Babymoon boom: Rhodes crowned 2026’s top pre-baby escape as Salcombe leads UK getaway list

Parents-to-be seeking one last peaceful escape before the nappies, night feeds and sleepless nights begin have been pointed towards Greece, while Devon topped the UK list

Rhodes has been named the best babymoon destination for 2026 in a new ranking of getaways for expectant parents.

The Greek island topped JoJo Maman Bébé’s index after destinations were assessed on beach ratings, hotel quality, spa and wellness facilities, restaurants, activities, climate and accessibility.

Naxos, also in Greece, ranked second, followed by Gozo in Malta, Fuerteventura in Spain and Mallorca.

A babymoon is a final holiday taken by parents-to-be before the birth of a baby, often aimed at giving couples time to rest, talk and spend uninterrupted time together.

The retailer also ranked UK destinations, with Salcombe in Devon named the best domestic babymoon spot.

Dr Nina Memarnia, a registered clinical psychologist at The Perinatal Psychologist, said: “The transition to parenthood is a major life change for couples and can place even strong relationships under strain as roles shift.

“Even for experienced parents, expanding a family can bring its own changes and challenges.

“A babymoon can offer a valuable opportunity to spend uninterrupted time together, share thoughts and feelings about becoming parents and strengthen emotional connection.”

JoJo Maman Bébé said the rankings – which drew on independent hotel, restaurant, temperature and beach ratings – were within a four-hour journey of the UK.

Amalfi, Corfu, Menorca, Biarritz and the Algarve completed the global top 10.

For parents-to-be staying closer to home, Salcombe scored 7.94 out of 10 to top the UK list. The Devon town had 43 hotels, with 51.2 per cent rated four stars or above, and 36 restaurants, with 77.8 per cent rated four stars or higher.

Lyme Regis ranked second, helped by 142 hotels and the highest restaurant rating in the UK top three, with 93.2 per cent of restaurants rated four stars or above.

Southwold ranked third, followed by Grasmere, Windermere, Padstow, Tunbridge Wells, the Cotswolds, Alnwick and Harrogate.

Dr Memarnia added: “Pregnancy is often experienced as a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Stepping away from daily routines can help couples slow down and become more present, supporting a greater sense of calm and well-being.

“It can also create space for conversations that are often difficult to prioritise day-to-day, including expectations around the mental load of parenting and how support will be shared.

“Looking after emotional well-being during pregnancy is an important form of preparation. Prioritising rest and personal needs can support resilience during birth and the postnatal period.

“For couples taking time away on a babymoon, this can be an opportunity to reconnect and reflect on how they want to support one another during birth and early parenthood.”

Top 10 global babymoon destinations for 2026

1. Rhodes, Greece
   Score: 7.18
   Average beach rating: 4.57
   Hotels: 1,574
   Four-star-plus hotels: 51.14 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 11.55 per cent
   Average summer temperature: 26C
   Restaurants: 1,532
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 81.46 per cent
2. Naxos, Greece
   Score: 6.55
   Average beach rating: 4.47
   Hotels: 702
   Four-star-plus hotels: 53.28 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 5.35 per cent
   Average summer temperature: 25.3C
   Restaurants: 353
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 80.74 per cent
3. Gozo, Malta
   Score: 6.24
   Average beach rating: 4.50
   Hotels: 301
   Four-star-plus hotels: 49.50 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 2.01 per cent
   Average summer temperature: 24.7C
   Restaurants: 260
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 79.23 per cent
4. Fuerteventura, Spain
   Score: 6.01
   Average beach rating: 4.70
   Hotels: 858
   Four-star-plus hotels: 40.68 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 11.17 per cent
   Average summer temperature: 23.3C
   Restaurants: 1,023
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 69.01 per cent
5. Mallorca, Spain
   Score: 5.97
   Average beach rating: 4.43
   Hotels: 154
   Four-star-plus hotels: 73.38 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 28.32 per cent
   Average summer temperature: 24C
   Restaurants: 6,937
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 58.30 per cent
6. Amalfi, Italy
   Score: 5.93
   Average beach rating: 4.47
   Hotels: 243
   Four-star-plus hotels: 59.26 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 4.17 per cent
   Average summer temperature: 25C
   Restaurants: 107
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 69.16 per cent
7. Corfu, Greece
   Score: 5.79
   Average beach rating: 4.37
   Hotels: 2,540
   Four-star-plus hotels: 41.77 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 4.15 per cent
   Average summer temperature: 25C
   Restaurants: 1,460
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 80.68 per cent
8. Menorca, Spain
   Score: 5.65
   Average beach rating: 4.53
   Hotels: 296
   Four-star-plus hotels: 48.31 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 19.58 per cent
   Average summer temperature: 24C
   Restaurants: 892
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 62.56 per cent
9. Biarritz, France
   Score: 5.64
   Average beach rating: 4.57
   Hotels: 80
   Four-star-plus hotels: 31.25 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 72 per cent
   Average summer temperature: 19.7C
   Restaurants: 313
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 62.30 per cent
10. Algarve, Portugal
    Score: 5.54
    Average beach rating: 4.63
    Hotels: 3,131
    Four-star-plus hotels: 34.75 per cent
    Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 11.95 per cent
    Average summer temperature: 23.3C
    Restaurants: 5,311
    Four-star-plus restaurants: 67.16 per cent

