10 Famous Movie Locations in Rome
Visit Iconic Rome Places You Saw in Your Favorite Movies
These famous movie locations in Rome include sought-after spots and iconic landmarks in the city that cinema-goers will easily know. As one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Rome has been attracting movie directors to its stunning fountains, squares, and streets as unforgettable backgrounds for their movies.
Some filmmakers even make Rome a major character in their storytelling. An exciting thing to do in Rome is to discover places where some famous movies were shot. Whether you want to ride a Vespa around Rome like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday or eat Italian ice cream in Piazza Navona like Julia Roberts did in Eat, Pray, Love, these iconic places are where you can relive such memorable scenes.
1. The Spanish Steps
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), To Rome with Love (2012), Roman Holiday (1953)
Good for: Budget, Couples, History
The Spanish Steps with its 138 stairs is the longest and widest stairway in Europe. It’s been made famous in various movies, appearing several times in the award-winning The Talented Mr. Ripley. It is here that Tom Ripley encountered the wealthy heiress and introduced himself as another person, and where his troubles started.
The iconic, butterfly-shaped, 18th-century Spanish Steps were also featured in other movies. In Roman Vacation, the main characters met when Audrey Hepburn’s princess character was eating ice cream while sitting on the steps. The Spanish Steps were also a meeting spot for Hayley and Michelangelo in Woody Allen’s To Rome with Love. Read more
Location: Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
The Spanish Steps
2. Trevi Fountain
La Dolce Vita (1960), Three Coins in the Fountain (1954), The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)
Good for: Adventure, History, Nightlife, Photo
The splendid Trevi Fountain has starred in movies several times. It’s known as one of the most beautiful baroque fountains in the world. It was in the fountain that Sylvia and Marcello splashed around in La Dolce Vita. So iconic was this scene in the movie that it brought the fountain even more fame.
The fountain was featured in the old and famous Roman Holiday and Three Coins in the Fountain. It’s also where Lizzie and Gordo made wishes in The Lizzie McGuire Movie. You too can throw your coins and make a wish. Interesting fact: all coins tossed into the fountain go to a charity. Read more
Location: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Trevi Fountain
3. Mouth of Truth
Roman Holiday (1953)
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
Roman Holiday, starring Audrey Hepburn, turned the Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verita) into a world-famous attraction. This ancient marble mask stands outside the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin. Medieval legend says that the Mouth of Truth will bite and swallow the hand of any liar who slips theirs inside.
This was the story that the character, Gregory Peck, told Hepburn’s character in the classic flick. It was a major scene in the movie since both characters were not initially honest with each other. It’s also commonly thought that the famous actress was pranked by Peck who pretended his hand been chewed off, pulling out a stump after hiding his hand in the sleeve of his jacket. Read more
Location: Piazza della Bocca della Verita, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Mouth of Truth
4. Piazza Navona
Eat, Pray, Love (2010)
Good for: Budget, Couples, History
The Piazza Navona is one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. It’s the place to find great examples of Baroque architecture, like the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers. This is also the location to find a famous bench in front of the Sant’Agnese in Agone church.
It was on this bench that the heroine of Eat, Pray, Love was sitting and eating an ice cream. Why not try the Italian gelato like Julia Roberts? Take a seat in these beautiful surroundings and contemplate the urban masterpieces in the historic center of the Eternal City. Read more
Location: Piazza Navona, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Piazza Navona
5. Piazza di Pietra
The Eclipse (1962)
Good for: Couples, History, Nightlife
Piazza di Pietra is a lovely small square known for the old remains of Hadrian’s Temple with its 11 columns. The place was featured in Michelangelo Antonioni’s romantic flick, The Eclipse. Here, a melancholic and pretty Vittoria, played by Monica Vitti, takes a walk after breaking up with her boyfriend. She then meets Piero, played by Alain Delon, with whom she falls in love.
You can relive the romance and truly appreciate the square in the evening. Sit at one of the bars and enjoy a light and audio show projected onto the impressive columns of the temple.
