by Giada Zampano Why propose in this city? From Romeo and Juliet to Puccini’s operas to the legendary Casanova, Italians are clearly in love with romance. And Italy is packed with romantic locations. From historic hilltop towns overlooking rolling hills dotted with vineyards and olive groves to spectacular mountain ranges that give way to mirror-flat lakes and azure seas that gently caress sandy beaches offering dramatic sea views. Italy exudes romance in every bowl of spaghetti, every drop of prosecco, every cobblestone and corner. So, if you’re planning to pop the question to your beloved one, this country is the perfect destination.
Travel & Getting Around: Nonstop flights to Italy’s major cities are easy to arrange and can be surprisingly affordable if you time it right. The official airline is Alitalia, which is part of the SkyTeam airline alliance.
There’s no bad time of year to go to Italy, though you may want to avoid the hordes of tourists during peak travel season (summer) and the northern regions tend to be cold and wet in the winter. As part of the European Union, Italians are more than used to foreigners and people who don’t speak Italian, so you won’t have much trouble getting by with just English in all but the most remote and rarely visited areas.
Here’s our list of places to propose in Italy, with settings so beautiful they practically guarantee a yes.
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The Best Places to Propose in Rome
Known around the world as The Eternal City, Rome is a perfect destination for lovers. The city offers a few fascinating spots that can provide you the perfect setting for an unforgettable proposal. Here’s a look at some of the classic ones, plus a less obvious alternative for those seeking a more intimate atmosphere away from the crowds.
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Classiest Proposal: Trevi Fountain
Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Classy, epic, and not as touristy as you might think. Sure, there will be crowds unless you go in the middle of the night or at sunrise — think about it! — but that means there will also be an immediate congratulatory applause. Plus, how great of a memory would it be to watch movies or see postcards of the place that hosted the happiest moment of your life? Ask the average person what the best place to propose in Rome is and they’ll most likely say it’s the Trevi Fountain. (Photo courtesy of Hans Permana)
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Beautiful Proposal: Top of the Spanish Steps
Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Easily one of the most beautiful spots in Rome, the Spanish Steps have always been the place to kiss your loved one as you look out over the most elegant streets of the city. Better yet, though, is from above, where it’s often quieter. Climb the steps and use the magical backdrop as the best place to propose in Rome. To share the moment over some wine, check out the rooftop terrace to the right of the steps, and pop into Il Palazzetto. (Photo courtesy of Paolo Margari)
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Instagrammable Proposal: Janiculum Hill (Monte Gianicolo)
Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi, 00165 Roma RM, Italy
A panoramic view of the ancient city of Rome from Villa Borghese Garden, intimate and serene both in the daylight and evening, Gianicolo Hill is the perfect place to take in a 180-degree view of Rome. Gaze at the Seven Hills of Rome, the striking monuments, and the dome of St. Peter’s while holding your fiancée’s hand. This is also an incredible place to see the sun rise or set as you pop the question and one of the most Instagrammable places to propose. (Photo courtesy of Diana Robinson)
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Best Alternative Proposal: Villa d’Este Tivoli
Villa Adriana, Str. Galli, n. 27, 00019 Tivoli RM, Italy
Escape the hectic city to Tivoli, just half an hour outside of Rome, where you’ll find the stunning gardens of Villa d’Este. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the gardens of Villa d’Este are the perfect example of lavish countryside lifestyle during the Renaissance and are most famous for their spectacular fountains. Instead of just one fountain surrounded by a crowd of tourists, choose from any one of this garden’s numerous fountains and pools for the perfect proposal setting. (Photo courtesy of Jocelyn Erskine-Kellie)
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The Best Places to Propose in Venice
This ocean-bound city of canals and gondolas, with a history intertwined with lovers no less prestigious than Casanova himself, is about as perfect a place to propose as any city on earth.
