Film Journey to Italy: inspiring films for your trip

Here’s a handpicked selection of films to spark your wanderlust — and inspire a trip to the land of pizza, wine, and love.

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That Sweet Dolce Vita

Italy is pure cinema. Its landscapes, cities, and coastlines have graced the big screen countless times. Watching Roman palazzos and fountains, the canals of Venice, the sunbaked hills of Tuscany, or the beaches of Amalfi and Naples — you can’t help but dream of booking a flight. Here are 5 films that will make you feel like you’ve already arrived in Italy — or maybe give you the final push to start planning that long-awaited vacation.

The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza)

Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, this 2013 Italian masterpiece follows Jep Gambardella, a charismatic writer and socialite immersed in Rome’s glittering party scene. As he moves through opulent rooftops and surreal encounters, Jep begins to question the meaning of life and beauty.

The film is a visual feast — Rome becomes a character in itself. Critics called it one of the best modern Italian films, often comparing it to Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.

Eat Pray Love

Based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir, this soul-searching journey follows Julia Roberts’ character as she travels through Italy, India, and Bali in search of balance, self-love, and meaning.

In Italy, especially Rome and Naples, she indulges in la dolce vita — savoring local food, beautiful streets, and the joy of doing absolutely nothing. It’s a warm embrace for anyone who’s ever needed a fresh start.

The Talented Mr. Ripley

This 1999 psychological thriller — based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel — stars Matt Damon as Tom Ripley, who is sent to Italy by a wealthy businessman to retrieve his wayward son.

As the story unfolds, Tom’s envy and obsession grow. The film moves through dazzling Italian settings — Rome, Venice, Ischia — and captures both elegance and suspense. A gripping story with postcard-perfect views.

Letters to Juliet

This 2010 romantic drama follows Sophie, a young American (Amanda Seyfried), who travels to Verona and stumbles upon a decades-old love letter addressed to Juliet. She writes back — and soon finds herself swept into a charming quest for lost love.

The film is soaked in Tuscan sunshine and romantic nostalgia. Verona’s cozy alleys and the rolling hills of Tuscany form the perfect setting to believe — once again — in true love.