Nowhere does romance quite like Italy. The country that gave us pizza and pasta also gave us some of the greatest love stories of all time from Dante to Petrarca; the love arches of Capri to Juliet’s balcony in Verona. If you’re thinking about honeymooning on the peninsula, you won’t be disappointed, but you might be wondering just where are the most romantic places in Italy.
Italy with its miles of Mediterranean coastline and sumptuous weather is brimming with lusted honeymoon destinations from glamorous cosmopolitan hubs to laidback seaside resorts. You can enjoy a very varied itinerary in Italy and travel between towns and cities is pretty easy. Still, with so many places to choose from, how do you even begin to plan your trip?
Our guide is here to help with the most romantic places in Italy for a honeymoon and the best romantic hotels to stay in. Let’s get into it.
Florence
Located in the center of the country, Florence is the capital of Tuscany and the unofficial cultural and artistic capital of Italy. From Michelangelo’s David to da Vinci’s Annunciation and Brunelleschi’s Duomo, Florence is home to some landmark Renaissance masterpieces but this elegant city, oozing Romance at every turn, is so much more than its many galleries. That said, they’re a good place to start.
Florence is surrounded by natural and manmade beauty. It was built on the site of an Etruscan settlement and later, the ancient Roman colony of Florentia. Under the Medici in the 15th and 16th centuries, Florence grew to economic and cultural significance. Its 600 years of outstanding creativity can be seen in the 13th-century Santa Maria del Fiore, the Church of Santa Croce, the Palazzo Pitti, and within the walls of the Uffizi gallery, to name just a few.
Florence’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its terracotta-tiled roofs are an emblem of golden Tuscany. The city is a monument in and of itself and something of an open-air museum to Renaissance art and architecture. Florence also regards itself as one of the birthplaces of Italian cuisine and you’ll find it hard to disagree once you’ve savored the likes of its Tuscan street food, fresh market produce, and creamy gelato. You can’t get more romantic than hushed voices over bowls of tagliatelle in a candle-lit corner café.
The River Arno is also the epitome of romance. Sunset cruises, floating restaurants, and riverside strolls, Florence is waiting with the perfect balance of cosmopolitan glamour and historic enchantment.
Places to stay in Florence on a honeymoon:
Casa Howard Firenze ($$) – Nestled near the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Casa Howard occupies a historic building offering luxurious rooms with antique decor, underfloor heating, and continental breakfast served to the rooms. Prices start from €245 a night.
Residenza Dei Pucci ($$) – Located 350 yards from the Duomo, this charming guest house is located in the heart of Florence in a 19th-century building, with spacious and comfortable rooms and stylish decor. Doubles start at €150 a night.
Art Hotel Villa Agape ($$) – This grand four-star hotel is surrounded by eight acres of olive groves and cypress trees, with a free round-trip shuttle to the city center which is just one mile away. Villa Agape is the former home of Duchess Anna D’Orleans and all of the rooms are decorated in a classical style. There’s free parking and a spacious lounge with an open fireplace and piano. Rooms start at €280 a night.
Lake Como
If it’s good enough for George Clooney, it’s good enough for us. Lake Como has served as a playground for the rich and famous, the aristocratic, and the artistically inclined, for centuries, but there’s still enough charm left in its many lakeside villages for a laidback and one-of-a-kind honeymoon.
Tucked away at the base of the Alps in northern Italy, just miles from the Swiss Border, Lago di Como is the third-largest lake in the country, but arguably the most famous. With its convenient location, just over an hour from Milan, Como’s grand villas were built as countryside retreats for the fashion capital’s most noble residents, and not much has changed, except that the huge region now welcomes every kind of traveler and there’s something for all budgets.
From the pastel-colored fisherman’s houses that climb the hills in quiet Varenna, to the bustling hostels in Como, and the opulent waterside mansions in Bellagio, everyone can enjoy the beauty of the crystalline waters. Like the delectable local cuisine, most things center around the lake here and there’s plenty for couples to do from romantic boat trips in Larian Gondolas to peaceful paddleboarding tours and sunbathing on the pebble beaches.
