Italy's best romantic spots and their quieter alternatives

Romance runs rich through Italy’s veins, with icons of amore to melt the hardest heart. But the most famous sight isn’t always the most swoon-worthy; find the real romance of Italy with a hot date at one of these alternative picks where, chances are, there'll be fewer people to encroach on your special moment.

The stone exterior of a large arena at dusk, with low lighting under each of the archways — Gaze at the stars with an evening at Verona's arena © Henryk Sadura / Getty Images

Verona

Romance icon: Verona's romance icon is undoubtedly Juliet’s balcony. The dainty stone balcony at the 14th-century Casa di Giulietta is a magnet for lovers (and Shakespeare fans). Visiting romantics scrawl heart-rending graffiti in the charming courtyard and smooch on the balcony with their own Romeos and/or Juliets. It's all rather lovely, which means tourists generally remain untroubled by the lack of any connection between the fictional lovers and the Veronese noble families who actually lived here.

The alternative: If literature’s star-crossed lovers don’t inspire, spend a balmy evening at Verona’s 1st-century Roman arena. Find a space for two on the steep stone steps, and the evening is yours to sip wine, be dazzled by on-stage theatrics, and gaze at a starry sky. Take snacks, a blanket and most essentially, a pillow (those stone steps have seriously bum-numbing qualities). For summer operas and ballets, the best seats in the house go for around €300, but thrifty lovers can snap up tickets to sit on the stone steps from as little as €20.

Venice

Romance icon: Climbing aboard one of Venice’s iconic gondolas to drift around the city’s canals, to the tune of a singing gondolier, is the holy grail of Italy's romantic experiences. That is, until you see the price tag. There’s no doubting the beauty of Venice from the water, but the pleasure doesn’t come cheap (and yes, they do charge extra for the singing).

The alternative: a bicycle made for two. Flee the flocks of visitors in central Venice with a summer ferry excursion to The Lido. With a day’s bicycle hire, you and your date can pedal around the shady streets and catch some R&R away from Venice’s manic center. Lido on Bike will set you up with the most kitsch date there is – a two-seater tandem bike.

A view looking down on a vast circular open space, and to the city beyond — Get to St Peter's Basilica early and you could have the romantic views all to yourself © Nikada / Getty Images

Rome

Romance icon: Throw one coin in the Trevi Fountain, and you’ll return to Rome some day. Throw in two, and you’ll marry an Italian. Throw in more than that and, well, desperate is not a good look. Lovers line up to get a selfie next to this jaw-dropping edifice, but crowds and coin-hurling visitors don’t make for a dream date.

The alternative: Visit the dome of St Peter’s Basilica. Start early for a climb to the top of Vatican City’s gigantic dome (but spare yourself the blisters and take the lift part-way). If you’re there for opening time, you’ll likely have a hazy view of Vatican City all to yourselves, and ample space for a quick smooch.

Florence

Romance icon: With the muscular form of Michelangelo’s David setting hearts a-flutter outside the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence, and comely Renaissance maidens in every gallery, it’s the artistic heart of Florence that plucks at the heart strings. And nowhere elicits lovelorn sighs more than the Galleria degli Uffizi, with emblems of love like Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus gracing its walls. But museum fatigue from the brain-boggling volume of art, not to mention bumping elbows with hordes of other visitors, can sap that lovin’ feeling.

The alternative: The Giardino di Boboli, a short walk from the Uffizi, are a perfect lovers' escape, and the further you wander into the gardens, the more secluded spaces you'll find. Seek out a manicured corner of Florence's most beautiful green space, breathe in the scent of citrus trees, and sigh among statues of bathing nymphs.