Top 10 UK babymoon destinations for 2026

1. Salcombe
   Score: 7.94
   Hotels: 43
   Four-star-plus hotels: 51.2 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 9.09 per cent
   Restaurants: 36
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 77.8 per cent
   Things to do: 50
   Elevation range: 138 metres
2. Lyme Regis
   Score: 5.97
   Hotels: 142
   Four-star-plus hotels: 65.5 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 0 per cent
   Restaurants: 44
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 93.2 per cent
   Things to do: 68
   Elevation range: 205 metres
3. Southwold
   Score: 5.46
   Hotels: 71
   Four-star-plus hotels: 38 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 0 per cent
   Restaurants: 30
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 90 per cent
   Things to do: 52
   Elevation range: 18 metres
4. Grasmere
   Score: 5.27
   Hotels: 29
   Four-star-plus hotels: 58.6 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 11.76 per cent
   Restaurants: 22
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 59.1 per cent
   Things to do: 29
   Elevation range: 572 metres
5. Windermere
   Score: 5.26
   Hotels: 277
   Four-star-plus hotels: 70 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 4.12 per cent
   Restaurants: 62
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 72.6 per cent
   Things to do: 78
   Elevation range: 430 metres
6. Padstow
   Score: 4.80
   Hotels: 66
   Four-star-plus hotels: 50 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 3.03 per cent
   Restaurants: 52
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 65.4 per cent
   Things to do: 76
   Elevation range: 97 metres
7. Tunbridge Wells
   Score: 4.64
   Hotels: 33
   Four-star-plus hotels: 39.4 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 7.69 per cent
   Restaurants: 240
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 60.4 per cent
   Things to do: 191
   Elevation range: 154 metres
8. Cotswolds
   Score: 4.61
   Hotels: 2,094
   Four-star-plus hotels: 45.9 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 4.37 per cent
   Restaurants: 1,490
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 61.7 per cent
   Things to do: 1,339
   Elevation range: 87 metres
9. Alnwick
   Score: 4.59
   Hotels: 99
   Four-star-plus hotels: 61.6 per cent
   Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 1.44 per cent
   Restaurants: 96
   Four-star-plus restaurants: 65.6 per cent
   Things to do: 105
   Elevation range: 241 metres
10. Harrogate
    Score: 4.51
    Hotels: 232
    Four-star-plus hotels: 53.4 per cent
    Four-star-plus hotels with spa and wellness: 1.61 per cent
    Restaurants: 283
    Four-star-plus restaurants: 68.2 per cent
    Things to do: 198
    Elevation range: 181 metres

READ MORE: This hidden Greek beach has just been named the best in Europe. Fteri Beach on Kefalonia has been ranked No. 1 in Europe and No. 2 worldwide by The World’s 50 Best Beaches, praised for its white cliffs, turquoise Ionian water and secluded boat-or-hike access.

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_{Main image: Rhodes, pictured from its harbour, topped the 2026 global babymoon ranking, with the Greek island scoring 7.18 out of 10. Credit: Mark Thomas/Pexels}