Most Romantic Coastal Towns in Europe
There’s more to Europe than romantic hiking along the Seine and sumptuous meals in Tuscany. You can also find dream like experiences in the continent’s quaint seaside towns, where authentic seaside cuisine, atmospheric hotels and stunning ocean views are a journey away. A quiet walk is better than going by hand. Let’s find out the Most Romantic Coastal Towns in Europe below.
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Most Romantic Coastal Towns in Europe
Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy
Of the five coastal villages that make up Italy’s Cinque Terre, none is more romantic than Vernazza, a colorful cliffside town dating back to around A.D. 1,000. Its resplendent buildings, in colors of coral, sunny yellow, brick red and blue, house a small harbor on one side, and the 11th-century tower of Doria Castle overlooking the sea. It was once one of the Most Romantic Coastal Towns in Europe.
Stroll along the beach with a slice of focaccia or a paper cone filled with veal and fries from Batti Batti, then skip the touristy harborside restaurants for Ligurian stuffed anchovies, minestrone Genovese in trattoria inside Hotel Franzi, located near the main square.
For even better views, head to Belforte, located inside Doria Castle on an open stone terrace, which has remained one of the area’s most elegant dining venues for more than 50 years. In the late afternoon, after the tour group departs for the day, the quiet streets leave a feeling like an Italian historical movie La Dolce Vita.
Tallinn, Estonia
Many quaint towns in Eastern Europe offer sublime romance, and Tallinn is after all no exception, how many cities have their own Marriage Hill. Walking cobblestone streets, candlelit bars and restaurants to nature reserves like the King of Denmark Garden, Swan Pond or the Baroque Kadriorg Park, Russian Tsar Peter the Great gave it to his wife, Catherine. It was once one of Europe’s Most Romantic Coastal Towns.
The paved path extending from Kadriorg, known as the Pirita promenade, offers excellent views of the Old Town. Do it like the locals do and bring a bottle of wine to one of the city’s observatories where we recommend watching the sunset from Patkuli, then go for dinner at Dominic’s by candlelight. The Von Stackelberg, an old baron’s residence near the Old Town, was our hotel of choice, thanks to its large courtyard and underground spa.
San Sebastián, Spain
With quaint buildings, golden beaches and culinary temples, San Sebastián in Spain’s Basque Country is one of the country’s most dramatic seaside destinations. In terms of Michelin stars per square meter, this town ranks second in the world, just behind Kyoto.
Among our favorites are Arzak, Akelarre and Zuberoa, but even a range of simple tapas or pinxos from one of the many bars on 31 de Agosto will not disappoint. Cut those calories for an afternoon stroll through the flower-filled gardens of Plaza Gipuzkoa, then watch the sun set from La Concha beach. In the evening, enjoy cocktails at La Madame before catching a live music show at Leize Gorria.
Kotor, Montenegro
Despite emerging as a cruise stop, Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage city, is on track and utterly unforgettable. Its fortified harbor, built in the Venetian period, overlooks a glittering bay surrounded by limestone cliffs and the preserved medieval streets of the low-sky Old Town with its skylines. red roofs dotted with car-free Romanesque spiers. It was once one of Europe’s Most Romantic Coastal Towns.
The town is very small and still surrounded by ancient walls, so you don’t risk getting lost here. You could easily spend hours wandering its cobbled sidewalks, stopping for a coffee at one of the many cafés lining the many Letrika squares serving the best beer in town or sampling the local cheeses and frozen meats at outdoor food markets. After a day, unwind at Hotel Cattaro, an intimate 18th-century boutique with 17 cleanly lined rooms overlooking the bay.
Oia, Santorini, Greece
Take the 235 steps or trolley ride above the Port of Ammoudi, Oia, Santorini’s most popular village, where you’ll find blue domed churches and iconic whitewashed houses seen in the picture many times before. Everything here offers romance from narrow, photogenic streets to unexpected gems, like Atlantis Books, a gorgeous English-language bookstore where you can easily fill in a rainstorm lazy afternoon.
For dinner, book a table at Karma, where you’ll dine in its gilded courtyard with fountains and candles, or at the more modern Ambrosia, with its captivating sea views. End the day with a glass of Greek wine on your private terrace at Canaves Oia Hotel. It was once one of Europe’s Most Romantic Coastal Towns.
