Italy was one of the first countries I went to when I started photographing international elopements way back in 2017 and it’s one that I’ve loved going back to again and again. Italy’s got so much to offer for so many different kinds of elopements with super varied regions and a ton of culture around every corner. But with so much to choose from, it can be a legitimate challenge to figure out where is just right for your wedding day!
When it comes to Italian elopement destinations, in my mind it’s hard to beat the Dolomites. This stretch of the Alps is more rugged than Switzerland but with great roads that let you drive right up to gorgeous passes and alpine lakes. As a bonus, you can find so many different cultures here!
If you’re looking for recommendations further south of the northern border, don’t worry! I’ve got you. Keep reading for more elopement locations I’ve loved and would recommend.
(Already feeling a little lost? I have a location database for you! My searchable map has nearly 600 locations and filters to help you out. Click here to go right to it!)
Dolomites, Italy
The Dolomites are a stretch of the Alps in northern Italy full of impressive jagged rocky peaks and rolling green valleys below. These are seriously in your face mountains—from sea level straight up into the sky. This area used to be a part of Austria, so it has a distinctly Bavarian feel. If you’re not into hiking but still want big mountain vibes, this is a great pick—you can take a gondola up the mountain and go for a quick stroll to so many beautiful spots. This is also an amazing pick if you like backpacking or rock climbing! Check out stunning alpine lakes with turquoise waters like Lago di Carezza or hop in the super unique “coffin lift” for a gondola ride that will only fit you and your partner!
Best for: Mountains, Lakes, Forest, and Wildflowers.
Best months to get married here: June to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Rock Climbing, Stargazing
Lake Como, Italy
Formed by a glacier and seated at the base of Monte San Giorgio in the Alps, Lake Como is full of natural beauty. This is also just a quick 40 minute train ride outside of Milan, making it incredibly accessible! Take a Riva boat tour of the lake if you want to feel celebrated and doted on, or strike out on your own with your partner in a kayak if adventuring is more your speed! There are lots of footpaths around the lake, including stone bridges and beaches that will give you incredible backdrops for your elopement. Unique things to do include the Brunate Funicular train, soak in the views and architecture from Villa del Balbianello (if you’re a movie buff, you’ll love this one), or if you’re foodies, go on a tasting tour of local cuisine and local wine. If you have a little more time on your hands, the border to Switzerland is super close, making it easy to see multiple countries in one trip.
Best for: Mountains, Lakes, City and Forest
Best months to get married here: June to October
My favorite activities to do here: Boating, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Hiking
Rome, Italy
Rome is known as the Eternal City for a good reason. For history buffs, there’s few places that are more intriguing to elope than a city full of buildings that are over 2000 years old. From the Pantheon to the Colosseum, you can spend your elopement here taking in once-in-a-lifetime sights that you will always remember and feeling small in the grand scale of time. Get married in the morning and then spend the rest of the day taking a pasta class, going to a wine tasting, or doing a moonlit walking tour after the sun sets. If you want a shot at seeing the city with limited tourists, visit in January or February. You’ll never feel totally alone in this city, but honestly, that’s part of the magic. You can say your vows in private and then share this pivotal spot in human history with a community.
Best for: City
Best months to get married here: May to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Lago di Braies, Italy
Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) is a lake in the Dolomites with incredible fairytale charm. Picture bright, beautiful turquoise water reflecting the mountains around you perfectly, all nestled into a thick evergreen forest. The alpine lakes in the Italian Alps are generally all super beautiful, and this is no exception! Paddle around in a wooden rowboat after saying your vows and let the views wash over you.
