In Italy — and perhaps the whole world —, Rome is second only to Venice when it comes to romance. The Eternal City is a true haven for loving couples, which is why coming up with a comprehensive list of romantic things to do in Rome for couples wasn’t hard at all.
If you’re all about having fun together and falling in love all over again in the Italian capital, check out the best things to do in the most romantic places in Rome. I’ll give you a handful of personal recommendations for one of my very favorite cities on Earth.
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Romantic things to do in Rome for couples
1. Have brunch at a century-old cafe
Two things make up the quintessential Italian breakfast: a cappuccino and a croissant. A bunch of cafes have been serving their own versions of these Italian classics for decades — and sometimes a century like Sciascia, founded in 1919.
If you and your loved one feel like treating yourselves to such a decadent breakfast, plus a few cannoli, and all the other sweet delicacies Italians are notorious for munching on in the morning, head to suggestive cafes like Sant’Eustachio (est. 1938) or Tazza d’Oro (1944).
2. Ride a bike along the Tiber
The Tiber River has split the Eternal City in two ever since its founding in 753 BCE. While a stroll along its embankments is of course one of the top Rome couple activities, you’ll miss some must-sees if you stick to the historic core around Piazza Navona.
Renting a bike to cover the stretch that runs between Ponte Flaminio on the north to Porta Portese on the south is a great alternative. You’ll pass by quaint neighborhoods like Prati and Trastevere and landmarks like Hadrian’s Mausoleum and the Tiber Island.
3. Enjoy breathtaking views from the Janiculum
Janiculum wasn’t one of the original seven hills upon which the capital was settled, but it’s an ancient part of the city too.
Even better, its eastern face overlooks the entire city center, so the lookout on top of it is hands down one of the most stunning and romantic places in Rome.
Make sure you two climb from Trastevere to stop by one of Rome’s most lavish fountains on your way there, Fontana dell’Acqua Paola.
4. Attend a cooking class
Like any food lover’s paradise worth the name, Rome isn’t just a flawless spot to gorge on pizza, pasta, and gelato — you and your significant other can also fly back home with a few new recipes under your belt.
From a cocktail-soaked pasta class to a homemade gelato and pizza workshop, the two of you will have plenty of delicious ways to enjoy Rome together.
5. Share lots of gelato
While Florence is often referred to as the capital of Italian gelato, Rome is jam-packed with gelato shops where locals and travelers flock for one or two scoops.
The blocks around the Pantheon in a particular are a sort of gelato mecca. That’s where you’ll find historic shops like Giolitti, which’s been filling up cones since 1900.
All gelato places will have traditional flavors like stracciatella and amarena, but you shouldn’t miss the unique creations that each has developed.
6. Indulge in a shopping spree
Before Milan went on to become one of the world’s fashion capitals, Rome was known for its glamorous fashion scene and hailed as a prime high-end shopping destination.
Many of those boutiques are still in the area where they first emerge: Via Condotti, Via Borgognona, and Via Frattina, three parallel streets connecting Piazza di Spagna and Via del Corso.
If you and your better half like loading up on luxury clothing, head to that ritzy Rome district where brands like Bulgari and Valentino shot to international stardom.
Also read: 15 Top Italian Luxury Brands You Should Know About
7. Rent a rowboat at Villa Borghese
Lovey-dovey couples won’t ever want to leave the peaceful Villa Borghese, Rome’s most beautiful park. A picnic on the lawn or a stroll through the tree-lined paths is romantic enough, but a rowboat ride on the pond facing the 18th-century Temple of Aesculapius is a whole nother level of sweet.
8. Ride a carriage through the city parks
Although horse-drawn carriages were banned from the streets of Rome about two years ago, rides are still allowed within the city parks.
That’s probably even better, given you’ll be guaranteed to have a smoother and way quieter time together amid the delightful environment of Villa Borghese.
9. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain
Unless you and your significant other are done with Rome and don’t think of ever coming back, you shouldn’t skip this tradition.
Visitors toss a coin over their left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain to ensure they’ll return to the capital one day.
What’s more, you and your loved one will be doing a good deed as well, as coins are collected on a regular basis and donated to charity.
10. Drink from the Fountain of Love
When visiting the Trevi Fountain, don’t forget to stop by a tiny fountain located to the right of the monument.
That’s the Fontanella degli Innamorati, i.e. the Fountain of Love, where two lovers who were about to part would once drink together, then break the glasses as a sign of loyalty and hope.
The ritual is popular with visitors who’ve done their research before visiting Rome, yet the Fontanella is usually way less busy than the enormous fountain to its left.
11. Visit Castel Gandolfo on a day trip
Built around the quiet Lake Albano, Castel Gandolfo is one of the most picturesque towns in central Italy.
