Romantic Things to do in Rome Italy For an Unforgettable Weekend Break
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Being one of the most visited countries within Europe, it is no surprise that there are plenty of romantic things to do in Rome, Italy.
You will not be at any loss of what to do when you’re visiting Rome. From cobbled streets, beautiful monuments, interesting legends and plenty of historical fountains, piazzas and buildings, you will have plenty to occupy you.
This guide will give you plenty of inspiration on the best things to do in Rome for couples. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway in Rome or just a romantic weekend in Rome, you will find plenty of date ideas below to fill your itinerary.
Is Rome a Romantic City?
In short, yes Rome is absolutely a romantic city for you to visit with your loved one! Couples from all over the world flock to Rome every year to enjoy a romantic vacation together and spend some quality time.
One of the reasons that Rome is considered romantic is the Trevi fountain ritual. Most people will know that throwing a coin held in your right hand over your left shoulder will ensure that you return back to Rome.
However, if you throw two coins, this means that you will find love and to throw three coins means that you will marry that love.
Another romantic legend in Rome is that there is another small fountain near the right of Trevi fountain. If two people drink the water at the same time then it will ensure your eternal love.
Romance is everywhere in Rome and the more you learn about the history, myths and legends you will learn this.
Let’s not forget that you can visit the patron Saint Valentine’s skull Basillica di Santa Maria. Saint Valentine birthed the day that we know as Valentines Day.
The reason why we have Valentine’s day is that Saint Valentine was reported to secretly defy the emperor’s orders and marry couples. This then prevents husbands having to go to war and therefore Saint Valentine became associated with love and romance.
Find out more reasons why Rome is romantic here!
Tips for Visiting Rome
If it’s your first time visiting Rome then you’ve certainly come to the right place. These tips will help you really enjoy your trip to Rome and explore as if you’ve been there many times already!
You’ll soon learn that Rome can get pretty hectic so we wanted to share as much advice as possible.
When we arrived in Rome, we definitely made a few mistakes so we want to prevent you from doing the same thing! Trust us, you’ll thank us for it later!
1. Book Attractions in Advance
One of the most important tips that we can give you out of this whole list is to ensure that you book attractions as much as possible.
We made this mistake whilst visiting Rome and it really changed our trip. Despite visiting other cities that are busy like Rome, we didn’t fully expect to be unable to get our attractions booked a week before.
In particular, if you’re hoping to visit Vatican City and its museums then you will need to get these arranged in plenty of time. Unfortunately, we missed out on visiting the museums in Vatican City due to this so we absolutely do not want you to make the same mistake.
To save money on the attractions that you’re hoping to visit, make sure you arrange for a Rome travel card or a Go City Explorer Pass. This way you will be able to visit the main attractions at an affordable price.
You will find that with the Go City Explorer Pass, you will have a choice of popular attractions to choose from. If you only want to go to two or three of the attractions then you will be able to pick and choose this. This will save you money on the attractions as they are much cheaper than if you were to buy them individually.
The Rome Tourist Card includes access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and an audio guide.
If you purchase the Rome Tourist Card or Go City Explorer Pass then you will still need to book the attractions in advance. However, at least you will have also booked them for much cheaper!
We’ve created a list of attractions below that we would recommend booking in advance where possible:
- Colosseum
- Sistine Chapel
- Castel Sant’ Angelo
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- Roman Forum
- Pantheon
- Borghese Gallery & Museum
All of these attractions are the top things to do whilst you’re in Rome so make sure you book ahead to avoid disappointment.
2. Prepare for it to be Busy
Even when you’re visiting during the off peak season, Rome is still always busy and you need to be ready for that!
Each year, Rome has around 7-10 million tourists walk down its streets and visit its attractions! No matter what time of year you visit, you will find that it is incredible busy.
If you’re looking to visit Rome when it is less busy then it is worth trying to explore between November and March. Of course, this is except for Christmas when you will expect it to be busy again.
When you’re planning your days in Rome then ensure that you factor in that it may take you longer to get to where you need to go. It may also take you longer wandering around the attractions due to the amount of people too.
Rome is always bustling with visitors and it best trying to get up early in the morning to make the most of your time.
3. Wear Comfortable Shoes
Whilst you’re in Rome, you will be doing a lot of working so make sure that your feet are comfortable whilst you’re doing it.
