Where To Go On Your Honeymoon In Italy: Romantic Destinations

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Italy is one of the most romantic countries in the world. From cruising down the winding canals of Venice in a gondola to watching the sunset over the Almafi Coast or getting a little tipsy in the vineyard-draped hills of wine country – there can be no doubt that Italy is where couples go to enjoy quality time together.

If you’re thinking of Italy as a honeymoon destination, then you’ve made a good choice. The Italians know a lot about love, passion, and romance, so there can be no doubt it will offer the perfect backdrop for those starting married life together.

But choosing the right honeymoon destination in Italy is not easy, not when every town, city, and village is ripe with romantic opportunities.

In this guide, we’ve selected what we feel are the most romantic destinations for an Italian honeymoon, plus tips on how to get around and when to plan your newly wed trip.

Best Honeymoon Destinations in Northern Italy

1. Lake Como (Lago di Como)

A romantic honeymoon doesn’t always require white sand beaches and crystal clear blue water.

The gorgeous deep blue water of Lake Como and the mountains that envelop the town of Bellagio make for a charming and relaxing honeymoon.

If Bellagio is a nice enough escape for George Clooney, suffice it to say it will be perfect for you and your new spouse.

Cradled by misty mountains and storybook villages, Lake Como has plenty of romantic experiences you and your new spouse can do – you can glide across the shimmering lake in a vintage wooden boat, stroll through the manicured gardens of Villa Carlotta or Villa Balbianello, or share a candlelit dinner at a trattoria down the cobbled lanes of Bellagio.

Lake Como is lined with a number of towns, Bellagio being the most popular and beautiful.

If you have enough time on Lake Como, it is worth taking the ferry to the neighboring towns such as Varenna, Como, and Menaggio.

It’s also close to Milan and the Piedmont Region, which sits on the foothills of the Alps, so if you want a quiet Italian destination for your honeymoon, consider this area.

2. Venice

How could we have a list of honeymoon destinations and not include Venice? It’s the city where romance blossoms. In fact, it’s one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world.

Kick back and relax in a gondola as your gondolier takes you through the quiet winding streets. If you’re lucky, he may even sing to you.

Pass by the Rialto Bridge and the cruise under the Bridge of Sighs. Spend some time exploring the market stalls, basilicas, and palaces.

To take the romance up a notch, find a luxury hotel with a juliet balcony so you can enjoy the calmness of the canals from your room.

You can even take a day trip to Verona, the setting of the iconic romance story, Romeo and Juliet. Or take a water taxi out to the outlying islands of Murano, Torcello, and Burano.

Best Honeymoon Destinations on the Ligurian Coast

3. Cinque Terre

Five (cinque) towns littered throughout the mountains along the Ligurian Coast make up the region we know as Cinque Terre.

Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare (from south to north) are uniquely architected fishing villages; each resembling a 152-count box of Crayons.

Each town is unique, yet incredibly similar.

For honeymoon purposes, you’ll find that Monterosso al Mare is a fantastic choice. The long beach provides endless opportunities to sunbathe and relax.

The five towns are connected by one of the most beautiful hikes we have ever done; finishing with a pathway known as Villa dell’Amore, or the way of love.

The paved pathway between Riomaggiore and Manarola is often closed due to rain and mudslides; so note that you might have to train between these towns.

While in Cinque Terre you can enjoy the aesthetic beauty, the delicious Ligurian cuisine, hiking, swimming in the sea, laying on the beach, and even boating or fishing.

The coastal mountains are lined with vineyards, offering visitors plenty of unique varietals for wine tasting.

Here is how to plan a day trip to Cinque Terre from Florence.

4. Portofino

Portofino is a quasi-extension of Cinque Terre.

The gorgeous, colorful, town is not far north of Cinque Terre and is a similar, perhaps more bougie version .

In Portofino, you’ll find similarly bright colored buildings to those in Cinque Terre, similar Ligurian cuisine (trofie al pesto, local fish, and fruity white wines), and beautiful mountains that line the coast.

One thing that you’ll find more of in Portofino is luxury yachts. The water seems to be a parking lot for the rich and famous.

The idea of “old meeting new” is personified in this beautiful village. Come to think of it, Portofino would make a great hideout for a Bond villain.

If you’ve seen the movie Wolf of Wall Street, Jordan anchors his and Naomi’s yacht, the Naomi, just off the coast of Portofino.

If you get bored lounging and drinking prosecco on a private boat, you can reach the adjacent town of Santa Margherita on foot or by bus. You can also train from Santa Margherita to Cinque Terre.

