Best Cities in Europe to Propose Marriage

Proposing marriage can be one of the most nerve wracking experiences of a man's life, but is one of the most important experiences of a woman's life. Finding the right time and place can be as crucial as the words used to convey the question. The following are my top 8 romantic European cities for proposals.

8. Edinburgh, Scotland: Nestled along the coast of Scotland, this capital city has an abundance of ambiance. Between the rolling hills that give beautiful views of the city to the valleys holding quaint hotels, this city is a great choice for proposing by younger couples, especially if they feel an affinity to nature. The city is beautiful anytime of year and is not to hot or cold most of the year because of its location near the sea. It sometimes gets heavy windstorms from October through March, so plan accordingly.

Edinburgh has a famous castle located at the top of a hill in the main center of the city. If you are in the city center, you cannot miss the massive structure on the hill. Built on an extinct volcano, the castle has stood silent vigil for centuries overlooking the city below it. The castle's oldest building is St Margaret's Chapel, which was the only building Robert the Bruce could not bring himself to dismantle when he had the rest of the castle razed in the 14th century because Saint Margaret is the patron saint of Scotland. The enduring quality of this building would make for a good place to propose marriage.

For anyone wishing a more earthy setting, every April 30th after nightfall is the Beltane Fire Festival which rings in the fertile months of spring. The festival is held on Calton Hill in Edinburgh. It is the symbolic festival of starting over, which is what a marriage would be. Therefore, this might be an interesting place to propose to your sweetheart. Tickets to the festival are available on their website. They recommend booking in advance as prices will be higher the night of the festival and there will be a very limited number of tickets available then.

7. Lisbon, Portugal: The beautiful capital city of Lisbon is a well-kept secret of Europeans. This city is glorious in its views of the bay. It has a good public transportation system, many of the locals speak at least a little English, and best of all, it is very affordable. The weather is also temperate most of the year as it is fairly far south for a European city and it is on the water, which keeps it from getting sweltering during the summer months. So it is a nice place to visit any time of the year. This city would be an ideal place for very young couples just starting out, who do not have a whole lot of money. It is also ideal for fitness enthusiasts in that most of the city resides on hillsides and can be reasonably difficult to walk everywhere for even the most fit people. I lost a few pounds walking around this city during a three-day visit this past winter.

Saint Jorge Castle overlooks much of the city. There are streetcars that can take you most of the way up the hillside to get to this castle. You may have to walk part of the way, but from the end of the tram ride it is not too far to the castle gates. Entrance to the castle is inexpensive and well worth the views that the castle affords.

6. London, England: This bustling metropolis is the capital city of England. Great for its shopping, theater, and history, this city is a wonderful place to go when you wish to pop that important question. Due to typical English weather, the best time to go to use London would be late May through early September as it is usually warm. Bring an umbrella just in case though. This destination would be great for older couples and those with a draw toward the historic and dramatic.

The London Eye sponsored by British Airways is a wonderful place to propose with is panoramic views of London. This can be accessed across the Thames River from Parliament. I recommend getting your tickets in advance so you and your sweetheart do not have to wait in two lines for this attraction. You will most likely have an audience to this special moment as the cars usually have several people inside of them. Pictures are also taken by the ride that you can use as a memento to this special occasion.

Anyone of the many parks also gives a gorgeous backdrop to this moment. I highly recommend the pastoral views available in Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens, which border Buckingham Palace. Another venue to consider is Regent Park as it has an Open Air Theatre that might be able to set the mood for you.

5. Barcelona, Spain: Very nice coastal city in Spain with bus and taxi service from the airports. Known around the world for its Antoni Gaudi designed buildings, this city is an art lover's dream. It also has many spacious beaches for those couples who enjoy fun in the sun. This is an ideal location for the previously married crowd. I would recommend going to this destination between the spring and fall.

For the artsy couples, you cannot miss the opportunity of using the Sagrada Familia which is the last work of Antoni Gaudi before he died and is still under construction. This would be a great way to symbolize the ever-growing nature of your relationship. It is located about four blocks from the Sagrada Familia metro station.

