Where to propose in Italy: 12 romantic places for 2027

Updated 7 November 2026

1. Venice: ask in a gondola at golden hour

Venice is romantic at any hour, but the sunset light on the Grand Canal, with the basilica of the Salute in the background, is hard to beat. Book a private gondola and ask the gondolier to pause in a quiet side canal, away from the Rialto Bridge.

Good to know: on the busiest days, day-trippers pay an access fee, which in 2026 was €5 or €10 depending on how far ahead you booked. Overnight guests are exempt but must register. The 2027 calendar is not yet official.

2. Lake Como: kneel in the loggia of Villa del Balbianello

Perched on the tip of a promontory, Villa del Balbianello is perhaps the most photographed villa on the lake. Its loggia, open to the water on two sides, and its terraced gardens seem made for a proposal. You get there by boat or on foot from Lenno.

Good to know: the villa belongs to FAI, the Italian National Trust, and visits must be booked. Professional photo shoots must be booked too: if you want a photographer hidden in the hedges, arrange it well in advance.

3. Portofino: wait for sunset at the lighthouse

Leave the little square to the tourists and take the walk that climbs toward Castello Brown and continues to the lighthouse at Punta del Capo: about twenty minutes among pines and olive trees, with the open sea on one side and the Gulf of Tigullio on the other. At sunset, the sun goes down over the gulf right in front of you.

Good to know: Portofino is best reached by boat or by bus from Santa Margherita Ligure. If you want to be alone, early in the morning the village is all yours.

4. Cinque Terre: pop the question on the Via dell'Amore

Nine hundred meters high above the sea between Riomaggiore and Manarola, with a name that seems written for the occasion. Since 2024 the Via dell'Amore has been open again, one-way and with timed tickets: book the last sunset slot or the first of the morning, at 9 am, when the path is at its quietest.

Good to know: each 30-minute slot admits up to 200 people. For a more private moment, stop where the path widens, away from the entrances.

Via dell'Amore in 2027: how to book, tickets and opening hours

5. Portovenere: ask in front of San Pietro, or on your own terrace

The church of San Pietro, striped in pale and dark stone on the tip of the promontory, has watched the open sea for centuries. Below it lies Byron's Grotto, from where the poet is said to have set off to swim across to Lerici. It's one of the most romantic places in Liguria, especially at sunset.

If you'd rather have a moment entirely to yourselves, at Capitolare Tower, at the entrance to the village, we prepare the proposal on the terrace or inside the suite: flowers, candles, music and a private dinner by our chef, for one party at a time.

Read our guide to a marriage proposal in Portovenere

6. Forte dei Marmi: walk to the end of the pier

The pier at Forte dei Marmi stretches out to sea in front of the town center, with the Apuan Alps behind. At sunset, when the beach clubs fold their umbrellas and the beach empties, walking to the very end is the best moment of the day.

Good to know: out of season Forte dei Marmi is quiet and the light on the sea is crystal clear. It's about an hour's drive from Portovenere and combines well with a night in Liguria.

7. Florence: choose the terrace of the Bardini Garden

Piazzale Michelangelo is everyone's viewpoint. For something more intimate there's the Bardini Garden, on the hillside across the Arno: from the terrace at the top all of Florence opens up, with the Duomo's dome seemingly within reach. Between April and May the wisteria pergola is in bloom.

Good to know: the garden requires a ticket and its opening hours change with the seasons. Check closing time before you plan the surprise.

8. Val d'Orcia: stop among the cypresses at sunset

Gentle hills, rows of cypress trees, the little chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta alone in the middle of the fields: the Val d'Orcia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the postcard Tuscan landscape. Pienza and Montalcino at sunset are perfect for a proposal, perhaps after dinner at a farm stay.

Good to know: many dirt roads and chapels are on private land. Stick to the open paths and respect the farmed fields.

9. Rome: watch the sunset from the Orange Garden

On the Aventine Hill, the Orange Garden offers one of the most beautiful views of Rome, with the domes glowing at sunset. A few steps away is the keyhole in the gate of the Knights of Malta, through which you can see St Peter's framed at the end of the garden avenue: a little secret to share before the big question.

Good to know: if you dream of the Trevi Fountain, since 2 February 2026 access to the area by the basin costs €2, from 9 am to 10 pm. For a quiet moment, go early in the morning.

10. Positano: ask as the village lights up

In the evening Positano lights up house by house, all the way down to the sea. A private terrace or a boat off the Spiaggia Grande are the places to see it like this. For an unforgettable sunrise, there's the Path of the Gods, high above the coast.

Good to know: in summer the coast road is congested; arrive by boat from Amalfi or Salerno and book restaurants with a terrace well in advance.

11. Ravello: step out onto the Terrace of Infinity

At Villa Cimbrone, at the top of Ravello, an avenue leads to a terrace suspended over the void, lined with marble busts, with the whole coast below you. It's called the Terrace of Infinity, and it needs no explanation.

Good to know: the gardens can be visited with a ticket. Early morning and late afternoon are the quietest times.

12. Capri: sail around it to the Faraglioni

Capri is at its best from the sea. A private boat around the island, a stop beneath the Faraglioni and the question as you glide through the natural arch: it's hard to imagine a more cinematic scene. On land, the Belvedere di Tragara is the most romantic spot to look down on them.

Good to know: in summer the Blue Grotto involves long waits; for the proposal, choose a private boat at the start or end of the day.

Plan it without mistakes

• Choose the time of day before the place: sunrise and sunset change everything.
• Check the rules: historic villas and gardens require booking, drones are banned in many areas and professional photo shoots often need permission.
• Keep the ring in your hand luggage, never in checked bags, and in a zipped pocket on a boat.
• Have an indoor plan B for rain: a covered terrace, a private dinner, a room with a view.
• If you want a photographer, choose a local one: they know the light, the quiet corners and the rules.

Let us organize it for you

At Capitolare Tower in Portovenere we prepare marriage proposals for one party at a time: flowers, candles, music, a private dinner by our chef on the terrace or in the suite, and the night in a 12th-century tower. Tell us how you picture the moment: write to info@capitolare.com or message us on WhatsApp at +39 393 919 6290.

Discover special events at the Tower

Frequently asked questions

What is the most romantic place in Italy to propose?

There isn't just one. Venice, Lake Como and the Amalfi Coast are among the most popular; the Via dell'Amore in the Cinque Terre has the perfect name; Portovenere combines sea, history and smaller crowds. The right place is the one where you can be alone for a few minutes.

Do you need a permit to propose in a public place?

Not for the proposal itself. You need permission for professional photo shoots in some villas and museums, for drones, and for setups with flowers, music or tables in public spaces.

When is the best time of year?

Spring and early autumn bring soft light and fewer people. In winter seaside villages are almost empty: if your destination stays open, as Portovenere does, it's the most intimate time of all.

How should you travel with the ring?

Always in your hand luggage, in its box inside a closed bag. If you're traveling together, keep it on you or in an inside pocket, not in a bag you both use.

Sources: City of Venice (2026 access fee), FAI (Villa del Balbianello), viadellamore.info, Roma Capitale (Trevi Fountain access from 2 February 2026).