If you’re looking for the ultimate romantic getaway with your significant other, Venice, Italy, is the place to go. Known as La Serenissima or “The Most Serene,” this city of canals and famous bridges has lured lovers from around the world for centuries.
Whether it be a gondola ride through its winding waterways or a romantic dinner at an outdoor café, Venice offers countless opportunities to create lifelong memories with your special someone.
Come take a moonlit stroll in this one-of-a-kind destination! Here are 10 truly magical and romantic things to do while visiting Venice.
In this guide to Romantic Things to Do in Venice, you’ll discover:
- The romantic appeal of Venice, which has attracted lovers from around the world for centuries.
- The top 10 romantic activities to do in Venice:
- Taking a romantic gondola ride through the city’s winding waterways.
- Visiting Piazza San Marco at night for a magical experience.
- Enjoying a romantic dinner at a quiet restaurant in the city.
- Taking a sunset stroll, with the Rialto Bridge being one of the best places to watch the sunset.
- Visiting the Bridge of Sighs, one of Venice’s most famous bridges, known for its romantic legend.
- Taking a wine tasting tour to explore the local culture and enjoy some great wine.
- Visiting local wine bars for a taste of local wine.
- Taking a day trip to Torcello Island for a more intimate and peaceful experience.
- Attending an opera performance at Teatro La Fenice, one of the world’s most prestigious venues for opera.
- Taking a moonlit boat ride through the Venetian Lagoon for a unique and romantic experience.
- The romantic atmosphere of Venice, enhanced by its beautiful canals, narrow streets, stunning architecture, and rich history.
- The most romantic places in Venice, including the Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark’s Square, Rialto Bridge, and the canals at night.
- Tips for making the most of your romantic trip to Venice, such as timing your gondola ride, capturing the moment, and immersing yourself in the local culture.
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Is Venice Italy Romantic?
Yes, Venice is often considered a very romantic city. Its beautiful canals, narrow streets, stunning architecture, and rich history contribute to its romantic atmosphere. The city is often described as a place where time stands still, and visitors can wander and get lost in its winding streets and hidden corners.
Many couples enjoy taking romantic gondola rides through the canals, strolling hand in hand through the city’s beautiful squares and gardens, and dining on delicious Italian cuisine in cozy restaurants and romantic hotels.
Why Is Venice So Romantic?
“Venice city is often considered romantic because of its unique and enchanting atmosphere. The city’s stunning architecture, intricate canals, and colorful scenery create a sense of magic and wonder, making it a popular destination for couples.
Additionally, the slower pace of life and the absence of cars and modern distractions can help create a sense of intimacy and connection between people. The city’s rich history and culture, artistic heritage, and culinary traditions contribute to its romantic appeal.
Overall, Venice offers a sense of escape and enchantment that can help create an atmosphere of love and romance.
Where Is the Most Romantic Place in Venice?
Venice is a city full of romantic places, making it difficult to choose just one. However, many people consider the most romantic place in Venice to be the Bridge of Sighs. This iconic bridge connects the Doge’s Palace to the prison and is known for its breathtaking views of the canal and the city.
Legend says that if two lovers kiss on a gondola under the bridge at sunset, they will be granted eternal love. Other romantic places in Venice include St. Mark’s Square, Rialto Bridge, the canals at night, and the quiet streets and alleys of the city’s many neighborhoods.
Top 10 Things To Do in Romantic Venice
Whether you’re on a romantic weekend in Venice or a beautiful honeymoon trip to Italy, you’ll want to take advantage of everything this centuries-old city offers. So without further ado, here is our list of the most romantic things to do and see while visiting Venice.
Take a Romantic Gondola Ride
Gondola rides are romantic for a few reasons, but primarily because you can escape the tourist crowds and relax in the canals of an ancient city.
Gondoliers are known for their singing, providing local insights into the city, and making the entire experience a romantic trip through one of Europe’s most romantic cities.
Gondola rides typically last 30-45 minutes and provides stunning views of Venice’s architecture, bridges, and waterways.
Here are a few tips to make the most of your gondola ride in Venice:
- Time your ride: The best time to take a gondola ride is early morning or evening when the crowds have thinned out, and the lighting is ideal for photography.
- Negotiate the price: Gondola rides in Venice can be quite expensive, but you can negotiate with the gondolier to get a better price.
- Capture the moment: Take pictures and videos of your gondola ride to preserve the memories. You can also ask your gondolier to photograph you and your partner.
- Put down the camera: I know our last tip was to capture the moment, but putting down your phone and taking in the moment is often times more rewarding and romantic.
Visit Piazza San Marco at Night
Piazza San Marco, also known as St. Mark’s Square, is one of Venice’s most famous and iconic spots. At night, it transforms into a romantic and magical place, attracting many visitors seeking to experience the beauty of Venice under the moonlight.
