13 Underrated Italian Cities Couples Will Love Exploring

Italy’s big cities get all the buzz but if you and your partner want a more intimate adventure, it’s the lesser-known gems that deliver the romance. From sun-washed villages to elegant small cities steeped in history and local flavor, these underrated Italian destinations offer everything from vineyard strolls to medieval piazzas minus the crowds. Whether you’re sipping wine on a quiet terrace or exploring cobbled alleys together, these 13 cities are perfect for couples seeking something a little more special.

1. Bergamo

Just an hour from Milan, Bergamo feels like two cities in one, the bustling lower town and the serene, historic Città Alta perched above. Ride the funicular up to medieval lanes, ivy-covered stone walls, and piazzas perfect for lingering over aperitive. Artisan shops and quiet cafés line the cobbled streets, while panoramic views of the Alps stretch endlessly on the horizon. At sunset, the golden light makes the rooftops glow, casting a romantic spell over the entire city. It’s a peaceful escape that feels worlds away from Milan’s rush but close enough for an easy retreat.

2. Lecce

Nicknamed the “Florence of the South,” Lecce dazzles with ornate Baroque architecture carved from warm, honey-colored stone that glows as the sun sets. Stroll hand in hand through hidden courtyards and quiet alleyways that open onto flower-filled piazzas. The town’s boutique hotels and candlelit restaurants set the mood for romantic evenings, while the Adriatic coast just a short drive away offers sandy escapes and salty breezes. Lecce invites you to slow down, explore without a plan, and soak in southern Italy’s beauty at a gentler, more intimate pace.

3. Trieste

Tucked into Italy’s northeastern edge, Trieste is a city of sea breezes, literary history, and quiet romance. With its Austro-Hungarian architecture and grand cafés once frequented by writers like James Joyce, the city carries a timeless, contemplative mood. Stroll the elegant waterfront promenade, watch sailboats drift across the Gulf of Trieste, or climb up to Castello di San Giusto for sweeping views. The blend of Italian warmth and Central European soul makes Trieste a haven for couples who prefer meaningful moments over tourist checklists.

4. Lucca

Lucca is a walled Tuscan gem that invites you to slow down and savor each step or pedal stroke. Its broad, tree-lined ramparts form a perfect loop for leisurely bike rides with sweeping views of red-tiled rooftops and church towers. Inside the walls, cobbled streets lead to quiet piazzas, vintage boutiques, and family-run trattorias. The city pulses with music Puccini’s birthplace is here and the atmosphere is refined yet unhurried. Far less crowded than nearby Florence, Lucca offers couples a peaceful, romantic setting where history and daily life blend beautifully.

5. Trento

Tucked beneath the dramatic Dolomite peaks, Trento is a romantic blend of alpine adventure and refined city charm. Pastel-colored buildings and Renaissance frescoes line the streets, while the Adige River flows quietly through the heart of town. Tour the hilltop Buonconsiglio Castle, wander leafy promenades, or take a cable car up to scenic overlooks. The mountain air is fresh, the white wines crisp, and the vibe unhurried perfect for couples who love nature but still want a stylish base. It’s a serene, underrated escape where Italy meets the Alps in the most engaging way.

6. Orvieto

Perched high on a volcanic cliff, Orvieto feels like a timeless escape suspended above the Umbrian countryside. Its winding lanes lead past artisan shops, peaceful piazzas, and one of Italy’s most striking cathedrals, adorned with golden mosaics that glow in the afternoon light. Beneath the surface, ancient wine cellars and Etruscan tunnels offer cool, candlelit spaces for sipping local varieties. Despite being just a quick train ride from Rome, Orvieto feels worlds away quiet, romantic, and unspoiled. It’s a perfect place for couples to unwind, explore, and soak in the slower rhythm of central Italy.

7. Ravenna

For couples drawn to quiet beauty and timeless art, Ravenna offers a peaceful, elegant escape. Its UNESCO-listed mosaics found in ancient basilicas and softly lit chapels glitter like stained glass underfoot, turning each visit into a moment of awe. Stroll hand in hand through Ravenna’s tranquil streets, pause at Dante’s tomb, and explore cafés tucked among pastel buildings. Just a short ride away, the Adriatic coast offers fresh seafood and quiet beaches. Ravenna is a city of subtle romance, where history, culture, and calm blend in perfect harmony.

8. Parma

If food is your love language, Parma is pure poetry. This elegant northern city is the birthplace of prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano-Reggiano, and every corner celebrates its rich culinary heritage. Tour aging cheese cellars or sample silky slices of cured ham at a local trattoria. Stroll through refined boulevards, where art museums and Belle Époque cafés add a touch of sophistication. As evening falls, find a candlelit table or take a quiet walk beneath glowing streetlamps. Parma’s slower pace, indulgent flavors, and graceful charm make it a deliciously romantic getaway.

9. Cagliari

Sardinia’s capital, Cagliari, blends coastal ease with timeless charm. Its Castello district, perched above the city, invites evening walks along golden ramparts with panoramic sea views and warm Mediterranean breezes. Colorful houses tumble down to the marina, where cafés and wine bars beckon for long, seaside dinners. Spend your days exploring Roman ruins, wandering narrow lanes, or unwinding on Poetto Beach’s soft sands. Cagliari moves at a gentle pace sunny, soulful, and full of quiet corners for couples to share moments away from the crowds.

10. Mantua (Mantova)

Mantua is a romantic Renaissance city wrapped in water and art. Surrounded by three tranquil lakes, it offers scenic strolls along cobbled streets that open into majestic piazzas and palace courtyards. Tour the vast Ducal Palace, with its frescoed halls and secret gardens, or explore the whimsical beauty of Palazzo Te. As the sun sets, sip a glass of Lambrusco by the waterfront, where reflections of bell towers shimmer across the lake. Often bypassed by tourists, Mantua is a quiet masterpiece perfect for couples who crave culture, calm, and candlelit dinners by the water.

11. Spello

Spello feels like it was built for romance. Perched on a gentle Umbrian slope, this tiny village offers rose-hued stone, flowering balconies, and winding alleys scented with herbs. Every corner reveals a new view of olive groves stretching across the valley or medieval archways dappled with sunlight. In spring and summer, locals decorate the streets with intricate flower carpets, adding even more charm. Enjoy slow, rustic meals on quiet terraces, and let the quiet rhythm of village life lull you into relaxation. Spello is where time slows and love lingers.

12. Treviso

Often called Venice’s quieter cousin, Treviso charms with winding canals, ivy-covered bridges, and cobbled streets lined with pastel buildings. You’ll find elegant arcades, art galleries, and cozy trattorias perfect for lingering date nights. Just outside town, rolling vineyards produce some of Italy’s best Prosecco ideal for a romantic tasting tour. Without the crowds or chaos, Treviso lets couples experience the beauty of the Veneto region at their own pace. Whether you’re sipping bubbles along the canal or strolling hand in hand through quiet piazzas, the city invites connection.

13. Pienza

This hilltop Tuscan village feels like it was created with romance in mind. Designed during the Renaissance as an “ideal city,” Pienza delivers harmony in every view winding alleys, sun-warmed stone, and endless vistas over the Val d’Orcia’s rolling hills. Browse tiny shops filled with pecorino cheese, sample Brunello at a local wine bar, or simply sit on a ledge and watch the golden countryside stretch out like a painting. As the sun sets, everything glows amber, and the quiet beauty wraps around you. Pienza isn’t just scenic, it’s soulful, intimate and unforgettable.