Valentine’s Day is here, folks!  That means chocolate boxes, red roses, and date nights everywhere. Want to make this romantic day a truly memorable one? Then, instead of spending a quiet evening at home or eating a typical meal at a nearby restaurant, why not spending your Valentine’s Day together in a completely new place with an awesome European getaway?

After all, this is the perfect holiday to jet off to a new destination with your better half. While you might think of Paris or Rome right away as obvious destinations, truth is there are plenty of other places in the Old Continent to fall in love again with your significant other. Here’s some of the best European Valentine’s spots to spend V-Day!

Barcelona

Gorgeous Barcelona is a perfect couples destination all year round, with plenty of romantic attractions to enjoy. You can ride in a hot air balloon over the region’s mountains — or even set out to climb Mount Tibidabo, if you’re an outdoorsy couple! You can also watch the Magic Fountain show in Montjuic, admire the Sagrada Familia cathedral, stroll through the astonishing Parc Guell, or just spend an evening walking along the beach. And, of course, there are countless romantic restaurants throughout the city to choose from, with beautiful views and scrumptious food to enjoy.

Verona, Italy

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene… Verona is the setting for Romeo and Juliet, so you can already tell that it’s a classic spot for lovers. But Verona has even more to offer than a fictional romantic legacy. For starters, it boasts all kinds of swoon-worthy attractions like the Lamberti Tower and its 275-foot views. It also transforms itself every Valentine’s Day with heart-shaped lanterns along the sidewalks and plazas. Many restaurants offer couples’ specials and some boutiques have deals on everything from jewelry to floral bouquets. While everyone else is off taking cliched gondola rides in Venice, you can absolutely have a one-of-a-kind, city-wide Valentine’s Day experience in Verona. 

Galesnjak Island, Croatia

Nicknamed “The Island of Love” for its naturally occurring heart shape, Galesnjak is one of the most famous proposal spots in Europe. It’s also much beloved for engagement parties and small, intimate weddings. Sure, it isn’t a big island — just 33 acres in total — and you won’t find much in the way of tourist attractions there. Or any kind of attractions, for that matter.

But that hasn’t stopped Galesnjak Island from becoming popular with lovers from all over the world. You can make it a side trip during a longer getaway to nearby spots. Popular options include Pasman, a quaint seaside town with beautiful blue sea bays, and Zadar, a gorgeous historic destination filled with Roman and Venetian ruins. You might also like to swing by Dubrovnik if you’re a TV buff, since “Games of Thrones” was filmed there. Just make sure that you plan a better wedding than Joffrey’s!

You may also like: 10 European Cities That Are Perfect for Valentine’s Day

Ljubljana, Slovenia

It’s hard to beat a castle when it comes to romance, and Ljubljana Castle is one of the Slovenia’s oldest, largest, and most impressive ones. Located on top of a dreamy hill, Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, offers everything from wine tours to six-course meals that sample Slovenian cuisine throughout history.

Another site worth visiting on Valentine’s Day is “Lover’s Bridge” where couples add a padlock to the wire and throw away the key, interlocking their lives forever. If it’s been a snowy winter, you might top off your romantic getaway with ice skating or sharing a warm drink under the white pines. Oh, and here’s one last thing to know about Ljubljana: In addition to celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 14th, they also celebrate another holiday of love, Saint Gregory’s Day, on March 12th. So you don’t need to stick to flying in February to live the most romantic side of this magnificent city.

Brittany Region, France

Looking to spoil your sweetheart with a Valentine’s Day trip for the ages? Well, Brittany is the place to go! This French region is well-known for its luxuries, including spas, resorts, restaurants, and other hallmarks of a beachfront destination. This is the place to marvel at the magnificent Mont Saint-Michel, enjoy great massages or enjoy dinners for two at a gourmet dining establishment by the water. You can also book helicopter tours, take strolls through botanical gardens, and embark on trips to local castles and historic standing stones. Take that, Paris! Brittany will definitely provide ample opportunities for you to pamper yourself and your boo in a way that you’ll remember all year long.

Did we miss your favorite romantic European getaway? Tell us about it in the comments below!