Romantic and Anniversary Getaways in India: Where to Go
An anniversary trip has one requirement an ordinary holiday doesn't: it should feel unlike your normal week. That usually means a setting rather than a destination, and it's why a one-night stay somewhere genuinely different often beats a rushed four-day trip.
Here's what to book, by how much time you have.
One night, near your city
The most-used option, and the one most likely to actually happen. Every major city has resorts within two hours.
- Delhi NCR: Neemrana for a fort-palace night, the Aravalli resorts for something closer.
- Mumbai: Karjat or Alibaug.
- Bangalore: Nandi Hills or the Kanakapura riverside resorts.
- Pune: Mulshi lakeside.
- Hyderabad: Gandipet or Ananthagiri Hills.
Details in our staycations near the major cities guide.
A long weekend
| Destination | Best season | Why it works for an anniversary |
|---|---|---|
| Udaipur | October to March | Palace hotels, lake views, short distances |
| Coorg | October to February | Estate stays, mist, and nothing to do |
| Goa (south) | November to February | Quiet beaches and boutique properties |
| Alleppey and Kumarakom | October to March | A houseboat night, then a lakeside hotel |
| Mahabaleshwar or Panchgani | October to February | Close to Mumbai and Pune, properly cool |
| Rishikesh | October to March | Riverside camps and a change of pace |
A trip worth taking leave for
- Kashmir, April to October: a houseboat on Dal Lake, then Gulmarg or Pahalgam.
- Andaman Islands, November to April: the best beaches in India, and worth the travel days.
- Meghalaya, September to November: green, empty and unlike anywhere else in the country.
- Ladakh, June to September: for couples who'd rather be somewhere extraordinary than somewhere comfortable.
More in our honeymoon destinations guide, which covers the same places in more depth.
What to book, not just where
The parts people remember are rarely the room. They're the dinner on a terrace, the massage at the end of the first day, the breakfast with a view. Booking one of those in advance does more for an anniversary than upgrading the room category.
- One night with a romantic dinner for two, 1,400+ hotels and restaurants — ₹11,999
- One night with a couples massage, 800+ hotels and spas — ₹13,499
- Gourmet Staycations, overnight stay with fine dining — ₹10,999
- Deluxe Wellness & Gourmet, dinner and spa stay — ₹15,999
Two nights, and why not three
For an anniversary weekend, two nights at one place beats three nights across two. The second morning is when a trip stops feeling like an errand, and moving hotels costs you exactly that.
Planning notes
- Tell the hotel it's an anniversary at booking. Most will do something, and none of them can do it at 9pm on the night.
- Book the restaurant before the room if a particular dinner is the point; good tables go before good rooms.
- Ask for a late check-out. It adds half a day to a two-night stay.
- Avoid long weekends if you can: the same trip is cheaper, quieter and easier midweek.
- If you're gifting it, a voucher valid for 12 months means they choose the date.
Romantic getaways by season
| Season | Where |
|---|---|
| October to February | Udaipur, Goa, Kerala, Coorg, Rajasthan |
| March to May | Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Munnar, Ooty |
| June to September | Ladakh, the Maharashtra ghats, Kerala for Ayurveda |
| September to November | Meghalaya, Sikkim, Coorg: the best value of the year |
Frequently asked questions
Where should we go for our anniversary in India?
For one night, a resort within two hours of your city. For a long weekend, Udaipur, Coorg or south Goa. For a longer trip, Kashmir or the Andamans.
What's a good anniversary gift for a couple?
A stay with something attached: a dinner or a couples massage. Vouchers are valid 12 months, so they pick the date.
How long should an anniversary trip be?
Two nights at one place is the sweet spot. Three nights split between two hotels usually isn't worth it.
When is the cheapest time to travel?
September and early October, and midweek rather than long weekends.