Lights, Camera, Action: Our Top Film and TV Locations in Europe
Famous Film and TV Locations in Europe
Have you ever watched a film or TV show and felt so engrossed in the setting that you wanted to pack your suitcase and set out on your own action-packed adventure? What if we told you that some of the most famous movie locations are right on our doorstep, here in Europe? You could visit some of the world's most famous, real-life movie sets on one of our tours. You better believe it! Take a look at some of our favorite film and TV locations we love to visit.
Prague
Casino Royale
We begin with Prague, which has a long list of movie location credentials. It's no surprise that directors and producers alike have chosen to shoot some of the most famous silver screen scenes here. The capital city of the Czech Republic boasts some pretty amazing architecture, providing the perfect backdrop for any action movie. This brings us to one of the most famous action heroes of all time: Bond, James Bond.
Since the release of the 2006 movie, Casino Royale, Prague has become popular with Bond fans from all over the world, with many visiting the city to take snaps in the famous locations. Some locations in Prague even doubled for scenes in Venice and Miami! The Czech National Museum was used as the setting for the Venetian hotel, and both Prague Ruzyne Airport and the Ministry of Transport were portrayed as locations in Miami. However, the opening scene for the film was actually set and filmed in Prague at The Danube House, which tells us the story of how Bond gained his Double O status.
Salzburg
The Sound of Music
Home to the Von Trapp family, the fairy tale city of Salzburg is a must-do in its own right. However, it has become renowned for its Sound of Music tours, with fans of this heartwarming story flocking from near and far to walk in the footsteps of Julie Andrews. Salzburg is home to many wonderful sites, so it's no wonder the director of the 1965 Oscar-winning musical chose to shoot as many scenes as he could in the city itself. With an abundance of movie scenes to visit, such as the Do-Re-Mi fountain, why not take a look at our very own Austria Sound of Music tour?
Taormina
The Godfather
Ah, Sicily, home to one of the most notorious families of all time, the Corleone family, from the hit crime series, The Godfather. Based on Mario Puzo's bestselling novel, which was inspired by real-life events carried out by the Sicilian Mafia, there was really nowhere else for the typically Italian scenes to be filmed but in Italy itself. Aside from its claim to fame, Sicily is truly mesmerizing and would be enjoyed by anyone, even if you're not a fan of the hit crime series. However, if you are a Godfather fan, why not take a tour of some of the most iconic spots of the film? Our Treasures of Sicily tour dedicates a whole excursion to the Al Pacino classic.
Dubrovnik
Game of Thrones
Stepping away from the movies, we take a look at one of the most popular TV shows of the present day, Game of Thrones. With the seventh season just around the corner, over the past few years many fans of the show have been journeying to Croatia, in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the stars, in the real life's 'Kings Landing'. Or, as we know it, the old town, Dubrovnik. That's right, the medieval town offers the backdrop for the southern city in this make-believe world of fire and ice, and we can see just why it was chosen. The UNESCO world heritage site is filled with wonders and the ancient stone walls of the city really give it that enchanting feel. And whilst you're certainly not going to catch a glimpse of any dragons, who knows, you may brush shoulders with one of the show's many stars, making Dubrovnik a must-visit for any GOT fan.
Verona
Letters to Juliet
River Adige, Verona. This gorgeous romantic comedy gives you a real sense of the passion of Italy. Set and mostly filmed in Verona, the film tells the story of a writer struggling to find her muse, until, among the sights, she ends up discovering the "Secretaries of Juliet". The "Secretaries of Juliet" being a group of women in Verona, who spend their days replying to letters left to Juliet for love advice. There she discovers one that was written 50 years ago, which then leads to the main character, played by Amanda Seyfried, setting off on a quest to aid one woman whose story she has become engrossed in. It's a truly beautiful film, with some truly gorgeous scenery, as the cast travel through the Italian countryside in the hopes of reuniting two lovers. So, if you're looking to set the scene for your own romantic tale, Italy, and namely Verona, is the perfect place for you.
Copenhagen
The Danish Girl
Nyhavn, Copenhagen. The streets of Copenhagen's Old Town set the scene for this dramatic tale. Based on real-life events, The Danish Girl was an immediate success when it was released in cinemas a little over a year ago, and it's no surprise when you see the Oscar-nominated and Oscar-winning performances of both Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander. But aside from the outstanding performances, the stunning scenery of Copenhagen is also Oscar-worthy, from the cobbled waterfronts to the curving and colorful streets of Nyhavn. It really is one for the bucket list!
Bruges
In Bruges
Canal in Bruges. Although the 2008 film didn't quite make the cut when it was released in cinemas, it soon became a cult classic. The film has the perfect mix of some brilliant comedy moments and an excellent script, but the real star of the show is Bruges itself. The film follows two hitmen who have been ousted to Bruges for making a mess of a job. Whilst there, the lead characters Ken (Brendan Gleeson) and Ray (Colin Farrell) take a tour of the town, visiting celebrated sites such as the Belfry and the Basilica of The Holy Blood, meaning there are probably few places that you can visit whilst there that weren't key locations in the film. It is the case that the movie made the medieval town so popular, that the Bruges tourist board even created a map dedicated to the dark comedy, so fans could make sure that they didn't miss any of the famous sites whilst touring the town.
Rome
La Dolce Vita
Trevi Fountain, Rome. The classic black and white film follows a tabloid journalist called Marcello, whose life is torn between wanting to become an established writer or continuing to publish profitable but meaningless magazine articles. Set and filmed in the glamorous Roma, the film includes many of the ancient city's treasures. However, the most famous scene in the film comes as Marcello meets the beautiful socialite Sylvia, played by the 1960s Swedish bombshell, Anita Ekberg. As Marcello takes the star on a tour of Rome, we see her character plunge into the Trevi fountain in an all-black evening gown. The scene is mesmerizing, and so it's no surprise that it attracted fans from around the globe, many of whom wanted to come and recreate the moonlight splash. However, as there's a 'strictly no bathing policy' this is unfortunately not possible, but you can pay a visit to the spectacular monument and the beautiful city of Rome on one of our many tours.
If this blog has you in the mood to visit some of the most famous film and TV sets in Europe, why not star in your story on a Leger Holiday?
