The 20 Most Romantic Places in Rome

By Megan Hills

Soak up the romance in the Eternal City with our guide to the most romantic places in Rome!

With heaps of romantic places to share with your loved one, Rome is the perfect mix of greenery, history and radiant sunsets. Beautiful architecture lines the streets while hidden cafés nestle under arches and between historic buildings. If you’re looking for a European destination to explore with your partner, Rome is the perfect place to go. The team at the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass have put together this handy guide to help you dial up the romance.

Explore the Villa Borghese Gardens

Head over to the beautiful gardens of Villa Borghese for a romantic stroll or a quiet picnic in the lush greenery. Villa Borghese was built in the 17th century and now houses the largest private art collection in the world. The gardens themselves offer a small lake with rowing boats for hire and a small zoo; bike rental is also popular. Make sure you don’t miss the Temple of Aesculapius by the small pond, which is particularly tranquil.

The best of the first day 🏛⛲️Terrazza del Pincio, 6 agosto 2018

A post shared by Silvi (@silvi.dozzi) on Aug 9, 2018 at 5:02pm PDT

The Pincio Gardens

Stroll across the pedestrian bridge within the Borghese Gardens to discover the Pincio Gardens that neighbour the park. There are beautiful views from the terrace at the Piazzale Napoleone I, particularly at sunset – well worth the climb up the hill.

Horse-drawn carriages

What could be more romantic than touring the ancient streets of Rome in a horse-drawn carriage? The carriages are called Botticella (meaning small barrel) and there is a choice of tour routes taking in famous monuments including the Coliseum, Circus Maximus and the Trevi fountain.

The great beauty #rome #rivertiber #italy #cloudlovers

A post shared by Federica Todisco (@_federicatodisco) on Mar 28, 2018 at 11:55am PDT

Cruise the Tiber

Cruise down the river Tiber on a boat tour for a different view of the city and take in the wonderful surroundings with your favourite person. There are cruises with live music, drinks and/or food as well as hop-on-hop-off options.

Explore Vatican City

Be inspired by the Vatican Museums – 1400 rooms containing art and artefacts from over 3,000 years of Roman history. Not to forget the Sistine Chapel, that attracts more than 5 million visitors a year (equal to the population of Norway). Advance booking and tickets with fast-track entry are advised, but it’s a real must-visit.

St Peter’s Basilica

Also part of the Vatican, St Peter’s is one of the holiest Catholic churches in the world and a beautiful example of Renaissance architecture. Climb to the top of the dome for 360-degree views of St Peter’s Square and the city of Rome, or admire the many statues and artworks, including the Pietà – Michelangelo’s only signed work. If you’re Catholic, you can even be married here. (Terms and conditions apply.)

Aventine Hill

Climb Aventine Hill to enjoy a romantic picnic while gazing down at the city from above. Set in a quieter residential district, it’s a break from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city. Take a cheeky bottle of wine at sunset and don’t forget to peek through the keyhole of the Knights of Malta for a particularly beautiful view.

A post shared by Tim (@timvranken) on Jul 19, 2018 at 12:51am PDT

Teatro Dell’Opera di Roma

Head over to the famous opera house to witness a jaw-dropping opera or ballet. Built in the nineteenth century, this theatre is one of the best in Europe. A perfect evening or day activity, you and your partner will leave feeling refreshed and inspired.

Raphael Rooftop Dinner

Enjoy a fancy dinner on the Hotel Raphael roof terrace looking out over Rome. Look up from your meal to admire views of the Church of St Agnes, the Church of St Mary of the Soul and Santa Maria della Pace. Or simply gaze into your partner’s eyes.

Trastevere

As the sun goes down, head over to Trastevere to explore the more laid-back, bohemian side of Rome. Wander through boutique shops selling a variety of unique products perfect for special gifts or souvenirs. There are also plenty of cafés for a relaxing cup of coffee while enjoying the evening air.