Lombardy is also a rich wine region and Lake Como is the perfect place for a romantic wine tasting, either hidden away in an ancient cellar or basked in sun in a fragrant vineyard. Stroll through the botanical gardens at Villa Carlotta, take a couples tennis lesson, walk hand-in-hand through the cobblestone streets of Como where bright rhododendrons and azaleas creep over balconies, and even hop over to Switzerland for the day, Lake Como has a lot to offer.
Places to stay in Lake Como on a honeymoon:
Hotel Asnigo ($$) – Hotel Asnigo is set back just 900 yards from Lake Como in a grand Art Nouveau building with an outdoor swimming pool, comfortable air-conditioned rooms, and a terrace restaurant. Rooms start at €200 a night with breakfast included.
Grand Hotel Menaggio ($$$) – Close to the ferry terminal for boat trips across the lake, Grand Hotel Menaggio boasts a heated pool, an outdoor terrace, lake views, and spacious rooms with traditional decor. Rooms start at €340 a night.
Hotel Belvedere ($$$)- Boasting a state-of-the-art spa with Turkish bath, sauna, and tailored treatments, Belvedere is a luxurious hotel owned by four generations of women since 1880. The private gardens and balcony suites offer panoramic views of the lake and there’s a spacious terrace where sweet breakfast is served daily. Rooms start at €490 a night.
Portofino
Nestled on the Italian Riviera in the northwest region of Liguria, Portofino with its tranquil crescent harbor, crystal clear waters, and hills of olive groves is one of Italy’s most romantic destinations. Once a small fishing village, Portofino has retained its laidback seaside allure but it’s also a bustling tourist spot with no shortage of upscale hotels and restaurants.
Noblemen and notable families started to build their summer residences around this area in the 19th century and Portofino soon became an exclusive European resort, but you can still find authentic experiences, and, not to mention, great weather, wine, and food.
Peach-hued houses, boutique shops, and seafood restaurants line Portofino’s Piazzetta, the small cobbled central square that overlooks the yacht-studded harbor. From here, a path also leads to Castello Brown, a fortress-turned-museum, built in the 16th century which now houses art exhibitions and events, and offers incredible views of the town and the bay.
Portofino has less than 500 residents and has done well to preserve its small-town vibe. Still, if you’re after something a little more low-key, check out the villages of Santa Margherita Ligure or Camogli, also on the Italian Riviera.
Places to stay on the Italian Riviera on a honeymoon:
Carrick Hotel ($$) – Located 350 yards from Camogli Beach, Carrick Hotel is a clean and modern property, with contemporary decor, a stylish rooftop, and well-equipped rooms from €225 a night with an exceptional breakfast included.
Hotel Piccolo Portofino ($$$) – Just 550 yards from the seafront of Portofino, Hotel Piccolo offers a private rocky beach, furnished terraces, and panoramic sea views. The hotel is set in a historic villa with a stylish interior. Rooms start at €450 a night.
Casa Smeraldo ($$$) – With free Wi-Fi and city views, Casa Smeraldo is a quiet one-bedroom apartment located just 1 mile from Paraggi Beach and 550 yards from Castello Brown. The apartment is private and well-equipped, with elegant decor. Prices start from €350 a night.
Rome
Rome is a city that needs little introduction and Italy’s capital should be on everyone’s bucket list, but it’s especially suited to lovers and it won’t take long to show you why. Rome is the most populous city in Italy and the most-visited place in the country, but don’t worry, this doesn’t steal away from its magic.
The gritty streets tell a complex story of Rome’s past. Ancient history lives harmoniously with the fast-paced urban life here. Heady nightlife, millennia-old monuments, iconic cuisine, and modern art masterpieces can be found at every turn.
Rome is also an open-air museum and the walkable streets are designed for you to get lost in. The Colosseum built more than 2,000 years ago, and the Pantheon, a well-preserved temple from the same era, are just some of Rome’s antique highlights. But there’s also the Baroque Trevi Fountain and the nearby Spanish steps, perfect for people watching and admiring the intricate work of artists from decades gone.
The streets of Monti, a buzzing central district anchored by the Colosseum, are perfect for finding hidden hole-in-the-wall haunts and sudden sprawling piazzas with the best gelato in Italy. While Trastevere is a charming and lively neighborhood, with pedestrian-only walkways, family-owned trattorias, and romantic Juliet balconies. Trastevere is located on the western side of the Tiber but within walking distance of Vatican City.
