Rome is an eternal love story—2,700 years of art, myth, and everyday magic. From emperors’ arenas to Baroque piazzas, it’s a city that rewards slow walks, shared plates of cacio e pepe, and starlit conversations over a second glass of Barolo. You’ll trace layers of history while savoring the city’s modern food scene, world-class wine, and intimate neighborhoods.

Expect espresso bars with century-old rituals, family trattorie alongside inventive tasting menus, and boutiques tucked among ivy-draped lanes. The big hitters—the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican—sit within easy reach of lively districts like Trastevere, Monti, Prati, and Testaccio. Evenings glow with rooftop aperitivi and riverside strolls.

Practical notes: book key sites in advance, carry a modest cover for churches, and keep valuables close in crowds. Taxis and ride-hails are plentiful; the metro works well for longer hops. For a romantic atmosphere, focus on consent, comfort, and shared experiences—sunset views, soft-lit dinners, and unhurried time together set the tone far better than any script.

Rome

Rome is a tapestry of eras: pagan temples reborn as churches, Renaissance palaces converted to museums, and narrow cobblestones that lead to gelato, vino, and handmade leather goods. With 12 days, you can enjoy the icons without rushing, add delicious detours, and still make space for day trips to historic villas and wine country.

Getting there and around: For flights to or within Europe, compare fares on Omio. If you’re flying from outside Europe, also check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From FCO (Fiumicino) Airport, the Leonardo Express train takes ~32 minutes to Termini; taxis have a set city-center fare (usually ~€50–55) and take 35–50 minutes depending on traffic. To book European trains (e.g., for day trips), use Omio Trains; for regional buses and ferries, see Omio Buses and Omio Ferries.

Where to stay (handpicked)—book these with our partners or browse more options:

• Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel — An elegant city hideaway between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps with a leafy secret garden perfect for aperitivo and long breakfasts.
• Hotel Eden — Historic hilltop glamour near Via Veneto; panoramic dining rooms put the city at your feet at sunset.
• Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel — Resort-style retreat with a revered art collection, sprawling spa, and a Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking the skyline.
• Hotel Santa Maria — Warm, romantic boutique hotel in Trastevere with citrus-filled courtyards and easy access to wine bars and trattorie.
• Kolbe Hotel Rome — Peaceful rooms by the Palatine Hill gardens; wake to birdsong moments from the Forum.

If you prefer a private apartment, browse VRBO Rome, or explore more hotels on Hotels.com.

Days 1–3: Historic Heart, Coffee Rituals, and Sunset Strolls

Ease in with Rome’s golden triangle: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. For a first toast to the city, climb to Terrazza del Pincio above Piazza del Popolo—sunset here wraps the rooftops in amber light.

Morning coffee and breakfast: Start at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè for their famed house roast, or sip a perfectly extracted espresso at Tazza d’Oro near the Pantheon. For a leisurely brunch, Coromandel offers plush seating and decadent pancakes; Marigold in Ostiense bakes excellent sourdough and flaky pastries.

Lunch and shopping: Try Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina for carbonara, burrata, and an encyclopedic wine list; reserve ahead. Shop Via dei Condotti for high fashion, then pivot to Monti’s Via del Boschetto for Italian artisans—leather, jewelry, and curated vintage.

Dinner and drinks: Book Pierluigi for candlelit seafood on a cobbled piazza, or Retrobottega for inventive tasting menus. For a post-dinner wine, Il Goccetto pours beloved Italian labels in a wood-paneled space; Cul de Sac near Navona is another classic enoteca with a deep list.

Romantic touch: Wander to the tiny, softly lit streets of the Jewish Ghetto for gelato and the hush of the Tiber at night. Focus on connection—unhurried walks, hand-in-hand viewpoints, and conversations set the mood naturally and respectfully.

Featured experience (romantic, effortless overview):
Rome by Night: Golf Cart Tour

Glide past softly illuminated fountains and piazzas with a guide who weaves history and hidden corners into a dreamy evening—ideal to get oriented and spark that “wow” feeling together.

Days 4–6: Ancient Marvels, Monti Style, and Craft Beer

Dedicate a day to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. In the afternoon, stroll Monti—Rome’s indie-heart neighborhood—full of ateliers, hip cafés, and vintage shops.

Coffee and light bites: Faro – Luminari del Caffè roasts third-wave beans and does beautiful pour-overs; Panificio Bonci makes pizza al taglio with seasonal toppings. For gelato, try Gelateria Fatamorgana’s creative flavors.

Lunch to remember: Taverna dei Fori Imperiali serves Roman comfort dishes steps from the Forum; Felice a Testaccio is beloved for tonnarelli cacio e pepe tossed at the table.

