10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Rome

Many couples visiting Rome put a stop at Trevi Fountain, the city’s largest fountain, on their list. Flipping coins into the water from over your shoulder supposedly promises you a return visit to the Eternal City. If you’re a hopeful couple and really into the longstanding tradition, try throwing in a third coin, as it’s said to help lead the way to marriage. All in all, a visit to the massive thundering water feature with its ornate sculptures of Roman gods, tritons, and horses is not to be missed.

Picturesque alleyways and lovely, cobblestoned roads lead you past the Campo de’ Fiori market to Ponte Sisto, one of Rome’s delightful stone bridges straddling the Tiber. By day, Ponte Sisto offers amazing views of the Vatican on the skyline. From this centuries-old bridge, you can also make out some of the other bridges further along the river. It gives you a good view of the charming neighbourhood of Trastevere. However, it’s most atmospheric and romantic at dusk. Across the bridge, you can discover mini piazzas surrounded by neo-classical buildings.

This is a unique way to discover the beauty of Rome and its majestic landmarks. A traditional horse-drawn carriage takes you around at a steady pace, and can help you relive the scenes of ancient times when it was the primary mode of transport. Stylised carriages are often fitted with comfortable leather seats that are perfectly sized for couples, and with a wide umbrella for shade. The sights of Rome’s landmarks can become ever so memorable when accompanied by the sound of hooves along Rome’s cobblestoned streets.

This is one of the favourite sightseeing options in Rome, where passenger boats cruise steadily along the Tiber. You can get a different angle of the ancient Roman bridges along the river, including the landmark Ponte Sisto. There are even occasional sightings of river birds along the way. A river cruise at sunset can be magical, with the silhouette of the giant dome of St. Peter's Basilica on the city skyline. Boats depart at least every 30 minutes at each pier.

Deepen your love of arts on an immersive tour of one of the world’s largest museums. You can get pleasantly lost in its 50 galleries, where some of the most significant artworks of maestros such as Da Vinci, Raphael, and Bellini, are on display. Tours end with a walk down the famous Bramante 'double helix' staircase at Pio Clementino Museum. You can then proceed to the Sistine Chapel, which houses Michelangelo’s most beautiful 16th-century ceiling frescos, most notably The Creation of Adam.

As Rome’s vibrant green space, the gardens at Villa Borghese provide a quiet and intimate escape, away from the rushing traffic of the city hub. Pathways wind throughout the park, allowing for romantic walks with plenty of tree-shaded spots to pause and take in the views. Small spaces where couples can huddle among blooming flowers can also be perfect for proposals. Lovebirds often head up to the hilltop Pincio Gardens, where a viewpoint balcony overlooks Piazza del Popolo.

As one of Rome’s seven famous hills, Aventine has a piazza honouring the Knights of Malta. It’s a quiet neighbourhood filled with groves, gardens and ruins, which is great for couples. Find a big green door here, take a peep through its keyhole and enjoy the famous vista that perfectly puts St. Peter’s majestic dome in a unique frame. From here, you can further explore the traditional neighbourhood of Testaccio, down the hill southwest of Aventine. Enjoy the lively atmosphere at Testaccio’s market, which features fresh Italian produce, including fruits and flowers.

Teatro dell’Opera is a beautiful opera house that regularly stages lavish classical opera and ballet productions, as well as modern music concerts. Not only does this 19th-century theatre feature great acoustics, its auditorium’s interiors are splendidly furnished with gilded accents and classic maroon draperies. A large chandelier hangs from its central dome ceiling, illuminating Renaissance frescoes. Teatro dell’Opera is not as large as most other Italian opera houses, giving it an intimate atmosphere. All seats in its boxes on four levels provide a good view of the stage.

Rome offers plenty of romantic walks, and this lovely, cobblestoned neighbourhood on the Tiber’s western riverbank can be truly atmospheric for couples. You can explore the Trastevere after crossing the Ponte Sisto bridge from the Campo de’ Fiori market. Charming narrow streets and alleyways between tall Renaissance buildings are lined with quaint bars and cafés. They lead you to small piazzas such as the Piazza di Santa Maria, with its centrepiece fountain before the Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere.

In Rome, you can expect a good combination of romantic settings, great food and fantastic cocktails, topped by amazing views. There are rooftop bars in plenty of luxury hotels, as well as first-class standalone restaurants. Among the favourites are La Terrasse Cuisine & Lounge on the top floor of Sofitel Villa Borghese, which offers a cityscape with the Vatican in full panorama. The Aroma Luxury Restaurant is also worth checking out, and offers fine balcony dining with views to the Colosseum.