Florence is the City of Love and is one of Italy’s most iconic cities that is steeped in Renaissance history and boasts a spectacular array of cultural and artistic masterpieces. However, as well as being a treasure trove of historical importance, the city is also one of the most romantic places in Italy; with fairy tale vistas and plenty of unforgettable and unique things to do as a couple during your stay!
Whether you’re an Expat in the city or a visiting tourist with a tight schedule, there’s so much to choose from it can be hard to know where to start. So to help you plan your romantic trip to Florence I’ve collated some of the very best things for you to do as a couple while you’re in the city.
Take A Horse Drawn Carriage Through The City.
Seeing the city sights with a ‘fiaccherai’, the Florentine word for a ‘carriage driver’, is one of the most romantic ways to explore the cobble stoned streets as a couple. These traditional horse drawn carriages have been used in Florence for centuries and although they were originally used as a form of local taxi service today most of their customers are tourists and visitors to the city.
Most of the regular fiaccherai depart from the Piazza Signoria or the Piazza del Duomo in the historic center although if you want an even more exclusive experience you can make a full day trip of it!
For example, you can book a day trip to the nearby Tuscan hills that surround Florence where you’ll be met by a professional carriage driver and taken on an 1 hour 30 minute drive through the olive groves, vineyards, villas and cypress trees of the rural idyll.
After seeing the iconic countryside from the comfort of your carriage you’ll be dropped off at a luxurious restaurant for a leisurely lunch. After you’ve sampled the local specialities and tasted some regional wines you’ll get a private car transfer back into the city center.
Watch The Sun Set From The Piazzale Michelangelo.
This popular vantage point that overlooks the Florentine skyline is the perfect spot for couples to watch the sun setting over the city. As the ideal place to reminisce on your time together while appreciating the famous vistas of the city, the Piazzale Michelangelo is also a great spot for photos! You can also sit on the steps with a glass of wine and make toast to your future together.
To get to the piazza you can climb the stairs from the Piazza Giuseppe Poggi or, if you prefer, you can just catch a taxi from anywhere in the city. Once you reach the summit of the hill you’ll be greeted by a magnificent full sized replica of Michelangelo’s famous statue of David as well as market stalls and a lovely neighboring rose garden.
There are also several nearby restaurants where you can have dinner after the sun has gone down before jumping into a taxi to get back to your accommodation. Alternatively, if you’re in no hurry to get home you can meander through the lamp lit Florentine streets and even stop off for a cocktail or late night snack on route!
Take A Trip Down The River Arno In A Traditional River Boat.
There’s few better ways to enjoy Florence’s unique riverside scenery than by taking a traditional boat tour under the bridges while sipping a glass of refreshing Prosecco! If this sounds like a perfect afternoon then you can make it a reality by catching a ride in a wooden barchetto, a type of Florentine river boat.
You’ll get to see all the main riverfront attractions including the Corsini Palace, the Uffizi Gallery and the bridges including, of course, the Ponte Vecchio and the Ponte Santa Trinita.
The best time of the year for a boat trip down the river is between the months of May and September when the weather is pleasant and warm. Boats depart frequently during these months.
Explore The Boboli Gardens Together.
Strolling arm in arm through the spectacular Boboli Gardens is a lovely way to spend a few hours while you’re visiting Florence as a couple. The gardens are full of spectacular Renaissance fountains and impressive sculptures that beautifully compliment the well manicured grounds.
The gardens are the ideal location for a relaxing picnic in the shadows of Stoldo Lorenzi’s amazing Fountain of Neptune. You can also visit the Palazzo Pitti which usually has a 10 Euro per person entrance fee although it’s free to enter on the first Sunday of the month.
If you want to find out all about the history of the gardens as well as interesting details of the artworks on display you can include a 1 hour guided tour in your visit to this inspiring oasis in the very heart of the city.
Go For A Massage As A Couple.
If you want to really relax and unwind while you’re in Florence then you can book yourself in for a massage! Forget about the stress of life and truly pamper yourself at one of Tuscany’s best thermal spas, at the Montecatini Terme Spa Center. The Montecatini thermal spas are just a short 1 hour drive from central Florence, located roughly halfway between Florence and Pisa.
