Rome is romantic all year round, but Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse for a trip. Read on for some tips on finding the most beautiful and atmospheric places in the Eternal City, with or without a Valentine…
Romantic Rome– how to find romantic spots
Rome represents romance. Remember the episode of Friends when Monica’s millionaire boyfriend takes her out for a first date?
The “date” involves a flight from New York to Rome, and a romantic dinner at Canova in Piazza del Popolo. The mere idea of a date in Rome is romantic in itself, but some places in the city are particularly special.
There’s something undeniably romantic about visiting the most famous monuments in Rome, hand in hand with your other half. Make sure you visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona.
After you’ve seen the sights, get away from the crowds on Valentine’s Day. Take a stroll in the Villa Borghese (Rome’s most beautiful park) or along the riverfront. Enjoy the best views of Rome from the Pincio, the Aventine Hill, the Capitoline Hill or the Gianicolo. When it’s time for dinner and drinks, head to Trastevere. For a truly memorable meal, a Michelin starred restaurant such as La Pergola.
Of course, just about anywhere can be romantic with the right person, but we think the following spots are the most romantic places in Rome.
The 5 most romantic spots in Rome
- The Pincio, Villa Borghese. The Villa Borghese is full of romantic spots, and the perfect Valentine’s Day in Rome could involve a stroll in the park and a tour of the Borghese Gallery. Once you’ve gazed at the scenes of love and beauty on display, such as Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne, make your way to the Pincio Hill at the southern edge of the park. A favourite spot with lovers, the Pincio is particularly atmospheric at sunset. What could be more romantic than watching the sun go down over Piazza del Popolo?
- Make sure you take your Valentine on a walk through Trastevere, one of Rome’s most picturesque neighbourhoods. Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere and the surrounding streets are full of couples holding hands. After admiring the gorgeous mosaics in the basilica, explore the cobbled backstreets on a relaxed passeggiata without destination in mind. When you want a refreshment, there’s certainly no shortage of bars in Trastevere. Avoid some of the rowdier student bars and look for a more intimate spot off the beaten path. We recommend Chakra (Piazza di Santa Rufina 13), or the bars on the eastern side of Viale di Trastevere.
- Orange Garden, Aventine Hill. The views from the Orange Garden on the Aventine Hill are enough to
take anyone’s knees go weak. The pine-lined avenue of this pretty park leads to a breathtaking view of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Tiber, and the jumble of rooftops, terraces and domes of central Rome. You can find another, quite unexpected perspective of Rome through a nearby keyhole. When you leave the park turn right and head to the end of the road, then take a peek through the keyhole of the last door on your right.
- Rooftop bars. You can’t go wrong with a Valentine’s Day spent sipping cocktails in one of Rome’s most scenic rooftop bars. The Eitch Borromini in Piazza Navona is one of the most romantic spots in Rome. There are plenty of other options, such as Les Etoiles (Vatican), or the roof garden of the Grand Hotel de La Minevre (Pantheon). If your hotel doesn’t have a rooftop terrace, don’t worry! There are countless rooftops in romantic Rome willing to welcome couples for an aperitivo or post-dinner cocktail!
- Ponte Sisto. No romantic stroll in Rome is complete without a stop on Ponte Sisto, one of Rome’s loveliest bridges. When you’re standing on Ponte Sisto you feel as though you’re right at the heart of the Eternal City. Take a moment to watch the Tiber flowing (a moment that’s almost invariably accompanied by a street musician), then take your pick. Go south to Piazza Trilussa and bustling Trastevere, or east to reach Campo de’ Fiori and some of the most evocative streets of Rome’s centro storico. Or you could stick to the riverside and head towards the Tiber Island. All roads lead to Rome, and all roads in Rome lead to beautiful, romantic spots, rich in history.
Need some tips for planning your romantic trip to Rome? Contact Roads to Rome Private Tours! A private tour is undoubtedly more special than a group tour, and it can be personalized to suit your preferences and passions.
Read more: 10 Best Romantic Things to Do in Rome(USA Today)