For the beach goers, there is ample space for you to claim your place along the many beaches. The waterfront can easily be found by walking down Las Ramblas until you reach the water. If a beach front proposal is what you are looking for, this is the place for you.

4. Rome, Italy: Once the capital of the known world, Rome is bathed in its own history. What better place to start your own history? This destination can get pretty cold in the winter and unbearable in the summer so I recommend going March to June or September to November. This location would be ideal for wine and food lovers.

From the Vatican to the Colosseum, this city is full of places worth visiting, but the most beautiful place of all of them is the Trevi Fountain. Located behind the Palazzo Poli near the Palazzo del Quirinale, this slightly hidden treasure is a popular place for tourists to visit. I recommend going to the fountain early in the morning or late in the evening/night to avoid most of the crowds. The fountain sculpture is breathtaking. It not only features Neptune (God of the Seas) in the middle, but also Health on the left, and Abundance on the right. This fountain would symbolize a healthy and fruitful marriage for you. (Don't forget to toss a coin into the fountain while facing away from it so that your return to the city is assured.)

3. Venice, Italy: This well known city of water is easily accessible by air or train. Due to its vicinity to the water, Venice is best visited between the spring and fall. The city floods frequently when it rains so be prepared. Venice is a great place for previously married couples.

Saint Mark's Basilica is an enormous structure that is slowly being claimed by the waters that flow through and under the city. Regardless of this fact, it is an incredibly beautiful building and an opportune place to propose. It is located on Saint Mark's Square by the waterfront.

Another more traditional approach is to take a gondola ride through the streets of Venice. One street in particular will have you passing under the Bridge of Sighs. An elegantly sculpted bridge, the Bridge of Sighs received its name from the sighs of prisoners being lead across it to the prison that it connects to.

And of course, for all you Shakespeare fans, Venice is the home of Verona The setting of Romeo and Juliet, Verona has Juliet's house within its streets, where the famous Balcony Scene was said to have taken place. What better way to start your lives together than reliving that famous scene where Romeo and Juliet profess their love for one another? It is accessible from the Verona Porta Nuova station by train from the Venice City center.

2. Füssen, Germany: Füssen is a quaint little town in the German Alps near the border with Switzerland. It is a picturesque town accessible by train from Munich. This town is best seen during the winter when the Alps are covered in snow, but the view is great anytime of the year. Füssen is ideal for young romantics, who want a fairytale come to life.

According to Hunter Travel Guides, Füssen is most known for Schloss Neuschwanstein, the castle Walt Disney purportedly used as the model for his Disney Castle, this location is great for starting your own "happily ever after." You can take a horse drawn carriage to the castle gates to make it even more romantic.

1. Paris, France: Ah, the City of Love. The best place for a romantic proposal is none other than Paris. The city is best visited in the spring and summer when the foliage is in bloom. This destination is ideal for older couples and wine lovers.

For a simple, yet beautiful, proposal spot, I recommend the gardens by the Louvre Pyramid. From these gardens, you can see all the way to the Arch de Triomphe on the Champs Elysse and the Eiffel Tower on the Seine. The wondrous backdrop will lend quite the romantic flair to your proposal.

And of course, there is the Eiffel Tower itself. Symbol of strength and delicacy, the Eiffel Tower is the perfect representation of your love. There are two restaurants within the tower. Altitude 95 is located on the first level of the tower and Jules Verne is located on level two. Both of these restaurants offer panoramic views of the city from your table. Either place would make a lovely backdrop for a proposal with style. Just be prepared to pay for it. These restaurants are very expensive and booked well in advance, so plan ahead and make your reservations early. Jules Verne has its own private elevator, but I do not know if Altitude 95 does or not. If not, then you will be waiting in line with everyone else wanted to mount the tower. You cannot purchase tickets in advance to reach the upper levels of the tower.

Overall, a marriage proposal signifies the beginning of your promised life with this person. The time, place, and method can all be indicators as to how the marriage will work out. Hope this list helps you make your romantic plans. Good luck!

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"Lisbon's Coast", Virtual Portugal
City of London, "Open Air Theatre", Visit London
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"Altitude 95", les Restaurants de la Tour Eiffel
"Jules Verne", Le Jules Verne