The stunning architecture of the surrounding buildings, including St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Bell Tower, and the Doge’s Palace, is illuminated, creating a breathtaking view. The sound of live music and the gentle hum of people enjoying themselves at the outdoor cafes adds to the romantic atmosphere.
The square is less crowded at night, providing a more intimate and peaceful experience. Couples can take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the beauty of the square and its surroundings, making it a truly romantic destination in Venice.
Enjoy a Romantic Dinner
There are many great places to have a romantic dinner in Venice. Our recommendation is to find a restaurant in a quieter sestieri, like Cannaregio, and enjoy time away from tourist attractions.
Part of the experience is being outside along the water, so the following restaurants have been selected with that in mind.
- Al Timon: While a little more informal, Al Timon is one of the best restaurants in the city and offers a great selection of seafood, steak, and pasta. Arrive early and get outdoor seating.
- Ristorante Casa Bonita: Right next to historic Ponte delle Guglie, Casa Bonita has been described as having some of the best seafood in Venice. Grab a table outside and sit next to the beautiful canal.
- Restaurant Terrazza Danieli: Located in Castello, this restaurant offers superb rooftop views and classic recipes that are amongst the best in the city. Be sure to book months in advance because Terrazza Danieli fills up quickly.
- Met Restaurant: If you want something more formal, you can’t go wrong with the Michelin Star-winning Met Restaurant in Castello. Although it’s not on the water, the interior design of this restaurant makes this a fantastic romantic experience.
For more information, we wrote a comprehensive guide to the Best Restaurants in Venice as well as a guide to local Venetian cuisine, foods and drinks.
If you want to take the guesswork out of picking a location, I recommend trying a Food and Wine tour. They take you to multiple locations, so you can try some of the best from each restaurant and winery. We took the Dine Around Venice: Authentic Food & Wine Experience with Moonlight Gondola Ride.
Take A Sunset Stroll
One of the best places to see the sunset in Venice is from the Rialto Bridge, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. From the famous bridge, you can enjoy stunning views of the Grand Canal and watch as the sun sets over the city’s most historic buildings and waterways.
Other great spots for sunset views include the Punta della Dogana, a scenic point at the entrance to the Grand Canal, and the Fondamenta Zattere along the southern edge of Dorsoduro.
You can also take a sunset cruise along the canals or lagoon for a unique and romantic experience.
Venice is full of the most romantic things to see wherever you walk. From world-famous historic palaces with breathtaking renaissance architecture to romantic hotels with a guestlist ranging from Princess Diana to Charles Dickens and Ernest Hemingway. The entire city is ripe with romantic spots and spectacular views.
Visit the Bridge of Sighs
One of Venice’s most famous bridges, the Bridge of Sighs is often considered romantic because of its history and legend.
Ponte dei Sospiri was built in the 17th century to connect the Doge’s Palace with the new prison (and torture chamber), and it’s said that prisoners would pass over it on their way to their cells, taking their last glimpse of Venice through the small windows.
The name “Bridge of Sighs” comes from the idea that the prisoners would sigh as they crossed it, knowing they would never see their city again.
The romantic legend surrounding the bridge is that couples who kiss under it while taking a gondola ride at sunset will be granted eternal love and happiness. While nobody knows for certain where the legend originated, people like started kissing under the bridge due to the beautiful architecture, spectacular views of the water, and surrounding buildings creating a romantic atmosphere.
So take a gondola ride under the Bridge of Sighs, tell your partner about the legend, and enjoy the rest of your romantic ride through the Venetian canals.
Take a Wine Tasting Tour
Wine tours in Venice are a fantastic way to explore the local culture and, of course, drink some great wine. These tours typically take you on a journey through the Veneto region, which is known for its vineyards and wineries.
There are plenty of different companies that sell tours, but you want to look for ones that offer the following:
- Visiting Lush Vineyards: Wine tours typically take you to the vineyards, where you can see the grapes growing and learn about the wine-making process. You may also have the chance to taste the grapes and learn about the different varieties used to make the wine.
- Wine Tasting: Obviously, the main highlight of a wine tour is wine tasting. You will have the chance to taste different wines, learn about the different flavors, and understand how to pair wine with food.
- Local Expertise: Wine tours are typically led by experts who deeply understand the local wine culture. They can provide insider information about the best wineries, the region’s history, and other cultural insights.
- Scenic Views: The Veneto region is known for its beautiful scenery, including rolling hills, vineyards, and historic architecture. Choose a wine tour that provides the opportunity to take in these views while enjoying some of the best wines in the region.
