Babymoon – The Last Holiday for Two Before the Baby | HolidayGenie

One last deep breath, cherishing your time as a couple and recharging together – before two become three. Everything you need to know for the perfect babymoon.

1. What Is a Babymoon?

The term babymoon is a portmanteau of "baby" and "honeymoon" and refers to the last deliberate holiday as a couple before the first (or next) child arrives. What has been a staple of pregnancy culture in the United States since the early 2000s has evolved into a genuine travel trend across Europe over the past few years.

The idea behind it is simple yet beautiful: expectant parents treat themselves to a break from everyday life in order to consciously savour those final weeks and months as a twosome. Let's be honest – once the baby arrives, everything revolves around the newborn. Sleepless nights, feeding schedules and mountains of nappies leave little room for candlelit dinners or spontaneous sunsets on the beach.

A babymoon is far more than an ordinary holiday. It is about pausing mindfully, celebrating this extraordinary chapter of life and collecting shared memories to draw on during those hectic first months with a baby. Whether it is a long weekend at a wellness hotel on Lake Constance or a week in Mallorca – the format is secondary. What matters is the quality of the time you spend together.

Good to know: According to a survey by the travel portal Trivago, more than 40 per cent of expectant parents in Germany now plan a babymoon – and the trend is rising.

2. The Best Time for a Babymoon

Not every point in pregnancy is equally suited for travel. The golden window for a babymoon lies in the second trimester – between weeks 14 and 27 (roughly months 5 to 7).

Why exactly this period?

First trimester (months 1–3): Nausea, fatigue and the elevated risk of miscarriage often make travel unappealing. Many women feel drained and prefer to stay close to their doctor.
Second trimester (months 4–6): Morning sickness has usually subsided, energy returns, the bump is still manageable and overall well-being peaks. The ideal travel window.
Third trimester (months 7–9): The bump becomes increasingly uncomfortable, back pain and swollen legs make prolonged sitting difficult. Airlines impose restrictions, and proximity to the maternity hospital becomes more important.

Gynaecologists specifically recommend the period between weeks 18 and 24 as the optimal travel window. During this phase, most pregnant women feel energised and fit enough to truly enjoy their holiday.

3. Top 10 Babymoon Destinations

The perfect babymoon destination combines short travel time, good medical facilities, relaxation options and a climate that is neither too hot nor too extreme. Here are our ten favourites:

Mallorca – The Classic Choice

Just two hours by air, Mallorca offers everything a babymoon needs: first-class hotels with spa facilities, romantic coves, outstanding cuisine and medical infrastructure at a European standard. The quieter northern coast around Pollenca and Alcudia is particularly well suited. Best time to visit: April to June and September to October.

Tuscany – Dolce Vita for Expectant Parents

Rolling hills, cypress-lined avenues and exquisite cuisine – Tuscany is tailor-made for a relaxed babymoon. Many agriturismos offer luxurious accommodation with pools set among olive groves and vineyards. The drive from southern Germany takes about 6 to 8 hours.

Maldives – Pure Luxury

For those who want something truly special, the Maldives offer paradise-like overwater villas with private pools. Many resorts provide dedicated babymoon packages with pregnancy massages and healthy fine dining. The roughly 10-hour flight time is the only challenge – compression stockings and an aisle seat are a must.

Austria – Alpine Romance Without Flying

For those who prefer to skip the flight: wellness hotels in Tyrol, the Salzburg region or Styria are easily accessible by car or train. Fresh mountain air, thermal baths and walks on well-maintained trails make for an unforgettable babymoon. Many properties offer dedicated babymoon packages.

Canary Islands – Mild All Year Round

Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura offer pleasant temperatures of 20–28 degrees Celsius all year round – ideal for pregnant women who should avoid extreme heat. Flight time of 4 to 5 hours is moderate, and medical care meets EU standards.

Algarve – Portugal's Sun Coast

The Algarve impresses with spectacular cliff coastlines, charming fishing villages and one of Europe's finest cuisines. Upscale hotels offer spa facilities with treatments tailored to pregnant women. The region is quieter than the Balearics while still providing every amenity.

Crete – History Meets Relaxation

Greece's largest island combines stunning beaches, ancient culture and Cretan hospitality. The Mediterranean cuisine rich in olive oil, fresh fish and vegetables is ideal for expectant mothers. The area around Chania in the west is particularly peaceful and beautiful.

Lake Constance – Babymoon in Germany

Lake Constance is the perfect destination for a babymoon without a flight. Constance, Lindau and Meersburg offer charming old towns, lake views and numerous wellness hotels. Mainau Island in spring, a boat trip at sunset or dinner with a view of the Alps – pure romance, entirely stress-free.

South Tyrol – Mountains, Wellness, Cuisine

South Tyrol blends Italian flair with alpine nature. The area around Merano and Lake Kaltern offers first-rate wellness hotels, hiking trails for every fitness level and a cuisine that combines the best of two worlds. Many hotels feature pools with mountain panoramas and special pampering programmes for pregnant guests.

Dubai – Winter Escape with Luxury

For a babymoon between November and March, Dubai is a luxurious option: world-class resorts, infinity pools and desert romance with guaranteed sunshine. Medical care is excellent, and the flight time of about 6 hours is manageable. Many five-star hotels feature dedicated babymoon suites with butler service.

4. Checklist: What to Consider for a Babymoon

A babymoon deserves careful preparation – after all, you are travelling not alone but as two and a half. Make sure to clarify these points before booking:

Medical Clearance

Before you book anything: talk to your gynaecologist. In cases of high-risk pregnancy, multiple pregnancy or pre-existing conditions such as gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia, travel may be discouraged. For air travel, have your doctor issue a fitness-to-fly certificate – some airlines require it from week 28 onwards.

Travel Insurance

Standard international health insurance policies often do not cover pregnancy complications – or only up to a certain gestational week. Check the conditions carefully and choose a policy that explicitly includes pregnancy. Trip cancellation insurance is equally advisable, as pregnancy complications are recognised as a valid reason for cancellation.

Destination and Journey

Flight time: A maximum of 4 to 5 hours is ideal; for long-haul flights, always book an aisle seat
Climate: Avoid extreme heat (above 35 degrees) – the circulatory system is already under strain during pregnancy
Medical care: Prefer EU countries – the European Health Insurance Card applies here
Vaccinations: Destinations requiring live vaccines (yellow fever) are off-limits for pregnant women
Malaria zones: Best avoided entirely, as common malaria prophylactics are contraindicated during pregnancy

Diet at Your Destination

No raw fish (sushi) or raw meat (carpaccio, tartare)
Avoid raw-milk cheese (watch out for local specialities)
Tap water only in countries with guaranteed drinking-water quality
In tropical countries, eat fruit and salads only if washed and peeled

5. Babymoon in a Hotel vs. a Holiday Rental

Choosing the right accommodation is more important for a babymoon than for an ordinary holiday. Both options have clear advantages and drawbacks:

Hotel (or Resort)

Advantages: No cooking, no cleaning – maximum relaxation. Many hotels offer spa, pool and fitness facilities on-site. Room service for those days when you simply want to stay in bed. Special babymoon packages with extras such as pregnancy massages, late checkout and welcome hampers.
Disadvantages: More expensive, fixed meal times, less privacy. All-inclusive can be problematic if buffets are not clearly labelled (raw-milk cheese, raw fish).

Holiday Rental (or Villa)

Advantages: More space and privacy, your own kitchen for controlled nutrition, a flexible daily routine and often more affordable than a comparable hotel. Ideal if the expectant mother needs to avoid certain foods or has an irregular sleep pattern.
Disadvantages: Self-catering means shopping and cooking – not exactly everyone's idea of "relaxation". No on-site spa, no room service.

Our tip: The best solution is often a wellness hotel with half board. You enjoy the hotel's amenities yet remain flexible at lunchtime, grabbing a light meal out and about.

6. Wellness & Spa During Pregnancy – What Is Safe and What Is Not

For most couples, wellness is as integral to a babymoon as sunshine is to a beach holiday. But not everything on the spa menu is suitable for pregnant women. Here are the key guidelines:

Safe and Recommended

Pregnancy massages: Specially trained therapists massage in a side-lying position, avoiding the abdominal area. Eases tension in the back, neck and legs – a treat especially from month 5 onwards.
Facial treatments: Generally safe, provided no strong chemical peels (retinol, high-concentration salicylic acid) are used.
Swimming and aqua fitness: The water supports your weight and relieves joints and back. Ideal for pregnant women who feel increasingly heavy on land.
Yoga and gentle stretching: Prenatal yoga strengthens the pelvic floor and prepares the body for birth.
Foot reflexology: Usually safe from the second trimester onwards – can help with swollen legs and feet.

What You Should Avoid

Saunas above 80 degrees: Core body temperature should not rise above 38.9 degrees Celsius. If you do use a sauna, stick to a bio-sauna or steam bath at 45–60 degrees and keep sessions short (5–8 minutes).
Whirlpools above 38 degrees: Excessively hot water temperatures can harm the unborn child. Brief baths up to 37 degrees are fine.
Essential oils: Some oils (rosemary, thyme, cinnamon, clove) can stimulate contractions. Always inform spa staff about your pregnancy.
Electrotherapy: Electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound lipolysis and similar procedures are off-limits during pregnancy.
Full-body wraps: Can place excessive strain on the circulatory system and dangerously raise body temperature.

7. Air Travel During Pregnancy – Airline Policies

Flying during pregnancy is fundamentally safe – provided there are no medical complications. Nevertheless, all airlines have clear rules about when they will no longer carry pregnant passengers:

Airline	Without certificate	With certificate	No longer permitted
Lufthansa	up to week 36	from week 28 recommended	from week 37
Ryanair	up to week 28	weeks 28–36	from week 37
Eurowings	up to week 36	from week 28 recommended	from week 37
Condor	up to week 36	from week 29 required	from week 37
TUI fly	up to week 34	weeks 35–36	from week 37
easyJet	up to week 35	from week 28 recommended	from week 36

Weeks refer to gestational weeks. Policies may change – always check the current conditions of carriage before booking.

Tips for the Flight

Book an aisle seat: Getting up and moving regularly helps prevent thrombosis
Wear compression stockings: Strongly recommended from week 20 onwards, even on short-haul flights
Stay hydrated: The dry cabin air dehydrates the body – drink at least 250 ml per hour of flight
Seat belt: Fasten below the bump, never across it
Carry your maternity notes: Keep them in your hand luggage along with the medical certificate
Travel pillow: A neck pillow and a small cushion for the lower back significantly improve comfort

8. Budget Tips – A Babymoon Need Not Be Expensive

A baby is costly enough – the babymoon does not have to break the bank. With these money-saving tips, the last holiday for two stays affordable without sacrificing quality:

Travel in the off-season: Mallorca in May, Crete in October, Canary Islands in November – significantly cheaper and less crowded than peak season. Pregnant women also benefit from the milder temperatures.
Early-bird discounts: Book hotels and package holidays 3 to 4 months in advance. Since the babymoon can be planned around the due date, you can make the most of the timing.
Travel midweek: Monday to Thursday, flights and hotels are often 20 to 40 per cent cheaper than at the weekend.
Half board instead of all-inclusive: Saves money and gives flexibility. Lunch can be enjoyed inexpensively at local restaurants.
Compare babymoon packages: Many hotels put together special packages with massage, room upgrade and late checkout – often cheaper than booking each service separately.
Choose nearby destinations: A wellness weekend at Lake Constance, in South Tyrol or in the Salzburg region costs a fraction of a long-haul babymoon – and the journey is far more relaxing.
Voucher instead of a gift: Friends and family often ask for gift ideas for expectant parents. A babymoon contribution is a wonderful, practical present.

Example calculation: 4 nights in a wellness hotel in Mallorca (half board, including flights for 2) cost from around 800 to 1,200 euros in the off-season – comparable to a weekend at a luxury wellness hotel in Bavaria.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Babymoons

?What is a babymoon?

A babymoon is a holiday that expectant parents deliberately take before the birth of their child. The term is inspired by "honeymoon" and describes the last shared getaway as a couple before the baby arrives. The focus is on relaxation, quality time and consciously savouring togetherness.

?When is the best time for a babymoon?

The second trimester (weeks 14 to 27, roughly months 5 to 7) is considered the ideal window. The nausea of early pregnancy has usually passed, energy levels are restored and the bump is not yet large enough to make travel uncomfortable. Most airlines allow flights up to week 36, but the earlier in the second trimester, the more comfortable you will be.

?Is it safe to fly during pregnancy?

Yes, flying during pregnancy is generally safe. Most airlines permit flights up to week 36 (up to week 32 for multiple pregnancies). From week 28, many carriers require a medical certificate confirming fitness to fly. Compression stockings and getting up regularly are recommended.

?What travel insurance do you need for a babymoon?

International health insurance is essential – make sure pregnancy complications are explicitly covered. Many standard policies exclude pregnancy from week 32 onwards. Trip cancellation insurance is also advisable, as pregnancy complications are recognised as an insured reason for cancellation.

?Which destinations in Germany are suitable for a babymoon?

Lake Constance, the Baltic Sea coast, the Black Forest and the Allgaeu are particularly well suited for a babymoon in Germany. Many wellness hotels in Bavaria and on the North Sea coast offer special babymoon packages with pregnancy massages and healthy cuisine. The advantages: no flight time, medical care at German standards and a short journey.

?How much does a babymoon cost?

A babymoon in Germany starts at around 500 euros for a long weekend at a wellness hotel. A week in Mallorca or Tuscany runs between 1,000 and 2,500 euros per couple including flights and accommodation. Luxury babymoons in the Maldives or Dubai start at 3,000 to 5,000 euros. Money-saving tip: travel in the off-season and take advantage of early-bird discounts.

Babymoon – The Last Holiday for Two Before the Baby