Looking for holiday ideas with your better half? In this short guide, we will give you tips on affordable holidays in Italy for couples in 2024. 

Do you prefer the sea or the mountains? Culture or extreme sports, or both? Are you more of a nature-loving couple or on the contrary a couple who loves to wander the streets and lanes of cities? In this article you will find inspiration for your next holiday. 

We will help you figure out which destinations you should not miss, balancing our recommendations between beach destinations, exotic destinations, to budget destinations and romantic summer holidays.

Check out our recommended affordable holidays for couples below.

Romantic holidays in Italy in 2024 for couples

Who has not seen or heard of the Roman Holiday film at least once in their life? Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn made generations of young travellers dream. These two protagonists explore Rome on a Vespa, which from then on would be consecrated as one of the Italian symbols of the good life. 

La Dolce Vita is another of those films of an Italian way of life, one of good food, sun and music, known worldwide. Global tourists picture Italy as a paradise of fine food, breathtaking views, crystal clear sea and culture. And we owe all this to the cinema, which has always been able to enchant its viewers. 

Today, visitors to Italy dream of all these things, seeking destinations that promise a little piece of that dream. Italians, on the other hand, who are familiar with their country's potential, love to pamper themselves in beautiful seaside destinations, where daily stress is replaced with relaxation.

But which romantic destinations can we recommend for a couple's holiday in Italy?

Firstly southern Italy, Naples, Rome and the Cinque Terre are unmissable, and are considered to be some of the most romantic places to stay. 

A Naples Holiday - one of the cities at the centre of tourist interest in 2024, which has topped the podium of the most popular destinations in the last two years. Beautiful, bustling, fragrant, cultural and on the seaside, Naples offers everything a tourist could wish for in a holiday. Naples is the romantic city par excellence with its posillipine panoramas, from where you can admire the entire gulf and the adjacent islands (Capri, Procida and Ischia);

A Holiday in Rome - a city that has made history for centuries with its open-air cultural beauty. A testimony was made in 2024 to the past centuries of a strong and prevailing Roman culture. Restaurants of excellence, where you can taste some of the traditional dishes, places of excellence where the cinema has left its signature and where you can still feel like the protagonist of some beautiful love story or friendship. Rome, the Capital, with its imposing character has important traditions.

A holiday in Liguria - the five Lands, the sea, the famous Ligurian focaccia, incredible views and nature are key features of a holiday in Liguria. Among romantic holiday destinations, it is definitely among the top 10 recommended destinations. 

These 3 are just some popular destinations in Italy that you cannot miss.

Sporty holidays in Italy for couples

Are you a sports couple who loves hiking, walking and perhaps sleeping in a tent? Then there are parts of Italy that you will certainly enjoy:

• Amalfi and Sorrento Coasts, with their beautiful trekking trails to follow, including the famous Sentiero degli Dei (Gods' Trail), the Punta Campanella trail, the Ieranto Bay trail, the Crapolla Fjord trail, the Fig Cave trail, the Valle dei Mulini trail, the Three Calli trail, the Monte Comune trail and the Great Faito Ring;
• Do you love extreme sports? Then you could try your hand at Angel flying in Basilicata: a wonderful adrenalin experience that will remain in your memories forever;
• Are you a spiritual couple who love doing yoga and getting lost in the beauty of nature? Then why not try the Outdoor Yoga organised in Tuscany;
• Are you a couple who love the sea and its adventures? Sardinia, Sicily, Apulia and Campania offer plenty of opportunities to rent a sailboat and explore the coasts, surrounded only by the sound of the sea.

Italy Seaside holidays for couples 

Are you a sea loving couple looking for a beach holiday? Undoubtedly there are plenty of options in Italy, here are our top picks for your summer holiday:

• Capri, the island that has always enchanted writers, poets, painters and intellectuals is a perfect seaside destination for tourists who want to lose themselves in the natural beauty of the island and maybe even meet some VIPs lounging in the sun;
• Sicily, with its beautiful islands, breathtaking landscapes and artful cities, as well as its delicious food is another ideal destination for couples. Naxos Gardens, for example, is another destination you might consider;
• Puglia, with its Caribbean sea, its art-filled cities, the home of summer fun in Italy, is also an inexpensive summer holiday destination for young people. Puglia is ideal for a couple's holiday, especially destinations such as Ostuni, Lecce and Otranto. 

Cultural holidays for couples in Italy

Culture is what has always drawn you in as a couple during your travels? Then these three destinations you definitely cannot miss. 

