# Malta as Italy

Malta can stand in for southern Italy, with baroque stone, palazzi and harbours within short drives of one another.

## Where it works

- **Baroque streets.** [Mdina](https://www.shootinmalta.com/locations/mdina/) and [Valletta](https://www.shootinmalta.com/locations/valletta/) give you limestone streets, palazzo doorways and quiet squares.
- **Harbours.** [The Three Cities](https://www.shootinmalta.com/locations/three-cities/) and [Marsaxlokk](https://www.shootinmalta.com/locations/marsaxlokk/) give you fortified waterfronts and working boats.
- **Villas and gardens.** [Villa Bologna](https://www.shootinmalta.com/locations/villa-bologna/) and [San Anton Gardens](https://www.shootinmalta.com/locations/san-anton-gardens/) give you formal gardens, fountains, statues and period rooms.

## Why Malta

Malta puts baroque streets, palazzi, harbours and gardens within short drives of one another, so an Italian look can fill a one or two day shoot.

## Questions

### Can Malta double for Italy?

Yes. Baroque limestone streets, palazzo doorways and fortified harbours read as southern Italy, and Malta stood in for Rome and for Elba on film. Sicily lies under 100 km to the north, and the two islands share much of their history.

- [What can Malta double for?](https://www.shootinmalta.com/malta-looks-like/)
- [How do Malta, Sicily, Mallorca and the Canaries compare?](https://www.shootinmalta.com/malta-vs-sicily-mallorca-canaries/)
- [Is there a location agency in Malta?](https://www.shootinmalta.com/location-agency-malta/)
## On film

Fort Ricasoli served as Rome in Gladiator, according to [Screen Global Production](https://www.screenglobalproduction.com/news/2018/4/26/malta-report-a-mediterranean-filming-hub), and it served again in Gladiator II, according to [TheWrap](https://thewrap.com/where-was-gladiator-ii-filmed-locations-malta-morocco). [Variety](https://variety.com/2025/artisans/news/malta-dream-location-james-bond-enola-holmes-3-1236450241) reports that Napoleon used Malta for Elba and that Munich doubled Italy among seven countries.

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Shoot in Malta is part of ANCC Studio, London. A location agency and production service for fashion and photo shoots in Malta. Contact: hello@shootinmalta.com. Page: https://www.shootinmalta.com/malta-looks-like-italy/