Under the Tuscan Sun didn't just make people fall in love with Tuscany - it made them want to rewrite their lives there. The golden light, the cobbled lanes, the soft-rolling hills… the beautiful locations of the film captured a sense of possibility that still echoes through the region today.
Not to mention Diane Lane. Diane Lane has probably convinced more people to move to Italy than any tourism campaign ever could.
If you're planning a trip to Tuscany (or just dreaming of one from your couch with a glass of Chianti), visiting the Under the Tuscan Sun filming locations is a surprisingly easy, and wonderfully romantic, experience. But where was Under the Tuscan Sun filmed? And how do you get there?
The film was shot primarily in and around Cortona, with a handful of other Tuscan and Italian destinations making cameo appearances.
This guide breaks down every key filming location, how to get there, what to see, and what's actually worth your time.
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Summary of Filming Locations
| Location | Region | Reason It’s Famous in the Film |
|---|---|---|
| Cortona | Tuscany | Main setting; Frances’ new life |
| Villa Bramasole (real + film version) | Near Cortona | Frances’ villa |
| Piazza della Repubblica (Cortona) | Tuscany | Multiple scenes |
| Piazza Signorelli (Cortona) | Tuscany | Daily life scenes |
| Santa Maria Nuova (Cortona) | Tuscany | Wedding procession scene |
| Positano | Amalfi Coast | Marcello’s scenes |
| Florence | Tuscany | Short transitional scenes |
| Montepulciano | Tuscany | Markets + street moments + San Biagio Church |
What is Under the Tuscan Sun
Under the Tuscan Sun is a 2003 film, (loosely) based on the memoir of the same name by Frances Mayes. Audrey Wells' version of the story follows a recently divorced writer (Frances, played by Diane Lane) who impulsively buys a rundown home in Tuscany initiating the start of a new life in Italy. The film and its scenic locations have inspired many to seek out its locations in an attempt to experience the self-discovery and romance shown in the film.
Why Visit Filming Locations
Tuscany is such a stunning place that you don't really need any reason to visit. But Under the Tuscan Sun gives you something a little more: a narrative to follow. You're not just walking through a lovely hill town, you're walking through a story. A story about:
- new beginnings
- rediscovery
- bravery
- and saying "yes" to what feels impossible.
That's the magic of cinematic itineraries: you're not just watching a story, you're walking through it. And if you enjoy the idea of "cinematic travel," you'll probably also love our guide to the Gladiator photo spot in Tuscany, one of the most spectacular (and surprisingly easy-to-visit) movie locations in Val d'Orcia.
Cortona
Perched high in the hills of southeastern Tuscany, south of Arezzo, this Etruscan town is atmospheric, walkable, and downright cinematic. The filmmakers shot much of the movie here because Cortona looks exactly like the Italy people dream about… without needing to rearrange anything.
If Under the Tuscan Sun had a main character besides Frances, it would be streets of Cortona.
How to get to Cortona
- Closest airports: Florence (about 1 hour 30 minutes away), Rome (about 2 hours 30 minutes away)
- Train: Take the train to Camucia-Cortona, then a 10-minute taxi or bus
- Car: Easiest option; Cortona's old town requires parking outside the wall (the town center is a ZTL - a restricted traffic zone)
Primary Locations in Cortona
Villa Bramasole
Before we confuse ourselves, let's get one thing clear. There are actually two Villa Bramasoles:
The real Villa Bramasole which is the home of the real-life author, Frances Mayes. You can't enter this property - it's private property (literally, her home!), but you can view it from the road.
Location: Near Torreone, just above Cortona's historic center
Best for: A quick stop + photos from the roadside
The film's Villa Bramasole isn't the real one from the book. The production team found a (very) rundown villa (it was so rundown that it needed major restorations just to look like the "rundown villa" in the movie), and used that as Frances' home in the film. The villa used in the movie is actually called Villa Laura.
Location: Near Cortona but on private land
Can you visit? Not officially. You can drive the surrounding area, but the property itself is not open.
Our recommendation: Contrary to many Cortona travel guides, we recommend against visiting either Villa Bramasole when you're in Cortona for the simple reason that both are on private property. Since both villas are private residences, a respectful distance is important. Villa Laura can be booked for weddings and stays (but it's not cheap!).
Fortunately, Cortona has several public viewpoints and historic farmhouses that capture the exact same atmosphere.
Besides, if you're going to see an obscured building from a distant roadside, there are much nicer ones to look at (that don't impede on the privacy of any residents).
Piazza della Repubblica
Piazza della Repubblica is Cortona's main square, and you'll recognize it instantly if you've seen the film. The square appears in several everyday-life scenes, including when Frances begins integrating into Cortona life.
The square hasn't changed much at all since the filming of Under the Tuscan Sun. Its atmosphere is the same lively, unmistakably Tuscan setting you see in the movie.
