Captivating by the colours of Autumn I couldn’t not think about some of the most romantic places in Rome to visit during this season. My favourite ones, since I lived here for most of my life, are so original and still considerate hidden gems where you can have sweet and intimate moments with your loved one or by yourself.
In the northern hemisphere, September is the month of restart after the long summer vacation. Also, the end of September marks the beginning of the Autumn season, leaving behind the hottest temperature and welcoming the fall colours, vibes and coldest temperature.
If you are a fan of this colourful season, welcome this season in Rome where the most romantic places will delight your stay and make you feel in love and like a local.
Romantic Places in Rome
Though I left Rome – my home town – pretty young, I lived in this city as much as I could when I was there. Every time I go back for a holiday, to visit my family and friends one of the first things I try to do as soon as possible is to get lost in Rome. Start to walk from one place to another without a real plan.
Discovering new romantic places to visit in Rome for me has been almost a relaxing hobby, I walked alone or with friends. As I grew up, I realised that the most romantic places to visit in Rome during autumn were some of my favourite places to be when I was a kid or a teenager.
The colours of the trees with falling red and yellow leaves match perfectly the sky nuances, the warm rays of the sun caressing your skin and the sweet breeze moving through your hair making just a simple stroll so romantic you want to fall in love with Rome.
…And, if all of this walking is making you angry, the solution is here. Most of the restaurants in this article are very close to the most romantic places to visit in Rome, so make the most of your Autumn experience in Rome and walk this romantic city with a full belly.
Villa Pamphilj
One of my favourite places in Rome when I was a kid was Villa Pamphilj and how romantic it became when I grew up. I remember as if it was yesterday, I couldn’t wait for my dad to take me and my brothers and go there, where I could lie down over the thousands daisy on the grass or play over the swing waiting daydreaming my turn to enjoy being suspended above the ground and eventually fly.
As I grew up, this magical place showed even more of his potential and the romance behind this green lung within minutes from the Historical centre of Rome. Most of the time I needed some fresh air, a connection with nature, or just to stare at the poetic maritime pines that adorn the whole Park, I made my way to Villa Pamphilj, this everlast beauty.
The Villa Doria Pamphilj is a 17th-century villa, it extends for 184 hectares making it the third largest landscaped public park in Rome. The Park is Located in the quarter of Monteverde and the eight entrance all around makes it easier to enjoy every corner. The Casino del Bel Respiro (the house of beautiful breath) was designed as a complement to the Pamphilj collection of sculptures and the giardino segreto – just in front of the Casina – adorning the palace’s spontaneous beauty.
Lakes, chapels, fountains, creeks and centennial oaks are just some of the many beauty this Villa has to offer. Romantic walks on the many paths or picnics will, beyond doubt, give you the feeling of being stuck in time around Rome.
Il Giardino degli aranci
Il Giardino degli Aranci or the Orange Garden of Rome (Parco Savello) is one of the most beautiful and romantic parks in Rome.
Perched on top of the Aventino Hill (Colle Aventino), the beautiful public Garden, delight you with the overview of the St.Peter’s dome and many other famous monuments of this romantic city. Il Giardino degli Aranci has a symmetrical setting, the central avenue is surrounded by orange trees (the reason why it’s called the Orange Garden) and the typical Roman Pine trees.
This charming green space is for sure one of the most romantic places to visit in Rome during autumn, close enough to the top sights to see in Rome but beyond doubt still a little gem this city has to offer; making you feel like a local around one of the most ancient city in the world.
Categorized as one of the perfect lookouts over Rome, the sunset you are going to experience here is as magical and romantic as you would imagine: the sky in front of you will mutate from light blue to orange, red and pink giving you the chance to see how beautiful sunsets in Rome are.
Ponte Sant’ Angelo
You can’t go to Rome and don’t get close to the river that crosses the city. As the old city expresses her best self around River Tiber, definitely you will end up in these other romantic places that Rome has to offer.
Castel Sant’ Angelo, known also as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, was originally built to serve as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian but in the 6th century, was turned into a papal fortress.
Today the Castle has turned into a museum where you can entertain yourself by exploring the trap doors, ditches, draw bridges, dungeons, weapons and papal apartments all around the cylindrical castle. As well as a Museum, Castel Sant’ Angelo is a lovely place to see the Roman skyline; so visit the building and spend a few moments on the terrace embracing the romantic side this place has or walk for a twilight stroll along the Ponte Sant’Angelo – Rome’s Bridge of Angels.
