If you’ve ever watched a movie set in Italy and thought, “I need to go there,” you’re not alone. Italy has long been a favorite playground for directors from all over the world. And it’s no wonder.
With dramatic coastlines, dreamy villas, ancient ruins, and sun-drenched piazzas, the country naturally looks like a film set. The great thing is, many of these iconic movie locations are real places in Italy that you can visit. So, if you’re ready to follow in the footsteps of your favorite characters, let’s roll the camera and hit the road.
Feel Like Royalty in Rome (Roman Holiday)
Let’s start with the classic. Roman Holiday, the 1953 Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck masterpiece, gave the world one of its most romantic visions of Rome. The Spanish Steps, the Mouth of Truth, and that Vespa ride around the Eternal City are as iconic as ever.
Today, you can visit those same spots. Stand on the steps with a gelato in hand, snap a photo near the ancient Bocca della Verità, or rent a scooter if you’re brave enough to recreate your own movie moment. It’s a timeless way to soak up the Roman atmosphere.
Watch the Magical Streets of Florence (Inferno and A Room with a View)
Florence, with its Renaissance beauty, has graced the screen in more than a few films. In Inferno, Tom Hanks races through the city’s twisting streets and into landmarks like the Palazzo Vecchio and the Boboli Gardens.
But Florence also plays a much softer role in A Room with a View, where romantic strolls along the Arno and quiet moments in dreamy piazzas steal the show. The best way to see Florence like in the movies is to take your time. Don’t rush the Uffizi or the Duomo. Instead, grab a coffee, find a view, and let the city cast its spell.
Drive the Amalfi Coast (The Talented Mr. Ripley)
If The Talented Mr. Ripley made you want to dress in linen and cruise the Italian coast with jazz playing in the background, you’re not alone. The film’s stylish shots of the Amalfi Coast, particularly in towns like Atrani and Positano, still inspire daydreams today.
That stretch of coastline is just as cinematic in real life. All you need to do is rent a car or take a local bus, wind along the cliffside roads, and stop in those pastel-painted villages that tumble toward the sea. It’s beautiful, dramatic, and just the right amount of thrilling.
Explore Sicily (The Godfather and Cinema Paradiso)
Sicily has its own cinematic vibe. In The Godfather, the Corleone family’s ancestral village was actually filmed in Savoca and Forza d’Agrò, not the real town of Corleone. These hillside villages are quiet and full of atmosphere, with churches and cafes that look frozen in time.
Order a granita at Bar Vitelli in Savoca and feel like you’re in the middle of a scene. Then, for a more heartfelt experience, visit the town of Palazzo Adriano where Cinema Paradiso was filmed. The main square and old cinema still carry that nostalgic, bittersweet magic.
Glide Through Venice (Spider-Man: Far From Home and Don’t Look Now)
Venice almost feels like a movie set on its own, but it’s been the dramatic backdrop for everything from thrillers to romances. Don’t Look Now used the foggy canals for eerie tension, while Spider-Man: Far From Home turned it into a superhero playground.
In real life, Venice is just as surreal. Instead of rushing from one tourist attraction to another, let yourself get a little lost. Explore the lesser-known neighborhoods like Cannaregio or Dorsoduro and take a quiet vaporetto ride at dusk. That’s when Venice really feels like a movie.
Bask in the Beauty of Lake Como (Casino Royale and Star Wars)
Lake Como isn’t just for the rich and famous, although it sure has its fair share of celebrities. It’s also been used in blockbuster films like Casino Royale and Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
Those villa scenes were filmed at Villa del Balbianello, perched right on the water with a view that doesn’t even need CGI. You can visit the villa, tour the gardens, and imagine yourself as James Bond or a moody Jedi. No special effects are required. The lake really is that stunning.
Tips for Your Movie-Inspired Trip
To really explore these places like a film buff and not just a casual passerby, do a little homework before you go. Rewatch the scenes, learn a bit about how and where they were filmed, and plan your routes accordingly.
Some places offer guided tours focused entirely on movie locations, but often, the best way is to wander on your own and let the film moments come to life as you recognise the scenery around you. Also, try visiting during the shoulder seasons. You’ll avoid the biggest crowds and enjoy a more relaxed, personal experience that feels much closer to what you see on screen.
Italy has always been a storyteller’s dream, and exploring its cinematic locations brings a whole new layer to your travels. Whether you’re chasing spy thrillers, romantic classics, or dreamy art films, you’ll find real places that make you feel like you’re part of the story.
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