Valentine’s Day 2026: 5 Italian destinations

In 2026, Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, making it the perfect opportunity for a romantic weekend away. Many couples will take advantage of this date to travel together, slow down, relax, or celebrate February 14th in a special place.

Valentine’s Day, however, is not just a candlelit dinner. In Italy, it is deeply connected to places, legends, faith, and local traditions that have been telling stories of love for centuries.

This is not the usual list of romantic destinations: it is a journey through symbolic cities, timeless villages, and meaningful landscapes, perfect to experience slowly during a romantic getaway, where love is not just celebrated, but truly lived.

1. Verona (Veneto) – The Myth of Romeo and Juliet

Verona is the city of love par excellence. Here, the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet transformed a literary story into a universal myth, making the city an eternal symbol of passion and romantic promises. Every February, this spirit comes alive with Verona in Love, the event dedicated to couples, which in 2026 takes place from February 13th to 15th, turning the historic center into an open-air stage filled with lights, hearts, and artistic installations.

Strolling through Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori, crossing the bridges over the Adige River, or getting lost in the narrow streets at sunset means experiencing an intimate, elegant, and deeply romantic Verona.

A must-see stop is the House of Juliet, with its famous balcony, a symbolic place where lovers still leave notes, letters, and messages of love. Even though the balcony itself is a 20th-century reconstruction, its emotional power remains incredibly strong.

Why go: to experience Verona in Love, breathe in the atmosphere of universal romance, and visit the symbolic place of the world’s most famous love story.

Our tip: take the funicular up to Castel San Pietro at sunset for an unforgettable view over the Adige River and the city’s rooftops.

2. Terni (Umbria) – The City of Saint Valentine

Terni is the true birthplace of Valentine’s Day. This is where Saint Valentine was born and served as bishop in the 3rd century AD (around 273 AD), later martyred for defending and celebrating Christian love. Today, the Basilica of Saint Valentine, which houses his relics, is a pilgrimage destination for couples from all over the world.

During the Valentine’s period, Terni hosts religious celebrations, blessings for couples, and moments of reflection that restore the holiday’s deepest meaning: love as a choice, a promise, and a lasting bond.

Terni’s romance is subtle and authentic, surrounded by the green landscapes of Umbria and far from the spotlight. Here, love is experienced slowly, through silence, spirituality, and nature.

Why go: to celebrate Valentine’s Day at its very origins and give the occasion a deeper, symbolic meaning.

Our tip: spend a day at the Marmore Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Europe. The power of the water, scenic trails, and walkways immersed in nature create a dramatic and romantic setting to share together.

3. Gradara (Marche) – The Village of Paolo and Francesca

Gradara is a perfectly preserved medieval village dominated by its imposing castle and forever linked to the tragic love story of Paolo and Francesca, made immortal by Dante in Canto V of the Inferno. Here, love is intense, forbidden, and destined to last beyond time.

Walking along Gradara’s walls feels like stepping into a story of whispered glances, secrets, and ancient stone. As evening falls, soft lights and silence make the village especially evocative.

The castle ramparts are among Gradara’s most fascinating features. Once used by guards as defensive walkways, today they offer panoramic paths along the walls, with views stretching across the rolling hills of the Marche region all the way to the Adriatic Sea.

Why go: to experience a literary and historical romance that is powerful and timeless.

Our tip: walk along the ramparts at sunset, when golden light bathes the landscape and the village is wrapped in silence.

4. Vico del Gargano (Puglia) – The Village of Love

Vico del Gargano is one of the few Italian towns where Saint Valentine is the patron saint. The village is perched on a hill in the Gargano National Park, in the province of Foggia. Its historic center is full of stone alleyways, charming squares, and the famous Vicolo del Bacio, a narrow street where couples brush past each other as they walk together. The Stairways of Love poetically connect the different levels of the old town.

Though not directly on the coast, Vico del Gargano is only a short drive from the Adriatic towns of San Menaio and Peschici, making it easy to combine a romantic village visit with a seaside escape.

The atmosphere is warm, authentic, and deeply Mediterranean. Here, love is celebrated as a simple, shared gesture rooted in tradition and community.

Why go: because it is one of the most charming villages in the Gargano area, with a beautiful historic center and the possibility to reach the Adriatic coast within a short drive, perfect for combining history, romance, and a bit of seaside escape.

Our tip: during the celebrations, taste the traditional “love juice” made from local oranges, a symbol of prosperity and affection.

5. Sadali (Sardinia) – The Village of Saint Valentine’s Waterfall

Sadali is located in east-central Sardinia, on the edge of the Barbagia region, in a strategic position that allows visitors to experience the island’s most authentic interior while still reaching the sea and Sardinia’s stunning beaches in a short time. It is the only Sardinian town with Saint Valentine as its patron saint.

The village is shaped by water and nature. Saint Valentine’s Waterfall, fed by the Funtana Manna spring, flows directly within the historic center, right next to the church dedicated to the saint, an almost unique phenomenon in Italy, and one of extraordinary beauty.

According to legend, a statue of Saint Valentine carried by a traveler mysteriously stopped here, sealing the bond between the saint and the village forever. Since then, Sadali has celebrated love as both a sacred and natural force.

Why go: to discover a lesser-known, deeply symbolic destination and combine it with a journey along Sardinia’s most beautiful beaches.

Our tip: explore the Is Janas Caves, linked to legends of fairies and ancient spirits, then spend a few days on the coast to enjoy the island’s brighter, sunlit side.

Valentine’s Day 2026 with Dolce Italy Escape

Whether it’s an art city, a medieval village, or a sacred place immersed in nature, Valentine’s Day in Italy can become a deep, authentic, and fully personalized experience.

Dolce Italy Escape can help you plan your custom-made romantic journey in Italy, creating a tailor-made itinerary based on your desires, travel style, and the time you want to dedicate to each other.

For more information and to start planning your romantic escape, write to dolceitalyescape@gmail.com.

Because in Italy, love is not something you visit—it’s something you live.