16 Things to Do on Your Honeymoon

From luxurious to adventurous, these activities will make your first trip as a married couple unforgettable.

Couple sitting next to infinity pool overlooking the ocean

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After you and your partner tie the knot, jetting off to your honeymoon is the best way to recuperate from wedding planning and celebrate this new chapter together as newlyweds. While the two of you can certainly spend the entirety of your vacation sleeping in late before lounging by the pool all day, you’ll probably want to sprinkle in at least an activity or two. Since your honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime trip that sets the tone for your marriage, adding new, exciting experiences to your itinerary will make your getaway unforgettable. Plus, you’ll strengthen your bond while learning a lot about your significant other outside of your everyday routine.

Meet the Expert

  • Dr. Terika Haynes is the CEO and founder of Dynamite Travel, a luxury travel and media consultancy.
  • Caroline Quinn is a travel expert with a decade of experience who works for Black Tomato, a luxury travel company.
  • Laura Frazier is the founder of Bliss Honeymoons, a travel agency in Columbus, Ohio. She has 20 years of experience in the travel industry. 

For adventurous couples, planning a safari or parasailing will give you an adrenaline rush, whereas spa treatments and sound bath meditations will appeal to those seeking a more relaxing getaway. Or, you can combine all of the above things to do for a well-rounded experience. Whatever activities you choose, it’s important to book ones that coincide with your personality, hobbies, and interests. 

Wondering what to do on your honeymoon? Here are 16 ideas to add to your agenda.

Immerse Yourself in the Culture

Whether you’re headed to Tulum or Rome, your honeymoon destination is likely filled with rich culture. To have an experience that rivals a local’s, make an effort to interact with the people and places that define the region. This can be as simple as striking up a conversation with your barista. For a more involved activity, go off the beaten path and explore new neighborhoods and attractions that aren’t the typical tourist spots. 

Savor Local Cuisine

One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with the area and the locals’ way of life is enjoying the standard cuisine. Travel expert Dr. Terika Haynes recommends planning a food tour, where you sample various dishes that are staples in your honeymoon spot, but you can also accomplish this task by ordering regional items from the menu at any restaurant. From paella in Barcelona to tempura in Japan, eating the local food also guarantees a fresher and more flavorful sensory experience.

Close-up of two people making pasta

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Join a Cooking Class

If you want to savor the local cuisine and learn how to prepare it, joining a cooking class is a fun thing to do on your honeymoon. The hands-on, interactive experience will make you feel more connected to your partner, and you’ll leave the trip knowing how to recreate the dish, which will transport you back in time whenever you make it in the future. Travel guru Caroline Quinn poses a couple of examples, such as enjoying the activity with locals as you overlook the scenery or with a famous chef who reveals their cooking secrets as they teach. Scheduling a private class for two or one with a larger group are also excellent options.

Enjoy Delicious Drinks

In addition to the food, trying regional drinks will introduce you to the locale and create a fun shared newlywed experience. While you can always order a native cocktail at your hotel bar, honeymoon planner Laura Frazier advises arranging a drink tour, whether it’s a wine tour in Tuscany, a Guiness tour in Ireland, or a rum tour in Barbados, for a more immersive experience. 

Book Luxurious Spa Treatments

It doesn’t matter whether you’re envisioning a honeymoon primarily filled with rest or you’re mixing relaxing things to do with more active ones; in either case, spa treatments are always a good idea. Paying a visit to the spa, whether it’s for a couple’s massage, a facial, or a body scrub, per Haynes, will lower your stress levels and boost your mood.

Man and woman watching the sunrise from a hill

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Catch the Sunrise or Sunset

Looking for a surreal, awe-inspiring experience in nature? Watch the sunrise or sunset. (The decision will depend on whether you and your spouse are early birds or night owls.) Admire the phenomenon from the pinnacle of a mountain in Aspen or the white sand beaches of Jamaica.

