Bali and Phuket get most of the honeymoon attention in Southeast Asia, and Cappadocia or the Turquoise Coast usually top the list for Turkey — but a couple of less-obvious spots in both countries are worth a closer look if you want something a little different from the standard itinerary.

Khao Lak, Thailand

On Thailand's Andaman coast, Khao Lak has built a genuine reputation as a wedding and honeymoon destination — quieter and less built-up than Phuket, with rainforest-backed beaches rather than a busy tourist strip. Its real draw, though, is what it gives you access to: the Similan and Surin Islands, a short boat ride offshore, rank among Thailand's best diving and snorkelling destinations, with coral reefs and marine life visible in exceptionally clear water close to the surface. A stay in Khao Lak that combines a few resort days with a day trip out to the islands covers both the relaxation and the adventure side of a honeymoon without much extra planning.

For Thailand's other island-hopping honeymoon option — Koh Chang, Koh Kood, Koh Mak and Koh Wai on the opposite (Gulf of Thailand) coast — see our dedicated guide, Thailand's eastern islands.

Bozcaada, Turkey

In the Aegean, Bozcaada (known historically by its Greek name, Tenedos, before becoming part of modern Turkey following the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923) is a quieter, more sophisticated beach option than Turkey's busier coastal resorts — sandy beaches, a vine-covered interior producing some of Turkey's better-known wine, and an old town with genuine Ottoman-Greek architectural character still intact.

Istanbul

No honeymoon in Turkey really skips Istanbul, and a few spots are worth building a couple of days around specifically. A traditional Turkish hamam — a couples' massage and steam bath in one of the city's historic bathhouses — is one of the more distinctly Turkish romantic experiences available, and several historic hamams across the city cater specifically to visitors wanting the full ritual rather than a quick version.

For views, Çamlıca Hill in the Üsküdar district gives a genuinely sweeping look over the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, while the Galata Tower, a Genoese-built stone tower dating to the 14th century, offers a similarly striking vantage point from the European side. The Maiden's Tower (also known as Leander's Tower), sitting on its own small islet at the mouth of the Bosphorus, comes with its own centuries-old romantic legend and is a genuinely photogenic stop for couples touring the city.

For our full guide to biblical and ancient sites in Turkey, see The Seven Churches of Revelation — a very different side of the country worth combining with an Istanbul stay if history interests you both.

Ready to plan a trip? Take a look at Quintrip's Thailand and Turkey holiday packages to start planning.

A few practical questions

When's the best time to visit Khao Lak and the Similan Islands? November to April, the dry season, is best — the Similan Islands are typically closed to visitors from May to October due to monsoon conditions.

When's the best time to visit Istanbul? Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the most comfortable weather for sightseeing.

Do South African travellers need a visa for Turkey or Thailand? Requirements vary and change over time — worth checking current entry rules for each before booking.

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