The Most Romantic Places to Visit in Italy
Where could be more romantic than Italy? If you’re looking for an unforgettable wedding, honeymoon or romantic getaway destination, Italy is the perfect choice.
From the serene hills of Tuscany to the sun-drenched Amalfi Coast, Italy’s landmarks and attractions will make you swoon. Stroll through the ruins of Rome or take a romantic gondola ride through the canals of Venice. Whichever destination you choose, you’ll find gourmet food and fine wine and the perfect romantic setting.
To help you plan your itinerary, here’s our guide to some of the most romantic places to visit in Italy.
ROME
Rome is the quintessential Italian travel destination, and it is a city that’s overflowing with romantic opportunities and experiences.
Enjoy dining al fresco on the cobbled streets of Rome after a day of sightseeing. Visit the Trevi Fountain and toss a coin over your shoulder. Walk the Spanish Steps together or marvel at the art and history of Vatican City.
Be sure your list includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and other landmarks such as the Pantheon. Romance, history and culture are waiting to be discovered around every corner in the Italian capital.
VENICE
The beauty of the city of Venice is unrivaled. Arriving in the evening by boat is one of the most romantic things you can do when visiting Venice. While often busy and crowded, there are opportunities for solitude, especially in the low season.
The capital of the region of Veneto, Venice is called the “City of Bridges” because it has over 400 bridges connecting 118 small islands. Venice is one of our favorite places in Italy, and for good reason. It offers something for everyone. Take a romantic gondola ride, kiss under a bridge and just enjoy the moment.
Venice, Italy is a very unique city – a beautiful maze of scenic bridges and winding alleyways, with a reputation for romance that surpasses even that of Rome.
MILAN
Milan is another classic Italian destination that should be on your list for a romantic getaway. The city has everything you could dream of in Italy, except the beaches. Here, you can explore iconic landmarks, such as the Duomo or the Sforza Castle, as well as plenty of fascinating museums and galleries.
More than this, Milan is a city of elegance. Regarded as one of the most fashionable cities in Europe, it’s a vibrant and cultural place to visit. It’s a city with real atmosphere. Here, you can enjoy excellent Milanese food perfectly paired with exquisite Italian wines, and find luxurious and romantic hotels or apartments for your stay in the city.
CINQUE TERRE
Stretching along the rugged coastline of Liguria, it’s difficult to find anywhere that’s as dramatic as Cinque Terre. This collection of five small villages on the Italian Riviera is known for its rustic, dated, yet colorful appearance.
This is a place where time appears to have stood still. Vibrantly painted houses hug the cliffs, while local fishermen haul in their catch below in the harbors. To add to the charm, the only real way to reach the villages of Cinque Terre is to walk, as the rocky yet beautiful landscape isn’t accessible to cars – or to the modern world.
Cinque Terre is busy with tourists in summer, but it’s a destination guaranteed to inspire romance any time of year.
THE DOLOMITES
If you’re looking for an adventurous place to visit in Italy rather than a city break or a beach holiday, then one destination that’s great for the adventuring romantics is the Dolomites.
Located in the north of Italy, the Dolomites are part of the wider Alps that form the natural border with the surrounding European countries. These mountains rise thousands of meters above sea level and are as dramatic as they are mighty. It might not be the typical romantic getaway, but it is certainly unique and definitely special.
You can stay in rustic lodges set around alpine lakes and take to the trails in summer for some hiking, while in winter you can hit the ski slopes.
VERONA
Verona is the setting for the Shakespearean classic, Romeo and Juliet, and it’s a city that has inspired romance. It’s easy to see how it provided such inspiration.
You can visit the House of Juliet and see the infamous balcony, stroll through medieval streets and piazzas and best of all, you can enjoy a romantic night out at the opera, hosted in the ruins of a Roman amphitheater.
LAKE COMO
Located in the northern region of Lombardy, Lake Como is a magical place to take your partner on a romantic holiday.
The spectacular lake boasts glistening waters, upmarket hotels and resorts, and plenty of outdoor and adventure opportunities. It has a backdrop of alpine mountains and snow-capped peaks that stretch endlessly into the distance.
It’s an impressive place, and one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe.
FLORENCE
Florence is the birth place of the Renaissance and the city is easily one of the most inspiring and romantic in Italy.
The streets and the architecture exude history and elegance. Simply strolling through the grand piazzas, admiring the Arno River and soaking up the majesty of the Pitti Palace is worth the trip in itself – and that’s before you experience the Duomo and the masterpieces found within the many famous art galleries. Florence is absolutely magical.
TUSCANY
While Tuscany’s popular cities, Florence and Siena, are romantic locations on their own accord, the real heart and soul of the region lies in its countryside. It’s here that you can find rolling Tuscan hills and sweeping landscapes and vineyards.
Rent a car or better yet a Vespa scooter and ride out into rural Tuscany. Stop at a few wineries and visit farms to try local specialties. You’ll be gorging on cured meats and hams, cheeses and olives, and seeing a different side of Italian life. Life is as romantic as ever under the Tuscan sun.
BOLOGNA
If food is the way to your heart, then look no further than Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna Region. This is foodie heaven, and you can wow any date you bring here with a hunger-quenching array of local specialties.
The home of Bolognese, you and your partner can enjoy a cooking class to learn how it is really made, or if a romantic restaurant is more your style locals you’ll find the most authentic Italian food you’ve ever eaten. There’s plenty of history here too. Bologna is as famous for its tall medieval towers, as it is for its cuisine.
THE AMALFI COAST
The UNESCO World Heritage listed Amalfi Coast is one of the most enduring destinations in Italy. This is classic Italy, a place where rustic seaside villages are strung out along the coastline. Of course, the Amalfi Coast also features beaches, ancient ruins, medieval castles, and mile after mile of dramatic cliffs and scenic coastline.
The most impressive village along the Amalfi Coast, Positano, makes for a fantastically romantic destination. This is the Amalfi Coast at its finest. Here, you’ll find a beach stretching along the bottom of the cliffs, where you can laze away your days. If you’re feeling active, there are hiking trails all along the Amalfi Coast from Positano linking the small, coastal villages together.
CAPRI
Escape the busy mainland and take a boat across the Tyrrhenian Sea to the striking island of Capri. Located off the shores of Naples, Capri is a world away from the busy city, and it’s the perfect place for a romantic escape.
The island is not only beautiful and gifted with a dry and sunny Mediterranean climate, but it’s stacked full of history. Explore the natural sights, such as the iconic Blue Grotto, an ancient cave system, and the dramatic coastline before venturing into the towns that have stood here since the days of the Romans.
For the ultimate romantic getaway though, make sure to stay overnight. That way you have all of Capri to yourselves once the day-trippers from Naples depart.
Italy is the most romantic destination to visit in Europe. Full of stunning cities, divine food and wine and glorious scenery, few other places in the world can pull at the heartstrings quite as much as Italy. Let us help you design your romantic getaway.
