Are you planning a romantic weekend in Florence and you want to surprise your other half with something truly special? Florence is an excellent place for a romantic getaway. With a bit of imagination and a good dose of planning, you can organize some truly unique experiences.
Florence is the perfect city where to fall in love. Let me guide you through its most romantic corners and to share all the best romantic things to do in Florence!
Why is Florence a romantic city?
Florence is one of the most romantic places on Earth. Here you will find a perfectly preserved historical center, narrow streets, stunning panoramic views, and exquisite Renaissance architecture. All these elements create a perfect atmosphere for romance.
The beauty of Florence continues to surprise and amaze everyone. Even the locals often stop to admire the beauty of the city almost every day as we walk through the center. Visiting Florence with your partner is one of the best gifts you could ever imagine.
Whether during your stay you choose to visit art galleries, take a stroll through Florentine gardens, or climb to panoramic viewpoints, you’ll feel that love is truly in the air here.
What is the most romantic place in Florence?
I believe the most romantic places in Florence are actually our gardens. There’s nothing better than a walk through the Boboli Gardens, the Bardini Gardens, or the Rose Garden.
Personally, I still go for romantic walks through the Florentine gardens with my husband. We love to sit in a quiet spot, gazing at the beautiful view of Brunelleschi’s Dome. It’s truly one of the best experiences you can plan during your stay.
Here’s 7 romantic things to do in Florence
Florence offers endless opportunities to create unforgettable memories as a couple.
If you’re planning a special getaway and want to surprise your partner with unique activities, let me guide you through seven wonderful ideas that will make your romantic trip to Florence truly magical.
From exploring world-class museums to watching the sunset over Renaissance rooftops, these experiences capture the essence of romance in the heart of Tuscany.
Florence offers a wide range of romantic experiences. You could:
- Enjoy a romantic dinner with a view
- Get lost together in one of Florence’s many museums
- Organize a magical boat tour on the Arno River
- Explore the city on a romantic guided tour
- Share a cocktail on one of the many rooftop bar in Florence
- Stroll through the Florentine gardens like the Bardini Garden
- Discover romantic stories in the Uffizi Gallery
Let’s dive deeper into these beautiful romantic things to do in Florence!
Romantic things to do in Florence: museums and galleries to explore
Don’t you think that visiting a beautiful art museum together sounds romantic?
I believe that Florence’s museums are the perfect places for a date.
You can explore:
- The Uffizi Gallery
- The Palatine Gallery in the Pitti Palace (for more details, read the article on Florence Palazzo Pitti what to see)
- Michelangelo’s David and the collection at the Galleria dell’Accademia
Consider visiting museums at sunset!
During the summer, both the Uffizi and the Accademia organize special evening openings. This means you can plan a very exclusive visit with far fewer visitors around. The museum feels half-empty, and there’s a wonderful, romantic atmosphere in the air. It’s highly recommended for a romantic evening in Florence!
Florence: romantic spots to watch the sunset
We all know sunsets are some of the most romantic experiences, and you don’t need the seaside to enjoy a beautiful one!
If you want to watch the sunset in Florence, you can:
- Climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo to see the sun setting behind the Apennine mountains. Piazzale Michelangelo is a panoramic terrace located above Florence’s historic center. From there, you’ll see the breathtaking Florence best views of iconic monuments like the Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, and Santa Croce Basilica.
- Another romantic spot is the Florentine bridges and the so-called “Lungarni,” the streets that run along the Arno River. Here, you can watch the sky turn red and the sun disappear on the horizon.
Sunsets in winter are especially romantic, making winter a wonderful season for a romantic weekend in Florence.
A romantic Florence tour
During your stay, you could organize a guided tour through Florence’s historical center. It’s an excellent idea for a romantic getaway.
On such a tour, you’ll:
- Discover the city’s hidden corners
- Learn about Florence’s fascinating history
- Get an excellent introduction to exploring on your own
Imagine discovering which areas of the city you both love the most, then returning there together later. Picture yourselves wandering the streets hand-in-hand, creating your own memories.
Enjoy a Florence romantic cocktail on a rooftop bar
Imagine holding a glass of wine with your partner, looking out over a beautiful panoramic view of the Florence Cathedral.
Taking a romantic break from museum visits at one of Florence’s rooftop bars can be one of the most magical experiences you’ll have in the city.
You can:
- Enjoy panoramic terraces during aperitivo time
- Opt for a romantic and special dinner at a rooftop restaurant
Take a romantic Florence walk in the Rose Garden
As I’ve already mentioned, romantic walks in Florentine gardens are truly special. My absolute favorite is the Rose Garden. It’s one of my favorite places in the entire city!
