Where to Propose in Rome

With romance built into its very soul, finding a beautiful spot to propose in Rome shouldn't be difficult; choosing between perfect places might be the problem. Here are a few places in the Italian capital where you could ask your girlfriend to marry you, whether you're looking for an iconic landmark, a beautiful vista, or a garden hideaway.

Rome Proposal Ideas

Proposing at iconic places in Rome

One of the most popular places to propose in Rome is the stunning Trevi Fountain, and with good reason. The imposing facade and exquisite sculptures that mark the end of the aqueduct that brought fresh water to Rome make a spectacular setting for a proposal. Try to be there very early in the morning or late at night to avoid crowds of tourist. Although the fountain is illuminated at night, it is equally magical first thing in the morning.

There's also the matter of the coins. The tradition of throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain is well known, but fewer people are aware that throwing a second coin is said to ensure you will fall in love, and a third that you will marry. Suggesting this little game to your girlfriend before you drop down on one knee could make the moment feel wonderfully spontaneous, even if you've been planning it for months.

Vatican City is a must see for any visitor to Rome, and it can make a perfect proposal location. The climb to the top of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica is a long one, but it is worth it for the fantastic views, and it can be the ideal place to pop the question. St. Peter's Square is equally impressive, and if you arrive early enough in the morning before the tour groups descend, you can have one of the most magnificent spaces in the world almost entirely to yourselves.

The Piazza Navona is one of the best known and most picturesque squares in Rome, and has some beautiful fountains and buildings. Buy your girlfriend a delicious Italian ice cream before you drop down on one knee, and have your smiling portraits drawn by a street artist after she has said yes. The square is at its most atmospheric in the evenings when the surrounding cafes light up and the street performers come out, making it feel like the whole city is celebrating with you.

For something a little more off the beaten track, Campo de' Fiori is one of Rome's most lively and atmospheric piazzas. By day it hosts a colourful fresh produce market that is wonderfully Italian, but in the evenings it quietens down into a more intimate square lined with restaurants and bars. The statue of Giordano Bruno at the centre makes for an unusual and memorable backdrop for a proposal, and the neighbourhood around it is full of narrow medieval streets that are wonderful for a romantic evening stroll afterwards.

Capitoline Hill, with Michelangelo's Piazza del Campidoglio at its heart, is another exceptional choice. The square is beautifully proportioned and far less crowded than the more obvious landmarks, and the terrace behind it looks directly out over the Roman Forum. Proposing here, with two thousand years of history spread out below you, is the kind of thing that makes for an engagement story worth telling.

Proposing at beautiful viewpoints in Rome

Rome boasts some beautiful sunsets, and looking out over the city while you watch the sun go down, can provide the ideal moment to propose. Janiculum Hill is in Western Rome and provides breathtaking views over the city. Visit the Church of San Pietro in Montorio, and then propose by the baroque fountain as the sun sets over Rome.

If you'd prefer to find somewhere in the center of Rome to propose, look for a roof top restaurant or bar that will give you a clear view of the sunset, as well as a unique outlook on the city itself. Produce the sparkling diamond while you're sipping champagne cocktails at the Hotel Forum rooftop bar, which has a view over the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Piazza Venezia.

Another wonderful viewpoint is the Pincio Terrace at the edge of the Villa Borghese gardens. This tree-lined terrace looks directly out over the Piazza del Popolo and beyond it to the dome of St. Peter's, and it is a favourite spot with Romans themselves in the early evening. There is something particularly romantic about sharing a view that locals come to enjoy after work rather than one that is usually reserved for tourist itineraries.

For a genuinely dramatic proposal, the Palatine Hill overlooking the Roman Forum is hard to match. Walking among ancient ruins as the late afternoon sun turns the stone golden is quite unforgettable, and pausing at one of the higher terraces to ask that all important question would give you both an engagement story unlike any other. You will need the combined Colosseum and Forum ticket to access it, but it is well worth the small extra cost.

Proposing in the Trastevere neighbourhood

If you'd like somewhere that captures the soul of Rome rather than just its monuments, Trastevere is the answer. This ancient neighbourhood on the west bank of the Tiber is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, ivy covered buildings and candlelit restaurants, and it has an intimacy and warmth that the more touristy areas of the city can sometimes lack.

The heart of Trastevere is the Piazza di Santa Maria, dominated by the golden mosaic facade of the Basilica di Santa Maria which is lit up beautifully at night. The square has a fountain at its centre and outdoor restaurant tables around its edges, and it has the kind of atmosphere that makes a proposal feel completely natural rather than staged.

Wandering through Trastevere in the evening is romantic in itself. The neighbourhood fills with the smell of cooking from open kitchen windows, the sound of conversation drifting down from upper floors, and the warm glow of restaurant candles on the cobblestones below. If you can find a quiet corner of one of the smaller piazzas away from the busiest streets, it can feel like a private corner of the city that belongs just to the two of you.

Proposing at garden hideaways in Rome

Rome is a city full of picturesque gardens, and finding an intimate hideaway to propose to your loved one should be fairly easy. Garden proposals are ideal in the spring and early summer when gardens are lush and green, but the hot sun can make Roman gardens a little dry by late summer.