Best for: Mountains and Lake
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Kayaking
Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coast is 34 miles of insane beauty. And if you’re looking for an elopement spot that will give you all of the beauty of the Italian coastline while also making you feel like you’re on the five-star getaway of a lifetime, this is your answer. Rocky hills full of lemon groves, candy-colored villas climbing up the mountain, and insanely blue water washing up onto a variety of beaches make this area truly worth the hype. Charter a boat (from yachts to sailboats to speed boats) and spend a day on the water with your partner relaxing, drinking regional wine, and basking in the Italian sun. Hike the Path of the Gods with its landscaped stairs and breathtaking views, rent a Vespa to zip along the coastal towns, take a day trip back in time to the ruins of Pompeii, or take a cooking class to be immersed in the culture. No matter what you choose, you’re pretty much guaranteed beauty and a slow, luxurious getaway here.
Best for: Coast, Beach, City, Forest
Best months to get married here: May to October
My favorite activities to do here: Sailboat, Boating, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Hiking
Venice, Italy
Venice is an epic pick if you want to make sure that you will never, ever be anywhere quite like your elopement destination (sorry, Vegas). Skip paying a gondolier and take a rowing lesson yourself and take to the canals together! Or learn a craft together from a local artisan. The city is known for drawing crowds, so if you want to get away from the pack a bit, come during late fall and winter. Palaces, unique bridges, museums, and hidden cafes all make this city so special.
Best for: Coast, City
Best months to get married here: May to October
My favorite activities to do here: Boating, Hiking
Ortisei, Italy
Not far from the Austrian border, Ortisei (also called Urtijëi in the local Ladin) is a mountain town in the Dolomites that is hard not to love. It is one of three towns in Val Gardena, a valley full of top-notch ski slopes in the winter and mountain biking in the summer. This town perfectly balances its Austrian roots with its historic Italian culture to create something truly special. Gondolas all around will connect you from the town to higher elevations so that you can see the hills from above—especially gorgeous in the spring when they’re studded with wildflowers. You can also find flowers in a garden setting at the Uhrerhof Rosarium, where more than 250 kinds of roses are tended to. If you want your elopement to feel like something out of a fairytale, this area is an incredible spot to find it.
Best for: Mountains
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Rock Climbing, Stargazing
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany is known for being the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance—Michelangelo’s “David” was carved here—and looking at the scenery, it’s easy to see how its beauty could move artists to create such great works. In Florence, the capital of the region, you can see most of these on display in any of the art museums, along with impressive architecture (though you may want to pop over to Pisa if you’ve got your heart set on a certain tower). But outside of the city, the Tuscan countryside is built of long stretches of vineyards and olive groves and the Etruscan Coast has long stretches of sandy beaches and stunning towns like Castiglioncello. Overall, the energy here is very artsy, laid back, and rejuvenating.
Best for: Beach, Coast, City
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating
Cinque Terre, Italy
Elopement photos here would be full of stacks of candy-colored houses, rugged sea cliffs, bright blue water, and unbeatable views. There are five different villages in Cinque Terre, each with its own unique identity. You could easily turn a wedding here into a honeymoon and spend time in each one! Take a coastal horseback ride, paddle around coves, or go for a wine tasting at sunset and sample the famous sweet wines of the region. Or, if wine isn’t your thing, take a pesto making class and learn the secrets of the city known for it. Romance is an easy ask here! So much so that there’s a whole seaside walk known for it—Via dell’Amore, AKA Lover’s Lane.
Best for: Beach, Coast, City
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Sailboat
Sicily, Italy
As the largest Mediterranean island, Sicily is a perfect blend of Italian culture and the beauty of the Greek islands. The vibe for an elopement here would be streets lined with cobblestones, patios draped in string lights, impossibly turquoise bays, and cliffs crowded with red roofed buildings. Sea cave tours are a super cool standout activity that you can do to take you out on the water and out of your everyday life. Palermo offers various food and drink attractions like tasting tours and Agrigento has beautiful beaches right next to historic columns. If you want a taste of something more luxurious during your elopement, there are multiple resorts to choose from here, many with their own private beaches to give you a less crowded view of the sea.
