Whether you’re looking for love or hoping to rekindle the spark in your relationship, there’s nowhere more romantic than Rome. The Eternal City is packed full of breathtaking architecture, idyllic horse-drawn carriage rides and aphrodisiacal treats that will leave your mouth watering for more. It is one of the greatest highlights of Italy.
For hopeless romantics, here are a few of the must-see highlights Rome has to offer:
The Colosseum
The thought of large crowds may not scream romance, but the Colosseum is an absolute must for any visit to Rome! Once the largest Amphitheatre of the Empire, the Colosseum is famous for having hosted incredible fights between gladiators, criminals and lions. What you may not know is that in its heyday, the Colosseum (completed in 80 AD) was once abundant with orchards and gardens, and many love affairs began under the beautiful fig, elm and olive trees.
Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill was where anyone who was anyone once called home. It houses some of the city’s most impressive ancient sites and is rumoured to be the site where Romulus killed his brother Remus, to become the rightful leader and namesake of Rome. Among the buildings excavated at Palatine Hill, are the houses of Augustus and Livia, Rome’s first emperor and empress.
Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) house some of the world’s most important historical artefacts and works of art. It would take days to see everything, but some of the highlights include Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of the Catholic Saint Jerome and the Dogmatic Sarcophagus. The star of the attraction, however, must be the Sistine Chapel - a magnificent creation of Michelangelo dating back to 1508.
St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro)
St. Peter’s Square is a massive plaza located directly in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. The grandeur of the square is truly mesmerizing, and the Egyptian obelisk erected at the centre of the site in 1568 makes for incredible photos. The sheer scale combined with the beautiful statues creates an overwhelming experience.
Ostia Antica
If you want the experience of ancient Rome without the hustle and bustle, head to Ostia Antica, one of Rome’s hidden gems. The well-preserved Roman ruins trace back to 4th century BC and served as Rome’s principal port for hundreds of years. Today, visitors can view the old theatre and Baths of Neptune, but also get a great insight into a working town. If you want to picture what day-to-day life was like in ancient Rome, here is the place to do it.
Spanish Steps
Climbing a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinita dei Monti, the Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Spagna) are the widest staircase in Europe. For a romantic experience like no other, take a horse-drawn carriage ride from the base of the steps and continue through the streets of centro storico. Along the way, stop to try the decadent chocolate produced by Moriondo e Gariglio before ending your trip in the Villa Borghese park. The park’s terrace offers some of the best views in the city.
Piazza Navona
Share a pizza or sip a coffee at the Piazza Navona, home to ornate fountains and a colourful cast of street artists. Built over the ruins of the 1st century Stadio di Domiziano, the Piazza Navona is today Rome’s most celebrated square and the perfect place to while away the hours.