During autumn this is one of the most romantic places to visit in Rome, the colour of the sky and the foliage of the three that follow the River Tiber simply combine their self on a sweet dance of beauty.
Pincian Hill – Pincio
Lying north of the Quirinal Hill, in the northeastern part of the historical centre of Rome, is the Pincian Hill or Pincio terrace, another of the most romantic places to visit in Rome during Autumn.
Many memories of my childhood, teenage and adult life are connected to this beautiful garden. Only a few steps uphill from Piazza del Popolo, you stumble into one of the best lookout terraces, romantic and pure; surrounded by beautiful trees and plants and the never-ending dramatic skyline of the Eternal City of Rome.
Make your way up from the Spanish steps or Piazza del Popolo, and don’t forget to look around, at monuments, secret gardens, and sculptures. Spot the most romantic place to enjoy the sunset or just simply admire the view of Rome from the top trying to guess how many domes you can see from here.
Ponte Sisto
Trastevere is for sure my favourite neighbourhood in the historical centre of Rome, all those famous squares, the many churches and the cute narrow street around make everything looks poetic and enchanting. As young as a 14-year-old, I was so lucky and glad I could attend college in this area; so for over 5 years, I spent a minimum of five days a week in Trastevere.
The river Tiber run for most of the Trastevere quarter, dividing it into two parts, both worth visiting and with different yet similar vibes. If you are wondering where to walk to go from one side to the other I have the most romantic solution for you. Ponte Sisto, is a pedestrian bridge that links Via dei Pettinari in the Rione of Regola to Piazza Trilussa in Trastevere.
Grab your favourite Trapizzino from Piazza Trilussa, a drink and walk hand by-hand with your beloved on one of the most romantic bridges in Rome, enjoy some live music and street artists, and as locals live the nightlife as Romans do. Overlooking the lights mirroring into the river.
Gianicolo
If you are the kind of person who enjoys a lookout, where you can see the real skyline of a city, this is the place for you. In my top 3 for the most romantic places to visit in Rome during autumn, Gianicolo (Janiculum) take the highest spot. Rising about 80 meters above the city, the Janiculum is one of the best locations in Rome for a scenic view of central Rome with its domes and bell towers.
Easily accessible from the Trastevere and Monteverde quarters, the Gianicolo Hill,(not part of the 7 hills of Rome) offer a pleasant walk around the park; more than a few spectacular lookouts and many other sights that are worth visiting. Walk the way up between 84 marble half-busts representing some of the “mille” fighters against the French; once in the higher point and main square a big Garibaldi statue rises in the middle and here is where the Terrace encircling the roundabout gives you the pleasure to enjoy the skyline from any angle you like.
Many are the other monuments that delight your time on this hill, consider visiting the lighthouse (il Faro) and one of the most romantic fountains in Rome, Fontana dell’Acqua Paola, or “er Fontanone“.
A cannon fires from ‘Gianicolo’ at midday each day to mark this historic battle for Rome. Don’t miss it!
Villa Borghese
If you are wondering whether Rome has a “central Park” to visit the answer is yes. Villa Borghese is a favourite for tourists and locals; dubbed as the central park, is situated in the heart of Rome and is a landscaped Garden containing Museums, buildings and attractions.
Villa Borghese is the third largest park in Rome and its central location makes it the favourite green escape from the crowded tourist sights. Are you wondering why this is one of the most romantic places to visit in Rome? Well, no doubt the buildings and the lakes are so elegant and perfect for setting up a little picnic to appreciate with your beloved.
Consider renting a bike to explore the park better and choose the best spot for some good pictures in this green lung in the eternal City.
Ponte Milvio
Are you a local wannabe in search of the most romantic place to visit in Rome? I couldn’t not include Ponte Milvio, this bridge has been for many years the most romantic place in the city, where lovers swore eternal love to each other by placing a padlock with their names on, it over the street lamps.
The beginning of this tradition was due to the success of a 2006 romance film, “Ho voglia di te” (I Want You), where the couple chose to symbolize their love with a padlock and to throw the key into the Tiber, as a promise of eternity Love.
Today, actually from 2012, these many padlocks hanging over the lampost are no longer there, as the number of locks was becoming too heavy in weight to handle, the Rome council decided to remove them for the safety of the bridge. But as love is not to be ruled, every now and then some padlock continues to appear over Ponte Milvio.
Located in the northern quadrant of the city, Ponte Milvio is one of the most ancient bridges in Rome, a meeting place for young Romans and tourists, and still one of the most romantic places to visit in Rome during autumn.