Evening plan: Book Aroma (at Palazzo Manfredi) for a Colosseum-view dinner, or head to Seu Pizza Illuminati for contemporary pies and a playful wine list. For craft beer, try Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fà (Trastevere) or Be.Re. near the Vatican, both pouring Italy’s best microbrews.

Featured experience (deep-dive into Ancient Rome):
Rome: Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Guided Tour

Stand on the Arena Floor where gladiators once fought, then walk the Forum’s sacred road and Palatine’s imperial gardens with expert commentary.

Golden-hour detour: Head to the Aventine Hill. Peek through the Knights of Malta keyhole for a perfectly framed St. Peter’s dome, then linger in the Giardino degli Aranci for fragrant orange trees and Tiber views.

Days 7–9: Vatican, Trastevere Flavors, and Hands-On Cooking

Visit St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums early to beat crowds. Mind the dress code (covered shoulders and knees), and consider a rest in the quiet Borgo streets afterward.

Coffee and bakeries: Pergamino Caffè (near the Vatican) does specialty espresso flights; Roscioli Caffè e Pasticceria is ideal for maritozzi (cream-filled buns) and cappuccino.

Trastevere afternoon: Meander lanes strung with ivy and laundry lines. Pop into Santa Maria in Trastevere, then sit for an aperitivo in Piazza di San Calisto before dinner.

Featured experience (foodie heaven):
Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe

Taste your way through family-run spots—supplì, porchetta, cheeses, gelato—and toast with regional wines in a neighborhood that was made for evening rambles.

Featured experience (date-night fun you can bring home):
3 in 1 Cooking Class near Navona: Fettuccine, Ravioli & Tiramisu

Make fresh pasta together and finish with tiramisù—few things are more romantic than cooking side by side and sharing what you’ve created.

Dinner and wine: Book Taverna Trilussa for classic Roman pastas served “alla padella,” or try Il Sanlorenzo for pristine seafood. For a memorable tasting, Rimessa Roscioli hosts guided flights that range from Barolo to natural wines—reserve early.

Days 10–12: Day Trips, Wine Country, Rooftops, and Spa Time

Tivoli villas: Spend a day among fountains and frescoes at Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa. Trains from Roma Tiburtina to Tivoli take ~40–60 minutes; book on Omio Trains. Lunch at a local trattoria, then return for a sunset rowboat on Villa Borghese Lake.

Castelli Romani & Frascati wines: Ride a ~30-minute train to Frascati via Omio for crisp whites and porchetta in hilltown piazzas. Back in Rome, continue with a guided tasting at Il Goccetto or Litro (Monteverde) for low-intervention bottles.

Beach or ruins option: If the weather’s warm, consider Sperlonga’s bright coves (train to Fondi–Sperlonga, then local shuttle), or explore the remarkably preserved streets of Ostia Antica (~35–45 minutes from Piramide/Porta San Paolo).

Breweries and late-night bites: Pair trapizzino (stuffed pizza pockets) with IPAs at Be.Re.; in Trastevere, Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fà is a temple to Italian craft beer. For a sweet ending, seek gelato at La Romana or Otaleg.

Rooftops & spa: Cap the trip with a rooftop aperitivo at Terrazza Borromini or Hotel de Russie’s garden bar, then schedule a couples’ spa session at the Rome Cavalieri. Keep it simple: lookouts, slow dinners, and considerate gestures typically do the most to kindle romance.

Additional practical tips:

• Reserve major sites and top restaurants 2–4 weeks out (longer in summer and around holidays).
• Many state sites offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month—expect lines and plan early starts.
• Dress codes apply in churches; carry a light scarf or shawl.
• Tipping is modest in Italy; service is often included. A couple of euros or rounding up is appreciated for excellent service.

Optional Highlights You Can Swap In

If you’d like to add another showstopper, consider a Vatican early-access tour to enjoy the Sistine Chapel with fewer crowds, or a small-group Pompeii/Positano day trip (book trains and transfers on Omio if you go independently). Keep at least one slow day with no agenda beyond coffee, markets, and a long lunch.

Featured experience (flex option for day or evening overview):
Rome by Golf Cart Private Tour: Beyond the Landmarks

Create a custom route to hidden courtyards, viewpoints, and neighborhoods—ideal for couples who want a tailored, low-effort overview.

In twelve days, you’ll savor Rome’s icons and its intimate corners—espresso counters at dawn, wine bars at dusk, and moonlit piazzas between. This itinerary balances must-see sights with unhurried meals and meaningful moments, the best recipe for a romantic escape you’ll keep talking about long after you’re home.