The Eternal City is a sight to behold. Equal parts chaos, ancient beauty, and modern intrigue. Before you land at Ciampino airport for your Roman adventure, get a feel for the land with these five films.

1. Roman Holiday

When it comes to romantic films, there may not be any better than Roman Holiday. Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn dazzle in the story of a princess who wants to be ordinary for a day. The 1953 film highlights the beauty and magic of Rome like no other. 

2. The Talented Mr. Ripley

Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Phillip Seymour Hoffman headline this psychological thriller full of assumed identity and intrigue. If you're looking for a more nuanced look at Rome as a city of excess, The Talented Mr. Ripley is right for you. 

3. Spectre

Oddly enough, until Spectre, James Bond had never been to Rome. Director Sam Mendes sets some significant scenes in the Eternal City as Bond struggles to unravel the mystery behind a secret organization that keeps rearing its head in his life. It may not be the best of the Daniel Craig Bond films, but it doesn't skimp on the exotic locales. 

4. Angels & Demons

Ron Howard's Dan Brown novel adaptations may not be for everyone, but Angels & Demons is easily the best entry in the category so far. From the Vatican to a plethora of Roman churches, Angels & Demons is a thrill ride that pulls you along as it races against time to save the lives of four Cardinals kidnapped by the Illuminati. Far superior, and much shorter, than The Da Vinci Code, Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer and Stellan Skarsgard deliver an exciting thriller in Rome. 

5. La Dolce Vita

No list of Roman films can be complete without La Dolce Vita, Federico Fellini's 1960 masterpiece that follows a journalist played by Marcello Mastroianni as he covers the decadent life of elite Roman society. A visual feast for the eyes, La Dolce Vita, is a must-see for any Roman traveler. You'll never see the Trevi Fountain the same.