Best for: Beach, Coast, City, Forest
Best months to get married here: May to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Kayaking, Sailboat
Lombardy, Italy
If you haven’t heard of Lombardy, you’ve likely heard of its capital, Milan, known for being a hub of fashion and beauty. But if cities aren’t your thing, you can also explore gorgeous spots here like Lake Como or Lake Maggiore, both of which are known for their bright waters and incredible architecture. If you have multiple days to spend in Italy, this is an excellent region to zero in on. Spend a week hopping from spot to spot, sampling the local dish (risotto!), going on architecture tours, and lounging in gardens. This whole area is known for lakes and sparkling wines—I can’t think of a better combination for an elopement.
Best for: City, Forest, Lakes, Mountains
Best months to get married here: May to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Kayaking
South Tyrol, Italy
If you’re looking to elope in the Dolomites, South Tyrol is a great place to stay! One of the main draws here is, of course, the peaks themselves (click on the Dolomites pin to learn more!) but I can’t stress enough how much else there is. I’m talking about rolling bright green hills, mirror lakes with submerged architecture poking out of them, SO many waterfalls, and fascinating blends of Austrian and Italian culture. Pack a picnic with the best of the best from local goods—wine, apples, bread, and cheese—and find any of hundreds of impossibly scenic spots. You’ll be blown away.
Best for: Forest, Lakes, Mountains
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Rock Climbing, Kayaking, Stargazing
Praiano, Italy
Perfectly halfway between Amalfi and Positano, Praiano is a gem filled with coastal cliffs, historic architecture, and breathtaking sunsets. Why are sunsets here so good? Because Praiano has some of the few beaches along the Amalfi Coast that face the west—making this a PRIME spot for some sunset vows. There’s also great hiking, cave grottos, seaside restaurants, and classes you can take together on everything from how to make Limoncello to snorkeling.
Best for: Beach, Coast, City, Forest
Best months to get married here: May to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Kayaking, Sailboat, Snorkeling
Lake Garda, Italy
The largest lake in the country, there’s tons of room here for finding a space in the beauty for you and your partner to be alone. Lake Garda is beautiful from any angle, with blue water and mountain surroundings that make it a stand-out. There are towns dotting the shoreline all around the water, so you have lots of choices to turn to for unique waterfront stays and lots of local flavor.
Best for: Mountains, Lake, Forest and Cities
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Boating, Hiking
Puglia, Italy
Puglia is the heel of Italy’s iconic boot shape, and there is so much in this southern area to see and do. This is a chance to get away from some of the spots that are laden exclusively with tourists but still see some beautiful architecture and seaside views. Visit the city of Lecce, which is over 2000 years old and has some of the most stunning Baroque architecture you will ever see. Or head to Polignano a Mare for sheer seaside cliffs, translucent water, and sunbleached villas. If you’re looking for fair weather and lower amounts of out-of-towners, visit in the border seasons of spring and fall!
Best for: Beach, Coast, City
Best months to get married here: May to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Kayaking, Sailboat, Snorkeling
Villa Balbiano, Italy
For couples that love the idea of Lake Como and want to really make the most out of their elopement, Villa Balbiano is a historic palazzo that now operates as a luxury stay sure to make you feel celebrated. Enjoy manicured gardens and lawns, awe-inspiring views of the lake, fireworks, and world-class amenities. This is perfect if you want to elope but still feel like royalty on your wedding day..
Best for: Lake, Mountain, City
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Kayaking, Sailboat
Italy is rare in the way that it goes from Alps at its northernmost areas all the way down to the temperate island of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea, much closer to Africa than Switzerland. Which also means… there are a ton of amazing options here! I have filters to help you narrow down your search. My searchable map below will let you filter by scenery, season, and activity so that you can see exactly what’s relevant to your specific day.
You also don’t have to come to a decision on your own. Consider me your travel expert, planning guide, and on-call consultant for all things elopement. I’ll give you personalized recommendations for everything from locations to vendors to packing lists to make sure that you never have to worry along the way.
Click here to get in touch with me so that we can start planning your elopement in a way that feels personal, special, and, most of all, feels like you.
