Best Italian Destinations for Romance: 5 Venus-Worthy Places to Visit

After traveling multiple times to Italy and studying there for over a year, I keep reflecting on all the places that felt romantic during my time in this boot-shaped country. Venus, the goddess of love, is traveling through Cancer at the moment (which is my Venus return), so it feels fitting to name some of the most romantic Italian destinations that brought out my inner Venus and might bring out yours as well.

1. Florence

Mention the planet Venus and this single place immediately springs to my mind. Everything from Michelangelo’s David, to the picturesque view from Piazzale Michelangelo, to a protein lover’s bistecca alla fiorentina, to a Korean girl’s ideal dessert—black sesame seed gelato—literally sends bursts of pink hearts shooting from my eyes. I remember when I first visited Firenze. I was making my way back down to Rome from Venice and had a couple of hours to explore before my connecting train arrived. Paper maps were still a thing at the time, and I had to ask small local hotels for directions. I ended up getting lost and decided to put away my map and see where the city would take me. I didn’t visit any of the big attractions and instead walked around without a plan. This city became one of the first to teach me to let go of my itinerary and go with the flow. Did I feel irritated that I didn’t see some of the places I had in mind? Definitely yes. But I also appreciated the little mundane things the city offered. I left thinking I would never return, but little did I know that I would return six years later and would fall in love with this beautiful city over and over again.

2. Venice

Speaking of Venice, the gondolas floating in the canals make this city so romantic. I know, I know, some would say you’re getting robbed when you dish out 90 euros for a 30-minute ride, and yes, you can call it “touristy,” but it’s popular for a reason. I can’t help but think how romantic it looks when I stand on the Rialto Bridge and look out at the Grand Canal. I’ve internally decided that my unknown future husband and I are going on this ride, and he doesn’t get a vote. But besides the gondolas, try visiting Venice during Carnevale di Venezia. From the water parade to the people who deck themselves out in full-blown costumes with the most beautiful gowns and masks, your eyes will feast on beauty. I have yet to try their regional dish—risotto al nero di seppia, and that’s okay. I’ve learned through the years that if you connect to certain places while traveling, you’ll find a way to make your way back. I have no doubt I’ll return to Venice one day to try this local dish. 

3. Cinque Terre

The coastal region of Liguria hosts these whimsical villages that charm every visitor. As a photographer’s dream destination, I can spend hours alone with my camera, experimenting to capture picture-perfect moments.  My inner Venus felt exceptionally happy here with their renowned anchovies and pesto. I didn’t have time to plan my travels as I normally do for this trip, so I booked a one-day tour from Florence—a decision that delighted me! This choice not only relieved my planning stress but also provided me with a wonderful tour guide who possessed encyclopedic knowledge of the area. She pointed out the Carrara marble that Michelangelo used for his David on our way to the terraces, which made me appreciate the region and its art even more. I love examining every aspect that goes into executing a creative project. I caught one more glimpse of the marble at the end of the day when returning to Florence, and I felt like I had arrived at the right place at the right time. The sunset light hit the marble in a way that looked like the universe was offering me a gift.

4. Alberobello

I found it so easy to pick out places in Northern Italy, but picking out places from the South proved much tougher. Not because there aren’t any places to go. On the contrary, so many hidden gems exist there that I struggled to select my top places. I could even argue that Southern Italy surpasses the North in beauty in many ways. Don’t come at me—I said I could argue this, but I won’t. Both regions shine beautifully in their own way.  One such place is Alberobello. Want to feel like you’re living in a fairytale? Look no further. I remember visiting these uniquely shaped buildings on a rainy day and wanting to photoshop the background to make it look sunny. But looking at my pictures now, I see they need no editing. Not even Eeyore can dampen this town’s spirit. I was going through a phase of spending mindfully on souvenirs, but I decided to buy a mini statue because the town completely charmed me.   The woman at the store was so kind, and I told her about studying in Italy while she wrote my name on the figure. We enjoyed a nice chat—mostly me gushing about how beautiful Italy is—and she gave me a free postcard of Alberobello. I’ve cleared much clutter from my room since then, but that statue still sits on my windowsill, and when I look at it, it instantly transports me back to the town and the lovely interaction I had with the store owner.

5. Procida

I saved this beautiful little gem for last. I had tasted the Southern Coast through my visits to Salerno and Amalfi during the fall semester and was determined to return and visit Sorrento. While planning my day trip to Capri, I noticed two small islands nearby and decided on a whim to add them to my itinerary. When I told my B&B host that I planned to visit Ischia and Procida for the day, she looked at me strangely and advised against it. She felt that each island deserved more time, so I considered her advice but decided to stick with my original plan. I didn’t know it at the time, but my intuition was guiding me. When I reached the ferry booth, I told the man I wanted a ticket to Ischia and a ticket from Ischia to Procida. Again, I met pushback, so instead of arguing my case, I decided to buy my ticket to Ischia and purchase my next ticket to Procida once I arrived there. I’m glad I trusted my intuition because if I had listened to my B&B host or the man at the ticket booth, I would have skipped Procida. For me that day, one day provided more than enough time for both islands. Ischia impressed me with its beauty, but Procida awakened my Venus. Colorful and compact, the island made me smile and feel warm and fuzzy throughout my visit. Maybe I’ll take my host’s advice and book a longer trip in the future.