• Florence - the city where the Italian language is said to have originated, with its museums and immense artistic and cultural heritage waiting to be discovered;
• Bologna - one of Northern Italy's most popular cities for its approach to tourists: open, friendly and fun. Here, too, the artistic and cultural heritage is vast. Songwriters and intellectuals began their careers singing about Bologna, such as Lucio Dalla, Gianni Morandi, Francesco Guccini, Luca Carboni and Cesare Cremonini. These are some of the names that have made this city famous;
• Turin - one of northern Italy's most popular cities for tourists because of its international nature, its confectionery tradition and its artistic heritage. Certainly a city that can very much surprise a couple and offer many moments of relaxation.

Frequently asked questions about travelling for couples in 2024

What are the most popular summer destinations for couples in Italy in 2024?

For couples looking for summer destinations in Italy in 2024, here is a list of fascinating destinations that combine beaches, mountain scenery, and culture:

1. Puglia: known as we have seen in this guide for its beautiful beaches, excellent cuisine, and rich history, with places like Alberobello, Lecce, and the beaches of Salento offering a mix of romance and natural beauty.
2. Elba Island and Versilia in Tuscany: locations that offer the opportunity to enjoy beautiful beaches and lush vegetation. Elba Island is also a great place for scenic trekking and snorkelling.
3. Veneto: an ideal region for couples seeking romance and history, with cities such as Venice and Verona. Lake Garda, with its Veneto villages, offers breathtaking views and opportunities to relax.
4. Trentino Alto Adige: for nature-loving couples, it offers magnificent mountain landscapes and opportunities for romantic walks, such as those around the lakes of Caldonazzo and Levico.
5. Friuli Venezia Giulia: perfect for those seeking a mix of sea and culture. Trieste offers a romantic atmosphere with its historic cafés and sunsets on the pier.

What are the cheapest exotic Italy destinations for couples in 2024?

Among the exotic and affordable destinations are Puglia, Lazio (Sperlonga, Gaeta and Formia), Maratea and Matera in Basilicata, Trapani in Sicily and Cagliari in Sardinia. Campania also offers the possibility of a great holiday without overspending. The secret is to find a B&B in Campania near the seaside that also offers you the possibility to cook, so you don't spend too much on restaurants.

How can I get the best price for a flight for my holiday as a couple in Italy in 2024?

The advice is to first search for the flight you are interested in on search engines such as Skyscanner, Google Flights, Kayak, Expedia and Momondo and then compare them with those of the main airlines flying to your destination. Always be aware of how the price changes when you add hand and check in luggage, and the seat choices. Always opt for hand luggage size recommended by the airline and even if the price goes up, always choose travel insurance. On Amazon you can find comfortable hand luggage that allows you to travel with everything you need, without exceeding the weight and size allowed by the airline.

What are the best islands for September holidays for couples in Italy in 2024?

Italian islands ideal for a romantic September holiday:

• Ponza Island: this gem in the Tyrrhenian Sea attracts couples with its azure waters and rocky coastline. It is perfect for those who enjoy underwater dives, or discover geological history through its volcanic formations.
• Pelagie Islands: comprising Lampedusa, Linosa and Lampione, this archipelago is located close to Sicily and offers unspoilt landscapes and dream beaches such as the renowned Spiaggia dei Conigli (Rabbit Beach) in Lampedusa.
• Pantelleria: located between Sicily and Tunisia, Pantelleria is known for its dammusi, typical local houses, and thermal waters, creating a romantic and relaxing environment.
• Maddalena Archipelago: scattered in the north of Sardinia, these islands are a paradise of white beaches and crystal clear sea. La Maddalena, the main island, offers several accommodation options, facilitating longer visits.
• Capri: this island is synonymous with elegance, with its iconic rock formations and legendary Blue Grotto, making it a popular destination despite its high price tag.
• Ischia: quieter than Capri, Ischia is famous for its natural thermal baths, beautiful beaches and welcoming environment, perfect for those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle.

What are the cheapest beach destinations for couples in Italy in 2024?

Among the cheapest beach destinations, the area of Maiori and Minori in Campania could be for you, as it combines the features you are looking for in a beach holiday, without necessarily spending too much as a couple. 

How can I save on holidays for couples in Italy in 2024?

Saving money on couples' holidays may not be easy, but you adopt some strategies in order to pay less. The first is to start surfing the Internet on airline sites a few months in advance, so that Google's algorithm will, after a short while, start showing you all the offers. For instance, at certain times of the year there are offers for couples that you might consider for the summer. 

Similarly, browse the websites of travel agencies and find out which destinations are on promotion, this way it will be easier for you to see which establishments are most likely to offer cheap prices. 

If you don't have time to study every travel idea on a case-by-case basis, we recommend visiting the Bluepillow website, which always has plenty of B&B and hotel alternatives available.

08/05/2024