Places to stay in Rome on a honeymoon:
Spagna Secret Rooms ($$) – This romantic hotel is located just 100 yards from Via Condotti and 200 yards from the Spanish steps. The rooms are fun with contemporary decor and air conditioning. Prices start at €150 a night.
Hotel Nazionale ($$) – Stay next door to the Italian parliament in the pedestrianized Piazza Montecitorio with elegant rooms, free toiletries, and a sweet and savory breakfast served daily. Nazionale is 400 yards from the Pantheon. Prices start at €230 a night with breakfast included.
Sina Bernini Bristol ($$$) – This five-star hotel dates back to 1874 but the interior has been modernized to bring Avante-garde elegance to this grand property. Most rooms boast spa baths, a balcony, and views of Piazza Barberini and the Triton Fountain. Rooms start at €500 a night.
Sardinia
A rising star on the Italian vacation route, and an even better honeymoon destination because of it, Sardinia is less-known among non-European travelers but the Mediterannean Isle offers a bit of everything. Sardinia is located 200 km off the west coast of Italy, and around 12 km south of the French island of Corsica. It is actually the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, with nearly 2,000 kilometers of rugged coastline, picturesque beaches, and a wild mountainous hinterland crisscrossed by hiking trails.
Sardinia is dotted with off-the-beaten-track locations thanks to its vast size and you can guarantee a totally different experience here than on the Italian mainland. Towns like Cagliari and Alghero have a slow pace and are perfect for couples, while you’ll find romantic seafront resorts with sprawling white sands in areas like Costa Smeralda and Spiaggia di Piscinas.
Sardinia is one of the most diverse destinations in Italy, and in addition to its turquoise seas, precipitous terrain, and unique cuisine, it also benefits from a kaleidoscope of history. The island is teeming with prehistoric puzzles and Bronze Age stone ruins dot the landscape. These towers, called nuraghi, are shaped like beehives, and one of the oldest and largest dates back to 1,500 BC.
Sardinia is a secret worth keeping but one of the best honeymoon destinations for couples who are after a bit of everything.
Places to stay in Sardinia on a honeymoon:
Teku Sardinia Hotel ($) – This modern boutique hotel is designed in a slick industrial style with sought-after furnishings, an outdoor terrace, and a bar. There’s also a shared lounge and garden. Continental breakfast is served daily and is included in the room rate of €100 a night.
Le Corti Sarde Apartments ($$) – Enjoy your own private apartment with a terrace close to the beach at Le Corti Sarde. Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen, patio, dishwasher, dining area, TV, washing machine, bathroom, and one bedroom. Prices start at €125 a night.
Baglioni Resort Sardinia ($$$) This impressive five-star hotel located inside the Tavolara Marine Reserve, just north of San Teodoro, offers three swimming pools, tasteful and refined rooms in a classic Sardinian style, and incredible views. Daily breakfast and all-day dining can be enjoyed in the specialty on-site restaurant. Superior doubles with breakfast and dinner included start from €850 a night.
Pompeii
Once a prosperous and sophisticated Roman city, Pompeii is now a vast archaeological site in southern Italy’s Campania region. It was almost entirely buried under meters of ash and pumice after Mount Vesuvius catastrophically erupted in 79 AD. However, the volcanic debris preserved the ancient metropolis remarkably well and today you can walk through excavations that paint a picture of life in the city 2,000 years ago.
You can’t stay in old Pompeii overnight, but the modern town of Pompeii to the east is a quaint city, largely untouched by arcade tourism despite the crowds that ancient Pompeii brings. It’s also set against the backdrop of towering Vesuvius, serving as a constant and eerie reminder of the devastating past of the buried city.
New Pompeii is home to the Basilica of Santa Maria del Rosario, a notable pilgrimage site. The small town is also surprisingly vibrant and the coffee shops and restaurants come alive at night with locals, while market stalls fringe the large central piazza by day.
Spending a night or two in the underrated town allows the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into the history of ancient Pompeii. The ruins cover 44 square hectares so you’ll need at least two full days to explore the entire park anyway. Better yet, lovable but grubby Naples is just 30 minutes north.