Despite boasting a large archaeological and artistic heritage for a town of its size, it’s not crowded with tourists like the most famous Tuscan villages.
That means Castel Gandolfo allows for a relaxing getaway in case the two of you need a break from Rome’s hustle and bustle.
12. Enjoy a dip in a hot pool
The Italian capital is home to several urban spas where you can relax with your loved one, such as QC Terme. If you’d rather lounge in a hot spring instead, you can head to the countryside and hit places like Tivoli (which is 14 miles from the capital) or Viterbo (50 miles away).
13. View the city aboard a helicopter
Rome is dotted with lookouts where you can soak up all its glorious beauty, like the Janiculum and St. Peter’s dome.
Still, you and your better half can enjoy an even more special view of the city by hopping on a chopper and spotting the Colosseum, the Tiber, and many other sights from 12,000 feet in the air.
14. Tour the city on a Vespa
Hardly anything feels more iconically Roman than a Vespa tour around the city. As you zip through Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona, and St. Peter’s Square, you’ll know neither of you will ever forget this Roman holiday.
And in case you don’t think you’re ready to face the notorious Roman traffic, book a sidecar tour instead of renting your own Vespa.
15. Go on a cruise down the Tiber
This is another amazing way to view Rome in all its glory, and from an unusual angle on top of it all. Most cruises offer a lunch or dinner option so you can savor Roman cuisine as you marvel at Rome’s dazzling cityscape.
16. Taste the finest Italian wines
Lazio, the region where Rome is located, may not be renowned for its winemaking tradition like Tuscany, Veneto, or Piedmont.
That said, it does have a few designations of origin to call its own like Frascati, which you can discover on a wine tour around the area.
Otherwise, you can stay in town and trust a local guide to show you around the best wine bars and market stalls in the city center through a mouthwatering wine & food walk.
17. Whisper sweet nothings on Ponte Sisto
Ponte Sisto is a couples’ favorite because it’s car-free and provides commanding views of the Tiber and St. Peter’s dome at a distance.
When you’re leaving downtown toward Trastevere (more on that up next), stop on the bridge to enjoy precious minutes together.
18. Explore the quaint Trastevere district
Trastevere, with its cobblestone alleys, inviting trattorias, and small-town feel, is by far Rome’s most romantic neighborhood. After a day of visiting the landmarks in the city center, be sure to take your loved one for a cozy evening in Trastevere.
19. Wander through the Aventine Hill
Despite being one of the oldest areas in Rome, the Aventine hill flies under the radar of the majority of travelers that land in Rome — which is all the more reason for the two of you to wander through the borough’s quiet streets.
20. Watch the sunset at the Orange Garden
The busiest address the Aventine Hill is the Orange Garden, a small terraced park that looks like a perfect frame for St. Peter’s dome. A fantastic spot for couples at all times of the day, it provides one of the most inspiring sunset views in the capital.
21. Have a rooftop dinner
Rooftops are quite possibly the ideal height to take in all the splendor of Rome, especially as the sun goes down and reflects on the domes and roofs.
A few of the best restaurants for a rooftop dinner in Rome are Terrazza Les Étoiles, which is a stone’s throw from the Vatican, and Michelin-starred La Terrazza.
22. Catch an opera at Teatro dell’Opera
The stripped-down facade of Rome’s opera house may not give it away, yet its 19th-century interiors are on an equal footing with Europe’s finest theaters.
Teatro dell’Opera is also one of the most prestigious houses nationwide, so don’t think twice before dressing up and attending a performance.
23. Stroll around downtown after dark
When most Romans have gone home and visitors are back in their hotels, Rome takes on almost otherworldly vibes.
It can make a strong impression on anyone and is one of my most cherished memories from the city. Don’t miss the chance to experience that firsthand alongside your significant other!
24. Take a night tour of the Vatican
Like Rome itself, at night the Vatican’s lofty aura assumes a certain surreal glow that feels romantic and electrifying at the same time. You can see it for yourselves at an after-hours tour of the tiniest state on Earth.
25. Book a historic hotel
Rome was one of the earliest cities on the planet to become an evergreen tourist destination, so it’s no wonder a few of its hotels have been continuously operating for centuries.
You and your significant other can draw inspiration from hotels where artists and royals have stayed, such as Antico Albergo del Sole and Hotel De Russie, both located in Baroque palazzos, or the Art Nouveau Hotel Locarno.
Wrap-up
It’s no wonder so many romance movies, from Roman Holiday to Eat Pray Love, were set in Rome: the Italian capital’s monumental architecture, quaint neighborhoods, mouthwatering cuisine, and fun-loving culture make it a dream destination for couples of all stripes.
When you’re planning your Roman getaway with your significant other, do include your favorite activities from the list in your itinerary — but don’t give everything away and you’ll get to surprise them along the way!
