The 12 Best Places to Propose

marriage proposal in central park — Unsplash

For anyone planning to propose—we get it—it’s stressful. First, you have to make sure you and your partner are really ready, then you have to find the perfect ring to pop the question with. Finally, most importantly, you must decide where you want it to all go down. There are endless options when it comes to places to propose, but some definitely stick out more than others.

So, thankfully, dating site EliteSingles surveyed 1,600 people to determine the 12 best places to propose. From far-flung tropical destinations to locations that will make you feel right at home (literally), these proposal spots are guaranteed to get you that "yes" you’re after.

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Venice

The ancient city on water has been plagued by flooding in the past, so you'll want to visit while St. Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Bridge still serve as a beautiful backdrop for a proposal.

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Paris

Proposal in front of the Eiffel Tower featuring a woman in a gold dress — Photo by Do It Paris Way

The City of Light is without a doubt one of the most romantic places in the world, so this one really comes as no surprise. The Eiffel Tower and one of the many beautiful bridges that cross the Seine aren’t the only places that serve as great proposal spots. Paris boasts so many exquisite hotels that an intimate in-room proposal could potentially be even more special.

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Hawaii

Any of Hawaii’s eight islands would serve as a dreamy backdrop for your proposal. Adventurous couples can plan their engagement around the beautiful natural landscape, engaging in all of the exciting outdoor activities the islands have to offer. Climbing volcanoes would be pretty thrilling, but nothing will compare to the adrenaline rush you’ll get after your soulmate agrees to spend forever with you.

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The Bahamas

Couple walking outside The Cove Resort located in Eleuthera Bahamas — Courtesy of the Cove, Eleuthera

Plenty of celebs have made the Bahamas the place to propose. If it’s good enough for J.Lo, it’s good enough for us. With gorgeous beaches and beautiful weather almost year-round, this Caribbean destination is just about as wanderlust-worthy as it gets.

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Fiji

According to Fiji’s tourism site, Vanua Levu is Fiji’s second-largest island, and it's less touristy than some of the others. Combine that with the island's beautiful natural landscape, and you get a romantic place to pop the question. You’ll have no problem finding an intimate, idyllic, and Instagrammable place to propose here.

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At Home

Young caucasian male, surprises young african-american with an engagement ring, while spending a lazy morning in bed and in their pajamas — Getty Images

What better place to ask someone to spend the rest of their life with you than in the home you’ve created together? An engagement trip is definitely a romantic gesture, but it's not exactly subtle. So keep it simple and intimate with a meaningful at-home proposal. If you’re hoping for the biggest surprise, proposing at home may be the best option.

Make the moment sentimental (doesn't have to be sappy!) by incorporating things that are personally meaningful to you both—whether it's in your favorite place, where you had your first date, a handwritten letter or song, or a shared passion.

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Bali

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, you can spend an entire day just trying to get to your proposal location, which in Bali will definitely be worth it. Yoga, surfing, exploring, pampering, wellness—there is no shortage of things to do in Bali, increasing your opportunities to propose. Whether you land on an ancient temple proposal or an intimate one at your stunning resort, your partner will not be disappointed.

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New York City

While the Big Apple has some pretty well-known places to propose (Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square), you have plenty of opportunities to get creative here. There are tons of beautiful restaurants, rooftops, and waterfront locations that are more than worthy of a proposal.

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Niagara Falls

If you haven’t gotten it by now, anywhere with a stunning natural landscape is fair game when it comes to proposal backdrops. Not only does it minimize planning and setup, but the overwhelming beauty of nature will set the mood for that unforgettable moment when you get down on one knee.

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Sydney

Sydney is definitely a best-of-both-worlds travel destination. Here, you get all the sophistication of city life combined with laid-back beach vibes. Whether it's Bondi Beach, the Sydney Opera House, or Harbour Bridge, the proposal options are vast in Sydney—and you really can’t go wrong no matter which option you choose.

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Edinburgh

Edinburgh may not be the first place that comes to mind when you’re thinking of places to propose, but its medieval streets and dramatic rocky landscape make a whimsical backdrop for popping the question.

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Las Vegas

Sin City is known more for its ceremony spots, but the glamorous high-rise hotels and exciting Strip make for unforgettable proposal spots. Plan an intimate in-room proposal at your luxury suite, and you can celebrate afterward with dinner and a show. If something more low-key is your vibe, the Nevada side of the Grand Canyon is simply breathtaking.

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