2025 Honeymoon Trends Newlyweds Need to Know Now

These days, honeymoons are longer, more detailed, and physically cover more ground than ever before, which tracks when you consider the boom of post-pandemic travel. Within that context, it makes sense that in 2024, couples planned extended first-married trips to multiple locales (dubbed trip stacking), since they weren’t able to travel, period, in most of the years prior. The same reasoning can be applied to the rise of the buddymoon, which saw newlyweds skipping solo travel (a major departure for honeymooners) to hang in far-flung locales with their best friends and closest family, instead. 

While certain facets of the 2024 travel landscape will continue to endure and inform the honeymoons of the future, things are looking a little different in 2025, according to several travel experts. Honeymoons are tightening up again with one to two destinations max—and those destinations, believe it or not, actually don’t involve the Mediterranean (the region that dominated over the past 12 months). Another deviation? Newlyweds’ go-go-go mentality has relaxed—and couples are back to planning more balanced trips with a healthy triarchy of rest, romance, and activities. Ahead, discover the trip types, countries, and experiences informing the breakout honeymoon trends of 2025.

Traveling to One or Two Destinations Max

Gone are the days of elaborate, month-long trip stacks, which involved couples planning extended honeymoons to hit a slew of bucket-list locales. In 2025, newlyweds are scaling things back to focus their time more intentionally on places that are meaningful to them. “Many American [honeymooners] have a reputation for going all out, stuffing their itineraries to the brim, and tackling bucket list items like it’s a competition,” explains Lili LeBaron, an Asia travel specialist at Scott Dunn. “Lately, though, I’ve noticed a fun shift toward trips that prioritize cultural immersion and taking it easy. Instead of rushing through a bunch of destinations, more folks are choosing to really soak in one or two countries, enjoying every moment and connecting with the local vibe. This laid-back approach means travelers can dive deeper into their experiences and create awesome memories—without the mad dash.”

Kara Bebell and Harlan deBell of The Travel Siblings, part of the Global Travel Collection, have also noticed duos gravitating towards two locations, albeit for a slightly different reason. As part of a trend they’ve dubbed dual-purpose honeymoons, couples are heading first to a destination that promises major action and then moving to a nearby locale that delivers peace and quiet. “Couples are combining bucket list adventures, like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (the eight-day Machame route) before taking a Serengeti safari with a beach extension in Zanzibar, for example,” they explain.

“Goldilocks” Honeymoons

Up until this point, we’ve primarily split honeymooners into two categories: There are couples who want to relax on their just-married trip (and recuperate from the frenetic pace of wedding planning) and then there are those who thrive when presented with an itinerary packed with activity and adventure. This dichotomy, however, is fading fast. In 2025, honeymoons won’t be entirely adventurous or wholeheartedly relaxing—they’ll strike a balance that feels just right. “A huge trend I am seeing is breaking away from R&R-only honeymoons,” notes LeBaron. “Today’s honeymooners are all about the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and a dash of romance. Couples are trading in the old-school getaway for an exhilarating blend of thrilling escapades—think zip-lining through rainforests or snorkeling in crystal-clear waters—while still carving out time to lounge on beautiful beaches with a cocktail in hand. They’re diving into local cultures, dancing at vibrant festivals, and savoring delicious street food, all while soaking up the sun.”

Edu-Vacation

Couples in 2025 aren’t just traveling to reenergize or recharge: They also want to learn something. Our experts agree that gaining a true understanding of and deep appreciation for their destination of choice is a major priority for duos planning honeymoons in the new year. These desires are driving their location search—and according to Dr. Terika L. Haynes, a luxury travel consultant and the CEO and founder of Dynamite Travel, there’s no better place for an “edu-vacation” that promises cultural immersion than Dominica. 

Known as the hiking, diving, whale-watching, and hot spa capital of the Caribbean, Dominica’s unsurpassed natural beauty has so much to offer—and to teach—honeymooners. “For adventurous couples, the island is home to some of the best dive sites in the world, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Other activities that honeymooners can indulge in include hiking and wellness and eco-tours,” she says. “The area also has significant volcanic activity, creating unique landmarks that are a must-see, like the Boiling Lake, Titou Gorge, and Emerald Pool.” Couples will also have the opportunity to learn more about preserving unique communities within the island’s indigenous Kalinago territory—the only one left within the Caribbean.

According to Dr. Haynes, Secret Bay—one of the world’s top sustainable resorts that is also green globe-certified—is a must-stay; she advises planning your honeymoon between the months of January and May for the best weather.

Unplugged Honeymoons

“Couples want to disconnect completely without wifi or distractions,” say Bebell and Debell, which is why eco-lodges and glamping in off-the-beaten-path places are more requested than ever. Take a popular honeymoon destination like Thailand, for example. “Rather than choosing the more popular spots like Chiang Rai or Chaing Mai, couples are opting to unplug in more serene locations like Khao Sok,” they explain (they recommend experiencing the floating bungalow accommodations at 500 Rai Floating Resort on Cheow Lan Lake, which offers a unique retreat with trekking, wildlife spotting, and kayaking).  

Looking for a few other unplugged options? Head to Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, set in Bali’s Buahan village; this no-wall, no-door concept treats guests to a complete immersion with nature. If you’d rather honeymoon by sea, the Australis, a small expedition cruise ship that navigates the southernmost Patagonian Fjords, does not have wifi on board, “allowing guests to completely immerse in the stunning landscapes surrounding and enjoy every moment without the ability to post on social until after the journey,” say Bebell and Debell.

Unplugged first-married trips also play right into another honeymoon trend that spiked last year and is still going strong: sustainable travel. “Honeymooners are being drawn to destinations where they can explore pristine natural environments—such as secluded safaris and private eco-resorts—while minimizing their environmental footprint,” affirms Dr. Haynes. 

Star Chasing 

According to Dr. Haynes and Bebell and deBell, newlyweds still have their sights set on the celestial while planning their honeymoons (in fact, The Travel Siblings say to keep an eye on actual space travel over the next few years!), a trend that’s carried over from 2024. What’s a little different this year, though, is where duos are experiencing these cosmic phenomenons. Enter Finland, which promises outdoor adventure and breathtaking views of the cosmos. “Honeymooners in Finland can enjoy extensive horizons of forests, countless lakes, Northern lights, the midnight sun, and more than three million saunas,” explains Dr. Haynes. 

There’s another benefit to book a honeymoon in this northern European country: “It’s committed to sustainable tourism and has set the goal to be a holistically sustainable travel destination and carbon neutral by 2035,” she says, adding that booking a stay at Northern Lights Ranch (a private property with outdoor hot tubs) between the months of December to April is your best bet. Bonus points if you book in March, which, depending on your timing, is when you can see a partial solar or total lunar eclipse.