Throughout history, certain places and landmarks have become symbols of timeless love stories. From Verona, Italy, the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, to the tale of heartbreaking devotion behind the Taj Mahal’s splendor, these sites offer not only beautiful architecture and historical significance, but also a glimpse into the sweeping romances that shaped them. Here are five of the most romantic places in the world you can visit today.
Taj Mahal – Agra, India
One of the New Seven Wonders of the World and an internationally recognized symbol of India, the Taj Mahal has a fascinating story behind its magnificent structure — one of love, adoration, and mourning. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his late wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631 while giving birth to the couple’s child. The inconsolable emperor ordered the construction of the mausoleum in 1632.
The Taj Mahal features white marble from Jodhpur, India, which gives the main dome a radiant glow as it reflects the light, alongside red sandstone and an array of precious and semiprecious stones sourced from across Asia. Upon its completion in 1648, the monument became the final resting place of Mumtaz Mahal. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Taj Mahal stands as one of the world’s most celebrated monuments of unwavering devotion.
Casa di Giulietta – Verona, Italy
The famous setting of Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet, Verona attracts visitors from far and wide who are eager to explore its connection to the tragic love story. The city’s most famous site is Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House), a 13th-century medieval home on Via Cappello. According to legend, the Cappello family inspired Shakespeare’s Capulets, the fictional family at the center of the story. Their home, featuring the iconic balcony, draws fans who visit to see the whimsical setting and rub the bronze Juliet statue for good luck.
Shakespeare aside, the city of Verona inspires romance at every turn. A sunset walk across Ponte Pietra, a classic Roman arch bridge spanning the Adige River, leads to the Castel San Pietro Cable Car, which takes visitors to the top of a 14th-century hill with breathtaking views over the city. Be sure to enjoy a moonlit stroll across the illuminated Castelvecchio footpath, followed by a walk along the river to a charming café for Veronese wine and a traditional Italian meal, to truly experience Verona’s romantic charm.
Dobroyd Castle – Todmorden, England
In Todmorden, West Yorkshire, a castle stands as a symbol of enduring love, built by a husband who made a promise to his wife. John Fielden, a wealthy industrialist and mill owner, fell in love with his neighbor Ruth, a weaver from one of his mills. Despite their differences in social class, their love prevailed, and they married in 1857.
According to historic accounts, Ruth agreed to marry John only if he built her a castle on a hill. In 1866, Fielden commissioned renowned architect John Gibson of London to build Dobroyd Castle. Completed in 1869, the castle became the couple’s permanent home, with 66 rooms, a 17-horse stable, and the couple’s initials carved throughout as a testament to their love.
After Ruth’s passing at age 50, John remarried and spent his final years in the castle with his second wife. After John died in 1893 at the age of 77, the mansion became a school, then a Buddhist center, and is now home to Robinwood, an activity center for children.
Alhambra Palace – Granada, Spain
The Alhambra — a breathtaking fortress and palace in southern Spain — is a masterpiece of Moorish architecture, renowned for its intricate designs, lush gardens, and stunning views. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Alhambra is also steeped in love stories from the time of the Nasrid dynasty, the last Muslim dynasty to reign over Spain, whose rulers built the castle beginning in 1238.
Notable tales include the forbidden love between Zoraida, an enslaved Christian, and Sultan Muley Hacén, who made her his queen. There’s also the story of Muhammad VII locking his daughters in a tower to protect them from love, only for two to escape and fall in love with knights. Another legend involves a young princess who cursed her family to reunite with a forbidden lover. These captivating stories inspired author Washington Irving to write Tales of the Alhambra in 1832 after briefly residing in the palace in 1829.
Bory Castle – Székesfehérvár, Hungary
The story of Bory Castle is one of passion and artistic vision — that of renowned Hungarian architect Jenő Bory, who honed his craft in Hungary, Germany, and Italy, and also served as a professor at the Hungarian University of Fine Arts in Budapest in the early 1900s. In 1912, Bory purchased a plot of land in the countryside of Székesfehérvár, where he began his lifelong architectural project.
Over four decades, Bory, deeply inspired by nature and art, gradually constructed a castle dedicated to his wife, while also using the project as an outlet for his creative expressions. Blending Romantic, Gothic, and Art Nouveau styles, the castle features romantic towers, intricate stone carvings, ceiling frescoes, and a natural integration of rock formations with human-made structures.
The surrounding gardens, with their lush vegetation and sculptures, were influenced by Bory’s wife and muse, Ilona Komocsin, while the castle’s interior is filled with an eclectic collection of items Bory gathered during his travels across Europe. Though Bory passed away in 1959, his family still owns the castle, which was later opened to the public as a museum that celebrates its unique artistic and cultural significance.
Featured Stories
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Optimism, which publishes content that uplifts, informs, and inspires.