Trevi Fountain

Don’t forget to throw a coin into the famous Trevi fountain for luck. Legend has it, you will then be sure to return to Rome in the future. And if you throw in three coins, the fountain promises marriage! All the coins are later collected and donated to charity. Learn about this iconic Roman landmark here.

Giolitti Ice Cream

Ice cream lover? If you’re starting to feel the heat after a long walk, this is the perfect place to cool off. With every flavour imaginable and sprinkles galore, this is a great place to stop off during a day out. Discover some of the best gelato in the city thanks to our guide with local bloggers!

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A post shared by Photographer ➕ instagram geek (@kistography) on Aug 7, 2018 at 1:09pm PDT

The Garden of Oranges

Take a leisurely stroll to the Giardino degli Aranci behind the Basilica of Santa Sabine with the ancient ruined walls of the Castle Savelli. Take a picnic or go to enjoy the sunset, accompanied by the wonderful fragrance of the orange trees. What could be more relaxing?

Ponte Sant’Angelo

Enjoy a scenic wander along the Tiber until you reach the Ponte Sant’Angelo bridge that dates back to the 15th century. Watch the lights of Rome reflect and sparkle in the water and think about the love of your life (or the pizza you’re going to order later).

Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo is close to the Ponte Sant’Angelo bridge and beautifully lit at night. It’s occasionally open in the evenings, which is a chance to explore the castle when it’s much quieter than normal. Now housing a museum, it was originally built as the Mausoleum of Hadrian and later converted to a papal fortress. While that may not sound romantic, the impressive architecture, peaceful atmosphere and views from the terrace are well worth the trip.

Hidden Cafés and Rooftop Terraces

It wouldn’t be a romantic get-away without a drink at a hidden café or on a rooftop terrace. Rome is home to many places of the sort waiting to be discovered by you and your partner. Stroll through the streets to stumble upon cosy cafés amongst the brick.

The Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are part of the ancient city of Rome. Explore the ancient ruins, iconic pillars, historical buildings and winding cobbled streets with your partner while you literally walk in the footsteps of emperors.

Campidoglio

A very popular wedding venue, Piazza del Campidoglio is a great place for holiday photos, particularly as there is no traffic. The piazza itself was designed by Michelangelo and has plenty of cafés to stop at. Located on Capitoline Hill, it also offers more exquisite views over the city.

Lungotevere

Lungotevere were large walls built to protect Rome from the Tiber flooding. Now a boulevard running along the edge of the river, this is a perfect spot for a romantic evening stroll while looking out over the water.

Gianicolo Hill

For the most breathtaking panorama of Rome yet, Gianicolo Hill is the place to go to. It doesn’t matter if you’re in your heels and best dress, as taxis run regularly to the top. With cafés and shops conveniently located, there’s no need to pack a picnic either. With so many romantic places in Rome, it’s hard to choose where to start. An OMNIA Vatican & Rome card will save you time and money on big and small attractions, making your romantic getaway go as smoothly as possible. Wishing you a romantic trip!

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Discover the Roman Summer with 'Estate Romana'

Estate Romana, which literally translates as Roman Summer, is the summer event in Rome that’s worth keeping your eye on... It’s so much than just one event; it’s actually a series of events that run from the beginning to the end of the summer, starting early June to the end of September. Explore the four corners of culture; from dance and music, to theatre productions and art exhibitions - and much more! Piazzas are turned into performance venues, while open air cinemas pop up in every available space. It’s a haven for those in need of some edifying or even those after a unique experience of Rome. We’ve highlighted some of the best events you can catch this summer, from paint throwing to night-time walks, classic opera and off-the-wall perfomances. Holi Festival of Colours The Holi Festival of Colours has taken over the world as a summer rite. From its origins as an Indian celebration to celebrate the happiness and wellbeing of one’s families, it's turned into a modern phenomenon as people are handed paintballs while dancing to DJ sets. On the 14th June, Rome will host its first ever Holi Festival of Colours at the Capannelle Hippodrome. It will fall, symbolically, on the following day of the full moon that month – and will be celebrated in a (playful) fight in which powder paint balls are launched through the air in celebration. Something for those who aren’t afraid to get a bit messy, it’s a fun filled experience! Tour the Roman Forum at Night See the sights by night and explore a different side of ancient Rome. The Roman Forum comes to life in this night-time tour held every Wednesday and every Saturday evenings from May to November. Take in the impressive illuminated ruins after dusk has fallen and admire Rome’s ancient history. Starting at 9pm at the Teatro Marcello in Piazza Campidoglio, you’ll follow a trail outside of the Roman Forum itself for the best views of the ruins from above. You’ll be taken past the Mamertime Prison, Caesar’s Forum and scale some medieval steps to complete your nocturnal experience. Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel After Dark To continue the theme of night-time excursions, the Vatican Museums are holding after dark tours every Friday from the 2nd May to the 25th July, as well as from the 5th September to the 31st October. You’ll be able to visit the world famous Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel from 7pm to 11pm. With over 9 miles of art to be admired, including mosaics, tapestries and sculpture, you can walk around the museum like a VIP – when everyone else has gone home! If you’re not a fan of crowds this is a great opportunity to get an undisturbed view of the great masterpieces and of course Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement. C!rca Beyond International Festival For something a little more contemporary and mind-bending, the C!rca Beyond International Festival is taking over Villa Adriana, Hadrian’s archaeological ruins, in Tivoli, just outside Rome. This stunning setting is a picture-perfect scenario for the wild festival-come-circus that promises crazy performances by animals and humans; it will confuse madness with sanity and blur the lines between dreaming and reality. ‘Intense, surreal and unexpectedly touching’ – this re-constructed circus dynamic will shock, amaze and inspire. Not to be missed – book online for tickets on the 6th July, starting at 9pm. Ballet at the Terme di Caracalla For something a little more cultured and conventional, the ancient Terme di Caracalla – the ruins of the public baths of ancient Rome – play host to classical performances, including ballet and opera. Kicking off on the 24th June until the 9th August, Carmen opens the season, followed by the Tokyo Ballet on the 27th - 28th June and Swan Lake from the 3rd to the 15th July. The Prodigal Son and La Bohème are also in the programme, so it’s not short of a few classics. Enjoy the novelty of sitting under the stars watching awe-inspiring performances of some of the crème de la crème of classical music and dance.
Go City Expert
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Rome on wheels with Roma Cristiana Bus Tours

Although Rome is a relatively compact city you can explore quite easily by foot; there’s nothing better than a good old bus tour. You can’t deny it, sitting on an open-top (especially when it’s sunny!) and taking in the sights like a proper tourist is actually good fun! Obviously, the Roma Cristiana bus tour in Rome is a must-do on your trip. It’s an easy kill-all-the-birds-with-one-stone method of seeing all the important landmarks and monuments of the city, whilst learning interesting facts on the way. For example, did you know left handed people in Ancient Rome were considered unlucky? It’s where the word sinister comes from, from the Italian sinistra meaning left. With a three day hop-on, hop-off ticket you’re guaranteed to see all the major sights of Rome as the bus stops at 12 major points around the city, from the Coliseum and St Peter’s Basilica, to the great squares of Piazza Navona and Campo de’Fiori. Whether you choose to stay seated on the bus and sit on it for the full 2 hour tour, or whether you jump off and on at various points to explore the city in depth, this bus tour is a great way of discovering Rome at your leisure. Here are some of the best sights to see on the way: Coliseum As one of the most famous landmarks in Rome, the Coliseum is as deep-rooted in Rome’s history as you can get. Built in 70AD it has stood the test of time and is pretty much the world’s all time event arena! Hosting some of the most daring, controversial and undeniably entertaining events in history from gladiator fights to miniature boat races, the Coliseum is a must-see. Admire the imposing structure of the 156m wide amphitheatre and learn about its influential history. Hop off to explore the exhibitions and take a walk around the ancient architecture. St Peter’s Basilica As the most important landmark in the Catholic Church, St Peter’s Basilica symbolises the epicentre of their holy community. Its Renaissance and Baroque art history and decoration makes it a monumental masterpiece from its marble façade, to its interior opulence – featuring Bernini’s baldacchino and Bramante’s dome. Explore the underground crypts or climb up to the very top of the dome for sweeping views across the city. Don’t forget to cover up your arms and legs though, they’re quite strict when it comes to entry admission. Circus Maximus With a seating capacity of 250,000, Circus Maximus was the other main arena that staged popular events; the most popular were the chariot races. Circus Maximus is even older than the Coliseum and dates back to the 6th century BC, where a racing track was created between the two main peaks, the Aventine and the Palatine hills. After two fires destroyed the original construction, the arena was made in stone and marble, and stood at a height of 3 stories, measuring over 600m long! Unfortunately during the Medieval and Renaissance eras most of the material was stolen from the structure of the site for new builds, which is why so little of the architecture remains today. Piazza Navona One of Rome’s most famous Baroque examples, Piazza Navona, is in the heart of Rome and is a popular piazza for tourists and locals alike. Stop off at this marble masterpiece for a spot of lunch in one of the traditional Italian restaurants that spill onto outside tables on the cobbled square and overlook the fountains and statues that make Piazza Navona so beautiful. Why not go through Campo de’Fiori on your way back to the bus and walk through the famous artisanal food market. There’s everything from fresh produce to funny pasta shapes, as well as ingredients for the perfect picnic! With the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card you can explore Rome with the Roma Cristiana bus tour for free. The 3 day hop-on, hop-off ticket is included in the price of the package – just turn up and get your ticket from the stop at Piazza Pio XII, 9.
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pizza in Rome
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Our Tasty Guide to the Best Pizzerias in Rome

