21 Most Romantic Cities in Italy For Your Next Vacation.
Planning a romantic vacation is perhaps one of the most enjoyable ways to commemorate Valentine’s Day or a significant anniversary. However, it may be challenging to decide when so many alternatives are available; nevertheless, it does not have to be!
Italy is famous for its food, art, and culture. But it’s also a great place to find romance. If you are looking for the most romantic cities in Italy, this article will tell you where to go.
The 21 Most Romantic Cities in Italy:
1) Florence (Firenze).
Florence is one of the most romantic cities in Italy for several reasons.
The city is located in the beautiful Tuscany region, and it is filled with narrow streets, charming piazzas, and magnificent churches and palaces.
The people of Florence are also known for being very warm and welcoming, which makes the city even more romantic.
In addition, Florence is home to some of the world’s best restaurants, wine bars, and hotels. So if you’re looking for a romantic getaway in Italy, Florence should be at the top of your list!
2) Rome (Roma)
Rome is the capital of Italy and one of the most romantic cities in Europe.
It has a rich history that goes back 2,500 years to when Romulus was founded on April 21, 753 BC. Rome’s many emperors have left their mark on the city, giving visitors an idea of what life was like in ancient times.
Some of the most visited attractions are The Colosseum (located next to Palatine Hill), Trevi Fountain, Pantheon (a temple built as a Roman pagan temple but now houses Catholic worship), and St Peter’s Basilica.
It also features spectacular attractions with its famous “Bocca della Verità” or “Mouth of Truth” mask.
3) Venice (Venezia)
Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world. It is a city of canals, bridges, gondolas, and narrow streets. Venice has been called the “City of Water” and the “Queen of the Adriatic.”
The Veneti, driven out by the Ostrogoths and Lombards, fled to these marshes at the mouth of the River Po in 421 AD and founded Venice.
The city grew rapidly and soon became an important center of trade and commerce. In 679, Venice became a republic, and for centuries it was one of the most influential cities in Europe.
Venice has many romantic squares, including Piazza San Marco (built around St Mark’s Basilica), Campo Santa Maria Formosa, and Campiello della Frezzeria.
Today Venice is a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world.
Visitors see its beautiful architecture, art treasures, and fascinating history. But most of all, they come for the romance of this magical city.
4) Verona
Verona is another beautiful Italian city that offers a flavor of old-world charm and romance.
It is home to one of the best-known love stories, the story of Romeo and Juliet.
Other famous attractions in Verona are The Verona Arena, which was built in 30 AD and had a capacity of 30,000 people; Castelvecchio Museum (housing weapons, paintings, and sculptures), Ponte Pietra (the bridge with the most beautiful view, where Romeo and Juliet committed suicide).
5) Milan
Milan is one of the most important cities in Italy, with a good mix of old and new.
The Duomo, for example, was built in 1386 to replace an earlier church on the site: Santa Tecla and Santa Maria Maggiore.
It’s famous for its white marble facade and richly decorated interior.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II was designed by Giuseppe Mengoni and opened in 1877 as a shopping arcade linking two busy streets: Via della Spiga and Corso di Porta Ticinese.
Today it’s home to some of Milan’s most exclusive boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, and Chanel, not to mention popular bars and cafes.
The Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio is another example of Milan’s rich history. It is dedicated to Saint Ambrose, who was archbishop there for over 40 years; it was initially built in the 4th century, with an impressive interior gilded with golden mosaics throughout.
6) Lucca
Lucca is a beautiful city with many historic buildings, monuments, and museums. It was founded by the Etruscans in 180 BC. The town has a fantastic view of the surrounding green hills and valleys.
Lucca’s historic center is large enough to explore on foot, but you’ll also find many shops, cafés, and restaurants where you can relax over coffee or take time out for lunch. Lucca offers accommodation for every budget, so there is something for everyone!
The best way to start your day off in Lucca is at Piazza Napoleone, this square houses one of Italy’s most famous Cathedral: St Martin. Here you can admire some magnificent sculptures, such as the marble bust of San Martino and Christ in Glory.
In addition, it is home to the biggest comics event in Italy: Lucca Comics and Games, so you can spend a lovely day visiting their stands.
7) Como
Lake Como is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. It’s well-known for its breathtaking views, luxurious villas, and excellent restaurants.
But what many people don’t know is that it’s also a great place to find romance. Lake Como is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a romantic getaway in Italy.
Lake Como is long, so there are many different places to visit.
Bellagio is probably the most romantic village on Lake Como, with cafés along the water’s edge and stunning views from every corner.
8) Rimini
Rimini is a city in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. It’s located on the Adriatic Sea and a popular tourist destination. Rimini is known for its sandy beaches, nightlife, and historical monuments.
The city has a population of about 148,000 people, and it’s considered the capital of Romagna.
Rimini is also well known for its annual film festival, which takes place each September. The event attracts filmmakers and movie fans from all over the world.
9) Sorrento
Sorrento is one of the most beautiful cities in the Bay of Naples.
The city has a long history dating back to Roman times. Sorrento was once called “heaven on earth” because its climate is mild year-round.
The hillsides are covered with vineyards, olive groves, fruit trees, and wildflowers, while tourists can enjoy views of Mount Vesuvius out at sea.
Don’t forget to visit the historic town center, where you can see white-washed houses, cobblestone paths, arches, balconies, and terraced gardens against the backdrop of Mount Vesuvius.
10) Alghero
Alghero is located on the northwest coast of Sardinia. It’s a picturesque town filled with winding streets, colorful buildings, and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Alghero is also known for its seafood, and there are plenty of restaurants where you can enjoy fresh fish and seafood dishes.
Alghero also has a large outdoor market with local vendors selling beautiful wares. You can find everything from clothing to artwork here.
