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Romantic Florence

Florence guide

Romantic Florence

A guide to romantic Florence — the sunset views, the riverside walks, intimate art and gardens, a Tuscan wine country escape, and how to plan a couples' trip to the Renaissance city.

Florence is one of the most romantic cities in Italy — compact, beautiful, and steeped in art and history, with the Tuscan countryside at its edge. It's a classic honeymoon and couples' destination, and beyond the must-see sights, it offers endless small pleasures for two. Here's how to plan a romantic trip.

The sunset views

Begin (or end) with the views. Piazzale Michelangelo, the hilltop terrace across the Arno, offers the definitive panorama of Florence, and watching the sun set over the city's domes and towers from there is the romantic moment of a Florence trip. For something quieter, climb a few minutes higher to San Miniato al Monte, or take in the city from a hotel rooftop terrace with a drink.

The river and the bridges

A stroll along the Arno at golden hour, and across the Ponte Vecchio with its glittering jewelry shops, is pure romance — especially in the early morning or evening when the crowds thin. The neighboring Ponte Santa Trinita offers the classic view of the Ponte Vecchio itself, beautiful at sunset.

Intimate art and gardens

Choose smaller, atmospheric sights for two. The Bargello and the Medici Chapels offer sublime art without the crowds. The Boboli and (especially) the smaller, quieter Bardini Garden are lovely for a romantic wander, with gorgeous views — the Bardini's wisteria tunnel is magical in spring. And seeing Michelangelo's David together remains a genuine shared awe.

Food, wine, and the Tuscan escape

Romance and Tuscan food go hand in hand. Share a bistecca alla fiorentina and a bottle of Chianti at a candlelit trattoria, linger over wine at an enoteca, or take a Chianti wine country day trip — a day among the vineyards with tastings and a long Tuscan lunch is one of the most romantic things you can do from Florence. Cap evenings with gelato on a quiet piazza.

Where to stay for romance

Choose a hotel with a view or character: a riverside suite overlooking the Ponte Vecchio (Portrait Firenze or Hotel Lungarno), a grand palace on the Arno (The St. Regis), or an intimate, characterful boutique in the artisan Oltrarno (SoprArno Suites). A room with a river or Duomo view makes a Florence stay unforgettable.

Slow down

As anywhere, the real romance of Florence is in its unhurried pleasures — wandering the Oltrarno hand in hand, lingering over a long lunch, watching the light change on the river. Plan the essentials, book the museums ahead, and then leave plenty of room to simply enjoy the city together.

Mentioned in this guide

Piazzale MichelangeloDo

Piazzale Michelangelo

The hilltop terrace on the Oltrarno side with the definitive panorama of Florence — the Duomo, the towers, and the Arno's bridges spread out below, a bronze David replica, and the best sunset view in the city. Free.

Ponte VecchioDo

Ponte Vecchio

Florence's iconic medieval bridge over the Arno — lined since the 16th century with gold and jewelry shops, topped by the Medici's private Vasari Corridor, and one of the most romantic spots in the city. Free to walk.

Boboli GardensDo

Boboli Gardens

The monumental Renaissance gardens rising behind the Pitti Palace — centuries-old avenues, fountains, grottoes, and classical sculpture across a hillside, with some of the loveliest views over Florence.

Chianti Wine Country TourDo

Chianti Wine Country Tour

A day in the rolling vineyards of Chianti, between Florence and Siena — winery visits and tastings of the region's famous reds, Tuscan lunches, medieval hill towns, and the quintessential Tuscan countryside.

Portrait FirenzeStay

Portrait Firenze

A chic, design-led luxury hotel right on the Arno beside the Ponte Vecchio — Ferragamo-owned style, spacious suites with river and bridge views, and an effortlessly elegant, residential feel in the heart of Florence.

Hotel LungarnoStay

Hotel Lungarno

A nautical-chic boutique hotel on the Oltrarno bank of the Arno, with celebrated views of the Ponte Vecchio — a notable private art collection, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and an intimate riverside elegance.

The St. Regis FlorenceStay

The St. Regis Florence

A grand riverside palace hotel on the Arno — opulent Renaissance-and-Medici-inspired interiors, butler service, and rooms overlooking the river, on an elegant square moments from the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi.