Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and this surprising location has been revealed as one of the best places for a romantic break – but not everyone agrees.

According to travel experts On the Beach, bookings for couples departing for romantic getaways on Valentine’s Day are up 41% year-on-year, with more looking to spend the special day away.

On the Beach’s booking data shows that the hottest destination this Valentine’s Day is actually Benidorm, with the original “City of Love”, Paris languishing in tenth spot for romantic getaways.

Benidorm might not seem like the most romantic of detinations and the European hotspot has been described by some as ‘the worst place on Earth’, reports The Mirror.

Some critics argue that Benidorm’s infamy is precisely because of the British influx.

The wildly popular resort in southern Spain, with its infamous “strip” teeming with bars and clubs, is notorious for its no-holds-barred party scene.

Drunken antics and public nudity are as much a part of the holiday experience as the sunny weather and beaches.

Despite the reputation the town has, the sunny destination has topped the list for Valentine’s Day trips.

Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, said: “This Valentine’s Day, romance is heading straight to the departure gate, as couples ditch Paris and jet off somewhere sunnier.

“The original ‘City of Love’ has been well and truly pied in favour of Benid’amour, our brand-new name for Benidorm, which has officially taken the top spot for Valentine’s getaways. Because let’s be honest, sunsets and sangria beat chilly cobbled streets any day!”

According to On the Beach’s booking data, Tenerife, the Algarve, Amsterdam and Krakow make up the rest of the top five Valentine’s Day destinations and experts at On the Beach are expecting another boost to bookings in the run up to the special day.

It’s not just couples looking to get away this Valentine’s Day either, single travellers are also getting away for the weekend, with holidays up 31% year-on-year.

Top 10 destinations this Valentine’s Day:

• Benidorm

• Tenerife

• Costa de Algarve

• Amsterdam

• Krakow

• Costa Del Sol

• Fuerteventura

• Lanzarote

• Malta

• Paris