What to see
- Palazzo Comunale (with its long medieval staircase)
- Street cafés perfect for people-watching
- Shops with handmade ceramics
Piazza Signorelli
Piazza Signorelli is another Cortona square, featured in street-life moments, throughout the film (albeit a little less than Piazza della Repubblica). It's a great stop if you want:
- local cafés
- a slower pace
- a place to sit and imagine Diane Lane walking past with groceries and a renewed sense of hope
Santa Maria Nuova
Santa Maria Nuova is a church that appears in one of the film's most iconic sequences: the local wedding procession. It's a short walk from central Cortona, though uphill (welcome to Tuscany).
The walk alone feels like a scene from the movie.
The Tour Bus Scene
Frances first sees Villa Bramasole on a real estate poster in Cortona, but it's when she spots it from her tour bus that she makes the impulsive decision to buy it. The memorable scene was filmed along the winding roads just outside Cortona.
Unfortunately, there's no information on exactly which winding road was used (if you'd like to romanticize it, there are winding roads close to the Villa Bramasole used for the movie (though almost certainly not the exact road used in the film).
On the plus side, Cortona (and the Tuscan countryside in general) is surrounded by beautiful winding roads so you'll have several to choose from. You'll most likely encounter them organically if you're driving around Tuscany (which is honestly the best way to do Tuscany, assuming you're planning to see more than only one or two major locations e.g. Florence and Siena).
The Fountain Scene
One of the most memorable scenes in Under the Tuscan Sun is the Fountain Scene, where a character in a state of drunken sadness recreates Fellini's La Dolce Vita fountain scene in Piazza della Republicca. However, there's no actual fountain to visit - this scene was actually filmed on a set built for the movie.
Florence
Florence, the center of the Renaissance, appears only briefly in the film. It's shown in transitional scenes of Frances exploring Italy. If you watch closely, you'll be able to see the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and streets next to the Duomo.
That said, it's Florence. And it's worth visiting anyways.
Montepulciano
I don't know what it is about Montepulciano, but a lot of people I know mistakenly assume that Under the Tuscan Sun was filmed primarily in Montepulciano. This is incorrect. And while the city is actually only in a handful of scenes (notably, the market scene and the wedding at the end of the film, which is at the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio), it is beautiful in its old-world charm.
Montepulciano is one of Tuscany's classic destinations, and it's definitely worth visiting for the historical town, the church, and its proximity to other popular Tuscan destinations such as Pienza (where the final shots of the movie, Gladiator, were filmed), and Montalcino.
Positano
The Amalfi Coast is known for its beautiful beaches and coastline. The primary romance of the film takes place with a trip to Positano, the home of the charming Marcello. The Amalfi Coast is not part of Tuscany, and is actually a long drive away - a 5+ hour drive (depending on where you're staying in Tuscany). Hotel California Positano is really the only location prominently featured, aside from Positano Beach (and yes, the bedroom scenes).
While the Amalfi Coast is truly beautiful, it's a different vibe from Tuscany. If you're short on time, we'd recommend saving the Amalfi Coast for its own trip - there's plenty to see and do there!
Other Locations
For the sake of montages, and just some Italian charm, the keen-eyed might notice that some shots from Rome are included in the film. Aside from this, the San Francisco scenes (from before Frances Mayes heads to Italy), were filmed on a soundstage at Cinecittà Studios, Rome.
Building an Itinerary
If you want to make the Under the Tuscan Sun locations the backbone of your trip, then it makes sense to base yourself in Cortona. Cortona isn't particularly large so you can comfortably visit the locations from the film as well as any other sights in Cortona in two or three days.
If you're visiting for longer, then it's absolutely worth taking the time to see places like Florence, Montepulciano, and Siena. In the case of Florence, we'd recommend staying there for at least two days as there's so much to see!
Best Times to Visit
If you're chasing that dreamy, cinematic travel vibe, there are two main parts of the year that you should visit. The periods between May-June and September to October are perfect - the temperatures are warm, and the crowds of tourists are slightly thinner. Avoid July and August, which tend to be the hottest, busiest, and most expensive times to visit.
Is it worth visiting the Under the Tuscan Sun Filming Locations?
Well, it depends. If you:
- love the film
- love Tuscany
- love the idea of a place whispering "start again"
- want to wear lovely summer dresses
…then yes.
It's absolutely worth it.
If you're looking to experience all of Tuscany, or really explore the history of the region, then there are other itineraries to follow.
Final Thoughts
Under the Tuscan Sun was filmed in Tuscany because Tuscany already looks like a film. Visiting these spots isn't about reenacting scenes - it's about soaking in the textures of a place that inspires creativity, courage, and (let's be a little poetic) the audacity to change your life.
And if cinematic travel is your thing, comment below and let us know your favorite cinematic travel destinations.
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