Best Honeymoon Destinations in Central Italy

5. Florence (Firenze)

Ahh, Firenze! Our second home. Our love. Our solace.

Florence offers newlyweds a unique honeymoon opportunity that doesn’t involve white sand beaches and tropical drinks with the umbrellas.

Florence was the heart of the Renaissance and remains the historical nucleus of a country that was dominated so long by Ancient Rome.

If you and your spouse are looking for a honeymoon rich in history, delicious cuisine, and viticulture, you ought to add Florence to your list of honeymoon destinations.

There are so many great things to do in Florence, that you could easily spend a week here.

Aside from food and culture, Florence is aesthetically beautiful. The Ponte Vecchio is just one example of stunning Florentine architecture.

The center and the Oltrarno are separated by the Arno river and surrounded by the beautiful Tuscan hillside.

The bridges that are littered throughout the city make for a perfect spot for a sunset picnic. Regardless of the time of year, Florence invariably boasts beautiful sunsets.

Centrally located in Italy, Florence is a short drive from the Tuscan towns of Siena, Pisa, Lucca, and San Gimignano and is only a short train ride from Rome and Milan (90 and 100 minutes, respectively).

If you spend your honeymoon in Florence, be sure to enjoy wine tasting in Tuscany, take a cooking class with a local in Florence and learn to make pasta, fiori di zucca, bistecca and other Tuscan dishes.

Be sure to check out the most famous museums in Italy such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo’s David.

Florence is also the birthplace of gelato, so be sure to eat your body weight in gelato before you leave. You deserve it.

6. Rome (Roma)

What Florence was during the Renaissance, Rome was doing before the fall in the year 476 CE.

Rome became a ruin of itself during the dark ages and beyond, but was resurrected during the reign of Mussolini.

Today, Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world as tourists hope to walk in the footsteps of the ancient Romans at the Roman Forum, Roman Baths, and all the piazzas.

It’s not called The Eternal City for nothing – it’s bursting with history!

When you visit Rome with your partner, rent a Vespa and explore the city like a local. This helps you tick off more attractions in a short amount of time, as although Rome is beautiful, it can get busy at times.

On your honeymoon, enjoy the juxtaposition of ancient and modern architecture and revel in the incredible feeling you’re inevitably going to feel as you explore the most historic city on earth.

Don’t miss out on visiting the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, and sipping espressos in Piazza san Marco (or any piazza really).

Spend a day at the Vatican City and visit the Sistine Chapel to see works by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

Best Honeymoon Destinations in Southern Italy

7. Positano

We have a special relationship with Positano, and make an effort to visit at least once each year.

Positano is the quintessential coastal town of Italy. The mountainous landscape of the Costiera Amalfitana – Amalfi Coast – is even a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In Positano, you’ll find our favorite restaurant in the world: Da Vincenzo. Serving local seafood dishes and handmade pasta on a patio overlooking the center of Positano, Da Vincenzo is a favorite of locals and tourists alike.

Plan a romantic dinner here after you’ve enjoyed a day on the beach with your new husband/wife.

From spending the afternoon on a boat to relaxing on the beach, hiking the Path of the Gods to kayaking in the sea, there are loads of romantic things to do in Positano.

8. Amalfi

The Amalfi Coast is so beautiful, so romantic, and so unique that we had to include it on our list of romantic honeymoon destinations in Italy.

Amalfi is about a 30-minute drive from Positano and can easily be reached by car, bus, or even boat.

The fishing village with a pier is quite similar to Positano, but a bit less crowded and a lot less steep.

In Positano, you’ll have hundreds – wait, thousands – of steps to ascend and descend on a daily basis. Amalfi also features more white buildings as opposed to the array of colors you’ll find in Positano.

From Amalfi, you can easily walk to Atrani (a quainter town on the Amalfi Coast) and you can hike up to Ravello (one of the more popular towns along the Amalfi Coast that sits up in the mountains and offers panoramic views of the coastline).

9. Capri

Situated a 30-minute boat ride both from Positano as well as the Bay of Naples, Capri is a famous Italian isle with sheer cliffs, gorgeous beaches, and famous blue grottos.

Capri can get crowded and touristy in high season, but if you book a nice hotel with a pool, you can avoid the crowds by only leaving to go to the beach.

The beaches on the backside of Capri are generally only visited by locals and those with boats, leaving the rocky beaches empty.

This is the perfect romantic place to relax and enjoy your honeymoon.