Amy made the unfortunate mistake of bringing shoes that she thought were comfy but after a few days they really began to rub.
There is nothing worse than when you’ve got all these awesome things to see but you’re slowed down by your feet!
4. Book a City Pass
We mentioned in the first tip about booking yourself a city pass. They’re so useful to have and you will save a lot of money by doing this too.
You can purchase a Rome Tourist Card which enables you access to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Vatican City, Sistine Chapels, St. Peters Basilica and an audio guide.
These tourist cards are perfect if you’re only spending a few days in Rome and want to visit all the main attractions.
Another perk is that with these tourist cards, you will also receive a 10% discount on other attractions within Rome.
Alternatively, if you’re only looking to visit one or two of the main attractions but there are other things that you want to see then the Roma Pass is great too.
With the Roma Pass, you will get 48 to 72 hours access to public transport and you can choose from one or two attractions as well!
You can choose from 23+ attractions to visit, the only ones that are not included are entrance to the Vatican museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.
5. Skip-the-line Tickets
One of the best tips we can give you for visiting Rome is to consider investing in skip-the-line tickets.
As we mentioned, Rome gets very busy and the last thing you want to do is spend all your time queuing to get into different attractions.
We would recommend trying to arrange skip-the-line tickets for the following attractions:
- Colosseum
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- Roman Forum
- Vatican Museums
- The Pantheon
- Borghese Gallery
6. Watch Out For Pickpockets
Even though Rome is mostly a safe city to visit, like most European cities, it does not come without its flaws.
Whilst you’re exploring around Rome, ensure that you keep a look out for pickpockets. It can happen so quickly so you need to keep your wits about you at all times.
Pickpockets are common in Europe but there are lots of different actions you can take to protect yourself. You can look at purchasing a safer rucksack, wear your backpack on your front and wear a money belt.
These are just some of the things that you can do to prevent and deter pickpockets. Do your research before visiting so that you know which areas to be more cautious around.
7. Check For Tourist Scams
Similar to the last tip, you may also find a lot of tourist scams in Europe and in particular in capital cities. Rome is no exception to this but there are some things you can do to avoid being scammed.
Whilst you’re exploring Rome, you may find elaborate scams to try and con you out of money. At first, they may not even seem like a scam so always be cautious when people approach you.
One scam that is common in Rome is the Gold Ring trick. A local will flag you down asking if you dropped a gold ring and will express that it is hallmarked. When you explain that it does not belong to you, they will try to sell it to you.
It may sound like an obvious scam but remember that these scammers have a lot of practice and are professional at this. Keep your wits about you and just keep walking to avoid any confrontation.
To find out about common tourist scams in Europe then make sure to check out our blog post.
8. Bring a Water Bottle
If you’re travelling to Rome then you need to bring your own reusable water bottle. There are plenty of fountains throughout the city for you to use.
The water is incredibly fresh and it’s a great way to keep costs low whilst you’re exploring.
Another thing to bear in mind is that it is usually pretty warm walking around Rome so it’s handy to have a bottle on hand to top up when you’re dehydrated.
9. Savour the Romance
Whilst you’re in Rome, take advantage of the romance in the air whilst you can. Rome is a great place for couples to explore together and spend some quality time.
Take some time for you and your partner to go on an actual date night together. It is a beautiful city so savour the romance whilst you can!
Romantic Things to do in Rome
With Rome being one of the most romantic cities to visit in Europe, only coming second to Paris, you will want to explore as much as possible with your partner.
There is nothing like walking hand in hand along the cobbled streets in Rome admiring the beauty of historical architecture and yummy food!
We’ve created a list of some of the most romantic things to do in Rome Italy and tips for visiting them.
1. Aventine Hill
This is one of the most romantic places in Rome for you to visit together especially if you go for either sunrise or sunset.
Aventine Hill is one of the seven hills that ancient Rome was built on so you will also be able to soak up some of the history.
If you’re visiting Aventine Hill during the day then it is worth exploring some of the beautiful churches and monasteries in this area.
You can also find the Knights of Malta keyhole in Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta. This is a beautiful spot to get some great snaps and enjoy seeing the city in a unique way.
2. Make a Wish at Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is one of the most visited sights in Rome and it is no surprise as to why.
This magnificent fountain is usually very busy so if you’re hoping to visit the Trevi Fountain then we would recommend going very early in the morning.
