The Ultimate Honeymoon Destinations If You Want To See Majestic Mountains, According To Couples

Honeymooning may not seem like everyone's cup of tea. After all, the stereotypical romantic vacation involves sunshine, palm trees, and plenty of piña coladas, and many newlyweds find this routine boring. If you're not into beach vacations, it doesn't mean a honeymoon isn't worth it. In a 2022 study, Honeyfund, a honeymoon registry site, found that 59% of couples who have been married for at least 11 years and considered their marriage "excellent" went on a honeymoon. Conversely, only 35% of these happy folks forwent this crucial tradition.

With this in mind, couples who are not into more traditional honeymoon trips might consider planning something different rather than skipping their vacations altogether. Instead of chilling out at one of the world's best beaches, consider booking a more exciting trip into the mountains. As proponents of exciting honeymoon destinations, we have taken the time to uncover some of the globe's most romantic mountain landscapes. By evaluating reviews left by real couples on sites like Reddit, Google, and Tripadvisor, we have created a list of honeymoon spots that adventurous newlyweds will never forget.

Banff is one of the most beautiful places in Canada and an excellent place for a mountain honeymoon. Nestled into the Canadian Rockies just over an hour's drive from Calgary, Banff is a quaint town surrounded by natural beauty. Couples who enjoy hiking will love taking the trail to Hoodoo's Viewpoint, where they can gaze upon a majestic peak that towers over turquoise river waters. Folks who want to keep things more low-key, meanwhile, will almost certainly enjoy staring at the Rockies as they float in the warm waters of Banff's Upper Hot Springs. Regardless of your pace, you'll likely find that Banff has ample spots to wrap up your day, with plenty of breweries, cafés, and farm-to-table restaurants.

On the r/honeymoonplanning subreddit, one romantic Redditor recommended Banff for its couple-friendly ambiance. "Banff (in Alberta) is AMAZING! Very romantic setting, plenty of hiking to do, luxurious accommodations, and scenery that will blow your mind," they wrote. According to Amanda and Joe, a couple who honeymooned in Banff, the destination was beyond beautiful. Reflecting on a morning that they caught the sun rising over the charming Canadian town, they wrote on their travel blog, "[It] was absolutely worth seeing the mountain-lined streets of Downtown Banff during sunrise. It was also the first sighting of snow-covered mountaintops of the season so that was very exciting and really added to the scenery we took in throughout the day."

If you like milk chocolate, cheese fondue, and dramatic mountain landscapes, you might consider honeymooning in Grindelwald, Switzerland. This charming Alpine village seems like it emerged straight from a dream. Artisanal chocolate shops dot the chalet-filled village. At least one mountaintop restaurant serves piles of melted Emmental and Gruyère. Additionally, Glacier Canyon Grindelwald's above-ground hiking trails provide a different perspective on the region. As an added bonus, Grindelwald offers plenty of fun across seasons. It's even home to a ski resort, making it one of wintertime's best places to honeymoon in the mountains.

Folks who have honeymooned in Grindelwald in the past say that there's tons to do in the region. On the blog Live, Love, Sophia, one honeymooner recommended hitting Grindelwald Fist — a hiking area right outside of town. "When you get to the top, there's plenty of activities to do. There's a lake you can hike to, a cliff walk, zip lining and so much more. From there, you can rent scooters and ride them back down the mountain or you can hike." That being said, Grindelwald is also a nice spot to take it easy. Another traveler who visited Grindelwald for a post-wedding adventure reported that many hiking trails were closed on her trip. Nevertheless, she gushed on Instagram, "Wow. Just wow. Switzerland is such a beautiful place ... it was still so beautiful to walk around the small town and see the cows, wildflowers, and rolling green hills."

The idea of embarking on a European honeymoon may sound romantic, but it's not always realistic. Folks who are hunting for a bit of Old World romance on the North American continent might consider honeymooning in Leavenworth, Washington. With its adorable Germanic-style architecture and top-notch beer, Leavenworth lets you experience Bavaria without leaving the United States. Hit the Old Pipeline Bed trail for some majestic mountain views, swing by the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm for a brush with nature, and then stop at a German-themed brewery. Overall, Leavenworth is the best place to honeymoon in the mountains if you want to feel like you've traveled across the pond.

Newlyweds say that their time in this unique part of Washington state was out of this world. In an Instagram post full of impressive mountain photos, one recent bride wrote the caption: "Honeymoon in Leavenworth was the best week ever! Glad to have been able to experience and explore this beautiful town!" A married Redditor also recommended Leavenworth as a particularly desirable spot to honeymoon in the mountains. "It's a cute little town near a ton of mountainous trails, rivers, and lakes in The Enchantments national park. There's a lot to do and see, I went last summer for a weekend and hiked up to Colchuck Lake (which I highly recommend!). It is a 2 hour drive from Seattle," they wrote in the r/honeymoonplanning subreddit.