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The Perfect Venice Proposal: Punta della Dogana
Dorsoduro, 2, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
There isn’t a better place to propose in Venice than Punta della Dogana, located right in front of St. Mark’s Basilica and close to one of the most fabulous churches in Venice, Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute. While Punta della Dogana used to be Venice’s custom point during the Serenissima Republic, the custom building is now an art museum. Usually not many people come here, except on the Redentore Day, since it’s the perfect spot to watch the fireworks. Here you’ll find the tranquility and the privacy you’re seeking for that special moment. (Photo courtesy of Ginger Guide)
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Classic Venetian Proposal: On a Gondola
Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
There are lots of reasons why you should take a private gondola ride, and proposing is surely one of the best. Ask the gondolier to be brought to some hidden corners, preferably at sunset, where nobody can disturb you. Venice is the perfect setting for proposing, especially if it’s on the water. Don’t worry about the gondolier — he knows how to be discreet, like his forefathers were in the past, during the romantic gondola rides of yesteryear. A note about the pricing: A 30-minute long trip starts at 80 Euros and costs more at night, but your gondolier may attempt to charge even more if he sings or takes you to special areas, so make sure you have a firm understanding of the fee before you accept the ride. Look for rides in less touristy spots and prepare to haggle. (Photo courtesy of Pedro Szekely)
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Metaphorical Proposal: On a Venetian Bridge
Cannaregio, 30121 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
Another romantic place to propose in Venice is on a bridge. (Like you’re both building a bridge to your future together — get it?) Venice has more than 400 bridges to choose from, but I suggest you avoid the most popular ones. In the Cannaregio district, there are a lot of tiny, hidden bridges where you can stop for that magic moment without risking interruption. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Harber)
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Serene Venetian Proposal: In a Campo
Campiello del Remer, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy
Campo is the world used to identify those little squares you find all around Venice. Some, like Campiello del Remer, are out of the way of common tourist paths. This picturesque square faces the Grand Canal and when the restaurant taverna Al Remer is closed on Wednesday, it’s completely isolated and silent, giving you the chance to propose while looking out at the magnificent Rialto Bridge from a unique point of view. (Photo courtesy of the City of Venice Tourism Board)
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Bookish Proposal: Libreria Acqua Alta
Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, 5176b, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Have a bibliophile for a life partner? Consider proposing on a staircase made of books! Libreria Acqua Alta’s famous book staircase overlooks a quiet canal and makes the perfect place to propose in Venice for book-loving couples. Just be sure to show up early, as the area is pretty popular. (Photo courtesy of Dimitris Kamaras)
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Colorful Proposal: Burano Island
Burano, 30142 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
The last of the six most romantic places to propose in Venice is Burano, one of the three main islands of the lagoon, famous for its lace artwork and colorful buildings. Proposing on Burano would be like doing it while being surrounded by a rainbow. (Photo courtesy of Michaela Loheit)
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The Best Places to Propose in Florence
The Tuscan home of the most famous statue in the world, David, is a cultural mecca that’s also a great choice for a proposal.
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Epic Proposal: In Front of San Miniato al Monte
Via delle Porte Sante, 34, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Less crowded than the slightly less elevated Piazzale Michelangelo and boasting one of the most epic views over Florence, standing in front of San Miniato al Monte is a fabulous proposal spot. However, if either you or your soon-to-be-promised aren’t keen on having a few dead monks observing your romantic moment, don’t ascend the final staircase. Instead, stand a bit lower than the church where there’s a great platform in front of the viewpoint. (Photo courtesy of Ponte Aérea Mundo)
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Glittery Proposal: On the Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Surrounded by glittering jewelry shops and boasting beautiful views of the Arno River on either side, Florence’s oldest bridge is an epic proposal spot, especially if you’d like to shop for the ring on site. (Photo courtesy of Peter Stenzel)
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Best Spring Proposal: Bardini Gardens
Costa S. Giorgio, 2, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
This goes double if you happen to be planning your Florence proposal in April: The Bardini Gardens feature a tunnel of wisteria that makes an incredibly romantic proposal spot when in bloom. I especially recommend heading to the back of the gardens, near the Porcelain Museum. The roses and view over the Tuscan countryside combine to make the perfect place to propose in Florence. (Photo courtesy of Stefano Cannas)
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Artsy Proposal: Forte Belvedere
Via di S. Leonardo, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Overlooking Florence from a different perspective and with a quiet atmosphere, this is a great spot for popping the question. Many tourists don’t make it up to the fort, so you’ll be able to have some alone time and make it extra romantic, especially if your partner likes history, as the fort is a historical monument in Florence. The grounds of Forte Belvedere are also a popular spot for large outdoor art exhibits, which are always changing, so this could be perfect for art and sculpture lovers as well. The hike isn’t for the faint of heart, so be sure to wear comfy shoes. (Photo courtesy of Marco Bellucci)