My husband and I often come here for romantic little dates. It’s the perfect quiet spot where you can sit, enjoy the scent of blooming flowers, and relax while admiring the breathtaking view of Florence’s historic center and Cathedral.
A few fascinating facts about the Rose Garden:
- It connects the San Niccolò neighborhood with Piazzale Michelangelo.
- It was created in the 19th century by Attilio Pucci, a Florentine gardener who inherited the city’s gardening tradition from his father, the last gardener of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany.
- Today, the garden preserves many rare varieties of roses.
- It also has a corner dedicated to a Japanese garden.
- Within the garden, you’ll find whimsical sculptures by Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon. These sculptures represent fantastic animals and figures from children’s tales. Folon began his artistic career as a children’s book illustrator, and many of his figures later became sculptures. A large collection of his art was donated to Florence after Folon’s death and placed in the Rose Garden.
Make a romantic Florence boat tour on the Arno river
A romantic boat tour on the Arno River is one of the most enchanting experiences you can arrange. Gliding along the water, you’ll see Florence from a completely different perspective. It’s a perfect way to escape the crowds and share an intimate moment with your partner under the Florentine sky.
Romantic things to do in Florence: visit the Uffizi Gallery
If you decide to visit the Uffizi Gallery with your partner, you might look for romantic artworks. It’s not always easy to find art that corresponds to modern ideas of love and romance, because in medieval and Renaissance times, relationships were often based on social standards and arranged marriages rather than mutual feelings.
Yet there are some truly romantic stories hidden within the Uffizi’s collections.
Madonna with Child and two Angels by Filippo Lippi
This painting might surprise you as a romantic artwork, but it’s tied to an unexpected and scandalous love story. Filippo Lippi, the painter, was a friar who supervised a female nunnery in Prato. There, he fell in love with a nun named Lucrezia Buti. Lucrezia got pregnant, causing a huge scandal because of this forbidden relationship.
However, their story had a happy ending. Lippi, who had strong ties with the Medici family, obtained a special permit from the pope. Both he and Lucrezia left their religious communities and married. They had a son, Filippino Lippi, who also became a famous painter.
Many people believe the Virgin depicted in this painting is a portrait of Lucrezia, and the baby Jesus is modeled after their son, Filippino.
Cupid and Psyche
On the Uffizi’s second floor, in the corridor connecting the two wings of the gallery, you’ll find a small sculpture of Cupid and Psyche, the two protagonists of a classic myth.
In this story:
- Initially, Cupid and Psyche met only at night, and Cupid didn’t want Psyche to see his face. This mother Venus did not allow him to enter into relationships.
- Psyche’s jealous sisters convinced her that her mysterious lover could be an old, ugly man.
- One night, Psyche lit a candle and discovered Cupid was a beautiful young man.
- Cupid awoke and, feeling betrayed, left Psyche.
- Psyche suffered deeply and desired to be reunited with Cupit, but Venus rendered their relationship impossible.
- Moved by Psyche’s sufferings the gods intervened and convinced Venus to arrange trials for Psyche, so she couldprove her love.
- Psyche successfully completed the trials, and the couple was reunited.
For the Romans, this myth was an allegory for the growth of the human spirit towards maturity and moral perfection. For us today, it’s a deeply romantic tale of strong love overcoming countless obstacles.
Venus and Cupid by Alessandro Allori
Another romantic artwork in the Uffizi is Venus and Cupid, painted by Alessandro Allori for Francesco I, Duke of Florence. This artwork celebrates Francesco’s love for Bianca Cappello, a woman who was his mistress for many years before becoming his second wife.
Francesco and Bianca’s relationship evolved during the decades:
- In 1564 Francesco married Joanna of Austria, with whom he had seven children (including Maria de’ Medici, theQueen of France).
- Throughout his marriage, Francesco maintained a relationship with Bianca Cappello, a noblewoman from Venice.
- Francesco built a palace for Bianca near the Pitti Palace to keep her close.
- After Joanna’s and Bianca’s husbands’ deaths, Francesco and Bianca married.
- Sadly, they both contracted malaria and died within hours of each other at the Medici villa in Poggio a Caiano,a romantic yet tragic ending to their love story.
As you can see, Florence is the ultimate romantic destination. Whether you’re wandering through hidden gardens, sipping cocktails on a rooftop, marveling at Renaissance masterpieces, or cruising the Arno River, love is truly in the air.
So, if you’re dreaming of a romantic getaway, Florence is waiting for you with open arms and countless experiences to share with the one you love.
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