11 Breathtaking Elopement Destinations in Italy
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So you have decided to embark on one of the most memorable adventures and have chosen to take the brave yet thrilling step to elope in a foreign country! You’ve always been in love with Italy and its charm, so you’re sure this is going to be your destination, but you feel overwhelmed by the endless possibilities the country has to offer. Fear not, as this is a handy first overview of your options that will help you navigate through the incredible world of elopement destinations in Italy!
Guest Post – Text and images by Benni Carol Photography
Top Tip: before you continue reading, be aware that this is just an overview. There are so many more possibilities out there for you. As soon as you start working with the photographer you’ve chosen for your elopement, they will come up with many more suggestions (surely more niche and less-known ones) that will be in line with the vision you have for your day. This is why it is essential to hire a local photographer who specialises in elopements if you decide to start this exciting journey!
So, with no further ado, let’s have a look at 11 breathtaking destinations in Italy that are perfect for elopements:
VAL D’ORCIA, TUSCANY
We might sound a little bit biased, but when it comes to Tuscany, rest assured that you will be spoiled with options! Picture endless rolling hills, typical mediaeval cobblestone villages, olive groves, vineyards and cypresses that will make for a soothing yet incredibly iconic, and of course beautiful view.
Val d’Orcia is one of our favourite destinations for an elopement in Tuscany. It’s unique and breathtaking in every season of the year (the landscape changes dramatically whether it’s Spring/Summer time or Autumn/Winter time). Plus, you will never find it overcrowded. A knowledgeable photographer will be able to help you choose locations and times to ensure an intimate experience.
Have an intimate ceremony overlooking the countryside, go for a drive through the hills from village to village, stop for a cosy wine tasting, make a toast with a gelato or an Aperol Spritz at sunset! Trust us, you will not be disappointed by the beauty of this region!
OSTUNI & POLIGNANO A MARE, APULIA
If you are more tempted by a seaside destination but don’t want to miss out on the typical Italian countryside, then Apulia might be the right location for you. As in all the Italian regions, the options again are endless. If you choose to elope in Apulia, potential beautiful locations are Ostuni and Polignano a Mare.
You can choose to exchange your vows between some typical Trulli in the countryside, then go explore the beauties of Ostuni and finish your day with an incredible sunset boat tour with views of the famous cliffs of Poligano.
SAN GALGANO ABBEY, TUSCANY
If ancient ruins with the most intimate and charming atmosphere are closer to what you’re envisioning for your day, then look no further than San Galgano Abbey! With a roofless ancient abbey in the middle of the Tuscan countryside, only 20 20-minutes from Siena, we can promise you, you won’t be disappointed!
CINQUE TERRE
Absolutely one of our top 5 destinations for an elopement in Italy! Colorful fishing villages are nestled between steep cliffs in one of the most beautiful seaside regions in Italy.
Cinque Terre means “Five Lands”: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso are 5 little jewels that will literally take you back in time and make you dive into what Italy must have felt like in the olden days. Be careful though! Cinque Terre is as beautiful as it is crowded!! Don’t expect to just show up, pick a spot to exchange your vows and start exploring. If you decide to elope in Cinque Terre you will need to plan accordingly in order to make the most out of this incredible place!
TAORMINA
Let’s travel all the way to Sicily, surely one of our favourite regions in Italy! If you are looking for culture, history, incredible landscapes and authenticity, then you need to visit this unique place.
There are so many spots to choose for an elopement in Sicily, and Taormina is in our Top 5. Not only is it absolutely stunning, but it also offers incredible options for a symbolic ceremony and the possibility to end your day on a volcano! Can you really top this off?
However, we will never stress enough that you’ll need to know your way around this area. Intimate beach spots for a dawn ceremony, volcano easy trails with absolutely no one other than you, and secret little corners around Taormina. All of this can be found, but it requires knowledge and planning ahead. So again, don’t expect to simply fly to Taormina and easily navigate through this destination but instead put yourself in the hands of an experienced elopement photographer based in Italy who can actually offer you the adventure of a lifetime!