The mineral rich waters have a whole range of healing benefits and the stunningly elegant pools in a Romanesque villa provide the perfect setting to let your hair down and enjoy some ‘me time’ as a couple. The spa offers a wide range of treatments including Turkish baths, massages, body and face treatments as well as mud baths and hydro-massages.
The Montecatini Terme Spa Center is open from 8am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm on Monday to Friday and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. The spa center is closed on Sundays.
Climb The Duomo.
While you’re exploring Florence as a couple you can’t afford to miss out on climbing the Duomo to see the stunning views of the city below. If you also arrange a tour you can meet your guide outside the Lindt Chocolate Shop in the Piazza del Duomo before jumping the lines and climbing up the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo.
You’ll get a radio system headset for the tour so you’ll hear the guide all the way up the steps as you pass the impressive frescoes on the way. Your guide will explain all about the history and importance of the Duomo as well as point out other landmarks on the city skyline. Once you reach the top you can snap a few photos of the panoramic views before heading back down to explore the crypt, baptistery and bell tower which are all included in the ticket price.
Lastly, after you’ve finished your tour you can have a free Gelato tasting session! All in all, it’s a wonderful way to spend a morning before you head into central Florence to find a lovely little restaurant to have a leisurely lunch together.
Take A Private Food Tour Of Florence.
Florence is renowned for producing some of the best cuisine in Tuscany, and even Italy as a whole! There’s so much to explore in the city’s unique culinary traditions that it can be fun and enlightening to be shown around by a guide with genuine local expertise.
During the 3 hour tour, fondly nicknamed the ‘The 10 Tastings of Florence’, you’ll be guided through the Renaissance city by a local foodie who will take you behind the scenes of the legendary culinary culture. You’ll be able to sample Florentine ingredients, try street food, gelato and a whole range of sweet and savory dishes.
Your guided tour will lead you through the backstreets of the city markets as well as past some of the most significant landmarks, giving you a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Florence from an insider’s perspective!
Take A Ride In A Hot Air Balloon Over Florence.
There’s no more romantic way to see Florence than by floating over the city in a hot air balloon! So why not take a ride with Firenze Mongofiere and experience the city from a whole new perspective with an expert pilot who will guide you through the skies over the iconic skyline beneath.
The hot air balloon departs just after sunrise at 7am from Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, which is just beside the River Arno. After taking off from downtown Florence you’ll float through the sky appreciating the scenery as a couple; experiencing a wonderfully magical time together. Once you land you can share a toast together before returning to the take off area to enjoy the rest of your day!
Vespa Tour Of The Surrounding Tuscan Countryside.
If you’re looking for a fun tour of the countryside that surrounds Florence you and your partner can join a small group Vespa tour. Your tour is led by an expert guide and departs from just outside Florence. You will be taken there by minivan from the operator’s tour office near the Basilica di Santa Croce di Firenze.
On your 5 hour tour of the countryside you’ll visit a Tuscan farmhouse for a meal and be able to taste traditionally produced olive oils and Chianti wines at a well known Tuscan winery.
You can choose to take a morning or an afternoon tour so you can easily fit your Vespa explorations into your itinerary. You can also choose to use a single or a double Vespa, so if only one of you can drive a scooter then your partner can ride on the back.
Classical Serenades At The Teatro Goldoni.
After you’ve spent a wonderful day together in Florence there’s nothing more romantic than visiting one of Florence’s oldest theaters. The intimate Teatro Goldoni, nestled in the bohemian Oltrano quarter of the city, first opened its doors in 1817 and still hosts an amazing schedule of evening events.
You can find an enchanting range of performances at the Teatro Goldoni including ballets, classical ensembles, modern dance, theatrical performances and even operas!
Once the show is over you can explore the Oltrarno district together while taking in one of the city’s best loved neighborhoods.
Florence Is A Romantic CitY.
There’s no better place for couples to spend magical time together than Florence! With an astounding range of cultural and artistic treasures to explore you can also experience hot air ballooning, river boat rides, Vespa tours and world class spas together!
No matter what your interests are as a couple, Florence has so much on offer that you’ll be able to tailor the perfect visit for each other. During your time together in Florence you’ll create unforgettable memories that you’ll treasure for the rest of your life!
