✈️ Wedding trip: 10 destinations, when to go and what about the visa

Even couples who skipped a big wedding still plan a honeymoon. Picking a destination is harder than buying the tickets. We rounded up ten places most often recommended to newlyweds and broke them down by season, visa, and travel style.

From late 2026, trips to the Schengen Area will require an ETIAS authorization, which you apply for online in advance (as of 09/2026, official EU portal). On tropical islands, an online authorization is increasingly requested instead of a visa. That is why each destination below lists its own entry requirements, so you can see right away what you need to arrange before the trip.

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Comparing destinations: season and visa

💡 In short:

Islands give you beaches and privacy, Europe gives you culture and a short flight.
High season lines up with the dry months for almost every destination.
Season, visas, and ETIAS: as of 09/2026, verified on official tourism board websites and the EU portal.

The table below shows the season, visa, and main highlight for each destination. After that comes a detailed breakdown with photos. You can check hotel prices through the links inside each section.

Destination	Best season	Visa	Main highlight
Maldives	November-April	on arrival	overwater villas and reefs
Indonesia (Bali)	April-October	online authorization	volcanoes and rice terraces
Seychelles	April-October	online authorization	granite beaches and nature
Tanzania (Zanzibar)	June-October	online or on arrival	Stone Town and spices
Mauritius	May-November	not required	lagoons and seven-colored sands
Mexico	November-May	not required	Mayan pyramids and cenotes
Cuba	November-April	tourist card	Havana and vintage cars
France	May-September	Schengen and ETIAS	Paris, Provence, French Riviera
Spain	May-October	Schengen and ETIAS	Andalusia and flamenco
Italy	April-June	Schengen and ETIAS	Rome, Verona, Venice

1. Maldives

Panorama of Malé harbor with boats and a street

The Maldives consists of about 1,200 coral islands in the Indian Ocean (according to Visit Maldives). Newlyweds come here for overwater villas, reefs, and dinner on the sand. You wake up by the lagoon, grab a mask, and watch the reef right from the shore. There are few excursions here, but it is easy for the two of you to lose track of the days.

Best time: dry season from November to April.
Visa: on arrival for 30 days, free (as of 09/2026, Maldives Immigration).
Who it's for: couples who want peace and the sea without excursions.
The catch: high resort prices and a long flight with a layover.
Where to stay: Maldives hotels on Trip.com

2. Indonesia (Bali)

Tegallalang rice terraces in Bali with palm trees

Indonesia consists of more than 17,000 islands between Asia and Australia (according to Indonesia.travel). Newlyweds usually choose Bali, where volcanoes, rice terraces, and temples sit close to the beach. You can easily combine a lazy morning by the pool with a trip to a waterfall or a surf session. In the evening you have restaurants, spas, and views over rice fields.

Best time: April to October, the dry months.
Visa: electronic visa on arrival for 30 days, extendable for another 30 (as of 09/2026, Indonesia immigration portal).
Who it's for: couples who want both beach time and active days.
The catch: tropical downpours from December to February.
Where to stay: Bali hotels on Trip.com

3. Seychelles

Granite boulders and palm trees on La Digue beach at sunset

The Seychelles has more than a hundred granite and coral islands in the Indian Ocean (according to Seychelles Tourism). Prince William and Kate spent their honeymoon here. You get white-sand beaches, mangrove forests, and rare birds in national parks. The infrastructure is more modest than at typical resorts, but nature remains the main highlight of the trip.

Best time: April to October, cooler and drier.
Entry: you need a Travel Authorisation, around €10, issued online before the trip (as of 09/2026, official portal).
Who it's for: couples who value nature and quiet beaches.
The catch: expensive flights and few budget hotels.
Where to stay: Seychelles hotels on Trip.com

4. Tanzania (Zanzibar)

Panorama of Stone Town port in Zanzibar with boats

People choose Tanzania for their honeymoon because of Zanzibar. The island is known for the old town of Stone Town, spice plantations, and long beaches. From here you can fly to the mainland for a safari, and on the island you can visit the turtles or take a boat trip with dolphins. For couples who want both relaxation and adventure, this pace works perfectly.

Best time: June to October, the dry season.
Visa: issued online in advance or on arrival at the airport.
Who it's for: couples who want beach and adventure in one trip.
The catch: strong tides, long rains from March to May, and rains from November to December.
Where to stay: Zanzibar hotels on Trip.com

5. Mauritius

Mountain and pond among greenery in Mauritius

Mauritius lies in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. The island blends Indian, African, and French cultures, and you can taste it in the food. You have access to lagoons, the Seven Colored Earths in Chamarel, and the underwater waterfall near Le Morne mountain. The waterfall near Le Morne is not real, it's an optical illusion. It's easy to split your days between the beach and excursions without rushing.

