The Most Romantic Honeymoon Destinations In Italy, According To Travelers

Italy is known as one of the most romantic European destinations, but that doesn't mean the entire country is bursting with chocolates and roses. During peak travel season, the nation of pasta and sunshine becomes overcrowded with international visitors — making la dolce vita feel ever so out of reach. Sure, you can do your best to avoid some of Italy's biggest tourist traps. However, it's not necessarily romantic to spend your whole vacation hiding from the crowds. The truth is that if you're planning an Italian honeymoon, the best thing to do is skip major tourist destinations like Rome and Florence altogether. Instead, cozy up in one of Italy's hidden gems and enjoy everything from ancient ruins to homemade pasta in absolute tranquility.

As dedicated travel experts, we have spent hours researching the most romantic honeymoon destinations in Italy. After scouring reviews on sites like Fodor's, Reddit, and the Rick Steves travel forum, we have compiled a list of unforgettable villages and towns. These places won't just help you to avoid the crowds but also offer a more authentic version of Italy. You may even experience the most romantic week of your life at these honeymoon destinations. 

If you've ever dreamed of spending your honeymoon on the Italian Riviera, you might consider spending a week in the town of Rapallo. Located about 40 minutes south of Genoa, Rapallo offers visitors stunning architecture, secluded beaches, and sweeping views of the Ligurian Sea. Here, couples can start their mornings with a cappuccino in the charming "Centro Storico " — or historical center — and then stroll through the local market. Folks with an artistic eye might admire the ceiling paintings on the Chiosco della Musica or simply marvel at the vibrant buildings that line the coast. Sea lovers, meanwhile, may prefer to sunbathe near the aqua shores of the San Michele di Pagana beach or arrange a private boat tour. Either way, your stay in Rapallo is guaranteed to be romantic and low-key.

As for day trips, Rapallo is just a short boat ride away from the iconic town of Portofino. However, many past visitors say they actually prefer the former to the latter because of Rapallo's tranquility. Posting on the r/ItalyTravel subreddit on Reddit, one traveler shared, "We've been in Rapallo for 2 days, and definitely recommend. It's on the bay just across from Portofino (the "big draw"), but my perception is Rapallo has more to do, is less expensive, and is not crowded. You can easily get to Portofino by ferry (30 minutes max) ... Rapallo [is] easy to walk around [and there are] plenty to see ..." Indeed, Rapallo is a world of its own.

These days, the concept of an island honeymoon is intrinsically linked to a romantic Caribbean getaway. While there's nothing quite like a trip to the tropics, travelers should know that the Italian island of Ischia is arguably just as idyllic. Nestled in the Bay of Naples, this volcanic land mass has been famous for its rich soil since the Roman era. Indeed, Ischia offers fantastic vineyards and olive farms. This means that couples can spend their honeymoons traveling across the island to taste local Ischian wines and olive oils — both considered aphrodisiacs by the ancient Romans.

Previous travelers note that the island offers a particularly slow pace of life. Writing on Reddit's r/ItalyTravel subreddit, one former visitor shared, "Husband and I went the first week of October in 2023 and [the] weather was gorgeous. It felt so authentic and was a quick ferry ride from Naples. You can easily find accommodations within your budget, visit beaches, thermal baths or spend time at the pool." 

The best part is Ischia also offers boat transport to nearby destinations. This means couples can spend a few days soaking up Ischia's relaxing beach and vino vibes before eventually embarking on day-long excursions to other major Italian destinations. As a second Redditor wrote in the same subreddit thread, "Ischia [is a] nice little island near the bay of Naples. Can do some day tours via the ferry to places like Pompeii, Sorrento, Naples. The island of Capri ..." 

Northern Italy boasts some of the world's most famous lakes, but — let's be honest — not everybody wants to honeymoon in Lake Como. Thanks to its reputation as a destination for the rich and famous, this area has become increasingly overrun with tourists over the years. Luckily, however, the nearby town of Bardolino offers all the charm of Lake Como without the same level of chaos. Nestled on the coast of the stunning Lake Garda, Bardolino provides visitors with an excellent place to enjoy a casual boat ride. Additionally, its tranquil atmosphere and authentic restaurants set the perfect scene for a couple who wants to celebrate their love.