11) Portofino
Portofino is a village in the province of Genoa on the Italian Riviera, famous for its picturesque natural harbor.
Portofino had been a fishing village until 1878 when it was connected to the railway line from Genoa and became one of Italy’s most exclusive resorts.
The resort offers hotels and apartments, restaurants, beaches with showers, and lifeguards during certain day hours.
Portofino has been featured in many films. It is also popular with celebrities such as Tom Cruise, who uses it as his summer home, or Madonna, who rented an apartment and often strolled through town with her children.
When visiting Portofino, walk along the streets and through the many shops or visit one of the many quaint little cafes and sample their fine cuisine for yourself.
12) Lecce
Lecce is a beautiful city in the southern region of Puglia.
It has been around for over two thousand years and was even mentioned by Cicero, who called it “the most beautiful site in all of Italy.”
It’s also known as the ‘Florence of the South‘ because its architecture, art, food, and culture are diverse and well-preserved.
Lecce is noted for its many religious buildings: churches, mosques, or synagogues suit every taste!
The cathedral (Duomo) dates to 1144 and features an impressive marble floor with mosaics.
There’s also a Jewish Museum, where you’ll find everything from manuscripts to liturgical objects.
13) Naples (Napoli)
Napoli is the capital of Campania, one of two Italian regions with a coastline on the Gulf of Naples.
The city’s main attractions are its historical center and its vibrant nightlife.
Napoli is also an important agricultural center, producing olive oil, wine, citrus fruit, and vegetables. Furthermore, it is home to one of Italy’s oldest universities, founded by Frederick II in 1224.
Napoli has a humid subtropical climate that borders on a Mediterranean climate due to proximity to the sea; there are hot summers and mild winters with occasional rainfalls all year round.
14) Capri
Rising high in the Bay of Naples, Capri is a beautiful island attracting tourists for centuries. The stunning views and natural beauty make it one of the most romantic places in Italy.
Capri can be reached by boat from Marina Grande or Anacapri.
To visit the Blue Grotto, you must take a boat from Marina Grande.
The trip takes about 20 minutes and costs 12 Euros per person round-trip.
If you’re looking for something even more secluded, head to Anacapri, where a chairlift transports people up the mountain to Monte Solaro.
As you sit and relax, take a moment to appreciate the spectacular views stretching across Capri’s coast.
The island is so romantic that it is even said to be where the tradition of giving Valentine’s Day cards began!
15) Pisa
Pisa is an enchanting city famous for its food and art. It’s also a great place to find romance.
Pisa stands on hills overlooking the Arno River and offers breathtaking views of Florence from atop its marble cathedral tower.
The local cuisine includes ravioli with amaretti biscuits and trout cooked in butter or olive oil with sage leaves.
In contrast, Pisan specialties include their world-famous white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano and dark chocolate sweets called “Baci di Dama” (lady kisses).
In addition to being one of Italy’s 20 most romantic cities, Pisa is also home to the world-famous Tower.
16) Bologna
Bologna is well known for its food, art, and culture. In the 10th century BC, the Romans founded Bononia to provide Roman soldiers with land nearby to rotate out from their military duty on the border with Gallia Cisalpina.
The city became an important trade center that grew into an influential city between Eastern and Western Europe through trade routes linking Latin America to Northern Europe.
The city had seen significant development, especially when it joined forces with neighboring Italian towns to form the Emilia-Romagna region. This increased its economic power significantly due to synergy effects among member towns.
17) Bolzano
Bolzano is a city in Italy and the capital of the autonomous province of Bolzano.
The city has about 100,000 inhabitants. It’s located 262 meters above sea level on the Adige River. The climate is semi-continental, with cold winters and hot summers.
Bolzano was founded by the Prince-Bishops of Trento in 1170 as a fortification against the Italian Kingdom.
The most romantic time to visit is during Christmas when noel events and Christmas lights bring happiness to the air. When it snows, it truly becomes a magical place.
18) Ravenna
Ravenna is a city in northern Italy that was the capital of the Western Roman Empire in 5 century AD.
It’s located on the Adriatic Sea, in Romagna. The city has about 11,000 inhabitants.
Its humid subtropical climate borders the Mediterranean due to its proximity to the sea. The winters are mild, and the summers are dry and sunny.
Roman structures were built from bricks covered with light-colored lime mortar in Ravenna, while Byzantine buildings used darker brick made from heavier stone. These two building styles still stand in Ravenna today.
19) Taormina
Taormina is a Sicilian town that sits on the slopes of Mount Etna.
It’s an ancient town with a rich history and home to one of Sicily’s most famous sights: The Greek Theater. The theater can seat three thousand people, so this may be your spot if you want to catch some live music or comedy!
Taormina is known for its great food and is one of Italy’s most romantic cities.
If you are looking for a place to enjoy some delicious Italian cuisine while gazing at the Mediterranean Sea, look no further than Taormina!
20) Pavia
Pavia is a city in the Lombardy region of Italy. It is located about 25 miles south of Milan. The city is home to about 72,000 people and is known for its universities and churches.
Pavia has a rich history dating back to the 3rd century BC.
The city played an essential role in both the Roman and Lombard periods.
Today, Pavia is a popular tourist destination due to its many historical attractions, including the Castello Visconteo (Visconti Castle), Cattedrale di San Michele Arcangelo (Cathedral of Saint Michael Archangel), and Basilica di San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro (Basilica of Saint Peter in Golden Sky).
21) San Gimignano
San Gimignano is a small city in Tuscany, Italy. The current population is about 7,000 people.
This beautiful destination has hundreds of medieval buildings and towers famous for their historic beauty. With charming narrow streets and a beautiful landscape, San Gimignano has been named one of the most romantic places in Italy.
It is famous for its annual medieval festival, which takes place every year on the third weekend in June.
