Widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language, William Shakespeare is often referred to as England’s national poet. He was born and raised in the English countryside of Stratford-upon-Avon and his works were first written and performed in London.

When it came to the setting of his plays, however, Shakespeare did not limit himself to his home country. Instead, a variety of locations inspired his works. Read on to discover the settings of some of his most famous works which you can visit.

Verona is one of northern Italy’s most alluring cities, its noble palaces, quiet cloisters and ancient streets every bit as romantic as you would expect of Romeo and Juliet’s city. Shakespeare probably based his tragic tale of star-crossed lovers on a novel published in 1530 by Luigi da Porto. There is little proof that the story is factual, although Verona was famous for feuding families, and records show Capuleti (Caputlet) and Montecchi (Montague) families lived here.

The beloved tragedy has inspired several local monuments, including Romeo’s House and the so-called Tomb of Juliet. Perhaps the most popular is Juliet’s balcony at her house where the walls are covered in graffiti declarations of undying love, and a much-loved bronze statue of Juliet is said to bring good fortune. Volunteers from the Juliet Club reply to letters from around the world that are addressed to Juliet.

Shakespeare was fascinated by classical civilisation, and Ancient Rome was a setting he returned to often in his writing. Four of his plays take place here: Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, Titus Andronicus, and parts of Antony and Cleopatra.

Nowhere brings history to life quite like Rome. The Colosseum, the temples, the Pantheon – these are sites that transport you back in time. The most concentrated cluster of ancient Roman ruins lies in the area bounded by the Capitoline, Palatine, Esquiline and Quirinal hills. This was where the fates of nations were decided, triumphs were celebrated and citizens were entertained by gladiatorial combats. Visit the Rostrum at the Roman Forum, from which Shakespere’s Mark Antony make his speech, “Friends, Romans, countrymen…”

Athens is the setting for one of the more unique plays in Shakespeare’s varied cannon. Full of romance and humour, A Midsummer Night’s Dream explores a world of magic that lies in a forest beyond the city, while the character’s return to Athens at the end of the play represents a return to order.

It’s not until you arrive in Europe’s oldest capital that you realise how seamlessly the Ancient Greek monuments and ruins are integrated into Athens contemporary urban life. The Acropolis is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world and a must for any visitor to Athens. The Theater of Dionysus on the south slope was originally erected during the 5th century BC and has hosted the first performances of many works by Sophocles, Aristophanes, and Euripides, while the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is now one of the main venues for the summer Hellenic Festival.

Hamlet is the tragic story of a Danish prince struggling to find his place in a family as much disturbed by intimate relationships as by political events. Shakespeare was likely inspired by Amleth, an eccentric folk hero in Scandinavian legend.

The play is set in the Castle of Elsinore, which was modelled after the magnificent Kronborg Slot in Helsingør. Sitting on a spit of land overlooking the sea, Kronborg Slot retains an eerie quality that makes it perfect for the many productions of Shakespeare’s plays performed here today. A statue of the Viking chief Holger Danske slumbers in the castle cellars – according to legend he will awaken to defend Denmark if needed.

Macbeth is Shakespeare’s gruesome tragedy about an ambitious man who murders his way to the Scottish throne. When writing the play, Shakespeare was deliberately appealing to the interests of the new King of England, James I – who was also James VI of Scotland. Banquo, who is portrayed in a favourable light, was the king’s ancestor.

Shakespeare’s Scotland is a land haunted by the supernatural: wild heathland becomes the meeting point for the witches that predict Macbeth’s future, and castles are visited by ominous phantoms. The 17th-century fairy-tale Glamis Castle provided the setting for Macbeth’s murder of King Duncan. Visitors can follow the Macbeth Trail at the castle, where trees grown on the Estate have been sculpted into major scenes from the play.

If you’re visiting London, catching a Shakespeare play at the reconstructed Globe is a magical experience. Built along the south bank of the Thames, Shakespeare’s Globe is a fine reconstruction of the Elizabethan theatre where many of the famous playwright’s works were first performed. These first-rate performances are staged from mid-April until mid-October. A second theatre, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, is a splendidly atmospheric, candlelit reproduction of a Jacobean indoor theatre, with performances year round.

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in the playwright’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon is naturally a great place to see a performance of his work. Here, fans of the bard can also visit sites connected to his life, including Shakespeare’s Birthplace, his family home Shakespeare's New Place and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, where Shakespeare’s wife lived before their marriage.

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