The Pincio Gardens in Villa Borghese are a wonderful location for a proposal, offering flowery hideaways as well as views over city. The gardens are large enough that you can easily find quieter corners away from other visitors, and hiring a rowing boat on the small lake at the heart of the park is a popular activity that could provide the perfect moment to produce the ring.

The Giardino degli Aranci, or Orange Garden, on the Aventine Hill is one of Rome's most charming and least visited green spaces. It is a small and simple garden, but the terrace at its far end offers one of the best views of the city available, looking directly across at the dome of St. Peter's. The combination of orange blossom in spring and that sweeping panorama makes it an exceptional proposal spot that feels like a well kept local secret.

Another alternative might be the Villa d'Este which is just a short train ride from the city in the town of Tivoli, and makes for a wonderful day trip. Its seductive gardens boast around 500 fountains, and the mythological grotto of Diana can be an unusual and memorable place to propose. Combining a visit to the Villa d'Este with the ancient ruins of Villa Adriana nearby makes for a very special day out, and the train journey through the Roman countryside is lovely in itself.

Where to Stay in Rome for Your Proposal Trip

Rome boasts a wide range of accommodation, from intimate bed and breakfasts to top class international hotels. Before you begin your search for accommodation in Rome, try to decide which part you would prefer to stay in. Three popular choices are the historic district, the commercial district, and the outskirts of Rome.

Hotels in the historic district

Many of the buildings in the historic area of Rome date back to medieval times and it is often seen as the most romantic part of the city; ideal for a newly engaged couple. If you’re looking for beautiful squares and fountains, surrounded by quaint cafes and shops, the historic area, based around the Piazza Navona is the place to stay.

For a top class bed and breakfast in this part of Rome try the Hotel Artorius, housed in a beautiful historic building, but with modern facilities. For a more luxurious option try the ivy covered Hotel Raphael, adjacent to the Piazza Navona, and a firm favourite with Italy’s elite. The rooms are decorated in Florentine style and there is a superb roof top restaurant.

Hotels in the commercial district

If you’d like to be close to the main attractions such as the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, and you plan to do a little shopping during your stay in Rome, the commercial area may be the best place to look for accommodation.

The Hotel Palace is a great choice located on the Via Veneto, and only a short from the Spanish Steps. The elegant building was designed in the 1920s by the well known architect Marcello Piacentini, and the hotel offers discreet but warm hospitality. For more luxurious accommodation, check out the Grand Hotel, now known as the St. Regis Grand Hotel, which is on the Conde Nast Travellers Gold List.

Hotels on the outskirts of Rome

If you want the best of both worlds, why not book accommodation in the lush green countryside that surrounds Rome, and then take a drive or the train to see the sights? For a welcoming bed and breakfast around twenty kilometers north of Rome, try Flavor of Italy, a peaceful haven from the bustle of the city.

For a luxurious five star hotel, close enough to see the main attractions, but set in its own lush grounds outside the city, try the tranquil Rome Cavalieri. Part of the Waldorf Astoria Collection, the Cavalieri is a calm retreat with a luxurious spa and a superb art collection, just minutes from the center of Rome.

Romantic Restaurants in Rome

The Italian love of fine food means you will never be without a great place to eat in Rome. These five options will guarantee a romantic post proposal dinner, or just somewhere to sample an authentic pizza.

• For an authentic Italian pizzeria, Rosciolis on Via dei Giubbonari is hard to beat. Close to the Campo de Fiori, this superb restaurant with its own bakery gets very busy so be sure to book in advance.
• For an undeniably romantic choice, try the Imago restaurant, located on the sixth floor of the Hassler Hotel, right at the top of the Spanish Steps. As well as creative Italian cuisine, prepared by a Michelin starred chef, the Imago boasts a panoramic view over Rome and a stylish interior.
• The Vivendo restaurant in Rome’s St Regis Grand Hotel has been voted Rome’s best restaurant numerous times, and is a sound choice if fine dining is high on your agenda. The service is superb and the setting intimate; for a real experience why not book a private table in the restaurant’s wine cellar?
• The Hostaria dell’Orso is the oldest restaurant in Rome, originally built in the fourteenth century. It has recently been lovingly renovated and restored and boasts a beautiful fifteenth century dining room overlooking the Tiber, where you can enjoy dished by renowned chef Gualtiero Marchesi.
• For arguably the best seafood in Rome, check out Quinzi and Gabrieli, a traditional restaurant housed in sixteenth century building near the Pantheon, on the Via delle Coppelle.

Romantic Activities in Rome

If you are planning a packed schedule of sightseeing and fun activities for your break in Rome, you could consider including the following:

• Visit the lively Trastevere area at night and sip an espresso by the Pantheon
• See an opera at the Teatro dell’Opera between December and June
• Walk along the Tiber and picnic on the Isola Tiberina
• Buy a traditional ice cream, or gelato, and eat it on the Spanish Steps
• Sample the local wines, especially the dry white wines from the trebbiano grape
• Shop at the Porta Portese flea market, the largest in Europe