Where was La Dolce Villa filmed? All the filming locations in Netflix’s new rom-com

Netflix is never short of a new trashy movie to indulge in and La Dolce Villa has filled the gap for February, offering both wanderlust and the desire to renovate or redecorate in equal measure. Centred around the story of Olivia, who buys a house for one euro in Tuscany and then sets about turning it into a beautiful place to live, the film offers stunning locations and ample decorating ideas. It’s a simple conceit, and one that’s already pushed the film to number three on Netflix’s ‘most watched’ ranking. It’s also based on a real phenomenon. The ‘one euro house’ initiative in Italy began around 2008 when the mayor of Salemi, Sicily, started offering dilapidated properties in the town centre for one euro in a bid to revive the area after an earthquake and financial difficulty, sparking a trend across various areas of Italy to use this strategy to attract new residents to underpopulated regions.

Unfortunately, the picturesque town of Montezara (which provided the backdrop for the evolving romances and renovations in the film) is fictional, but several excellent locations stood in for the town, many of which you can visit around Italy. Plus, and unlike many other drool-worthy filming destinations (see, for example, the new The White Lotus locations in Thailand), you can affordably retrace Olivia’s steps by visiting, staying at and even buying some of the romantic, rural spots used as locations on the film. Sure, the renovation might cost you a little more than a euro, but we’ll be there to advise along the way.

La Dolce Villa. (L to R) Scott Foley as Eric, and Nunzia Schiano, Luisa De Santis and Lucia Ricalzone as The Antonias, in La Dolce Villa. Cr. Giulia Parmigiani/Netflix ©2024Giulia Parmigiani

La Dolce Villa. (L to R) Scott Foley as Eric, Maia Reficco as Olivia and Simone Luglio as Nino in La Dolce Villa. Cr. Matteo Graia/Netflix ©2024Matteo Graia

La Dolce Villa or Il Torrino dei Gelsi, Lazio

The outside of Olivia’s new Italian pad was filmed at a destination in Lazio (one of the twenty regions of Italy), about half an hour outside of Rome. The real house is called Il Torrino dei Gelsi, and currently functions an agriturismo and farmhouse. An agriturismo is a wonderful Italian concept – a sort of homestead, B and B hybrid with a beautiful spread of local produce for breakfast and dinner. This particular one is nestled in a 10-hectare estate surrounded by ancient mulberry trees, olive trees and rolling hills, with a main farmhouse and adjoining tower dating back to the early 12th century. Inside, the house has undergone a careful restoration to maintain the original stone walls, beams and terracotta flooring. The property has three lovely apartments that are available to rent; the perfect kick-off for your La Dolce Villa tour.

Rome skyline with Trastevere and St. Peter’s Basilica, Lazio

Alexander Spatari

Cinecittá Studios, Rome

Cinecittá Studios in Rome was used to shoot much of the interior locations in La Dolce Villa, which were built on a soundstage. Cinecittá Studios has played host to a myriad of shows, with epic recreations of the Colosseum, the Forum and other locations being used in a long line of Roman epics for the last 80 years.