Go Stargazing

For a comparable alternative that’s just as moving and mesmerizing, go stargazing. This activity is best for more remote areas with higher elevation, so you can really see the sky illuminated with the constellations. Some of the best astro-tourism spots are Moab, Utah; Elqui Valley, Chile; and La Palma, Spain; among many others.

Plan a Safari

Getting an up-close look at wildlife in their natural habitat is an experience you’ll never forget, making it a great way to kick off your married lives. To turn this excursion into a reality, Quinn says Seychelles and Kenya are two popular spots. No matter the destination, there are so many different types of safaris to consider, from jeep safaris to hot air balloon rides. Whatever you choose, Quinn encourages you to incorporate more restorative things to do, such as reading on the beach or getting a massage, to counterbalance the adventure. 

Man and woman laughing while sitting at the front of a boat

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Charter a Boat

While safaris are better for more inland environments, if you’re venturing to the coast, one potential thing to do on your honeymoon is chartering a boat, whether it’s a catamaran, sailboat, or yacht. “[This is] best suited for the couples who enjoy the water and fun in the sun,” Haynes shares. You can either rent a boat that you steer yourself or enlist a captain that will lead you to some of the most iconic spots. Sit back and relax while you take in the surroundings or book a more dynamic escapade (more on that below). 

Try Water Sports

To get your heart rate up while basking in the beautiful scenery, try your hand at water sports for a vigorous venture. The sky is truly the limit with these heart-pumping activities, such as swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, wakeboarding, or parasailing. “It’s a great way to spend time together…and it’s a great opportunity to see different parts of a coastal setting in unique ways,” Quinn says.

Hike in Nature

For another active experience that isn’t solely limited to waterfront destinations, consider going on a hike. You can do this in virtually any setting, whether it’s Yosemite National Park or a local trail in Hudson Valley, and any time of the day, from sunrise to sunset. Hikes are a feasible way to explore the landscape, increase your endorphins, and enhance your connection.

Couple cross country skiing on a trail in the sun

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Hit the Slopes

Couples tend to favor warmer climates for their honeymoon, but if you’re planning a winter getaway or you’re visiting a snow-capped mountain, skiing or snowboarding is a must. Cruising across fresh powder will allow you to see the natural vicinity from a whole different angle. While Zermatt, Switzerland, and Innsbruck, Austria, are dreamy locations for wintry honeymoons abroad, there are plenty of places in the United States to visit, like Vail, Colorado, and Big Sky, Montana.

Rent Bikes

You can always explore your honeymoon spot by foot, but biking is a quicker yet equally scenic and physically active way to take in the setting. Whether it’s through the streets of Charleston or along the canals of Amsterdam, pedaling across the destination will cover a lot of ground, and you’ll still interact with all of the elements of nature.

Volunteer for a Charity

If you’re looking to give back while you’re away, an altruistic thing to do on your honeymoon is volunteering for a local charity. Not only will you assist those in need, but you’ll also boost your individual wellbeing and your relationship with your spouse and the wider community. Volunteer efforts “make a meaningful impact while also enriching the traveler and their connectivity to other cultures and lives,” Quinn says.

Couple taking selfie in front of La Sagrada Familia

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Take Plenty of Photos

No matter what activity you’re doing, make sure to snap a lot of photos. Once your honeymoon is over, the pictures will be the only tangible reminder of your special trip. Plus, documenting your vacation will give you the opportunity to relive the meaningful experience whenever you look back on them. In addition to posting some of your favorite snaps on social media, make a photo album as a physical keepsake. 

Try Something New

Since your honeymoon is the first trip you’ll take as a married couple, trying new things is an opportunity to learn more about one another, grow closer, and create fond memories. “It also helps promote problem-solving and loving encouragement as the couple works together to navigate through the new adventure,” Haynes adds. Some out-of-the-box ideas include bungee jumping, camping, paddle boarding, or rafting.

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