To avoid crowds, make sure that you arrive at the fountain around 6 or 7am. There will still be a lot of people around but it will be nowhere near as busy as later in the day.
It is said that if you throw a coin from your right hand over your left shoulder then you will return to Rome.
Trevi fountain is a really romantic place to visit as long as you go out of the busy periods. During the day, it can be a bit too much with all the crowds so it is not as romantic during this time.
3. The Vatican City
Whilst you’re in Rome together, why not head to the Vatican City and tick off another country from your bucket list?!
Visiting new countries is one of the best things to experience together otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this article!
You will be able to wander around the Vatican museums together admiring the art created by Popes from the 17th century onwards. Whilst you’re visiting the Vatican, you don’t want to missing out marvelling at Michelangelo’s infamous work on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel.
Another thing that you can’t miss whilst you’re there is exploring St. Peter’s Basilica. This is one of the largest churches in the world and it is absolutely beautiful.
It is free to enter the Basilica but the queues are always incredibly long so it is worth arranging a skip-the-line ticket. This will save you so much time and you will really thank us for this later!
You can also visit the dome too but this is something that you would need to pay for. This is well worth the entrance though as you will get some incredible views of St. Peter’s Square.
These are the attractions that most tourists tend to visit whilst they’re in the Vatican. However, there are plenty of other things to do whilst you’re there too.
One thing that you can’t miss is to take a leisurely romantic stroll around the Vatican gardens. The only catch is that the gardens have very limited spaces for you to visit so this is something you need to plan in advance.
However, this is also one of the best things about visiting the gardens is because it won’t be as busy. You will be able to enjoy a guided tour through the gardens and appreciate the beauty.
It is well worth spending some time wandering around St. Peter’s Square. This is something that you won’t need to make any plans in advance for and can be a little more spontaneous.
4. Visit the Colosseum at Night
Similar to the Trevi Fountain, the colosseum can get unbelievably busy. If you’re wanting to go inside then it is worth visiting during the day but it will be very crowded.
The best time to visit the Colosseum is at night especially as you’ll see it all lit up in the darkness. Generally speaking, the later you go, the less busy it will be.
Walking around the colosseum and taking in the sight of it is absolutely breathtaking and one of the most romantic things to do in Rome.
5. The Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are also always incredibly busy so this is another place that you want to visit very early in the morning.
The architecture of the steps alone is incredible to see but as there are usually lots of crowds, it can be difficult to see the true beauty of it.
Despite this, you will find a beautiful view of the city when you get to the top of the steps which makes it worth it!
Of course, the best time to visit would be sunrise and sunset. However, it will still be quite busy during these times so you will need to get there even earlier to ensure you get a good spot.
However, it is one of the most stunning places in Rome to visit with your partner and watch the sunrise over the beautiful city.
Imagine seeing the golden sun light up the streets, starting the new day together and enjoying each other’s company.
6. Free Rome Walking Tour
If your time in Rome is limited then taking part in a free walking tour is the perfect way to visit the main sights in one go.
Sandemans New Europe offer 3 different walking tours that you can enjoy together. Depending on your availability and interests will decide which one would be best for you.
You can choose between Ancient Rome, Rome City Centre and Rome by Night tours. If you’re wanting to have a more idyllic tour then we would recommend considering the night tour. This is a great way to be able to see the colosseum lit up.
However, the Ancient Rome tour is a great way to learn more about Rome’s fascinating history together.
7. Janiculum Hill
Visiting Janiculum Hill at sunset is one of the best things to do in Rome for couples.
It will take around 20 minutes to walk to the top of the hill and the view is absolutely worth it! The views are that incredible that this hill is also sometimes called ‘the balcony of Rome’.
Take your partner up the top of Janiculum Hill for a beautiful evening together. If you can, it might even be worth taking a picnic with you to make it extra special.
8. Enjoy Some Wine
One of the best things to do when you’re visiting Rome is to try the local wine. Italy is renown for its incredible wine and as they say… ‘when in Rome’…
If you have time then there are plenty of wineries that you can visit outside of the city. This will be a perfect opportunity to spend time together and wander through the vineyards, learning about how the wine is made before sampling the local wines.
You can even book some sunset wine tasting sessions so that you can appreciate the wine whilst watching the sunset over the vineyard.