Writing in the r/ItalyTravel subreddit of Reddit, one former visitor applauded Bardolino for its wide range of activities. "Just [got] back from Bardolino. Can confirm it's fantastic! Great location, lots to do. Old town is lovely! We got across to Sermione and Garda by boat. Fabulous range of restaurants. Flat enough to walk or cycle without much bother," they wrote.

A second traveler even recommended visiting Bardolino in October to enjoy the town's famous wine festival. As the aforementioned individual put it on the Rick Steves forum, "So much Bardolino wine, food booths, arts & crafts, grape stomping, music/dancing, [and] fireworks over lake on Sunday." The same visitor later added that Bardolino is great any time of year, as it's a "cute village to sit, eat, drink, watch people, [and] enjoy the lake views ..."

Although relaxing in one of Italy's most beautiful small towns can be gratifying, some couples crave the energy of a bigger city. Anyone looking to enjoy some hustle and bustle on their honeymoon should consider going to Milan. Although this city is not quite as large as Rome, its cultural offerings are still impressive. Whether you want to catch an opera at the historic Teatro alla Scala or admire the fashion designs at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping center, Milan has got you covered. Nearby castles promise to whisk you back in time, while the historic city center blends the past and present. The Duomi de Milano gothic cathedral is another local gem — complete with a rooftop where travelers can wander among the torrents.

Past visitors love Milan because there's so much to do there. As one Redditor put it on the r/weddingplanning subreddit, "Milan has good food, it's fun to walk around the fancy shopping areas, the river, visit the cathedral and a bunch of other churches, art museums, the da Vinci science museum, etc." As for romantic activities, the same user suggested that couples try taking a cooking class or two while in town. After all, Viator's Milan-based pasta and tiramisu cooking class is top-rated, as is the site's authentic pizza and gelato-making experience. Whether you're looking for good shopping, interesting museums, or just a good meal, Milan is the place to find it.

At the end of the day, the big cities and small towns in Italy have a lot to offer. Sometimes, travelers might even find it difficult to decide whether to immerse themselves in a thriving urban center or take things easier in a charming village. Although decisions like this can complicate planning your trip to Europe, you can have the best of both worlds. By traveling to the adorable Tuscan town of Lucca, travelers can find refuge in a quaint environment. Plus, they can easily access the busier city of Florence as often as they wish. After all, it's just one hour away.

Singing Lucca's praises in Reddit's r/ItalyTravel subreddit, one former visitor wrote, "... [It's] Just outside of Florence so you can take the train ... for a day in the big city (see David, go into the basilica, etc). Lots of hiking nearby, and you can even walk the medieval wall that surrounds the town. For [the] beach, you can go to Viareggio or even drive a little farther up the coast to visit all of the beautiful seaside towns." 

A second Redditor in the subreddit agreed with this recommendation, adding, "... Beautiful little city, near both ... Viareggio and ... Florence, the city walls are a place I love (and a pretty romantic one), and it is pretty welcoming to tourists." Overall, Lucca is a relaxing place to establish a home base; it also has great proximity for exploring nearby cities.

Walking and talking can be an enjoyable experience, especially if you're with someone you love. Couples interested in hiking on their honeymoon might consider spending time in the Tuscan city of Siena. Known for its hilly terrain and medieval architecture, Siena is the perfect place for a vigorous walk through a historic city center. 

Anyone up for a true challenge will love hiking to the Duomo — a gothic Cathedral at the very top of the town's highest hill. Folks willing to make the trek will be rewarded with stunning artwork. However, other points in the city boast similarly impressive masterpieces, like Renaissance frescos and centuries-old towers. Siena is one of the few places where walking enthusiasts can see art as they stroll.

Siena's historic center is not the only place hikers can enjoy. If a walk in the countryside floats your boat, rest assured the area has plenty of trails. Writing in the r/hiking subreddit of Reddit, one previous traveler recommended tackling part of the famous Via Francigena path. "I hiked a part from the Via Francigena (long distance trail) from Florence to Siena ... Started with taking a train to San Miniato. You pass some cute towns such as San Gimignano," they wrote. While completing the whole path is not possible in a week-long trip, you can finish parts of it. There may be no better place to enjoy a honeymoon hike.