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Best Places to Propose in Other Italian Locales
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Old-Timey Proposal: San Galgano Abbey, Tuscany
Strada Comunale di S. Galgano, 53012 Chiusdino SI, Italy
Outside Siena, in Chiusdino, is the Benedictine Abbey of San Galgano, or at least the walls of it. It is named after St. Galgano, who is said to be the original inspiration for King Arthur. Nearby in the Montesiepi Chapel, you can even see the original sword in the stone. In Italy, you’ll stand in the middle of many impressive churches, but the simplicity of San Galgano Abbey is a surprising and refreshing change. No mosaic marble floors or frescoed ceilings can compare to the feeling of standing in the midst of these tall stone walls with a carpet of grass under your feet and an expanse of sky overhead. Proposing in this evocative and timeless atmosphere will make a story that can’t be matched. (Photo of San Galgano Abbey, Tuscany by Khristopher Carlson)
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Countryside Proposal: Tuscany
Tuscany, Italy
The rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, a glass of Chianti Classico, and a sunset — it’s hard to imagine a more idyllic place to propose in Italy than that! Numerous small, family-run wineries in hidden hill towns just a few miles from Florence can accommodate couples for tastings for two — some might even allow you to enlist their help with setting the scene or photographing the response. (Photo courtesy of Jacopo)
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Celestial Proposal: In a Hot Air Balloon
If you’re aiming at a spectacular proposal, choose a day excursion from Florence to Siena, head to the Chianti wine country at dawn and watch the spectacular colors of the early morning over the olive groves and medieval villages as you float over this fairytale land on your own private hot air balloon. When your Champagne toast is served on board, a note will accompany the tray saying, “Say yes, and let’s have a reason to celebrate. Marry me!” When you land, your driver will be waiting, and you’ll spend a day in the wine country including an incredible Michelin-starred lunch in a 14th century hamlet. (Photo courtesy of Ray in Manila)
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Poetic Proposal: Porto Venere, Gulf of Poets, Liguria
Passeggiata Aldo Moro, 1, 19025 Portovenere SP, Italy
What better place to propose than somewhere surrounded by the landscapes that are said to have inspired writers like Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley? While any stretch of this beautiful northwest coastline will do, head to the rocks around the seaside town of Porto Venere, where a grotto was named after Byron. (Photo courtesy of Ævar Guðmundsson)
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Beachside Proposal: Positano, Amalfi Coast
84017 Positano, SA, Italy
As the setting for many a romantic movie, Positano is where you get down on one knee and propose. The sunset will paint the city in amazing peach, pink and, terracotta colors while you two lovebirds celebrate your love together. Head to Spiaggia Del Fornillo beach, where you can spoil yourselves with fresh fruit and local wine. (Photo courtesy of Crypto)
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Sailing Proposal: On a Sailboat near Capri
80076 Capri, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy
Hire a private sailboat and captain for the day to ferry you and your partner to the coast of Capri. Spend the day basking in the sun and views, eating seafood for lunch, visiting the Blue Grotto, sipping prosecco, and finish out the day by pulling off a sunset proposal that neither of you will ever forget. (Photo courtesy of vgm8383)
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Off-the-Beaten-Path Proposal: Terrazza dell'Infinito (Terrace of Infinity), Ravello
Via Santa Chiara, 26, 84010 Ravello SA, Italy
Back on the mainland, venture off the beaten path to Ravello, a spot often overlooked by tourists, who tend to stick to the busier towns of Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi. Here you’ll find Villa Cimbrone, with its stunning panoramic view from the Terrace of Infinity. The romance of this spot cannot be overstated, so just be sure to give her a moment to catch her breath so she can say yes. (Photo courtesy of Daniel Enchev)
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Burning Love Proposal: Ancient Theatre, Taormina, Sicily
Via del Teatro Greco, 1, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
What better way to get the fires burning than proposing in the shadow of a volcano? The town of Taormina sits on the Sicilian coast next to Mount Etna, the island’s famous volcano, which continues to erupt with dangerous regularity. For added dramatic flair, head to the town’s Ancient Theatre to pop the question. (Photo courtesy of Juraj Patekar)
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Remote Proposal: Pantelleria, Sicily
91017 Pantelleria, Province of Trapani, Italy
The atmosphere of Pantelleria is exotic and remote, and this island, closer to Tunisia than Sicily, offers a secluded getaway for lovers. There are no real beaches, but you can get lost in coves made of volcanic lava stone, soak in a mud bath, or spend hours lazing about in the sunshine. Stars like Madonna, Truman Capote, and Sting have all spent time here to get away. You can make it your exclusive spot to ask the big question. (Photo courtesy of gaxel73)
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Best Restaurant Proposal: Ristorante Grotta Palazzese, Puglia
Via Narciso, 59, 70044 Polignano a Mare BA, Italy
There are romantic restaurants and then there are romantic restaurants, and Ristorante Grotta Palazzese certainly falls into the latter category. Nestled in the comforting nook of a cave in Puglia, you and your significant other can dine to the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks below. The atmosphere is lit by the natural reflection of the cerulean seawater and soft, romantic lighting. It’s a truly magical place to get down on one knee as the sun sets in front of you. (Photo courtesy of Ristorante Grotta Palazzese)