Location: Piazza di Pietra, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Piazza di Pietra
6. Piazza Della Rotonda
Ocean’s Twelve (2004)
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
Piazza Della Rotonda is famous for the Pantheon, a Roman temple that has stood tall since antiquity. One of the most preserved monuments of Ancient Rome, the plaza was featured in Steven Soderbergh’s witty heist movie, Ocean’s Twelve.
This is the place where Rusty (Brad Pitt) and Isabel (Catherine Zeta-Jones) first met. They both were sitting at a cafe just in front of the Pantheon, and she recognized him because he was being chased by the police. Don’t hesitate to enjoy a glass of wine or coffee in one of the cafes close to the Pantheon.
Location: Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Piazza Della Rotonda
7. Santa Maria del Popolo
Angels and Demons (2009)
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
The Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo (Basilica Parrocchiale Santa Maria del Popolo) is a small church with a beautiful exterior and a stunningly decorated interior. You can recognize it in a scene from Angels and Demons when Robert Langdon and Vittoria go to the square to look for the cardinals, and they find their first clue and the first dead cardinal.
The crypt of the church was recreated in a studio because the basilica was inaccessible to the filmmakers. Unlike the actors, you can visit the real church and contemplate the works of famous artists such as Raphael, Caravaggio, and Bernini. Read more
Location: Piazza del Popolo, 12, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Santa Maria del Popolo
8. Cinecittà
Studio where over 3,000 movies were filmed
Good for: Families, History, Photo
Cinecitta Studios is the largest movie factory in Europe, often referred to as “Hollywood on the Tiber”. Since 1937, the studio has produced over 3,000 movies, including at least 51 award-winning ones. Among the famous productions are La Dolce Vita (1960), Cleopatra (1963), The English Patient (1996), Gangs of New York (2002), and The Passion of the Christ (2004).
The studios have opened their doors to visitors since 2011. You’ll discover the amazing outdoor sets, historic buildings, and various themed exhibitions. You can easily spend an entire day here learning more about past masterpieces as well as the more modern productions. Note that individual and family visits must be booked in advance.
Location: Via Tuscolana, 1055, 00173 Roma RM, Italy
Open: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm
Phone: +39 06 722 861
Cinecittà
9. Pigneto
Accattone (1961)
Good for: History, Nightlife, Photo
Pigneto is a trendy part of Rome, popular among young locals. There are relaxed open-air bars and upmarket restaurants. However, it was not always like that. Far from ancient ruins, Pigneto used to be a miserable slum. It was here that Pasolini filmed Accatone, a drama telling the tale of impoverished post-war Italians.
The movie features the restaurant and bar, Necci dal 1924, where Accatone met Stella, a girl that he tried to turn into a prostitute. The topic of the movie was scandalous at that time. You can learn more about it at Necci which still sells photographs and books of Pasolini who lived above the bar during the movie’s filming.
Location: Via Fanfulla da Lodi, 68, 00176 Roma RM, Italy
Open: Necci dal 1924: Sunday–Thursday from 8 am to 1 am, Friday–Saturday from 8 am to 2 am
Pigneto
10. Fontana dell’Acqua Paola
The Great Beauty (2013)
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
Fontana dell’Acqua Paola is featured in the opening scene of Paolo Sorrentino’s Oscar-winning drama/comedy, La Grande Bellezza. The ornate white fountain with pink stone columns is situated on Rome’s tallest hill. It was built in 1612 to mark the restoration of the 2nd-century aqueduct supplying water from a lake 21.5 miles north of Rome.
La Grande Bellezza starts with a scene where an Asian tourist dies in front of this glorious fountain, probably overwhelmed by the power of its beauty. Breathtaking indeed, the fountain is one of the most evocative places in Rome and a great spot to enjoy stunning views over Rome, especially in the evening when the city is lit up.
Location: Via Garibaldi, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Fontana dell'Acqua Paola
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.