ROME
Let’s change the vibe and let’s dive into the buzzing and ancient charm of Rome! Let’s be honest, Rome is a pretty unique city that can’t really be compared to any other city around the world. If for your elopement you want to wander around Italian ancient beauties and feel like you are in a Fellini’s movie, then elope to Rome!
FLORENCE
Set right in the heart of Tuscany, Florence is a vibrant city with the uniqueness of also being an open-air museum. Everything is within walking distance in the centre of this cultural city, known worldwide for its architectural beauties, its incredible art collections, and its undeniably historic importance. Let alone the fact that, like all the Italian cities, Florence has a strong identity when it comes to traditions, culture, food and wine.
Exchange your vows at dawn in Piazzale Michelangelo while overlooking Dante’s city and have a stroll through its charming streets before setting off to explore the surrounding countryside for an incredible sunset photo session!
VENICE
I know we might sound like an old record, but trust us, there is really no other city like Venice! Imagine a city entirely built on water, with no cars, but canals instead of roads and boats or “gondolas” as a means of transportation. Picture old and mysterious alleys, bridges, incredible little corners and unique squares. Without mentioning the museums, the history, the carnival, the identity and culture.
In times like the one we are living in, it is quite understandable why a city so unique and different can get so packed. This is something that everyone should be more than aware of when choosing Venice for their elopement destination in Italy. However, there are so many ways that will allow you to enjoy the city to the fullest, away from the crowds while actually breathing in all its unique charm. Just make sure you put yourself in the knowledgeable hands of an experienced local elopement photographer and start your incredible journey in this outstanding city!
UMBRIA
Looking for a calm and serene place with beautiful countryside, and typical little Italian borghi nestled across gentle rolling hills? Perhapy you’re in love with the Tuscan countryside, but you are looking for a more rustic feel? Then Umbria might just be the right destination for you! The options in Umbria are endless, whether you choose to stay in a boutique hotel, in a pretty agriturismo in the countryside, or you choose a Mediaeval borgo, Umbria will absolutely not let you down.
SIENA
Of all the cities in Tuscany, Siena is by far one of our favourites. Not only is the city itself absolutely beautiful – plus still real and lived by locals, but its province and surroundings are amongst the most beautiful in Tuscany. Crete Senesi, San Galgano, Val d’Orcia are only a few of the incredible spots in the Siena region that can be explored both on your elopement day and during your honeymoon in our country.
CEFALÙ
Last but surely not least: Cefalù. Let’s travel all the way to Sicily again, on the Palermo side of the island this time. Cefalù is a fishermen’s village that still holds all the charm that was roaming its little alleys back in the day.
There is not a bad corner of this little town that offers a lovely southern Italy vibe and one of the most beautiful coastlines of the island.
Exchange your vows in a boutique hotel in the Sicilian countryside, then take a short drive to the coast and explore Cefalù’s incredible corners!
These are “just” 11 destinations that are some of our favourite destinations in Italy for an elopement. However, as you can imagine, the options are endless! Check out this article if you want to discover more elopement ideas for your Italian adventure and start planning your own amazing day!
In order to keep the crowds away from our very favourite – and intimate – spots, in our articles you will find general location information only, not find specific details. We are sure you’ll appreciate the reasoning behind this choice: Over-tourism in Italy (as well as in many other parts of the world) is a plague and we are trying to stop feeding this vicious circle. For this reason, we will always make our couples aware of alternative, less known but equally beautiful destinations to step away from trendy and overcrowded ones.
Meet Your Local Italian Experts
Benni & Carol
From Benni Carol Photography
Benni and Carol are a team of experienced elopement planners and photographers based in Italy. They have been planning and photographing elopements all over their home country with the commitment of creating true and heartfelt experiences to be treasured in the years to come. With a strong focus on sustainability, they pride themselves on remaining true to their values when planning their couples’ adventures. With a passion for the outdoors and everything nature, Benni & Carol are a fun and dedicated duo ready to create the Italian experience of a lifetime, away from the crowds and yet in the most incredible hidden Italian gems.