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Best Proposal for Fit Couples: Cinque Terre Hiking Paths
Cinque Terre, SP, Italy
The hike through the Cinque Terre is full of gorgeous overlooks that make excellent spots for your Italy proposal. The viewpoints over Vernazza and Corniglia are particularly epic. (Photo courtesy of Chris Ford)
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Local Culture Proposal: La Via dell’Amore (The Way of Love)
Via Giovanni Servais 176, 2, 10146 Torino TO, Italy
La Via dell’amore (The Way of Love) connects Riomaggiore to the village of Manarola. This seaside passage is about one kilometer long and part of a much longer road, the Sentiero Azzurro (The Blue Trail), which goes from Portovenere to Sestri Levante. Open since the beginning of the 1920s, with the aim of creating a means of communication between two villages that up until then didn’t have much of a relationship, it soon became a highly symbolic place for lovers who started to use it as a background, romantic and favorable, for declarations of love or marriage proposals. La Via dell’Amore is currently closed due to a landslide, but it’s expected to reopen in 2023. (Photo courtesy of Bert Kaufmann)
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Celebrity-Style Proposal: Bellagio, Lake Como
22021 Bellagio CO, Italy
Jutting out onto the water where the two sides of Lake Como meet, Bellagio boasts the most picture-perfect location in the Italian lakes. Propose on the promenade and complete your romantic getaway with a boat ride around the lake. (Photo courtesy of Shark Attacks)
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Shakespearean Proposal: Juliet’s Balcony, Verona
Via Cappello, 23, 37121 Verona VR, Italy
“O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?” If ever there was a perfect proposal spot, its Juliet’s Balcony, the supposed site of the greatest love story ever told (forget the tragic ending). If you want to avoid the crowd of tourists surrounding Juliet’s Balcony, the panorama from the nearby Torre dei Lamberti is breathtaking, and it is certainly a perfect location for a marriage proposal. (Photo courtesy of Spencer Wright)
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Secluded Proposal: Lake D’Orta, San Giulio Island
Isola San Giulio, 28016 Orta San Giulio, Province of Novara, Italy
This lake has been an inspiration to poets and writers for centuries and is without doubt the most romantic in Italy. Set in the middle of Lake D’Orta and dominated by its 13th-century basilica and convent is the little island of San Giulio. Arrive there by boat and follow the Pathway to Peace and Meditation, as the lane leading around the island is called. It truly is a gorgeous walk, and you can’t help feeling moved, maybe even a little overwhelmed, by the beauty of your surroundings. Lucky indeed are the nuns, the only permanent inhabitants, who live in the convent housed in the island’s abbey. Enjoy the most romantic and secluded location for an intimate proposal. (Photo courtesy of Giorgio Rodano)
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Best-Kept-Secret Proposal: Civita di Bagnoregio
01022 Civita di Bagnoregio, VT, Italy
This town is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets, so I absolutely had to add it to my list of the most romantic proposal locations. Civita di Bagnoregio is also known as The Dying City, since it was destined to vanish, as it’s located on a hill that’s being eroded at the base by two streams as well as by the effects of rain and wind. Only a handful of families still live there, and the silence as you walk the narrow streets only adds to the unique feel of this place.
The main highlight, aside from the views and the fact that it feels like you’re stepping into the Twilight Zone, is the cathedral, built in the early 7th century. As you stroll through the narrow streets, you will see dozens of cats just hanging around or sleeping. Here, they are more photographed than movie stars on red carpets, and have earned this place its other nickname, Cat’s Town. Civita di Bagnoregio is the perfect place to propose in a very unique setting, especially if you go early in the morning or at sunset when the whole town is bathed in the last sun rays of the day, turning everything pink and orange. (Photo courtesy of fortherock)
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Nature Proposal: Val di Non Valley, Trentino
Non Valley, Province of Trento, Italy
One of the best places to travel to for some romance in Italy, the Val di Non Valley offers enchanting scenery, snowcapped mountains, glimmering lakes, and surrounding quaint villages with incredible local food. There’s something so beautiful about a natural escape with your loved one. More adventurous couples can pack a tent and hike into the mountains for a great nature escape. Spending a weekend or longer with your partner, living the mountain life, is one of the best ways to deep dive into your romance. Enjoy some quality time with your partner on a hike through the calm and tranquil valley, explore the surrounding villages, and join a local cooking class where you can learn how to make traditional Alpine cheese. Finish the night by camping under the stars. That’s the perfect time for your unforgettable proposal. (Photo courtesy of Lorenzoclick)
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Magical Proposal: Lago di Braies, Dolomites
Pragser Wildsee, 39030 Prags, South Tyrol, Italy
And now, a perfect destination for all the Instagrammers out there: Lago di Braies has always been considered one of the most romantic places in the Italian Dolomites. The scenario is breathtaking: Mountains that surround the lake make this place one of the most memorable in Italy. Want to make everything even more special? Hire a small row boat and enjoy the silent beauty when the mountains meet the sky and reflect on the emerald waters of the lake. That’s the perfect moment to ask the eternal question. Plus, numerous legends surround the lake, making this place even more mystic for a romantic walk. Most famously, Lago di Braies is known to be the entrance to the underground domain of the Fanes, the mythological people of the local Ladin culture where wars and love stories have been told for centuries and did nothing other than enrich this place with magic. (Photo courtesy of Hans Permana)
