If you’re looking for ideas on the perfect proposal (or dreaming of when it’ll happen to you), Europe is arguable the best place to propose and has the some of the very best places to propose. Not only is it the most romantic continent but it provides a variety of places suitable for pretty much every couple. From castles and beaches to historic monuments and of course the northern lights, Europe has it all to impress your significant other and start your incredible journey together.
So now that I have you convinced that a proposal in Europe is so worth it, here are 9 of the best places in Europe to propose:
1. Paris, France
First up on the list is Paris. Now you may be thinking this place is super cliche but Paris is the most romantic city in Europe (and the world!) and therefore must be on this list of the best places in Europe to propose.
Proposals in front of the Eiffel Tower may have been overdone (just a little…too much!), but it does provide one of the most beautiful backdrops for a proposal. Why not opt for a hotel room with a private balcony view of the Eiffel Tower? Or a picnic along the River Seine with the Tower as your view? Not only are these super romantic, but also super intimate and adds that unique touch to your proposal.
And if you’re not a huge fan of over having the Eiffel Tower in the background, don’t worry! There are plenty of other romantic places dotted around in Paris such as the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe or Sacré-Cœur.
If you are looking for something a little more unique, check out the Palace of Versailles, Pont des Arts (also known as the Love Lock Bridge) or the Temple of Love.
2. Florence, Italy
Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region in Italy. It is home to Renaissance art and brilliant architecture, making it a very romantic destination in Europe for a proposal.
There are so many spots for your dream proposal in Florence, including practically any view with the iconic Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (also known as Duomo Cathedral) in the background.
My personal favourite has to be view from Piazzale Michelangelo. It looks absolutely stunning and sets the scene and backdrop for an amazing and romantic proposal but it gets very crowded. Other places for a proposal include Bardini Gardens near closing time (honestly this place is amazing) or the Boboli Gardens.
Note: A quick search for ‘Terraces with the view of Duomo in Florence’, provides a whole list of other places to check out for a romantic proposal with a view!
3. Santorini, Greece
If you a looking for a beach proposal, then look no further than Santorini. This amazing destination is known for their world-renowned sunsets. I mean it can’t get any more romantic than that!
If you have the budget for it, a yacht ride at sunset could be a great idea for a proposal. If you have a little more money to splurge, you can even opt for a private yacht ride, making your proposal just that little bit more intimate.
Oia is the most frequently visited village in Santorini. It holds the best sunsets and is known as the most romantic village in Santorini. But one thing to note is that it will be super crowded, as many tourists flock to the area to experience the magical sunsets.
If crowds aren’t your thing, look into the village of Akrotiri for a where your proposal can take place. It’s much further out from the ‘touristy’ spots so there will be (hopefully) fewer people around!
4. Iceland
Imagine, just imagine for a moment, you’re getting down on one knee, you ask the special question and then bam, the northern lights start flickering around you. How magical is that?!
If that’s something you can’t stop picturing, then Iceland is the best place in Europe for you to propose.
The northern lights can be a real hit and miss when visiting Iceland, so have a back up proposal plan just in case. You can choose from so many locations in Iceland, including waterfalls such as Skógafoss or Gljúfrabúi (which is a little more quieter) or any of the national parks such as Thingvellir National Park.
I just couldn’t pin point a specific location in Iceland for your proposal because pretty much every location in Iceland is as scenic and beautiful as the next.
Note: If you are really set on a northern lights proposal, visit Iceland during the lights prime time. Alternatively, check out Norway! This is another great place in Europe to see the lights.
5. Bavaria, Germany
Now I know this may not be the first place in Europe that pops into your mind for a romantic proposal but I’ve kept this in for one specific location – The Neuschwanstein Castle.
For all you Disney fans out there, it is believed that this castle is the inspiration for Cinderella’s castle in and if you’ve visited Disneyland Paris, you may also see a similar resemblance with Sleeping Beauty’s Castle!
So if you’re looking to give your prince or princess the ultimate Disney experience (without the cliche of going to Disneyland), this may just be the destination for you.
6. Sintra, Portugal
The most romantic place in Portugal is Sintra. In fact, Brides.com named Sintra “the most romantic destination of 2019” making it one of the best places in Europe to propose.
A proposal with the Pena Palace in the background will look stunning in your proposal photos. Or you can opt for a stroll along the Cabo da Roca for cliff side views.
There are plenty of places for the perfect proposal in Sintra. Best of all, it still seems to be an underrated destination in Europe, so you’ll be able to avoid the crowds regardless of where you propose!
Note: Alternatively, Portugal has a number of other hidden gems such as Porto or the Algarve.
7. Lake District, United Kingdom
Located in the North West of England, the Lake District is possibly the most picturesque place in England. This makes it one of the best places in Europe to propose!
There are so many stunning viewpoints in the Lake District, I can’t even tell you which place is the best because they are all equally beautiful.
However to name a few, Uttleswater and Buttermere look absolutely surreal, making it the perfect backdrop for a romantic proposal.
One of the great things about the Lake District is that you’re also able to choose from a number of romantic and luxurious cottages (some even with a private hot tub). Just the cherry on top for a exciting proposal and getaway!
8. Venice, Italy
Who hasn’t heard of a proposal occurring along the Grand Canale in a gondola ride? Although it screams ‘romance’ to me, it’s just not my glass of wine due to it’s popularity. So, a more unique spot for a proposal can be found along the Grand Canale at Riatlo Bridge.
The Bridge can get extremely busy! So unless you visit at sunrise, a spot with the Bridge in the background could provide a more unusual backdrop.
For the ultimate romantic and private proposal (and getaway), the Belmond Hotel Cipiriani offers a luxurious room with a private balcony overlooking the lagoon. Another great place for the perfect, intimate proposal in Venice!
9. Vienna, Austria
Vienna is one of the most romantic cities in the world making it one of the best places in Europe to propose.
It offers a variety of locations for your epic proposal. My personal favourites are the Palaces, because who wouldn’t want to be treated like a prince or princess?!
Schönbrunn Palace has beautiful gardens and grounds. This gives your proposal just the right balance between privacy and glam.
Although the Belvedere Palace is a museum, it is still a beautiful place for a proposal. Plus it’s home to the famous artwork known as ‘The Kiss’ so is a pretty romantic spot.
Albertina’s Terrace offers some incredible views of the famous State Opera in Vienna, making it another great option for a magical proposal!
If you are still stuck for ideas, there are a wide variety of forums that provide great tips and ideas for you to get a little more inspo on making your proposal just that extra it romantic!
Still after some more romantic inspiration?
Check Out: Day Trips in the Algarve
See Also: How To See Paris and Disneyland in 3 Days
A. Smalls says
This is great, so many good ideas and some places I hadn’t even thought of!
Kari says
Thank you so much! These places are also great for a romantic getaway!