- Cultural Experience: Taking a wine tour in Venice is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture. Look for guides who know about the region’s history, the wine-making process, and local customs.
Whether you’re a wine lover or just looking for a unique cultural experience, a wine tour in Venice is one of the most romantic things you can do while visiting.
During our first trip to Venice, we took a combined Full Day Venice Island Boat Trip With Murano Tour, Burano, Wine Tasting & Monastery. It was a great way to explore the Venetian lagoon without having to worry about the logistics.
Local Wine Bars
Don’t want to take a wine tour? There are tons of osterie (wine bars) in the city that offer a great selection of local wine. Here are two of my favorites:
- Cantina Do Mori – Considered the oldest osteria in the city, Cantina Do Mori features rows of copper polenta pots hanging overhead in a dimly lit atmosphere. The owners pour wine directly from large demijohns and offer delicious ham and salad sandwiches (francobolli).
- Un Mondo diVino – This converted butcher’s shop offers some of Italy’s finest wines and local Venetian cicchetti (bar snacks), such as insalata di mare (seafood salad) and regional cheeses.
Take a Day Trip to Torcello Island
The Venetian lagoon is known for having unique and beautiful islands. Depending on your interest, you might want to head to Murano for glass blowing and shopping or Burano for the lace museum and colorful homes.
I recommend heading to Torcello Island for a more intimate experience that is fairly free of tourist attractions.
Torcello Island is just north of Venice and is one of the smaller islands in the lagoon. It is a great destination for tourists looking to escape the crowds and explore a more peaceful side of the region.
Part of Torcello’s charm is its lack of people. As of 2018, only 12 people live on the island – which means they heavily rely on your tourism to support their small economy.
To reach Torcello, visitors can take a water taxi or vaporetto from Venice’s Fondamente Nove stop. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes, but private boats can also take you there.
I recommend strolling around the walking paths to enjoy the lush greenery, quiet canals, and scenic beauty. A few historic buildings, like the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Church of Santa Fosca, are well worth visiting.
After a relaxing day wandering the colorful island again, dine at the impressive Locanda Cipriani and try some local Venetian dishes (like local seafood) and fine wine there.
While it’s not a completely hidden gem, Torcello is quiet enough that you and your partner can enjoy alone time and talk about the beautiful island.
Attend an Opera Performance at Teatro La Fenice
During our Venice honeymoon, one of my favorite parts was taking a romantic walk alongside the Grand Canal to this ancient opera house and watching an orchestral performance.
Due to its rich history and amazing architecture, the Teatro La Fenice is among Venice’s best things to see.
A victim of multiple devastating fires, “La Fenice” which means “the Phoenix” in Italian, has been restored and renovated to its original renaissance architecture. The building is a work of art with ornate decorations, gilded accents, and elegant chandeliers.
Over the years, Teatro La Fenice has hosted many of the world’s greatest opera singers and musicians, including Giuseppe Verdi, Gioachino Rossini, and Arturo Toscanini. It continues to be one of the world’s most prestigious venues for opera, and it regularly stages productions of classic operas and new works by contemporary composers.
If you’re lucky enough to be there during an opera or ballet, you will be hard-pressed to find a more romantic activity than seeing a show and walking Venice at night.
Take a Moonlit Boat Ride Through the Venetian Lagoon
How do you make one of the most romantic places in Venice more romantic? A private Venetian water taxi at sunset through the Venetian Lagoon can be a beautiful experience. Ride past important landmarks while the sun paints everything in golden hues.
You have two options, and their price points vary greatly.
First, you can book a romantic gondola ride in Venice until 9:00 PM. The best options are those found in Piazza San Marco, as they will take you past St. Mark’s Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, the Palazzo Ducale, and other historical structures.
We recommend it if you are pressed for time and want to save money while still having a memorable and intimate experience.
Several private boat tour companies operate in Venice. While they’re fairly pricey, they usually offer customized tours of the Venetian Lagoon. We opted for a tour with a personal guide that offered us more information about St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, and Santa Maria della Salute.
Our tour started right before sunset, as the light was soft and golden, and let me tell you that the views of Venice from the water are breathtaking. It took us around Venice, past Lido Island, Murano Island, and Burano Island, before returning to St. Mark’s Square. All in all, our tour was right under two hours.
From gondola rides and romantic evening strolls in Piazza San Marco, to touring the Doge’s Palace and having a pleasant night at Teatro La Fenice, in Venice love never gets old. There are plenty of romantic activities and ways to make your stay here remarkably special if you’re on your Venetian honeymoon.
All you need to know is that a single moment in this beautiful city can be enough to create long-lasting memories. So why not explore Venice and experience one of the most romantic cities in Italy for yourself? Do you have any tips to make Venice romantic? Let us know in the comments!
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