Forget the pasta for a second, here's some of the best pizzerias in Rome! While Rome may be renowned for being the birthplace of carbonara, it's worth trying one of Italy's greatest imports - pizza. From classic margaritas to adventurous gourmet toppings, grab a slice at some of the most popular pizzerias in Rome below. Cacio pepe pizza? Yes, please 😛 We are no longer casual about pizza, we don't just go out of our way for Sforno, a great spot near #Rome's Cinecittà, but we pretty much deprive ourselves of all pizza for days until we get here. It is that good. I go nuts just for the dough- @dariusaryadigs loves a basic margherita. And this? Well, it is a simple antipasto- best had with a cold Duchesse de Bourgogne, on the advice of @tastegeorgia. Click the geotag to find it exactly where it is and how to get there #🍕 A post shared by Erica Firpo (@ericafirpo) on Jan 31, 2017 at 2:07am PST Sforno For a Neapolitan-style pizza, head to Sforno where creativity abounds and both locals and tourist crave their offerings. As one of Rome's most popular pizzerias, it's best to book in advance but it's all worth it. Their Cacio e Pepe pizza is world famous, bringing the classic pasta staple to pizza bases with a healthy dusting of peppery Pecorino cheese. It's also worth venturing into their appetiser selection for some fritti, their fried zucchini flowers are finger licking good. Couple bombass pizzas at what some people have called the best pizza in Rome. With cat themed pictures everywhere no less. A post shared by Joey (@jte3) on Aug 19, 2017 at 3:31pm PDT La Gatta Mangiona This restaurant translates to 'the greedy cat' in English and we totally understand why. You'll have finished one of their delicious pizzas before you know it and taste the quality with every bite. This restaurant prioritises seasonal ingredients, premium dough and goes to town with their flavour combinations (plus there's a long list of craft beers if that's more your speed). Twelve years ago I walked past this pizzeria in Testaccio and thought, well hello ( like Leslie Philips) but had no intention of staying in Rome. But then I did stay, and this became a Sunday night ritual, (the endless ritual around food is something I love about the way Italians eat) . We start with fried things, courgette flowers and fat peices of salt cod battered and fried or rice croquettes filled with mozzarella that stretches like a great looping string...then for me Napoli with extra anchovies. To finish a nameless amaro that you are not sure whether to drink or use to strip paint ( it is delicious). @rachelaliceroddy going red for a takeover. A post shared by Guardian Cook (@guardian_cook) on Jul 9, 2017 at 10:29am PDT Pizzeria da Remo If you like your pizzas thin-crusted and packed with flavour, Pizzeria da Remo is the place to be. Everybody else in Rome is clued into it as well so get there early for dinner, otherwise risk missing out on their simple yet mouthwatering wood-fired pizzas. Located out in the trendy Testaccio neighbourhood, it's always bustling with energy and every table is laden with their signature margherita pizza. Snacking-on-the-go, done right in Rome 🍕 A post shared by V A N E S S A (@vslawson) on Jul 11, 2017 at 2:04am PDT Pizzarium Bonci If you're not up for a massive meal, Pizzarium serves up thick gourmet pizzas by the slice. Run by Gabriele Bonci, a renowned Roman pizza maker, its little storefront may be humble but the food is nothing if not fancy. Using seasonal ingredients and a complex dough-making process, you'll find creative combinations like mascarpone and anchovies, steak and blue cheese as well as the classics. La pizza romana es muy parecida a nuestra pizza a la piedra. Usan palote para estirar la masa y la cocinan a menos temperatura que Napoles logrando una masa más crocante y seca. Ésta tenía crudo y Gorgonzolla, un queso azul típico de Italia. Obviamente combinada con una birra, y claro, Peroni. Se viene mucho Roma para el programa. Se viene @hashtagviajeros. ¡Seguilos! A post shared by El Guerrillero (@guerrilleroculinario) on Aug 17, 2017 at 4:35pm PDT Ai Marmi There's no bells and whistles here - Ai Marmi's all about the pie and nothing else. Named after its long marble tables, it's great value for money with fantastic pizza for a fraction of the price. Their suppli and fried zucchini flowers are popular favourites as well (in fact, the latter are occasionally used as toppings) and nobody leaves with an empty stomach. Located out in Trastevere, it's also open late if you're looking for something to fill the midnight hours. Everyone surely knows about #pizza, but let me introduce you its glorious roman relative: the one and only "Pinsa", a lighter ad crunchy version of the famous one, with an enriched quality topping 🍅🇮🇹 // Tutti sicuramente conosceranno la pizza, ma chi di voi riconosce questa prelibatezza? È la "Pinsa", sua cugina romana, dalla base fragrante e saporita! #BonAppetit #ItalianFood #FoodPorn #pinza #pinzandbeer #InstaFood #FoodBlogger #TheGoodLife #InstaDaily #PhotooftheDay #Italy #Rome #lapratolina #rome #eatingout A post shared by The Singingwine (@the_singingwine) on May 31, 2017 at 12:34pm PDT La Pratolina If you're out near the Vatican City, La Pratolina is a great place to stop off for a meal. It's closer to traditional Roman pizza and comes in an oblong shape, all with a thin yet slightly raised crust crust. Prosciutto's the name of the game here, with pizza dough made from a mixture of flours for a rich unique taste. Плюс одно место обязательное к посещению в Риме! Пиццерия EMMA. Оочень тонененькая и хрустящая😋 обязательно заказывать Маргариту и буратту! #foodinrome #foodporn #foodpornroma #pizzaroma #pizzagains A post shared by EVA STREPETOVA (@evaeeva) on Jul 17, 2017 at 5:44am PDT Emma Located in the heart of Rome, Emma is undoubtedly one of the fancier options on the list and an ideal date night option. While it's less pizzeria and more of a proper sit-down restaurant, there's no debating the quality of these pizzas - especially as it's associated with the Roscioli Group who have some of the bakeries and delis across the capital. Think top of the line mozzarella, olive oil and dough baked with generations of experience.
Megan Hills

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