9. Try Some Gelato
Another thing that you need to try whilst you’re in Rome is the gelato. Italy is infamous for their gelato and there are so many incredible flavours to try!
Of course, you’ve got to take some cute pictures of your gelato together in one of the squares.
There are a lot of incredible places to try some yummy gelato but you can find some of the best spots for Gelato here.
If you’re wanting to sample the best spots for Gelato then it is worth considering taking part in a guided tour. You will be shown the best places to try Gelato in Rome as well as espresso and tiramisu. This is a great way to sample Rome’s food culture.
10. Villa Borghese
Another popular thing to do whilst you’re in Rome is to visit Villa Borghese and the gardens.
The galleries are absolutely incredible to learn more about the Roman art and culture. If you’re interested in art, you will find some magnificent pieces of work.
If art is not something that you’re interested in then it is still worth heading to Villa Borghese for the gardens alone!
The Borghese gardens are one of the most romantic spots in Rome for couples to visit. There are plenty of beautiful fountains, sculptures and villas for you to visit.
You will be able to stroll around the gardens together hand in hand appreciating the sights of these beautiful gardens!
11. Castel Sant’ Angelo
The walk to the Castel Sant’ Angelo is really beautiful on it’s own. When we visited, we didn’t go inside the castle itself but it was great to visit outside.
It is a stunning area to walk around but unsurprisingly, it is usually pretty busy so make sure that you book tickets to enter the castle so that you save time queuing.
The Castle of the Holy Angel received some of it’s fame from the Angels & Demons film where the castle is featured as a hideout for the illuminati.
For any Dan Brown fans, this is a great place to visit with 5 floors for you to wander around together.
Our favourite part of the castle is Ponte Sant’ Angelo (translating to the Bridge of Angels). It is an incredible sight to see the five angels lining each side of the bridge.
12. Piazza Navona
This was our personal favourite Piazza to visit whilst we were in Rome. It is incredible to be wandering around the square with your loved one admiring the beauty of the three fountains.
The square is vibrant and bustling with life that it is hard not to get caught up in the atmosphere.
If you’re visiting during Christmas then this is where you will find most of the Christmas Markets in Rome. It is a wonderful time of year to see this square dressed in all its festive glory. This is also a really fun place to visit if you’re thinking about planning a family vacation to Rome in the future too!
13. The Pantheon
Being one of the main sights of Rome, this is a great place to visit together as a couple.
It is often pretty busy around here with tourists stopping to marvel at the Pantheon. This historical building represents the glory of Rome because it is the only building that has remained whole through the years.
Originally built between 25 and 27 BC, it is amazing how it has withstood time.
It holds so much importance to Rome that the incredible architect Raphael derived much of his inspiration from the Pantheon.
As a result of this, Raphael requested that the Pantheon would be his place of final rest. Raphael was so greatly admired that the late Pope Gregory XVI demanded that his tomb was opened to confirm that he was in fact buried there. You can still visit the tomb inside the Pantheon to this day!
TIP: If you’re visiting the Pantheon, avoid eating or drinking at the restaurants nearby. They are incredibly expensive and not the best quality. You will be better off leaving this area and finding a place down one of the backstreets for cheaper and better quality food and drinks.
14. Cruise Along the River
What is more romantic than cruising down River Tiber taking in the beautiful sights of Rome with your partner by your side?
There are quite a few different choices for a cruise down the river. If you’re looking to check off some sightseeing at the same time then we would recommend the hop-on hop-off cruise. You will be able to see sights such as The Vatican City, Castel Sant’ Angelo and Piazza Del Popolo.
If you’re looking to enjoy a beautiful date together in Rome then we would recommend an Aperitif cruise along the river. You will be able to enjoy a drink together along the beautiful Tiber River watching the sunset across Rome.
This is one of the most romantic activities in Rome for you to enjoy together and see Rome from a unique perspective.
15. Go for a Picnic
There is nothing more romantic than enjoying a picnic with your partner in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Head to a local supermarket and pick up some tasty treats that you will both enjoy. Purchase some tasty Italian wine and some plastic cups before heading to your chosen location for the picnic.
This is one of the best date ideas in Rome where you can spend some quality time together enjoying the sights.
If you’re not certain where to go then we have some recommendations for you:
- Janiculum Hill
- Orange Garden
- Giardino Degli Aranci
- Villa Borghese
Take some time together admiring the beauty of Rome and watching the world go by. This is also a great idea if you’re planning to propose to your partner too. It is easily one of the best romantic settings whilst in Rome.