If you're interested in honeymooning in the mountains — but aren't quite ready to give up on a beach vacation — Big Sur, California, might be the destination for you. Located on Central California's Pacific coast, this region is characterized by rolling green hills, jagged cliffs, and natural beaches. Get your mountain fix at Garrapata State Park, where hiking trails wind through romantic flower-covered mountains and a footbridge stretches alongside rushing waters. Later, drive north to Gibson's Beach, where you can relax on a crescent of sugar-colored sands and gaze at the ocean. If you head to Monterey, you can begin your day hiking at Jacks Peak and then end it at San Carlos Beach. There may be no better way to enjoy two of nature's best offerings side-by-side.

Previous honeymooners say that a romantic trip to Big Sur is simply unforgettable. As one such visitor shared on Instagram, "Thinking back to Big Sur and the honeymoon with my wife. We see pictures of McWay Falls all the time on our chrome cast and to say I've seen this in real life feels like some type of blessing." Writing on the Natalie Borton blog, the author suggests staying at the Post Ranch Inn for a delightful hiking experience. "We admittedly spent a ton of time at Post Ranch Inn. We loved exploring the trails on the property, and we make a daily — if not twice-daily — trip to the heated infinity pools (basically hot tubs)," she wrote. 

South America is full of underrated destinations that are popular among locals, and Chile is no exception. Home to the Andes mountain range, this gloriously beautiful country offers mind-boggling landscapes all year round. To experience the Chilean mountains at their finest, honeymooners may consider heading to the Maipo Valley region. Just a couple hours' drive from the capital city of Santiago de Chile, the Maipo Valley is not far from an international airport. However, the region's dramatic peaks, rushing rivers, and volcanic views overflow with rustic beauty. Hike to the Salto El Yeso waterfall, sign up for a wine tour, or simply soak in some natural hot springs. Regardless of which activity you choose, you're guaranteed a fantastic mountain view.

Folks who have honeymooned in the Maipo Valley say that its stunning snowcapped mountains contribute to its romantic allure. Others also recommend Termas Valle de Colina natural hot springs, marking it as one of the best destinations for newlyweds in Chile. On the r/travel subreddit, a Redditor claimed that all of Chile is full of memorable scenery. "Chile is a fantastic country, went there on my honeymoon and lived there for a year later on. It's relatively expensive compared to its neighboring countries, but going from the Atacama desert down to Patagonia, you're going to see some amazing sights."

Venturing far out into the mountains can be an exhilarating experience, but not all travelers want their vacations to dive too deeply into the great outdoors. Anyone who wants to enjoy mountain views without wandering too far away from a big city might consider honeymooning in Cape Town, South Africa. This urban center is overflowing with gourmet eateries, world-class museums, and active theaters. It also boasts a series of grand natural preserves where visitors can experience nature at its finest. Hike to the top of Table Mountain, descend into Skeleton Gorge, and even chase waterfalls. Afterward, head back into the center of town for a bowl of Chakalaka or bunny chow stew. Following a day in the hills, these South African comfort foods might hit differently. 

According to honeymooners of the past, Cape Town's mountain trails are the stuff of legend. Writing on the blog Johnny Africa, one newlywed reminisced about their hike: "Lion's Head mountain is a top priority in Cape Town and perhaps our favorite place in the city. The hike is approximately one hour up and another to come back down, but offers unrivaled views, especially during sunset. It is magnificent and a must-do if you are in the vicinity." A married Redditor also took to the r/travel subreddit to recommend the hike up Table Mountain, sharing, "Table Mountain's flat top was surreal, followed by the sheer drop of a view looking down at Cape Town."

It's no secret that Stowe, Vermont, offers some of the prettiest views on the East Coast of the United States. Thanks to its sunny summer weather, famous fall foliage, and unforgettable winter wonderland, Stowe is one of the best places to honeymoon in the mountains all year long. Folks keen on planning a sportier honeymoon will love the town's ski resort, which offers an impressive 2,360 feet of vertical drop. Meanwhile, warm-weather travelers might prefer hitting the trail to Bingham Falls, which culminates in a natural swimming hole complete with a waterfall.

Married couples who have previously honeymooned in Stowe say that there was plenty to do in the region. Writing on the r/vermont subreddit of Reddit, one traveler said that they and their partner enjoyed a plethora of activities in the charming Vermont town: "Trapp Bierhall, other breweries, hikes, shopping around Stowe, shopping around Johnson, hung out in the Airbnb quite a bit. Dedalus wine in Stowe was pretty cool." In the same discussion on r/vermont, a second Redditor related how their honeymoon in Stowe changed their life, "Four years ago, my wife and I got married, living in Iowa, and had planned a honeymoon in Stowe. The pandemic postponed it a year so we went in 2021. Loved it ... Fast forward, we just moved to Vermont three weeks ago. Maybe for the rest of our lives."

