Europe’s most romantic cities

Portugal’s capital is the perfect place for food, fun and fashion, with bars, restaurants and boutiques galore – and it’s also one of Europe’s best value capitals. Its hilly locale creates some dramatic backdrops for romantic selfies a deux.

PortoBay Marques is a relaxed, attractive hotel that is perfectly situated to explore Lisbon’s historic nooks and crannies. It’s also a welcoming place to come back to after a long day on the city’s tiled streets.

Quintessential Lisbon eatery Cervejaria Ramiro is a cervejaria – a charming Portuguese beer house. It’s cute, small, packed with locals and, crucially, serves amazing food that is sure to impress your other half. Expect Portuguese tapas dishes such as salt cod, pork and beef sandwiches, and local cheeses that match perfectly with a beer or a glass of Duoro.

Head down to the city’s regenerated waterfront for a taste of true Lisbon. The magnificent Ponte 25 de Abril bridge celebrated 50 glorious years in 2016. You might think you’ve taken a wrong turn because it’s unmistakeably a homage to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. There are marvellous views of the Tagus River and the city behind it as you cross to the south side. Don’t miss a day trip to the fairy-tale hillside town of Sintra, with its pastel-coloured villas and palaces, followed by the beachside Estoril and the delightful harbour of Cascais, which is home to dozens of fantastic fish restaurants.

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What can be said about Venice that hasn’t already been said by the great writers and artists who visited the city? With its unparallelled watery surroundings, this is one of the most remarkable cities in the world. And it can be surprisingly intimate and quiet if you venture away from Piazza San Marco and towards one of its many hidden corners.

One hidden corner of the city is the amazing interior of Ca'Sagredo Hotel, with its be-frescoed walls. Stay here if you want a room with gold leaf and a chandelier.

There's no better place for romance than the Sina Centurion Palace. It really is a former palace, with a gothic revival facade, luxurious rooms, and a hidden courtyard garden. Try and grab one of the canal-facing rooms: so you can be reminded that you're sleeping in the most romantic city in the world.

For a special anniversary, head to Dopolovaro. You'll board a boat at Piazza San Marco and be swept to a private island, where the restaurant, part of the JW Marriott Venice, sits in splendidly seductive isolation. Awarded a Michelin star in 2016, it serves exquisite Italian food. It’s worth noting that it’s open seasonally (April to September), and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Another unexplored corner of this magnificent city lies out in the lagoon – the islands of Murano and Burano. Picture-perfect views of shambling streets and creaking buildings will warm your heart, and you can take home locally blown glass as a present.

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Prague’s beguiling combination of Gothic buildings and communist modern marvels is a delectable proposition. Second-hand bookstores, literary heritage and hearty food tops off this Mitteleuropa capital’s classic offering.

Budapest is a true city of two halves: the hilly, craggy and ancient Buda sits on one side of the Danube River, while the handsome, storied and formal Pest graces the other. The Danube is the important artery running through the city, which is famous for its natural thermal springs and unparralelled spas.

Budapest’s Hilton has all the essentials for a romantic weekend away – big rooms with great views and a nice bar to relax in with a glass of wine before you head off to dinner.

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The fantastic Menza restaurant helps you really get to the heart of Hungarian cooking. It's brilliantly retro interior is an instant talking point, and a hoard of waiting staff mean that you'll want for nothing – whether you order a second cherry strudel at the last minute, or want to ask about their extensive coffee menu.

The Danube unravels through Budapest like a satin ribbon, and a daytime cruise of its beautiful blue waters is a must. Afterwards, a visit to a spa is in order. Budapest sits on a network of almost 125 thermal springs, and bathing in the mineral-rich waters has been a unique way of life here that since the Roman times. A day at the famous Gellert Bath Spa will leave you relaxed and re-invigorated.

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Sun, sea, city and sand… Barcelona has got it all. There’s the Gothic splendour of Gaudi, the all-night bars, the pretty squares with cobbled streets, the fishing villages, the mountains, the other-worldly modernist architecture and, of course, food to die for.