16. Brunch at Navona Street Hotel & Bistrot
Whilst we were in Rome, one of our favourite places that we ate was at Navona Street Hotel & Bistrot. Even though it is a part of the hotel, it was an excellent place to stop off for brunch.
We stumbled upon the bistrot whilst we were walking towards Vatican City and we are so glad we did. Rome is busy at all times so we wandered down a backstreet and fell onto this restaurant.
There is some great outdoor seating for you to enjoy your brunch together and watch the world go by. In particular we recommend trying their breakfast pizza if you’re eating here!
Whilst the food is incredible, the best part about this restaurant is that you are able to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of Rome.
As the seating outside is limited, we would recommend either arriving earlier than the typical brunch time or booking a table in advance.
17. Book a Romantic Hotel
Your romantic trip to Rome is not complete without a relaxing hotel to match!
Imagine waking up and seeing a gorgeous view across Rome from your window. How about a view of the colosseum?
If a hotel room with a view is out of your budget then there are still plenty of affordable romantic hotels in Rome.
We’ve listed a couple of our favourite romantic hotels in Rome below:
Best Romantic Hotels in Rome
Palazzo Manfredi
This is easily one of the most romantic hotels in Rome and one of the most luxurious too!
If you have the budget then we would highly recommend booking to stay here. Some of the suites offer beautiful views of the colosseum that you will never tire of the sight.
There are two restaurants on site which offer beautiful terrace views of the colosseum too! The rooms are modern with stylish design that screams luxury.
This is a hotel that you absolutely would not regret staying in and is absolutely worth the money. Everything from start to finish is of high quality.
If you’re planning a proposal in Rome then this is the hotel that you need to stay in. It will be the cherry on top to make your engagement more special by staying at the most romantic hotel in Rome.
Saint B Boutique Hotel
If you’re hoping to enjoy some luxury but at a more affordable price then this is the hotel we would recommend you staying in.
One of the things that we love the most about this hotel is the luxurious deep bathtubs in the rooms. When your feet are sore from exploring Rome all day, there is nothing more romantic than soaking in a deep bubble bath with your partner.
Saint B Boutique Hotel is located in a very central location with the Spanish steps only 600 feet away!
It is certainly a great place to stay in Rome to ensure that you are close to the main attractions and save time on travel.
Argentina Residenza
Located near the Pantheon, the heart of Rome, Argentina Residenza is one of the best central hotels to stay in.
This a great option for any couple travellers that want to enjoy some quality time together in Rome. You can enjoy a yummy buffet breakfast before heading out.
Argentina Residenza is another luxurious place to stay that oozes romance. Some of the rooms have hot tubs installed inside so that you can relax in the tub together after a long day sightseeing.
There are also sensory showers in some of the rooms which is a great way to relax when your muscles are sore from exploring.
Exploring the Romance of Rome
It goes without saying that Rome is an incredibly beautiful city to explore and even more so when you have your loved one by your side.
With picturesque views, incredible history and a delicious cuisine, Rome has all the ingredients for a romantic trip away.
You will find that Rome is the ultimate destination to visit for any couple looking to explore and enjoy some quality time together. Due to this, it is unsurprising that Rome is a great place to spend Valentine’s Day!
FAQs
How many days is good enough for Rome?
It will come as no surprise that there are a lot of things to do whilst you’re in Rome. We spent 3 days there and found that it wasn’t enough to do everything we wanted to do. We would recommend spending between 5-7 days to really make the most of everything that Rome has to offer.
What month is best in Rome?
March and April are some of the best months to visit Rome. You will find that whilst it is still busy, it is not as hectic as it can be in other months.
What is the most romantic part of Rome to stay in?
One of the best areas of Rome to stay in for couples is Trastevere. You can wander down the quaint cobbled streets hand in hand with your partner enjoying the picturesque scenery. Not only that but it is also one of the greatest areas to try some traditional Italian food too!
Is Rome or Paris more romantic?
Paris is renowned for being the most romantic city in Europe or otherwise known as the city of love. In our opinion, that seems to be a little outdated now and Rome is the new Paris. As Paris begins to fill with more tourists, the city becomes less desirable. Rome has plenty of scenic places for couples to enjoy and you will find plenty of romance in the air.