Be sure to take the gondola ride to the top of the island to enjoy a view that is, as the Italians say, “Mozzafiato,” – breathtaking.

You might just find yourself singing the old Frank Sinatra song, “‘Twas on the Isle of Capri that I found her, beneath the shade of an old walnut tree. Oh, I can still see the flow´rs blooming round her. Where we met on the Isle of Capri.”

10. Mondello

Up to this point, you’ve probably heard of most of the destinations we included on this list.

However, most people – even those who have visited Italy once or twice – aren’t familiar with the town of Mondello.

Mondello is a gorgeous seaside town on the coast of Sicily and is more so a vacation destination for Italians than it is for locals.

Mondello is the image you likely conjure when thinking about a gorgeous Sicilian village where you’d like to retire.

White sand beaches, perfectly clear blue water, and restaurants filled with delicious Sicilian cuisine are encompassed by massive cliffs on either side of the town.

Put simply, Mondello is an Italian bubble that we hope never pops.

11. Sardinia (Sardegna)

The island of Sardinia is a paradise both for those looking to relax as well as for those looking for some outdoor adventure.

For the more adventurous types, the island is host to a plethora of activities such as rock climbing, boating, fishing, and hiking.

There is a reason Sardinia is known as the “Caribbean of the Mediterranean.”

Spend your days exploring hidden coves along the Costa Smeralda, or charter a sailboat for two and drift along the rugged coastline, stopping to snorkel in crystalline blue waters or toast with chilled Vermentino as the sun melts into the horizon.

Explore sleepy villages like Bosa or Castelsardo, where colorful houses cling to hillsides, and at night, dine under a canopy of stars in a seaside osteria.

Can you think of anything more romantic?

Getting around Italy

Since so many of these destinations are close by, you might want to visit a few destinations on your honeymoon.

The best way to get around on your honeymoon is by renting a car and driving, or you can use the reliable train network.

Interailing is one of the most scenic and popular ways to get around Italy.

Trains are usually one of the cheapest (and slowest) forms of travel, but they do offer incredible scenes along the way. You can also get the High-velocity Frecciarossa, a high-speed rail, between major cities.

The train system and economy air providers have made intra-Italy travel incredibly easy and affordable. As such, you and your partner can very easily see some (or all) of the destinations in this lost on your honeymoon.

Flying between cities is one of the quickest ways to get from A to B, and it’s surprisingly affordable if you book in advance.

Buses are also an affordable way to travel, but they are often slower than the train. You can also take, gulp, night buses from Rome.

These are not the most fun way to travel, but they do allow you to get from A to B without losing a day to travel. It’s not romantic, but we get that not everyone has a big honeymoon budget.

With both train and bus travel, you might need to make some changes, so factor this in.

Best time for a honeymoon in Italy (by season)

The great thing about Italy is that it really is a destination you can visit all year round.

While the summers are warm and offer endless days of sunshine, the winter brings in ski season in the North, so you can find something incredible to do no matter when you visit.

For a honeymoon though, you might want to look at the shoulder seasons. This is from mid-March to April (except for the Easter Holidays) and the beginning of Autumn from the end of September to November. Though the weather is better in September and October.

These are the best months to visit because they are quieter. The summer is from June to early September, and is full of families and beach crowds, friends on a boozy weekend, and school trips. Not the vibe of a honeymoon.

You should also try to avoid cities on weekends, as these tend to be the busiest times. Head to the countryside for your weekends or explore the quaint villages in the Italian Alps.

We recommend visiting in April or September as the weather is warm and sunny, but not too hot. There is very little rain this time of year, with most of the worst weather happening in Italy in November and December.

How long should you spend on your honeymoon in Italy?

If you have flexibility with timing, we recommend you stay for at least two weeks to explore all of the top honeymoon destinations in Italy.

We suggest mapping out your Italy honeymoon itinerary by spending at least 2-3 days in each place.

Assuming you have 10-days to two weeks to spend, you could see at least half of the destinations we’ve picked out for you in this guide.

If possible, try to travel in the evenings, so you don’t lose any valuable exploring time on your honeymoon.

Before You Go

So, there you have it, those are the best honeymoon destinations in Italia. As you can see, each of them offers something incredible and unique.

No matter where you decide to go, or how you like to travel, there is no doubt that Italy will be the perfect place to start your married life together.

We hope this guide helped you pick a location (or two) to add to your honeymoon itinerary. Before you go, check out these other resources.

Tours in Italy

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We hope this guide helped you plan your Italy honeymoon itinerary. Any questions or comments write them in the comments section below!