There are hikers, and then there are avid hikers. Couples who dream of spending their honeymoons trekking across vast distances might want to head to Nepal to tackle the challenging Manaslu Circuit. This 110-mile adventure will take you through the snow-capped mountains along the border between Nepal and Tibet. Reaching a whopping 17,000 feet — or 3.2 miles — above sea level, this experience is not for the faint of heart. However, the brave couples who have chosen the Manaslu Circuit for their honeymoons say it's beyond gratifying. Not only is the landscape impressive, but the immersive cultural experience is unforgettable.

In an article published in The Telegraph, one writer described her honeymoon on the circuit, sharing, "This isn't unpeopled wilderness but a landscape lived in for centuries. As we hiked, Santosh – a fascinating font of all knowledge – translated the mani walls, recited mantras and led us around monasteries, offering a window into Tibetan culture so crammed with meaning and divinities." Of course, she also noted the beauty of the scenery. "Lush forest gave way to pink-blossomed buckwheat, glowing autumnal larch and crimson berberis. The higher we hiked, the taller the mountains towered, so heaven-scraping as to seem impossible," she mused.

The Dolomites are one of the most kid-friendly destinations in Italy, but that doesn't mean that they aren't romantic as well. This powerful mountain range offers fantastic skiing and incredible hiking in a country world famous for its cuisine. Wonder the trails of the Lago de Braies lake for views of majestic mountains towering over turquoise waters. Hit the slopes at the Pista Vallon ski resort. Or, simply ride the scenic gondola at La Crusc. Regardless of the outings that most float your boat, you can end the day with a tray of cured ham and a glass of Pinot Nero.

With this in mind, it's perhaps unsurprising that the Dolomites is a great honeymoon destination for travelers who want to take things slowly. Writing on the travel blog Carmen Roberts Travels, the author, a married journalist, noted, "But this northern Italian gem isn't just about skiing. It's a delicious mix of Italian flair and Austrian efficiency, where you can tuck into a plate of spaghetti for lunch and schnitzel for dinner." Blogger Sydney Westra honeymooned in the Dolomites and formed a similar opinion. On her eponymous blog, Westra shared, "One of my favorite parts about hiking in the Dolomites is most times, you don't have to hike that much ... there are so many cable cars to help do most of the leg work."

Some travelers like to gaze at the mountains; others enjoy engaging with them. If you consider yourself the second type of traveler, then Queenstown, New Zealand, may be one of the best mountainside destinations to spend your honeymoon. Located on New Zealand's iconic South Island, this city boasts sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu with a backdrop of forested peaks. Beyond its scenery, Queenstown is bursting with hillside activities. At the Queenstown Hill Recreation Reserve, visitors can hike among towering pines and saffron-colored flowers. The Ben Lomond Scenic Reserve provides the chance to paraglide from the top of the hill, and in the center of town, bungee jumping agencies abound.

According to honeymooners, Queenstown is an amazing place for active couples. Following their post-wedding vacay, the writer of the Keep Calm and Chiffon blog wrote, "Queenstown is a great place for adventurous people—if you want to go skydiving, paragliding, or do the luge, this is the spot to do it!" This type of traveler might find this destination to be so unbelievably romantic that they can't help but return. As one traveler shared on the r/awardtravel subreddit of Reddit, "My wife and I went to Queenstown for our honeymoon. We had a great time, wine tour, jet boat, bungee jumping, airplane ride to a harbor cruise, amongst other things. We liked it so much, we went back again the following year."

When compiling this list of the best destinations to honeymoon in the mountains, we had to understand that travelers head to the peaks in search of different experiences. With this in mind, we selected locations that provide everything ranging from the extreme sports in Queenstown, New Zealand, to the laid-back gondola adventures of the Italian Dolomites. While the Manaslu Circuit in Nepal is perfect for couples looking to explore small villages, the big city vibes of Cape Town, South Africa, are ideal for honeymooners who still want to visit museums and see shows. The Maipo Valley, Chile, and Banff, Canada, offer hot springs where you can relax after a day on the hill. Big Sur, California, provides mountain views near the beach. 

In addition to selecting different types of destinations, we wanted to include places all across North America. Stowe, Vermont, provides excellent mountain views in a cozy, small-town environment on the East Coast, while Leavenworth, Washington, offers a similar experience on the West Coast. Similarly, Banff, Canada, is a great place to enjoy small-town charm and stunning peaks in the center of the continent. For folks who wish to explore other parts of the world, we have also included options in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The ultimate goal was to accommodate the needs and interests of a broad range of honeymooners.