A lot of us, who are buried in mountains of our own professional life, often cannot make time to show our love to our loved ones. Surely, your partner is understanding and does not really mind it. But, don’t you just want to grab their hand, and take them to the most romantic place you can think of, just to be with them for a tiny while?
Thankfully, India is full of places that have not only been mentioned in love stories but inspired them. From the snow-clad mountains in the north to the golden beaches on two sides, and everything else in between. India has the perfect places for you to visit with your partner. So, here’s a list of the top 11 romantic destinations for Valentine’s Day. Check these out to decide on your next romantic getaway in India.
With its myriad of castles, lakes, beautiful monuments with exquisite architecture, and a glorious royal past to bind it all together, Udaipur is a romantic getaway taken straight out of the movies. Udaipur not only gives you the places to visit that are romantic but also the ambiance to actually feel it when you’re there.
As a couple, you can visit one of the many rooftop restaurants at the end of the day, which you might spend visiting Lake Pichola, or Ambrai Ghat, or Sajjangarh Palace. Couples love visiting the palace for its beautiful interior, and the fact that it looks like a castle in a fairytale, making it the perfect spot to click a few photos with your partner.
If you’re into shopping, you can visit Shilpgram, which will have shops selling everything from traditional clothes, rare artifacts, to the famous meetha paan. The best part about visiting Udaipur is that this city gives you a huge number of choices in terms of places to see and activities to do for your romantic vacation, and it does so at a rather affordable price. The amazing hospitality of the locals in Udaipur is something that you’ll find exemplary.
Also read: Luxury Hotels In Udaipur
While commercialized, Munnar has managed to hold on to its lush green village-within-nature vibe. Added with the beautiful backwaters that house the houseboats, makes this the perfect place to have a romantic getaway in South India. Picturesque mountains, never-ending coffee-estates, and quaint lakes, all sprinkled generously in this town give you the opportunity to have some quality time with your partner, without being too far away from any amenities you might want to ask for.
However, if you’re the more adventurous kind, you can choose to visit Devikulam National Park, Anamudi National Park, or Eravikulam National Park and experience the heavy forest cover of Munnar in all its glory. Munnar also does an amazing job of providing some of the most picturesque housing to its visitors, and depending upon your demands, it can be quite affordable, too!
Also read: Coonoor Travel Guide
While it’s much more famous as the party-state of India, Goa does have its own affinity towards love. In fact, after the partygoers, honeymooners are the next category of people to visit this state the most. Well, that is for a very good reason!
Goa has a wide and electric choice of beaches. Some of them are the quaint, quiet, relaxing kind, while some are the hardcore party kind. There are others that hold the perfect midpoint between the two extremes. If you’re here for one of the quieter beaches, we suggest you visit Butterfly and Cola beaches. Both of these are a little bit away from the common areas of residence and require a little bit of a trek to access, making them much quieter, calmer, and in turn more romantic from the other beaches.
If you’re there for the beaches, we suggest you visit Candolim, Calangute, and Arpora, if you are feeling adventurous. However, that is not all Goa has to offer. You can also experience the coastal nature in the part of the Western Ghats in the state, or visit Charao Islands or Vasco City.
Whichever place you choose to visit in this tiny state will have the perfect aura for a romantic outing. Whether it be chilling on a beach, shopping in the markets, or visiting the colorful and lively gems that this city holds. Moreover, Goa has plenty of romantic restaurants and is known for being affordable. So, you can actually just be with your partner, without your budget third-wheeling you!
Also read: 7 Authentic Food Hideouts In Goa
While Manali offers its visitors the opportunity to have a peaceful or adventurous vacation, as Goa does, that is where the similarities end. Unlike the beach-state, Manali provides its migrating lovebirds the chance to seek peace and quiet in the cold caress of nature, or just nine yards of very cold and potentially snow-filled adventure.
Here is where the romantic part comes in. Manali is full of beautiful dense forests that are laid on mountains that challenge the horizon. Other than that, the city of Manali also tends to be quite cozy for all its visitors. Rohtang and Solang Valleys are the perfect example of the vibe we are talking about. They are beautiful snow-clad valleys that are frequented by tourists looking for different activities like trekking, zorbing, zip-lining, paragliding, and riding snow scooters, amongst other things.
