Italy works well for romantic getaways for couples because it lends itself to slowing down. Cities suit long weekends filled with walking, eating and late nights, while lakes, coastlines and countryside reward couples who want a bit of space and quiet.
Venice – classic romantic getaway in Italy
A Venice getaway is about timing and restraint. Staying overnight changes everything, especially once the day‑trippers thin out and the city settles into its evening routine. It feels intimate in a way few cities manage, particularly if you base yourself away from San Marco and stick to neighbourhoods where people actually live.
Days drift by slowly here, built around wandering without much of a plan, stopping for cicchetti, and being savvy about what to see and what to skip. It’s not the place for ticking sights off a list, but it works beautifully for couples who enjoy being slightly lost together and exploring non-touristy things in Venice.
Most romantic thing to do: an evening walk through Dorsoduro once the fancy shops have shut and the canals are still.
Florence – city break for art‑loving couples
Florence suits couples who like their romance with a cultural edge. The historic centre is compact, which makes it easy to fill a short break with galleries, long lunches and aimless walks without feeling rushed.
It also works well as a base rather than a full stop. Mornings can be spent in the city exploring the city's non-touristy activities, with afternoons drifting out towards vineyards or smaller Tuscan towns before returning for dinner and a late gelato.
Most romantic thing to do: watching the city lights come on from Piazzale Michelangelo at dusk.
Amalfi Coast – iconic romantic holiday in Italy
The Amalfi Coast is built for couples who want to linger. Everything moves a bit slower here, from long seaside lunches to evenings spent watching boats drift past from a terrace. It’s less about doing lots and more about settling into a daily rhythm shaped by epic viewpoints, food and the sea.
Short breaks can feel compressed, especially with travel time and summer crowds getting in the way of all the things to do along the coast. Given a bit longer, though, it becomes easy to slip into a routine of swimming, walking between towns and quiet dinners away from the main drags.
Most romantic thing to do: sharing a late dinner on a terrace in a smaller town like Atrani, once the coaches have gone.
Lake Como – lakeside romance and honeymoon favourite
A Lake Como getaway has a polished, unhurried feel. Days tend to revolve around boat journeys, lazy lunches by the water and evenings spent strolling through some of Lake Como's prettiest towns. It’s calm rather than dramatic, which suits couples who want elegance without constant stimulation.
It does lean towards the higher end, but the payoff is space, scenery and a sense of privacy that’s harder to find elsewhere. Staying in one town and using the ferries to explore keeps things simple and keeps the focus on time together.
Most romantic thing to do: taking the last ferry back across the lake as the light fades and the villas start to glow.
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