Best places to elope suggested by FAI, the National Trust for Italy

If you're wondering where to elope in Italy then you need look no further. Ready to start exploring a hidden Italy? You’ve come to the right place. From secluded waterfalls near Rome to vibrant art cities or unexpected white mountains of salt and the smallest private theatre of the world in Tuscany, these are all special places to elope right now.

It will be a double promise of love: one to your partner and one to the Italian Heritage. All our special places are protected and enhanced by FAI – Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano (the National Trust for Italy), a non-profit foundation established in 1975 with the aim of protecting and enhancing Italy's historical, artistic and landscape heritage.

In most of our properties it’s possible to celebrate civil ceremonies.

Hidden Venice – say yes in a typical Venetian house

A typical stately home in a historic building on the Grand Canal. The view is unique and exceptional: it overlooks the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute. Today is a special place where you can have a high level of privacy. For this reason, we do not mention the name and show photos. Write to fainegoziolivetti@fondoambiente.it for more info.

The “Love Room” at Avio Castle in Trentino

One of the most ancient and evocative castles in the Trentino region. A romantic and unexpected fortress surrounded by mountains and vineyards that tells the story of ladies and knights through extraordinary frescos of the 14th century. In the renowned “Love Room”, a passionate kiss between a lady and a knight amid darts thrown by Love. Write to eventi.avio@fondoambiente.it for more info.

Como lake and Villa del Balbianello

One of the most famous villa on Como Lake. This elegant, romantic 18th century mansion and its magnificent garden have hosted writers, scholars and travelers, including Count Guido Monzino, the last owner of the Villa. It’s 38 km from Como. The Villa can be reached on foot or by taxi boat from Lido di Lenno. It is the set-up for serveral films. Write to m.sormani@fondoambiente.it for more info.

Lugano lake and Villa Fogazzaro Roi

This is unexpected and intimate Villa on Lugano Lake is the most romantic place where you can promise your love or organize your elopement. Built directly on the lake, the interiors and the beautiful garden are the perfect set-up for small weddings and events. Civil and religious ceremonies in the annexed church are possibile. Write to c.colombo@fondoambiente.it for more info.

Portofino coast and a hidden abbey on the sea

A corner of paradise between Camogli and Portofino. San Fruttuoso Abbey is a unique and an unbelievable place of the 10th century. Built directly on the beach, you can reach it only by ferry, private boat or on foot. Write to fai.sanfruttuoso@fondoambiente.it for more info.

Gulf of Poets and Cinque Terre – Villa Rezzola

If you are looking for the best panorama on the sea in Liguria, you are in the right place. Located in the hills over Lerici, Villa Rezzola offers an intimate and vintage atmosphere. Sorrunded by a wide and beautiful garden, the best place to say “yes” is on the tower facing the Gulf of Poets or on the terrace. Write to fairezzola@fondoambiente.it for more info.

Unexpected Tuscany – the smallest theatre in the world and a medieval tower

On the Apennine near Lucca, in Vetriano, there is a little jewel waiting to be discovered: the Teatrino di Vetriano. It appears in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s smallest private theatre. If you are looking for a really authentic and original elopement, it’s the right place!

In San Gimignano, one of the famous towers – incorporated within an authentically furnished 18th-century palazzo – evokes the life of the Tuscan middle class of the late 19th century. Torre Casa Campatelli can be hired exclusively and the medieval tower or the noble floor are at your disposal. Write to m.pizzorni@fondoambiente.it for more info.

Tivoli, waterfalls and Villa Gregoriana

Roman temples and roaring waterfalls set amid extraordinary scenery. Woods, trails, ancient ruins, natural caves, a river swallowed by the rocks and a spectacular waterfall: all of this just a stone’s throw from Rome, in a park commissioned by Pope Gregory XVI in the early 19th century. The most “romantic” and “wild” place to elope. Write to g.montesano@fondoambiente.it for more info.

Campania, Ieranto bay - a secret spot in Sorrento peninsula

If you are a trekking and sea lovers and you would like a really different elopement, Ieranto Bay in the Sorrentine peninsula is the perfect place. Located directly across from the sea stacks of Capri, Ieranto Bay opens onto a natural scene of such beauty that the Sirens themselves chose it for their home. It can be reached only on foot with a treck of 40 minutes. Write to m.pizzorni@fondoambiente.it for more info.

Sicily, Valley on the Temples and its hidden garden

Located inside the Valley of the Temples, Kolymbethra Garden is a shaded corner of paradise, where centuries-old olive trees prosper and where the citrus fruits flood the Valley of the Temples with their fragrances. Say “yes” in this beautiful garden. Orange blossom are a popular feature for brides on their wedding day. Private pic-nic area available. Write to faikolymbethra@fondoambiente.it for more info.

Unexpected Salento and Matera

Apulia and Basilicata are two charming and amazing regions where to elope. Not far from Lecce, surrounded by olive trees, be enchanted by the Abbey of Cerrate with its church, the patio and the beautiful frescos. In Basilicata, in Matera, we can guide you in the best corner of the Sassi or simply inside our Casa Noha for an unconventional ceremony and elopement. Write to m.pizzorni@fondoambiente.it for more info.

Calabria, a wood of “giants”

A site like no other, this majestic, ancient woodland in the centre of the Calabria region has been thriving intact since the 17th century in the shade of its imposing “patriarchs”, giving rise to an impressive spectacle of nature. A symbol of resilience and the perfect place to promise eternal love. Write to faisila@fondoambiente.it for more info.

Sardinia, white salts mountains and flamingos

An extensive wilderness and a site of industrial archaeology, within a still-operational plant, combine to tell the story of salt, complete with vintage backdrops, mountains of “white gold” and wild fauna. An unusual set-up for a symbolic ceremony and shooting between the salt mountains or in the old building with original furniture of the 30s and 40s. Write to faisaline@fondoambiente.it for more info.

Umbria, a special place in Assisi

An intact piece of the Umbrian countryside in the centre of Assisi. A place of harmony and silence at the foot of the great Basilica of St Francis of Assisi; a walk through this landscape becomes an inner journey – one that inspired Michelangelo Pistoletto to create a stunning work of land art: the “Third Paradise” - 121 olive trees arranged in a double row to form three large, tangential circles. This is one of the most suggestive and unforgettable places to promise eternal love. Write to faiboscoassisi@fondoambiente.it for more info.

For fashion lovers – Villa Necchi Campiglio in Milan

Not far from Via Montenapoleone and the fashion district, Villa Necchi Campiglio is surrounded by a peaceful garden in the heart of Milan, housing sensational works of art. You can still live the glamorous world of the city’s interwar years. Set-up for several films: the last one was House of Gucci of Ridley Scott with Lady Gaga, Al Pacino, Adam Driver and many others. Write to fainecchi@fondoambiente.it for more info.