Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed
The story is set in Tuscany, primarily around Cortona just as in Mayes' memoir, and the film largely honors that by shooting on location there. However, the production widened the map for cinematic effect, adding Positano, Rome, and Florence scenes, and recreating many interiors at Cinecittà Studios. The San Francisco opening used some real exteriors, but most of those interiors were studio builds in Rome.
The Studio Side
Cinecittà Studios in Rome handled interior work, including recreations of the San Francisco interiors used in the film's opening stretch. The historic studio complex is visitable today via the Cinecittà Studios Tour, which makes a strong complement to the on-location sites for anyone interested in how the film was actually assembled.
Tours That Visit These Locations
No dedicated Under the Tuscan Sun tour operates, but two small-group day trips from Florence cover Cortona and the surrounding towns where most of the film was shot, making them the easiest way to see the key locations without renting a car.
Small-Group Minivan, Max 8
Siena, Cortona, Montepulciano & Val D'Orcia: Minivan Tour, Max 8
A minivan tour capped at eight travelers that visits both Cortona and Montepulciano, the two hill towns with the most filming locations, along with Siena and the Val d'Orcia, with 139 reviews.
★ 139 reviews
Day Trip From Florence
From Florence: Siena, Cortona, Montepulciano & Val D'Orcia
A full-day outing from Florence that stops in Cortona alongside Siena, Montepulciano, and the Val d'Orcia, covering several filming towns in one itinerary, from $213.24 per person.
★ 59 reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit the Villa Bramasole from the film?
Only from the outside. Villa Laura, the villa used in the film, is private property and viewable from the road. The real Bramasole owned by Frances Mayes is also nearby and also private.
Why did the filmmakers use a different villa?
The real Bramasole had already been renovated by Frances Mayes, so it could not play a run-down fixer-upper. The production found Villa Laura nearby, which had the unrenovated state the story required.
Is the fountain in Cortona real?
No. The fountain in Piazza Signorelli was built by the production for the film and does not exist. The square itself is real and free to visit.
When was Under the Tuscan Sun filmed?
Filming took place from September to November 2002, primarily in Tuscany, with additional work at Cinecittà Studios in Rome. The film was released in 2003.
Where was the wedding scene filmed?
At the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio, a church just outside Montepulciano. Entry is free, and it is a short walk from the town's Piazza Grande.
Is Cortona worth visiting for film fans?
Yes. Most of the film's town scenes were shot there, its squares and theater are easily explored on foot, and the film brought a lasting boost in tourism to the town.
Cortona alone justifies the trip for most fans, and a day trip from Florence that strings together Cortona, Montepulciano, and the Val d'Orcia covers the majority of the filming locations in a single outing. Save Positano and Rome for a second itinerary if time allows.