It is often said that every couple is a universe, and that's definitely true when it comes to travel. While some duos would love to spend their honeymoon sipping mojitos on the beach, others would rather hit the slopes. Luckily, Italy offers fantastic skiing opportunities — especially in the Dolomites. Among these, the Dolomiti Superski resort conglomerate stands out from the rest. With its adorable villages and a wide variety of trails, Dolomiti Superski provides guests with the chance to enjoy the mountains in a truly European environment. Whether you want to cozy up in a local chalet or ride the chairlift to the top of a peak, Dolomiti Superski is the perfect place for a romantic escape.

Previous visitors praise this destination for its laid-back environment. As one Reddit user wrote in the r/skiing subreddit, "I did my ski season here — I was based in a chalet in Selva val Gardena — lovely little village, and very chilled out skiing. Not too much in terms of pubs or clubs but if you want something quite quiet then this little town is nice." 

In the same thread on the subreddit, a second traveler noted that Dolomiti Superski boasts a fantastic location for anyone looking to take a day trip to other major Italian destinations. "You can take a day trip to Venice, when I was there like 4 years ago, some people from my group managed to get back [to Dolimiti Superski] from Venice in time for dinner," they wrote.

Some honeymooners are about Renaissance architecture, while others are more focused on good eats. In Bologna, Italy, you can have both. Located in the center of northern Italy, Bologna is a gorgeous town known for its stunning plazas and historic churches. Travelers can step back in time by visiting the Museo Civico Medievale — which is housed in an artfully decorated Renaissance-era palace. Afterward, they can swing by the Palazzo Boncompagni to walk down the same spiral staircase where Pope Gregory XIII once walked. In between visits, visitors can take long breaks in Bologna's local restaurants. The town is famous for its tortellini pasta and Parmesan cheese, so be sure to bring your appetites!

The best part is that Bologna's central location allows travelers to access other nearby destinations with relative ease. For people who love to taste new flavors, this is particularly alluring. As one former visitor noted on the r/AskEurope subreddit of Reddit, "If you choose, Bologna be aware that you can be in Milan in an hour via train and in 40 minutes you can go to Florence also via train. So, for foodies, you can move around and try and taste not only one region of Italy but different ones." Another user on the same thread in the subreddit agreed, calling Bologna "the champions league of food. Even a piece of bread makes your knees buckle. A gorgeous city, too, rough around the edges & authentic. The immediate surrounding countryside, too, is lovely."

In many ways, Palermo, Italy, is a city where travelers can do it all. Are you in the mood to bum out at the beach? Simply head down to the Spiaggia di Mondello. Want to watch a historic Italian opera? Buy tickets to a show at Teatro Massimo. Dreaming of classic Italian architecture? You must swing by the iconic Palermo Cathedral. This wide variety of exciting activities makes Palermo the perfect place for a couple on their honeymoon. Whether a duo is interested in art, history, or just soaking up the sun, they'll find what they're after in this gorgeous seaside town.

Interestingly, the vast quantity of attractions in Palermo has not yet converted the town into a tourist trap. Sure, plenty of travelers pass by, but this international presence has yet to rob Palermo of its character. As one Redditor put it on the r/ItalyTravel subreddit, "We're here right now and it is absolutely incredible. To me, it's still one of the most authentic places you can visit in Italy where locals and tourists co-mingle." 

A second individual agreed with this assessment, writing in the same subreddit, "Once I started doing research into where [to go], everyone just seemed to speak so highly of [Palermo]. And while still a hot spot for tourists, it seemingly doesn't get as crowded or expensive." Overall, Palermo is a great place to get to know different sides of "authentic" Italy.

Recommending honeymoon locations is no easy task because couples are drawn to unique environments and activities. With this in mind, we tried to include a wide variety of options for newlyweds hoping to honeymoon in Italy. As many couples enjoy the cultural offerings in bigger cities, we were sure to include Milan on this list. We also added a few spots — like Lucca and Bologna — that provide an oasis of tranquility just outside a major urban center.

As for activities, we were mindful that some folks prefer low-key getaways, while others love cramming their trips with athletic activities. Rapallo and Ischia made this list due to their relaxing beaches and striking water views. Dolomiti Superski and Siena, meanwhile, were selected for their unique outdoor outings, such as downhill skiing and hiking. Bardolino and Bologna are a foodie's paradise — no thanks to the towns' impressive wine and pasta cultures. We were also sure to add Palermo to the mix, as this destination offers everything from theatrical performances to religious history to seaside views. All in all, this list aims to offer something for everyone.