice, she sees couples booking one exceptional suite for a few nights, then staying in smaller boutique hotels elsewhere and spending the difference on private experiences, such as boat days, cooking classes, wine tastings and guided tours.
We plan the same way. One unforgettable view. One dinner you'll talk about for years. Then a trip that feels personal everywhere else. If you're watching the budget closely, our post on how to plan a honeymoon on a budget goes deeper.
What This Means for Your Honeymoon
A top spot on a list means more couples are looking at the same handful of places. That doesn't mean you should skip Greece. It means you should go about it differently.
Our take: use the ranking as permission, not a plan. Greece earned its place, but the best version of a Greek honeymoon is rarely the one on everyone's feed. Pick an island or two that suit how you like to travel. Go when the light is soft and the beaches are quiet. Spend where it counts. And if you're eloping, think about doing both in one trip: say your vows somewhere meaningful, then stay on for the honeymoon. That's exactly what our Elopement + Honeymoon planning is built for.
One trip. One plan. One story.
Questions Couples Ask
Is Greece a good honeymoon destination in the autumn?
Destination Europe says it's booking more honeymoons in October and even November for more comfortable weather, fewer crowds and better value. Smaller islands can be quieter late in the season, so we check what's open before we build the route.
How long should a European honeymoon be?
Zeigler says European honeymoons with her agency typically run 10 to 14 nights. That's enough time for two or three bases without spending the trip in transit.
Can we elope and honeymoon in the same place?
Yes, and it's one of our favourite ways to plan. We handle the ceremony and the trip as one itinerary. Our FAQs cover how it works, and our Pricing page explains the options.
Your Island, Your Way
Whether it's Paros in October or somewhere no list has found yet, we'll build a honeymoon that fits you, not a template. You pick the place. We'll handle everything else. Tell us where you're dreaming of going.