If you’re looking for a snowy vacation with your partner that allows you to select venues that will let you enjoy the company of each other, Manali has you covered. If you want to visit a place that is full of culture, Manali has you covered. In fact, we cannot think of a single thing that you might want to do with your partner that Manali does not offer. Go check it out!
Also read: Top 7 Things To Do In Himachal
Auli is a beautiful hill station perched in the Himalayas that is taken out of a book. Picturesque valleys and snow-clad mountains blessed with the untouched grace of nature are just some of the things that make this place one of the most romantic destinations in India.
Auli has a clean environment, pine and apple orchards, and a large alpine meadow called the Gorson Bugyal. All of these places provide the perfect views, amenities, and aura for a couple looking for fun, adventure, relaxation, and romance. You can also visit the man-made lake called Auli Artificial Lake or visit the Nanda Devi National Park in order to indulge in activities like camping and birdwatching. The shopaholics can visit the local market and shop cultural souvenirs to their heart's content. If you want to go to a place that is snowy, quiet, and romantic, Auli will take you by surprise. However, its popularity is on the rise, so you might want to visit this place before the ‘quiet’ part breaks up with it.
Also read: Hill Stations Near Delhi
Darjeeling is a romantic getaway like no other. While it does offer what every other hill station offers, Darjeeling also has the presence of tea gardens, a multitude of forest-filled hills, and the beautiful sunrise, which is especially magnificent from Tiger Hill.
Other than the natural beauty, Darjeeling has some beautiful places that help make a romantic getaway much more fulfilling. It gives you the experiences that let you explore the world through your partner's eyes. For example, you can take a romantic excursion on the lovely toy train, which goes through the Batasia Loop or visit the Ghoom Monastery. If you lean more towards experiencing the romance of nature in a place, you might want to visit Senchal Lake, Rock Garden, or the Chunnu Summer Falls in Darjeeling. Last, but not least, one of the most famously romantic places to visit in Darjeeling is the Happy Valley Tea Garden, which sits over 437 acres of land.
Darjeeling is the perfect place for anyone who wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, but not step into the hustle and bustle of a commercial romantic holiday destination. Go check this place out with your partner!
Also Read: Hill Stations Near Nashik
Because of the Portuguese influence on the architecture, food, and overall culture of this city, combined with super clean beaches, Puducherry, or Pondicherry, is one of the best places in the country for a romantic getaway. While Puducherry offers you access to all of those, with the addition of a spiritual center called Auroville, the best part of this town is in what it does not have.
Puducherry, even though well known as a spot for romantic vacations, does not feel crowded. It also does not have exorbitantly expensive food and housing options, or dirty beaches, or any sign of hurry to get here, do something, or get out.
Known as Little Paris, Puducherry is the epitome of ‘chilling’. Even though it isn’t advertised so, the happy locals and their laidback lifestyle are a peek at the town's true nature. Speaking of peeking, if you want to experience the culture of Pondicherry, visit one of the Portuguese churches along the promenade.
Also read: Pondicherry Travel Guide
Scenic landscapes and serene lakes bless this tiny hill station that is located at a height of 6,835 feet and have made it a very popular choice for a romantic vacation. This town, located at the foothills of the Kumaon Ranges, also experiences pleasant weather all through the year. Hence, couples can visit this place all throughout the year for a laid-back version of a romantic getaway.
The culture of Nainital is heavily influenced by the presence of Tibetan aspects. Due to this you can eat food and buy souvenirs that pertain to the Tibetan culture here, which you can buy on the Mall Road or the Tibetan Market.
Other than that, Nainital has some amazing spots around town for you to visit with your partner, like the tranquil Naini Lake, the Tiffin Point, GB Pant High Altitude Zoo, and the many unnamed spots that you’ll come across on the nature walks amongst the trails in Nainital. Fun fact, Nainital is one of the few places in India that allows free camping. So, you might as well disappear from the crowds with your partner for a while. However, if you choose to do so, be safe. Regardless of whether you go to Nainital for Valentine’s Day, or otherwise, here’s an article with Ten Places To Visit In Nainital.
Perched in the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh, between snow-clad mountains, sparkling rivers, vast meadows, and evergreen valleys, Dalhousie is one of the most beautiful places in India for a romantic vacation or even a honeymoon! In fact, honeymooners often choose to visit Dalhousie for a romantic trip amidst nature and a unique old-world charm.
