Romantic ideas

Rome's Roseto Comunale is a showcase rose garden, open to the public for a couple of months a year.

Occupying a prime spot on the Aventino (Aventine Hill), the Roseto was Rome's Jewish cemetery for centuries, before being presented to the city in the twentieth century. The garden layout pays tribute to the site's history, with paths forming symbols such as a candelabra.

As well as an extensive permanent collection of roses, occupying the higher slopes and climbing up over walkways, the garden also displays competition entries and new breeds. The range is huge, and you can spend hours wandering, photographing and choosing your favourites: from the huge colourful extravagances of roses like Rinascimento to the sweeter pale specimens hiding shyly behind their bolder cousins. The scents and colours create a memorable experience, especially when combined with the backdrop of the Palatine ruins and the open space of the Circo Massimo.

Every year the Roseto opens to the public for the flowering season, but in 2004 the opening became a much bigger enterprise. As well as big marquees blocking the road, there were art exhibits and refreshments through the day. The big addition though, was evening opening. After closing down at 6.30pm, the gardens re-opened again at 7pm. From this time you had to pay €5 for admission, and you could enjoy talks and tours Every evening at 7.30 there was a talk or demonstration (e.g. cooking with flowers), at 9.30pm theatrical shows, and from 10pm live music. Although the arrangements may vary, the evening opening looks set to be repeated each summer. Special tours of the rose garden can also be booked (at additional cost). A calendar of events can be picked up at the entrance to the gardens. Events appear to be held only in Italian, although the music, lights, roses and views are easily enjoyed by anyone.

The Roseto is on Viale del Circo Massimo, on the slopes of the Aventine, above the Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus). The nearest Metro station is Circo Massimo (Linea B). Normal opening hours, with free entry, are 8am-6.30pm every day during the May-June flowering season. Daytime opening may be extended, with summer evening entertainments, although arrangements will change from year to year. Ask at a tourist information kiosk for the latest details.

In general

There are plenty of spots which offer great panaramic views of Rome. However, some of these are distinctly unromantic or overcrowded. We'd recommend:

Between the top of the Spanish Steps and the Pincio (above Piazza del Popolo). Although this short walk is along a road, it's quite quiet, with some stretches of wall where you can sit and enjoy a lovely view over Rome's rooftops. There's also a terrace-restaurant where you can enjoy a drink or a meal.

The Aventine hill is a quirky and different district, with two pleasant parks well-equipped with views towards St Peter's, benches, orange trees etc. You can also enjoy the memorable view through a keyhole, or visit Rome's public rose garden (see below).

Flowers

Flowers (fiori) bloom throughout Rome on roof terraces and in parks. You won't be able to avoid the peddlars selling red roses throughout the city's restaurants and streets every evening. Clutching a single rose stem while wandering over moonlit bridges may be an unmissable scenario for visitors - but bear in mind that these roses are unlikely to live until morning. If you feel unromantic at turning this offer down, console yourself with the knowledge that you'll find you get a better deal and more interesting blooms at a flower stall or market - one very good flower stall is conveniently located in Campo de' Fiori.

Along the Tiber

The Tiber these days isn't as romantic as it was when Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck partied on a boat. The most attractive bridge is probably Ponte Sant'Angelo, in front of Castel Sant'Angelo. However, it is usually lined with illegal salesmen hawking shoddy knock-off goods. A more romantic alternative is Ponte Sisto, a charming footbridge leading to Trastevere (although there are occasionally young beggars nearby). The Tiber Island (Isola Tiberina) is also fairly romantic - lovers can wander over the attractive bridge leading towards the river bank close to the Mouth of Truth, or do a circuit of the island itself. The banks of the Tiber aren't very appealing to wander along, apart from in the summer months, when you find small markets, music stages, bars and food stalls set up along the footpaths.

Restaurants

Your most romantic option is to find a little trattoria down a medieval lane that will be your discovery and 'your' place to revisit on your trips to Rome. This will be far more special than following a guidebook's advice along with scores of other tourists. As long as you avoid the most obvious tourist traps (places with plastic photos of the meals, restaurants around Via Nazionale or Termini), you shouldn't go badly wrong with the quality of food. A nice area for small restaurants is in the Trastevere lanes close to the river, south of Viale Trastevere. Our favourite is Da Carlone (Via della Luce 5-7) , but why not select your own favourite from the many options available? For more eating suggestions, visit our Rome restaurants page.

