THE OVERTOURISM REALITY CHECK: SANTORINI For years, the whitewashed cliffs and blue domes of Santorini have been the holy grail of honeymoon aesthetics. The data confirms its visual appeal, with the Greek island scoring the world’s highest points for Romance & Scenery (92.0/100). However, when you pull back the curtain, the reality shifts. Santorini drops to third overall because it was penalised by high overtourism risks and a surprising gap in certified luxury as the island currently holds zero official Forbes five-star properties. It remains undeniably beautiful, but couples seeking extreme exclusivity might find themselves fighting for elbow room at sunset. THE VALUE SWEET SPOTS: SRI LANKA AND MARRAKECH With the financial squeeze of a wedding top of mind, UK couples are increasingly hunting for destinations where luxury doesn’t require a second mortgage. The data uncovers Sri Lanka (12th) as the most cost-effective luxury honeymoon on Earth. The numbers are staggering. At just £85 a day for two (excluding accommodation), couples can enjoy private drivers, exquisite local dining, and bespoke experiences. The island features 40 incredible private villas and four prestigious Relais & Châteaux properties. Whether you are enjoying a secluded picnic on a misty tea estate or exploring a UNESCO fortress, Sri Lanka offers a massive 5.6x savings advantage over notoriously expensive, isolated islands like Bora Bora (£480/day). If you want a shorter flight, look to Marrakech, Morocco (5th). It is the highest-scoring nonEuropean destination for Romance, boasting 26 sunny days a month and incredible luxury riads. At just £140 a day for two, it is the absolute best value destination in the global top 10. THE NEW ISLAND AESTHETIC: MALDIVES VS. MAURITIUS For couples who want pure, unadulterated island luxury, the Maldives (6th) is undefeated. It scored the highest global marks for Luxury Accommodation, featuring 11 Forbes five-star properties and the highest density of overwater villas on the planet. But for those who still dream of a tropical island and want to move away from the standard overwater bungalow aesthetic, Mauritius (16th) is trending. Beyond its pristine beaches, Mauritius is rising in the ranks thanks to its distinctive natural phenomena, most notably its famous submarine waterfall illusion. It offers a more rugged, visually distinctive aesthetic for couples who want their honeymoon photos to stand out. Santorini Sri Lanka Maldives The 2026 HONEYMOON INDEX: THE OFFICIAL TOP 20 Whether you’re looking for European elegance, budget-friendly exoticism, or barefoot luxury, here is the official, data-backed ranking of the destinations redefining romance this year. 1. Paris, France 2. Amalfi Coast, Italy 3. Santorini, Greece 4. Kyoto, Japan 5. Marrakech, Morocco 6. Maldives 7. Seychelles 8. Puglia, Italy 9. Bali, Indonesia 10. Azores, Portugal 11. Bora Bora, French Polynesia 12. Sri Lanka 13. Fiji 14. Montenegro 15. Turks & Caicos 16. Mauritius 17. Cartegena, Colombia 18. Patagonia, Argentina /Chile 19. Iceland 20. Faroe Islands, Denmark HONEYMOON NEWS 97
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