Last Updated on June 6, 2025 by Tanya Janse van Rensburg
Your wedding day is over, the confetti has been swept away, and now you're wondering where to spend your honeymoon.
The usual beach resort with endless cocktails sounds nice, but maybe you want something different this time. Something that leaves you feeling refreshed instead of needing another holiday.
These aren't your typical honeymoon spots. They're places where you can return home feeling more rested than when you left.
From Portuguese islands to English countryside, there are destinations designed to help you start married life feeling calm and connected.
Ubud has become synonymous with wellness for good reason – this place practically radiates zen energy.
Nestled in Bali's cultural heart, surrounded by rice terraces that cascade down hillsides like green waterfalls, Ubud offers newlyweds a chance to dive deep into relaxation while experiencing one of the world's most spiritual cultures.
The town wakes up slowly, with the scent of temple incense mixing with blossoms and that first perfect cup of kopi luwak.
Couples often start their days with sunrise yoga sessions overlooking the jungle canopy, where the only sounds are birds and distant gamelan music.
The experience feels otherworldly, like you've stepped into a meditation app come to life.
What sets Ubud's wellness scene apart is how naturally it blends ancient Balinese healing traditions with modern spa luxury.
You'll find couples' treatments that incorporate traditional Balinese massage techniques passed down through generations, using locally sourced ingredients like volcanic clay and coconut oil.
Between spa sessions, wander through art markets where local artisans create beauty from nothing, or take a cooking class to learn the secrets behind those incredible flavours you've been tasting.
The whole experience feels like an immersion in mindful living rather than just a holiday.
Madeira makes you forget that stress exists. This Portuguese island in the Atlantic has walking paths that wind through forests and alongside old irrigation channels, perfect for couples who want to explore without fighting crowds.
What makes Madeira work so well for a wellness honeymoon?
The island naturally slows you down. You'll breathe easier walking through eucalyptus groves, and the ocean views from Cabo Girão will genuinely amaze you.
Local spas use herbs grown in the volcanic soil for treatments that smell incredible and feel even better.
Stay at one of the cliff-top properties where you wake up to ocean views and wave sounds.
Many have private terraces perfect for morning coffee or evening wine. The weather stays mild year-round, so you won't spend your honeymoon hiding indoors.
Active couples can discover fitness retreats, with some exceptional experiences in Madeira. With expert-led activities, like hikes, paddle boarding, and scuba diving, there are endless opportunities for adventure.
The Yorkshire Dales deliver rural beauty in bucket loads, with rolling green hills that seem to stretch into infinity and cottages nestled amid purple heather.
There's something deeply grounding about this landscape that makes it impossible to stay preoccupied with wedding planning or work deadlines.
There are some incredible luxury cabins in Yorkshire available for couples' retreats.
Picture this: you're tucked into a cosy cabin with exposed beams and a wood-burning stove, surrounded by fields where sheep graze like living lawn ornaments.
The silence here isn't empty - it's full of bird songs and the rustle of wind through heather.
Local wellness retreats often incorporate the landscape into their programs, with guided walks along ancient dry stone walls and mindfulness sessions overlooking valleys that have remained unchanged for centuries.
The region's farm-to-table culture means you'll eat better than you have in months.
Local pubs serve up hearty meals made from ingredients that were probably grazing or growing within a few miles that morning.
After a day spent hiking the Pennine Way or exploring hidden waterfalls, there's nothing quite like settling in by the fire with locally brewed ale and your favourite person.
Iceland defies every expectation you might have about a romantic destination, and that's exactly what makes it perfect for couples seeking something extraordinary.
This Nordic island nation offers a kind of raw, elemental beauty that strips away everything unnecessary and leaves you feeling more connected to both nature and each other.
The geothermal spas here aren't just luxury amenities – they're geological miracles. Soaking in the Blue Lagoon's milky blue waters is a truly magical experience.
The mineral-rich water improves your skin while you relax, so you'll emerge looking as refreshed as you feel.
Beyond the famous lagoon, hidden hot springs dot the landscape, offering intimate moments where you might be the only people for miles.
During summer months, the midnight sun creates an almost dreamlike atmosphere.
Couples can hike through lava fields at what should be bedtime, chase waterfalls in perpetual twilight, or simply sit together watching the light shift across glaciers in the distance.
Winter brings the Northern Lights, turning the sky into nature's most spectacular light show.
The wellness culture here emphasises outdoor activity and natural thermal therapy.
Many hotels offer Nordic spa experiences that alternate between hot geothermal pools and cold plunges, following traditions that Icelanders swear by for both physical and mental health.
Takayama feels like stepping through a portal into Japan's peaceful past.
This mountain town in the Japanese Alps preserves traditions that create natural mindfulness in everything from how you sleep to how you bathe.
Staying in a traditional ryokan here isn't just accommodation – it's complete immersion in a way of life that prioritizes harmony, simplicity, and connection.
The ritual of onsen bathing becomes a couple's meditation practice. These natural hot springs, rich in minerals from deep within the earth, are believed to heal everything from tired muscles to troubled minds.
The Japanese approach to bathing is ceremonial, encouraging you to slow down and be present in the moment.
Many ryokans have private outdoor baths where couples can soak together while snow-capped peaks reflect moonlight.
Kaiseki dining at your ryokan transforms meals into art forms, with each course carefully crafted to reflect the season and presented with mindful attention to color, texture, and flavor.
You'll sleep on tatami mats with futons that somehow provide the most restful sleep of your life, and wake to mountain views that look like traditional paintings come to life.
The town itself moves at a gentle pace, with morning mist rising from the Miyagawa River and traditional wooden buildings housing artisans who still practice centuries-old crafts.
Walking the historic streets together feels like a moving meditation, especially when temple bells echo across the valley.
Choosing a wellness-focused honeymoon isn't about following trends or checking boxes on someone else's bucket list.
It's about permitting yourselves to start married life feeling genuinely restored and connected.
Whether you're drawn to Madeira's ocean serenity, Yorkshire's countryside comfort, Bali's spiritual energy, Iceland's raw beauty, or Japan's mindful traditions, you're choosing to prioritise your wellbeing as a couple from day one.
These destinations offer something that traditional honeymoon spots often miss: the space and inspiration to actually connect with each other away from the noise of everyday life.
When you return home, you won't just have photos and souvenirs – you'll have shared experiences in mindfulness, wellness practices you can continue together, and the deep relaxation that comes from truly switching off.
Your honeymoon should be more than just a celebration – it should be the foundation for a marriage built on wellness, mindfulness, and genuine connection.
Choose a destination that nourishes both your relationship and your soul, and you'll return home not just married, but truly ready for the adventure ahead.
