Cities of ArtCities of Art

Valentine’s Day in the cities of art

by /// February 3, 2025
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Partner

Traveler
Partner

SHARE

Partner

Traveler
Partner

SHARE

Valentine’s Day arrives on time every year.
To celebrate the day in the best possible way, here are some romantic places in our art cities where you can dedicate some time to your loved one. A wide range of options amidst walls, parks, fountains, castles, canals, cloisters, villages or starry mosaics.

Each city has its own romantic place where, at little or no cost, you can exchange declarations of love and passionate kisses (the romantic phrase and the gift are up to you!).

PIACENZA | Farnese's Walls

The 16th-century ramparts walls, which completely surrounded the city of Piacenza, are very romantic in the evening hours and therefore perfect for an after-work stroll.
Don’t miss Porta Borghetto, with its still intact bridge over the ramparts. It is especially recommended for sporty couples and dog lovers.

Plus: if your loved one is a prince or princess at heart, the Carriage Museum, inside Farnese Palace, is worth a visit (info & opening hours).

Mura Farnesiane, Piacenza | Ph. Comune di Piacenza
Piacenza, Farnese’s Walls | Ph. Comune di Piacenza

PARMA | Ducal Park

Leaving behind the noise of traffic, in Parma you can enjoy the ‘Garden’, as the Parmesans call it, to breathe the atmosphere of the splendour of Maria Luigia of Austria.
In the Parco Ducale in Parma, you can take a bucolic walk (also by bike) that will take you out of time for a while, and exchange gifts and sweet promises on one of the benches around the pond.
A trip especially recommended for couples who love music and good food, to sample the city’s most genuine flavours.

Plus: if you happen to visit the Ducal Palace (currently the headquarters of the Carabinieri Corps) during one of its extraordinary openings, don’t miss the Sala dell’Amore frescoed by Agostino Carracci.

Parma, Palazzo Ducale Ph. Renata Sedmakova via shutterstock solo uso editoriale
Parma, Ducal Park and Palace | Ph. Renata Sedmakova via shutterstock for editorial use only

REGGIO EMILIA | Fountain of the Romolo Valli Theatre

The restyling of the Piazza Martiri del 7 luglio in 2008 has given the city and tourists a very impressive fountain. The furnishings make the square a perfect place to experience an exchange of romantic effusions, with the 73 dancing fountains providing an atmospheric backdrop.
Especially recommended for chronic romantics.

Plus: if there is a fashion soul in the couple, also consider a visit to the Rooms of Jewellery, Costumes and Velvets in the Parmeggiani Art Gallery.

Reggio Emilia, Fontana del Teatro Romolo Valli Ph. Eddy Galeotti via shutterstock solo uso editoriale
Reggio Emilia, Fountain of the Romolo Valli Theatre | Ph. Eddy Galeotti via shutterstock for editorial use only

MODENA | Galleria Estense

What could be more romantic than a declaration in front of Annibale Carracci’s Venus and Cupid? All you have to do is bring your sweetheart to the Galleria Estense in Modena. Remember that the ticket office closes 30 minutes before closing time, scheduled for 7.30 pm.
Recommended for art lovers.

Plus: also consider a visit to the top of the Ghirlandina Tower, a UNESCO heritage site that has punctuated the lives of the Modenese for centuries.

  • Venere e Cupido, Annibale Carracci, Galleria Estense di Modena
  • Galleria Estense di Modena

BOLOGNA | Via Piella little window

If you are looking for a magical place to make a declaration of love, the little window in Via Piella, overlooking the ancient canals of the Underground Bologna, is just the place for you: to experience the magic of making promises of love like on the romantic Venetian canals, but remaining in the city of Bologna.
Recommended for couples always looking for something new.

Plus: don’t miss a stroll hand in hand in the cobbled and romantic Piazza Santo Stefano, which is perfect even when shrouded in fog.

Bologna, finestra di via Piella, Ph. Nicole Pasini viaggiareunostiledivita.it
Bologna, finestra di via Piella | Ph. Nicole Pasini viaggiareunostiledivita.it

FERRARA | Estense Castle

What could be more romantic than a real castle complete with drawbridge and fog rising from the moat?
The grandiose architectural work of art commissioned by the Este family is the ideal setting for your celebrations in Ferrara, from the majestic inner courtyard to the Loggia degli Aranci and the last of the 122 steps of the Torre dei Leoni.
Recommended for couples who love fairytales, albeit modern ones.

Plus: admire the fresco Il Trionfo di Venere (The Triumph of Venus) by Francesco Del Cossa, painted in the Salone dei Mesi (Hall of the Months) in Palazzo Schifanoia.

Castello Estense Ferrara | Ph. studioesseci
Castello Estense Ferrara | Ph. studioesseci

RAVENNA | Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

In Ravenna, a truly magical atmosphere is to be found under a particular starry sky, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site: that of the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.
It is worth knowing that Cole Porter, after having admired the skilful work of the mosaicists in this place, composed the very famous and romantic Night and Day during his honeymoon in this Byzantine city.
Recommended for all couples, for an ecstasy of love for two.

Plus: also in Ravenna, suggestive and also very intimate for a declaration of love, is the crypt of the Basilica of San Francesco, invaded by water, with many little goldfish swimming on the mosaic floor.

Ravenna, Mausoleo di Galla Placidia Ph. Renata Sedmakova via shutterstock solo uso editoriale
Ravenna, Mausoleo di Galla Placidia Ph. Renata Sedmakova via shutterstock solo uso editoriale

FORLì | Cloister of San Mercuriale

In Forlì, choose the interior of one of the city’s most symbolic monuments to recite your love speeches and deliver the classic bunch of flowers: the Abbey of San Mercuriale, sitting on either side of the late 15th-century rectangular cloister, or standing next to the 12th-century fountain to express a shared love wish.
Recommended for couples who want to take a trip back in time.

Plus: if you are in the habit of comparing your significant other to a Greek goddess, be sure to declare yourself in front of Canova’s Hebe in the Civic Art Gallery.

Forlì, Basilica di San Mercuriale, Chiostro esterno Ph. Claudio Giovanni Colombo via shutterstock
Forlì, Basilica di San Mercuriale, Chiostro esterno | Ph. Claudio Giovanni Colombo via shutterstock

RIMINI | Borgo San Giuliano

This ancient Rimini village, with its little, colourful sailors’ houses and multicoloured murals reminiscent of Fellini’s dreamy magic, is the perfect place for a romantic sunset or moonlight stroll.
Recommended for couples in search of timeless villages.

Plus: a special place to kiss on 14 February, the bench near the two-thousand-year-old Tiberius Bridge, to feel part of Rimini‘s history.

Borgo San Giuliano, Rimini | Ph. @pesoloaldo
Borgo San Giuliano, Rimini | Ph. @pesoloaldo

Author

You may also like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *