10 Iconic Movie Locations in Rome

10 Iconic Movie Locations in Rome

The eternal city welcomes thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. Many tourists visit Rome to admire its historical and artistic heritage. They want to know about its archaeological, structural and natural beauties.

However, it is also worth visiting to admire Italy’s capital from a very different point of view. In this article you will discover how to appreciate Rome through a film lens…

I will take you on a journey through the sites featured in the most beloved movies.

 1. The Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain by Elijah Lovkoff – Pixabay

Taking its name from the Roman mythology  famous Trevi Fountain is among the largest fountains in Rome, takes its name from the Roman mythology.

In fact the ancient Romans attributed the name “Trivia” to the Goddess Diana, commonly known as Artemis. If you look carefully at the beautifully ornate fountain you will see marble decorations of small animals and plants.

Right here, Fellini filmed the unforgettable scene of the film “La Dolce Vita” in 1960. The recorded scene framed the beautiful fountain and the statues representing “Abundance” and “Health”.

Still image by Francesca Saputo

The film tells the story of Marcello, a scandalous journalist who seems to despise the world of the jet set. But Anita Ekberg invites him to take a bath in the fountain with her, seducing him.

At the box office the film managed to cover the 800 million spent by the producer in only fifteen days!

the fountain is located near the barberini underground stop, Once you reach Piazza di Trevi, you will admire this beautiful piece of art!

2.The Spanish Steps

Spanish Steps by Ptra – Pixabay

“The Girls of Piazza di Spagna” is a 1952 comedy. The film tells the story of three girls working as dressmakers for a famous Roman fashion house.

Still image by Francesca Saputo

The three girls aim to get married, so they need money. The director recounts the love plots, the problems of the three friends on the stairs of Trinità dei Monti. Also here in 1972, Fellini shot the scenes of “Roma”, using the entire Piazza di Spagna as a backdrop.

3.The Pantheon

The Pantheon by Kirk Fisher – Pixabay

Between the Pantheon and its square, Ron Howard shot the scenes of the movie “Angels and Demons” in 2009.

Here, the famous Langdon follows a sensible hunt through the streets of Rome. You will recognize plenty of Roman landmarks in the film as they search for the murderer.

Still image by Francesca Saputo

Be warned, these other scenes in the film seem to be set in Rome but they are not. Actually, Piazza San Pietro and the Sistine Chapel were reproduced on a smaller scale in a set design studio!

The Pantheon is located in Piazza della Rotonda and is open every day from  8,30 to 19,30

HERE you will find more information about the Basilica

4. Via Veneto and much more

Martini by Simone Ramella – Wikimedia Commons

Many scenes in the movie “La Grande Bellezza” directed by Paolo Sorrentino in 2013 were filmed in Rome.

Sorrentino tells the story of Jap Gambardella. He is a journalist, a writer and a literary critic who seeks encouragement in a world that bores him, full of empty and superficial worldliness.
During his journey to find “the great beauty” he will meet some characters who will accompany him throughout his journey to discover the origins of his discomfort!

Still image by Francesca Saputo

The city is the absolute protagonist and emerges with all its beauty with its sunsets, the Tiber river, ancient buildings and secret gardens, monuments. In the film you will see the Flavian Amphitheater, Piazza Venezia and Piazza Navona and many more (without forgetting the Tombs of Caracalla, the Imperial Forums and the Janiculum).

Other locations in the film are:

1. The Tempietto of San Pietro in Montorio: also known as Tempio del Bramante located in a courtyard of a convent;
2. . The loggia of the nobles of Palazzo Altemps: a building that stands near Piazza Navona. House of the National Roman Museum;
3. The statue of Marforio: located at the Capitoline Museums of the Capitol.
4. Palazzo dell’Ina: a stone’s throw from Via Veneto, you will find this old building  with its neon sign, which is literally the last one in all of Rome.

In the movie, you will also see the beautiful painting called “La Fornarina“. You can admire Raphael’s painting at the National Gallery of Ancient Art in Palazzo Barberini. 

If you would like to admire the building with the advertising Martini sign, you will find it between via Bissolati and via Sallustiana near via vittorio veneto

5. Castel Sant’Angelo & Via dei Portoghesi

Castel Sant’Angelo by Neufal54 – Pixabay

“Eat, Pray, Love” is the famous movie that sees Julia Roberts in the role of Elizabeth Gilbert.

Elizabeth is a woman who has everything in life but finds herself experiencing a moment of strong crisis and for this reason she decides to travel the world to rediscover herself.

She arrives in Rome, showing the beautiful Castel Sant’Angelo and Via dei Portoghesi.

Still image by Francesca Saputo

Right in Via dei Portoghesi you will find the apartment where Elizabeth lived for the duration of her holiday in Rome. If you are near Piazza Navona, try to find the balcony from which she appeared during a scene of the movie.

In another scene she sits down on a bench to eat ice cream  with the company of two nuns. The church is that of Sant’ Agense in Agone and the bench is positioned opposite, try to find it!

Castel Sant’Angelo is located in Lungotevere Castello, 50.  you can visit it from Monday to Wednesday from 9.00 to 19.30 and Thursday to Sunday from 9.00 to 24.00

6. The Museum of Roman Civilization

View of the Museum – by Black Cat – Wikimedia Commons

The twenty-fourth film of the saga “007 Spectre” features around 20 Roman locations.

In a scene, James Bond meets Monica Bellucci at the EUR. Here you will see the colonnade belonging to the Museum of Roman Civilization. This particular museum presents different aspects of Roman daily life, famous for the perfect plaster copies of the most important Roman works to date but unfortunately the museum is temporarily closed for renovation, so check their website before heading in!

Different scenes of the movie feature various races through Trastevere, the Nomentano district and Via Gorizia. Not to mention Trevi Fountain , Via della Conciliazione, Porta Pia and Ponte Milvio.

Still image by Francesca Saputo

Ponte Milvio is a must-see: with its “Torretta del Valadier” and the many padlocks positioned by young lovers after watching a famous italian movie called “Ho Voglia Di Te”.

The museum of roman civilization is situated in Piazza Giovanni Agnelli, 10 near the laurentina underground stop

7. Altare della patria & Piazza Venezia

View of the Altar by Serghei_Topor – Pixabay

“To Rome With Love” is the famous Woody Allen film that celebrates Rome as the eternal city.

The film tells the story of four different people who live and share their life in the city of Rome. The protagonists of the initial scene are seen at the Piazza Venezia and the Altare della Patria.

Still image by Francesca Saputo

The featured monument is also known as Vittoriano, a structure commissioned by Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoy.

If you want to admire the breath-taking view of the city of Rome you can access a panoramic terrace, by lift. Don’t miss it!

you can visit the altare della patria in piazza venezia for free

OPENING Hours:  Mon-Thu 09:30 – 18:30 and Fri-Sun & holidays 09:30 – 19:30

8. Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin

Santa Maria in Cosmedin by Serghey_Topor – Pixabay

“Roman Holiday” is a movie filmed in Rome in 1951. The main actors were Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, and the film won three Oscars.

In the movie, Princess Anna played by Hepburn becomes exhausted by her royal role. She runs away and finds herself walking through the Capital.

Still image by Francesca Saputo

My favorite scene is the one with the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin as background. This church, built in the 6th century, underwent restoration work in the 18th century. It is in one of its doorways that you will find the Mouth of Truth.

Take some time to visit the interior as well, as you will be amazed by the beautiful mosaic of tiles beneath your feet.

The Church is situated in Piazza Bocca della Verità, 18 and  here you will find more information about it.

9. Ponte Rotto

View of the bridge by MM – Wikimedia Commons

“Roman Stories” is a comedy film set in the city of Rome, is a story about four friends and their misadventures to get rich and during the film you see the famous “Broken Bridge” in the background.

Also known as “pons aemilius“, the bridge was built around 241 B.C. but over time and due to the current of the Tiber, the bridge fell apart.

Still image by Francesca Saputo

In the movie there is also a scene recorded at Via di San Pietro in Carcere,  a small street near the Altare della Patria and Piazza Venezia.

The bridge is located in Via di Ponte Rotto and is always open

10. Cinecittà Studios

Cinecittà by Claudio Caravano – Wikimedia Commons

If you are keen on movies and interested in the history of cinema, I suggest you to visit Cinecittà also known as the factory of dreams. Over 3,000 films have been produced in these studios in only 80 years.

The studios cover approximately 400,000 square meters of surface, and this artificial city has recently developed its own”Cinecittà World” theme park. Here you will find faithful reproductions (even the original ones) of the scenes of many films.

Getting there

Train: To reach Cinecittà take the Metro A direction Anagnina
Bus: If you want to reach it by bus from Termini Station take the 502 / 503 / 552 / 654

Car: Take the G.R.A exit at the “Tuscolana” junction N.21 and follow directions towards Tuscolana Centro. Parking is in front of the studios