The modern birthplace of pizza is deserving of a spot on anyone’s travel bucket. And to contrast, the sites of “the city of five hundred domes”, the sprawling lemon groves, and yacht-studded harbors of the Amalfi Coast are just a stone’s throw to the southeast. These three Campanian destinations would make a full and dynamic honeymoon itinerary.
Places to stay around Pompeii on a honeymoon:
Flamingo B&B ($) – This charming B&B is located in the center of Pompeii with a large and private rooftop terrace offering spectacular views of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Rosario to a backdrop of Mount Vesuvius. The double room on offer is basic, clean, and accommodating with a private bathroom and breakfast included for just €75 a night.
Il Vecchio Fauno ($) – Located 200 yards from the Pompeii ruins, this quaint guest house offers basic lodgings with a restaurant, bar, shared lounge, gardens, and a sun terrace on the property. Rooms start at €80 a night.
Palazzo Confalone ($$$) – Overlooking Ravello and the Tyrrhenian Sea on the Amalfi Coast, Palazzo Confalone is an impressive historic building just under 10 miles from the ruins of ancient Pompeii. The property enjoys expansive grounds, high ceilings, mosaic floors, and unique hill-view rooms. An exceptional breakfast is served daily in the grand dining hall. Rooms start at €400 a night.
Puglia
Occupying the heel in Italy’s boot, Puglia is a sprawling coastal region best known for its hilly whitewashed towns, centuries-old farmland, and sun-drenched Adriatic coastline. It’s grown to worldwide notoriety in recent years but its rural villages and bustling seaside ports are still untouchably charming.
The capital of Bari is a lively university town but it offers a little bit of everything, with vibrant nightlife, amazing restaurants, rustic vacation rentals, and seaside vibes. There’s also Lecce, a historic city located further inland. Lecce is praised for its Baroque architecture with its central Piazza del Duomo anchored by the impressive Cattedrale di Lecce with a double facade and tall bell tower. Lecce is often dubbed the “Florence of the South” for its impressive art, but being just 13 kilometers from the coast, it offers the best of both worlds when it comes to Italian honeymoons.
Ostuni, an hour north, is also a highlight of the region. Joining towns like Alberobello and Polignano a Mare, both in Puglia, the ‘White City’ is home to a plenitude of traditional sun-bleached village homes, resembling Santorini more than Italy, rising high above an olive-carpeted plateau.
Watch the sunset over Salento, take a road trip through vineyards to the historic sites of Puglia’s ancient cities, and lay beneath rocky cliffs on beaches lapped by turquoise seas, Puglia is full of charms.
Best places to stay in Puglia on a honeymoon:
Terra di Leuca ($) – Located on the edge of an olive grove in Ruggiano, this rustic and romantic property offers simple accommodation in traditional white-washed bungalows with high ceilings, arched doorways, and earthy interiors. A sweet breakfast is served daily. Rooms start at just €40 a night.
Borgo dei Lecci Puglia ($$) – Borgo dei Lecci is set in a stunning old mansion with charming private gardens boasting a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, spa facilities, bar, terrace, and patio rooms. Each room is luxurious and decorated to a high standard. Rates start at €230 a night with an Italian breakfast included.
Castella di Ugento ($$$) – This unique hotel is located in a historic castle with high-ceiling rooms, exposed brick walls, an on-site restaurant, and five-star facilities. Enjoy breakfast and dinner included in the room rate of €600 a night.
When is the best time to go to Italy for a honeymoon?
The best time to visit Italy for a honeymoon is between April and June, and September and October when the weather is comfortable for sightseeing, but there aren’t as many tourists as there are in the peak summer months. Hotel prices can be a little lower outside of the high season.
How long should you spend in Italy for a honeymoon?
If you want to explore a few different romantic locations, without feeling rushed, two to three weeks is the perfect amount of time to spend in Italy on a honeymoon. That said, you can see a lot in 10 days.
How much does a honeymoon in Italy cost?
Romantic hotels and special activities can be a little bit more expensive than your run-of-the-mill travels. For this reason, you should budget twice as much as you usually would for a honeymoon in Italy. Expect to spend at least €5,000 for a two-week honeymoon in Italy, but closer to €15,000 for a more luxurious vacation.
