An underrated rom-com set in an underrated Italian city, Letters to Juliet will have you swooning for a visit to Verona before you can finish the film. You’ll wonder if the fictional site of Shakespeare’s famous play is just as romantic in the real world.
And to paraphrase Claire, putting what and if side-by-side can forever haunt you.
So what if you stopped dreaming and finally booked that trip to Italy to see the filming locations for Letters to Juliet.
Image Credit: Getty Images, alxpin. Image Location: Juliet's Balcony, Verona, Italy
More about Letters to Juliet
Is Letters to Juliet based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet?
O Romeo, Rome, wherefore art thou Romeo? Not in Letters to Juliet. The film is not a remake, retelling, or inspired rehash of Shakespeare’s famous play, but it does involve star-crossed lovers in Verona.
What is Letters to Juliet about?
Letters to Juliet is a rom-com that follows a woman, Sophie, visiting Verona with her work-obsessed fiancé. Sophie visits Juliet’s Wall where heartbroken lovers leave notes asking Shakespeare’s character for help. Sophie pens a reply to one woman, Claire, who then decides to seek out her former lover accompanied by her handsome grandson and Sophie.
Who is in Letters to Juliet?
Letters to Juliet stars Amanda Seyfried as Sophie, Gael García Bernal as her fiancé, Victor, Vanessa Redgrave as the heartbroken Claire, and Christopher Egan as Claire’s grandson, Charlie.
Where was Letters To Juliet filmed?
Letters to Juliet was filmed in Verona, Italy, the same town where Shakespeare set his play, Romeo and Juliet. Some scenes were also filmed in Siena, Italy, which is an hour south of Florence.
Can tourists write letters to Juliet in Verona?
Yes, not only is the Juliet Wall real but an organization called The Juliet Club has a team of volunteers that reply in Juliet’s name to each of the thousands of letters received each year. The club also accepts letters mailed in from around the world.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Chris Lauer. Image Location: Juliet's House, Verona, Italy
Filming Locations for Letters to Juliet
Letters to Juliet is very generous to Verona in its scene-setting montage, featuring everything from the Castel San Pietro and Ponte Petra to the Verona Arena and Piazza Della Erbe. You’ll have time to sightsee, but if there are three filming locations you should check out, make them these.
Juliet’s House
The actual wall in the movie is a prop, but Juliet’s house (Casa di Giulietta) is located at 23 Via Cappello. It’s a real 14th-century home, and while not the actual home of the fictional character, the site is scribbled with messages, has a letter-drop box for the Juliet Club, a statue of Juliet, and Juliet’s Balcony (which is a more of a touristic enhancement rather than an original part of the architecture).
Image Credit: Getty Images, Andrea Comi. Image Location: Val d'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy
Count Lorenzo’s Home
Located in Grezzana, a quick bus ride north of Verona proper, the 17th-century Villa Arvedi is adorned with vibrant frescos inside and presents an immaculate panoramic view of the countryside from its majestic Italian garden. Should you fall madly in love with someone you just met at a party, you can host your wedding at this venue (or crash someone else’s in hopes to sample some of the estate’s olive oil that it’s been churning out since 1403).
Claire, Charlie & Sophie’s Tuscan Hotel
While not in Verona, the hotel the trio stayed at in Letters to Juliet is worth the four-hour train ride. Located just outside of Siena, Borgo Scopeto Relais is a real five-star hotel that’s every bit as dreamy as it is on the silver screen. Wine tastings, cooking classes, yoga sessions, hot air balloon rides; seriously, if you’re looking to fall in love with something, make it this Tuscan retreat.
What to do in fair Verona, where we lay our scene
Is it worth visiting Verona?
Absolutely, even if you’re not part of the Bard Brigade. The 1st-century Roman amphitheater still hosts live performances while the Castelvecchio museum showcases Medieval and Renaissance art, weapons, and jewelry. And if you’re a foodie, the area’s olive oil and salami are some of the best in the country.
How many days do I need in Verona?
If ‘Verona, Italy’ is synonymous with ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in your book then you could breeze through Verona on a day trip, see Juliet’s Balcony, snap a photo with the Juliet statue, and be on your way.
Two to three days gives you a chance to wander around the city like an unaccompanied minor, indulging in whatever so pleases your heart. Having a real life Romeo and Juliet experience isn’t difficult: crash the Verona Carnival, ask a priest to keep your secrets at the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, and woe over the loss of your teenage crush in the Scaliger Tombs.
How do I get to Verona by train?
Verona’s perfectly positioned between Milan, Venice, and Bologna, making it a fantastic day trip from either city. Visit for the day or make an overnight stopover en route to Florence, San Marino, or even Rome. Download the Trainline app and stitch together your own Letters to Juliet short film when you buy cheap train tickets to Verona and Tuscany.