Roma
There is no better place to start than the Italian capital. The beauty of this city has been immortalized in films, TV series, and even video games more times than any other. So, if you want to turn your trip into a true cinematic experience, take note.
Our adventure begins in the same place as Julia Roberts’ in ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, at the Castel Sant’Angelo. Here, Julia gazes at the city that will become her playground for the next weeks. With its three viewpoints, you can enjoy splendid views of every corner of the city. I recommend visiting at sunset if you want memorable photos.
Very close to here is our next stop, the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone. At this spot you can enjoy a delicious ice cream while sitting on one of the benches in front of the church, just like Julia Roberts did in ‘Eat, Pray, Love’. You might even have two nuns sit next to you, so don’t be surprised.
If you don’t feel like sitting, you can keep walking to Piazza Navona, one of the places you’ve seen more often than you realize. This spot has been the backdrop for films like ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley‘, with the unforgettable appearance of Philip Seymour Hoffman in a gleaming red convertible. You can have a cappuccino at Ristorante Caffé Domiziano, though I hope you have better luck than Julia Roberts (‘Eat, Pray, Love’) and it’s not full of businessmen. In this same square, you’ll find the Fountain of the Four Rivers, but I don’t recommend taking a dip like Tom Hanks did (‘Angels & Demons‘) if you don’t want the police to show up.
Once recharged, you must visit the Spanish Square, the most filmed location in Italian history, featured in ‘Roman Holiday‘ and ‘To Rome with Love‘. It’s a place where anything can happen. You might see Matt Damon (‘The Talented Mr. Ripley‘), whose personality will change depending on who he’s with. Or you could even see a car driving down the steps without hitting the brakes (‘Mission Impossible 7‘).
And to end our adventure in Rome, we can’t say goodbye to this city without a bit of partying and there’s no better place for that than Caffe Latino. Here is where Matt Damon and Jude Law had a great time singing “Tu vuò fà l’americano” in ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley‘. So, tune up your voice and get on stage to give it your all if you want to experience a moment like in the movies.
Venice
Few cities are more Italian than Venice, what makes this destination a must-visit especially if you love cinema. I’ll tell you about the filming locations of iconic movies so you can experience a true film-inspired journey.
If in Rome we talked about its piazzas and fountains, in Venice we’ll begin in a “lower” spot. If you’ve seen ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade‘, I’m sure you remember Harrison Ford emerging from a sewer in the middle of a square under the watchful eyes of passersby. This place is none other than Campo San Barnaba. Here, you might also find Jason Statham planning a heist (‘The Italian Job‘).
Next, you have to visit the most iconic place in all of Venice, St. Mark’s Basilica. Tom Cruise, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Mark Wahlberg… Many stars have strolled through this beautiful square to plan a heist (‘The Italian Job‘), just walking by (‘Mission Impossible 7‘) or sightseeing (‘Spider-Man: Far From Home‘).
I recommend checking out these guided tours we’ve selected for you, so you can have a film-inspired adventure (Venice movie locations tour).
Now, roll up your sleeves because we’re heading straight into action. Campo Santa Maria Formosa. This is where Spider-Man and Mysterio first meet and team up to defeat Hydro-Man before he destroys the entire city. So, grab your webs and save as many as you can!
Another must-stop is the Benedetto Conservatory in the Pisani Palace, which rooftop offers a panoramic view of the entire city that will make you fall in love with it, if you haven’t already. Here, you might encounter the greatest detective of all time, Hercules Poirot (‘A Haunting in Venice‘), enjoying the views, or James Bond pursuing his great love Vesper (‘007 Casino Royale‘).
Naples
If you love pizza, don’t worry, because I’m going to tell you where you can eat the best pizza of all, just like Julia Roberts did in ‘Eat, Pray, Love’. Opened in 1930, Pizzeria Da Michele introduced the first pizza certified with Blockchain technology that allows verifying the origin and authenticity of the ingredients used. It’s no wonder it’s called the temple of pizza. After savoring a true pizza, you can choose to do either of these three things next.
Heading north, you will come across the Royal Palace of Caserta, whose interiors were used as sets to depict the palace of Naboo in Star Wars Episodes I and II. If you want to travel to a galaxy far, far away without needing a spaceship, I recommend signing up for the Royal Palace Tour that we have prepared for you, whether you’re a Jedi or a Sith (Star Wars Royal Palace Tour and Traditional Lunch).
Heading south, if money is not an issue, you will reach Hotel Villa Cimbrone in Ravello. This magical place was immortalized by Christopher Nolan himself in ‘Tenet‘, where “The Protagonist” meets Elizabeth Debicki’s character to decide their next move. Patty Jenkins also fell in love with this location while filming ‘Wonder Woman‘. In the exact same spot as the mentioned ‘Tenet‘ scene, Hippolyta tells a young Diana about the weapon capable of destroying a god.
Finally, it’s time to explore the Italian coast if we travel west. In ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley‘, Matt Damon must go to the village of Mongibello to meet Jude Law’s character. While the village itself is fictional, its locations are real, as they were filmed on the islands of Ischia and Procida. If you can only visit one of the two, I recommend Ischia, where the most memorable scenes were shot. Like Bagno Antonio beach, where both characters first meet and from where you can see the Aragonese Castle. You can also visit Palazzo Malcovati, where Jude Law’s character lived. Unfortunately, it’s a private location, so you won’t be able to see the interiors featured in the movie, but you can admire the balconies where numerous scenes were also filmed.
Sicily
We move now on to a larger island, cradle of both the darkest and most tender stories. It’s on this island where a film that speaks about cinema itself and that every film enthusiast should know was shot. I’m talking about ‘Cinema Paradiso‘ and the most characteristic place in the entire movie, Palazzo Adriano, where the famous cinema was located, sadly fictional. But if you prefer other types of films, such as mafia movies, there’s nothing like ‘The Godfather‘. Starting with Bar Vitelli, where Michael Corleone asked for his future wife’s hand, though if I were you, I’d order something from the menu. Then, you have to visit San Nicolò Church, where they both got married.
More
And to conclude our cinematic journey through Italy, I couldn’t leave out several locations scattered across the territory that are so iconic that surely deserve recognition. First, the Orcia Valley, where you can run your hands through the wheat just like Russell Crowe did in ‘Gladiator‘. You’ll want to listen to Enya
If I asked you what ‘007 No Time to Die’, ‘Wonder Woman’ and ‘The Passion of the Christ‘ have in common, the correct answer would be Matera. This beautiful city has served as a retreat for 007, has been the lost paradise of Themyscira, and according to Mel Gibson, “when I saw Matera, I almost went crazy; it was absolutely perfect.” There’s not much more to say.
Lastly, I need to recommend Lake Como. Here you’ll find the Villa del Balbianello, which served as a filming location for ‘007 Casino Royale‘ and as the residence of Senator Padmé Amidala in ‘Star Wars II‘. On the same lake, you’ll find Villa Balbiano, where ‘House of Gucci’ was filmed. It’s such a magical place that George Clooney himself owns a residence there. To fully enjoy it, you have to check out the boat tour on our website (Boat Tour of Lake Como and Entry to the ‘Star Wars’ Villa).
If you want to find more information about where your favourite films and tv shows where filmed and plan a movie-inspired trip, we look forward to seeing you on screenbie.com!