Often called the Mini Switzerland of India, Dalhousie has a lot of Scottish and Victorian architecture in the city, which was brought in during the British Raj, and stayed long after the colonizers left. You can steal enough romantic moments in the many places in the city itself. However, you can also experience the love that land has for nature in places like Satdhara Falls, Khajjiar Lake, and Dainkund Peak. As a couple, you can also choose to go for activities like paragliding, zorbing, and horse riding.
Also Read: Honeymoon Destinations In India
Gangtok is one of the best places in North-Eastern India for a romantic vacation. A huge part of the credit for that is the stunning landscapes it provides, with amazing flora covering deep valleys and some of the most amazing viewpoints.
This city boasts a uniquely efficient blend of nature and commercialization, making it even better since this means that you can access nature to get away from the city, without going away from the amenities of the city.
You, along with your partner, can visit places like Tiger Hill, or soak in the beauty of Tsomgo Lake, or visit one of the monasteries to experience the beautiful culture of this city. Other than that, places like Ban Jhakri Falls Park, Gangtok Ropeway, Sikkim Himalayan Zoological Park, and M.G. Marg are some of the places that tourists would enjoy, especially couples visiting this city for some quality time with their partners.
Also read: Gangtok Travel Guide
This mind-blowing hill station in the Nilgiris is one of the most unique and romantic vacation destinations in the country. If you’re a nature-loving couple wanting to explore the wilderness, this might seem like an even better idea to you. Along with the landscapes of the Nilgiri Hills, Ooty is home to a number of green tea gardens, along with the Government Botanical Garden and the Rose Garden. This city also has access to some beautiful water bodies like the Catherine Falls, Avalanche Lake, and Ooty Lake.
While Ooty does not offer a lot of adventurous options, it offers some amazing options for a laidback and relaxing vacation. If you’re thinking of taking something back home when you are done with your honeymoon, you can shop for some beautiful antiques or their organic honey. Both of which are specialties of the town.
Also read: Unmissable Budget Trips In India
Summing Up
India is a place where love is a complicated topic. However, it’s also the country that has some of the best stories of romance and love. It’s no wonder that we look out for grand-yet-subtle gestures of love, even in the places that we visit with our partners. In this article, while we have listed the places we think are the best, we definitely recommend you to research and find the perfect spot for you and your person.
For a lot of us, a romantic vacation is somewhat of a snowflake. We have seen a lot of them in movies, we love the concept, but a few of us have actually caught it. We are sure that the ones who have, will tell you how beautiful and different each and every one is. So, take your partner and go. Maybe, pick a place that they like, instead of one that you do: make them happy by just being there! We assure you that seeing their smile in a beautiful vacation spot will make yours wider. What else would anyone want?
What Is The Most Romantic Place In India?
While there is no clear answer to this question, we think it’s a very close ranking between the overall romance of Udaipur, and the legend of the Taj Mahal.
What Is The Best Place For A Honeymoon?
India is full of places that would offer a different experience to everyone visiting them. So, depending upon what you are looking for, you can choose between Gangtok, Gokarna, Goa, and Ooty for your honeymoon. Regardless of which you choose, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Where Should I Take A Girl On A Date?
Traditionally, a first date meant taking the girl to a fancy restaurant and putting up your A-game to swoon her. However, in today’s day and age, a date can be anything both of you might enjoy. Visiting a museum, going out for a picnic, or even watching some TV series together can be a date.
What To Do On Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love and romance. There is no specific answer as to what one is supposed to do. However, if we are to guess, we would say Valentine's Day should be celebrated by doing something you love, with the one you love.
What Is The Story Of Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day originally was remembered as the day Saint Valentine achieved martyrdom. However, because of various religious and cultural changes, Saint Valentine became posthumously famous as the patron saint of love, making Valentine’s Day the day of celebrating love and romance.
Which City Is Known As The Romantic City In India?
Udaipur, in Rajasthan, is known as the Venice of the East. It is an extremely romantic city with lakes, palaces, and gorgeous landscapes.
Do Married Couples Celebrate Valentine's Day?
Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love. The common reason behind people getting married is often love, so definitely valentines day becomes important. Some couples use this special day to appreciate the love while for many, almost every day is a celebration of their love.
What Can I Do On Valentine's Day For A Low Budget?
You don't need to spend a lot to celebrate valentines day. You can do something meaningful for your partner like doing a cute activity together, joining a class, giving each other massages, or even cooking favorite dishes for each other.