Best time: most comfortable from May to November (according to Mauritius Tourism).
Entry: no tourist visa required, at the border they ask for a return ticket and hotel booking.
Who it's for: couples who want a beach and diverse cuisine.
The catch: cyclones are possible from January to March, and hotel prices are above average.
Where to stay: hotels in Mauritius on Trip.com

6. Mexico

El Castillo pyramid at Chichen Itza, Mexico

Mexico combines beach and archaeology. You swim in the sea in the morning, and after lunch you head to Mayan pyramids or underground cenotes. The Riviera Maya resorts, Cancun and Tulum offer different rhythms: from clubs to quiet boutique hotels. This kind of itinerary suits couples who don't want to lie in one place for two weeks.

Best time: November to May, the dry season.
Visa: EU citizens don't need a visa, a passport is enough for entry.
Who it's for: couples who want to combine beach and sightseeing.
The catch: in summer the Caribbean coast is hot and humid, and beaches get covered with seaweed in places.
Where to stay: hotels in Mexico on Trip.com

7. Cuba

Panorama of Havana with colonial houses and the sea

Cuba offers colonial cities, white beaches and live music. In Havana you see retro cars next to colonial facades, and in the evening you listen to salsa. Varadero and Cayo Coco cover the beach part of the trip. The country suits those who value atmosphere more than perfect service.

Best time: November to April, the dry season.
Entry: for a short trip you get a tourist card, not a full visa.
Who it's for: couples who care about atmosphere and a relaxed pace.
The catch: service and internet can be patchy, and the selection in stores is limited.
Where to stay: hotels in Cuba on Trip.com

8. France

Panorama of Paris with the Eiffel Tower over the Seine

France suits couples who value culture and gastronomy. Paris, Provence, the French Riviera and the Loire chateaux offer different honeymoon scenarios. Between cities you can conveniently travel on high-speed trains and don't depend on a car. In one trip you can realistically combine city, wine and sea.

Best time to go: May to September, and Paris is pleasant in the off-season too.
Entry: you need a Schengen visa, and from late 2026 ETIAS will be added at 20 € for 3 years (as of 09/2026, EU portal).
Who it's for: couples who want cities, wine, and food.
The catch: in July and August, Paris and the south are crowded with tourists and hot.
Where to stay: hotels in Paris on Trip.com

9. Spain

Carved arch of the Alhambra overlooking Granada

Spain mixes beaches, architecture, and food. In Andalusia you see the Alhambra and flamenco, in Mallorca you relax by the sea. Getting between regions is easy by train or rental car. For a honeymoon, it's a flexible option: you can change cities every two or three days.

Best time: April to June and September to October for cities, May to October for the sea.
Entry: Schengen and ETIAS from late 2026.
Who it's for: couples who want both beaches and packed sightseeing.
The catch: summers in the south are very hot, and popular beaches get overcrowded.
Where to stay: hotels in Spain on Trip.com

10. Italy

Curved facade of the Colosseum with arches in sepia

Italy is on almost every couple's list. Rome, Verona, Venice, Tuscany, and the Amalfi Coast offer very different experiences. In one trip you can fit in both cities and the sea. Plan your route in advance, because trains are the most convenient way to travel between regions.

Best time: April to June and September to October, avoiding the summer heat.
Entry: Schengen and ETIAS from late 2026.
Who it's for: couples who care about museums, wine, and the sea.
The catch: Rome and Venice are crowded in summer, and Venice charges a day-tripper entry fee.
Where to stay: hotels in Italy on Trip.com

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Which month should I choose for an island honeymoon?

Most tropical destinations have their dry season during the local winter. In the Maldives it's dry from November to April, in Bali from April to October, in Zanzibar from June to October. During the dry months there's less rain, calmer seas, and it's easier to find a hotel.

Do I need a visa for a honeymoon in 2026?

The rules depend on the country. The Maldives issues a visa on arrival, Seychelles requires an online permit, and Tanzania uses an e-visa. France, Spain, and Italy require a Schengen visa, and from late 2026 an ETIAS authorization will be added on top. Check the requirements before buying tickets.

What should I choose: tropical islands or Europe?

Islands give you beaches, privacy, and minimal travel between places. Europe gives you culture, food, and a short flight. If you want two weeks by the sea and don't want to move around much, go for the islands. If cities and museums matter to you, plan a route through Europe.

When is the rainy season in Bali and Seychelles?

In Bali the rainy period runs from December to February, and the driest season is from April to October. In Seychelles it rains most often in January, and the most comfortable time is from April to October. Heavy downpours are usually short: it rains for an hour and then the sun comes out.

Where should I go for a winter honeymoon?

Europe is cold in winter, but the Indian Ocean islands and the Caribbean are dry. The Maldives, Mexico, and Cuba are in high season at that time. Book your hotel and flights in advance: demand peaks in January and February.

In short: what to book

Choose your destination based on season, budget, and travel pace, not on a picture from social media.

If you want beaches and peace: Maldives or Seychelles.
If you want value and activities: Bali or Zanzibar.
If you want culture without a long flight: Italy or France.
If your vacation falls in winter: Mexico, Cuba, or the Maldives.

Hotels sell out fast in high season, so book accommodation in advance and check entry requirements. You can compare places to stay on Trip.com.

Honeymoon 2026: 10 destinations where season and visa decide