Roseto - Rose garden

For an unusual and headily-romantic evening out in the summer months, take your beloved to the Roseto, Rome's public rose garden. In the evenings you can dine, drink, wander through the roses, enjoy views over the ruined Palatine, or enjoy food tastings and talks (in Italian). Alternatively in the daytime entrance is free and there are great romantic photo opportunities, alongside dreamy pink roses or by heart-shaped topiary. Music on a summer evening

During July and August parks and gardens around Rome host musical evenings catering to all tastes. Whether you'd rather listen to Verdi at the Baths of Caracalla, pop concerts on a tennis court, or free classical concerts in piazzas, Rome is packed with events every night. Buy the magazine Roma C'è for up-to-date listings.

Romantic Restaurants in Rome

Roof Garden "Hotel Forum"
Via Tor Dè Conti, 25/30 - 00185 Roma

Looking for an exclusive hotel in Rome which has something that no other hotel in Rome can boast? Then the Hotel Forum is the ideal Hotel for you... Quite simply the view from the Rooftop Hotel Restaurant is not to be missed, looking out over the three Roman Forum's of Nerva, Augustus and Trajan the view offers an exclusive window into a world which belongs to a bygone era...

Roof Garden "Les Etoiles"
Via dei Bastioni, 1 - 00193 Roma

On the 6th floor of the Hotel Atlante Star, guests will find the panoramic Roof Garden Restaurant “Les Etoiles”, a real orchestra of emotions, images and flavours that apart from the most delightful dishes of the Mediterranean and international cuisine also offers a breathtaking view.
If you have never seen St Peter’s Dome so closely, you will feel overhelmed by its impressive might and grandeur. The perfect choice to organize gala, wedding parties, romantic and business dinners.
The roof garden restaurant, able up to seat 200 guests, is open every day all year round from 12:30pm to 2:30 pm and from 7:00pm to 22:30 pm.
 

Roof Garden "Hotel Hassler"
Trinità dei Monti, 6 - 00187 Roma

he Rooftop Restaurant at the sixth floor of the Hassler offers diners a spectacular bird's-eye view of Rome. Occupying one of the highest and broadest locations in the centre of the city, it overlooks the Spanish Steps, St. Peter's Dome, the Pantheon, the Coliseum, the wedding-cake monument of Victor Emmanuel, and many magnificient Roman "Palazzos" and Churches.
As a landmark of Rome, it is the meeting point of the international élite. Its refined atmosphere is the perfect setting to fully savor the innovative and yet conceptually traditional cuisine created by a renowned Chef.
Only the freshest ingredients are used to enchance the always sought after Mediterranean flavor of the Italian Cuisine.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with live piano music, and it is famous for its Sunday brunch. At night, jacket and tie are required. Due to limited seating, reservations are required.

Roof Garden "La Terraza sulla Luna"
(Hotel Valadier)
Via della Fontanella, 15 -00187 Roma

On the sixth floor of Hotel Valadier you will find the Roof Garden "La Terrazza della Luna",
small, but cared for in every detail, is a paradise among rooftops, domes and balconies.
We are glad to invite you to taste
our specialities in a corner of the sky, right in the hearth of Rome.

"Caffè Romano "
(Hotel D'Inghilterra)
Via Bocca di Leone, 14
00187 Roma

A blend of classic and modern is seldom achieved. Here at the Café Romano, recently refurbished by artists and architects, the feat has been performed so successfully as to banish all memory of the previous structure. From the terracotta-colored vaulted ceiling to the intriguing lights and the broad columns dividing up the space, every detail is designed to be savored at length all through the day, from the morning to late at night.
Each dish on the cosmopolitan menu is cooked in accordance with authentic recipes from the world's different culinary traditions. This ambitious undertaking is performed to unanimous acclaim by the genius of Rodolfo Chieroni, one of the chefs most in favor with the world's potentates, and indeed with Woody Allen, who once enjoyed an unforgettable cacio e pepe here.

Il Roseto di Roma
Rose da tutto il mondo

Pincio
For a romantic walk


neighborhood: Centro Storico
address
Piazza del Pincio
Rome IT, 00187




These lovely gardens overlook one of the most beautiful squares in Rome, Piazza del Popolo. There were gardens here even in the time of Ancient Rome, and it is said that they were quite fabulous. The present-day gardens were designed in the early 19th century by the architect Valadier who also created Piazza del Popolo itself. They became a favourite location for walking, and who knows how many love stories blossomed amongst the pine trees? Piazzale Napoleone I offers an unforgettable view of Rome, along with the famous Water Clock that dates back to the 19th century. A visit to the restaurant La Casina Valadier is well worth it, for a coffee or a light lunch.