TOP 10 Tips for a Movie-Inspired Vacation

Imagine heading off on a vacation across Europe to visit the very spots where your favorite movies were filmed. For cinema lovers, it’s a dream that can easily become reality. From magical castles to iconic cities that have graced the silver screen, Europe offers countless locations worth discovering.

We’ve picked the TOP 10 iconic movie locations that no fan should miss! Whether you’re a fantasy enthusiast, a fan of historical dramas, or a lover of action blockbusters, these places offer a unique opportunity to experience movie magic firsthand. Start your Ford Anglia and join us on a journey through European film locations!

Inception: Pont de Bir-Hakeim, France

If you’re a movie buff and find yourself in Paris, treat yourself to a walk across the Bir-Hakeim bridge. Built at the turn of the last century, this bridge serves as a crossing over the Seine for pedestrians, vehicles, and the metro's line 6. Thanks to its striking architecture, the Bir-Hakeim bridge has been a favorite spot for filmmakers for decades. It is perhaps most famous for its appearance in Christopher Nolan’s Inception.

Harry Potter: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland

In Great Britain, you'll find plenty of places where outdoor scenes from Hogwarts were filmed, from Alnwick Castle to King's Cross station, home to the iconic Platform 9 ¾. However, setting aside all the cliché tourist traps, one of the most impressive locations is undoubtedly the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

This engineering marvel is located in the heart of the rolling Scottish Highlands. It appeared several times in the Harry Potter films, as the Hogwarts Express travels across it on its way to the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

If you’re an outdoor type with an adventurous soul, you can explore the breathtaking scenery on one of the many hiking trails around the viaduct. This walk is worth every Galleon in the world!

Star Wars: Hardangerjøkulen, Norway

In March 1979, the cast and crew of Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) headed to Finse, Norway, to film unforgettable shots of the Battle of Hoth on and around the Hardangerjøkulen glacier. Most of the shots actually take place on the glacier itself! If you want to follow in the footsteps of George Lucas, you shouldn't miss this spot in Norway. But be careful! 9 out of 10 guides recommend carrying an emergency tauntaun just in case.

Game of Thrones: Dubrovnik, Croatia

We can't talk about the best film locations without mentioning perhaps the most visited one in recent years! And quite possibly the most expensive, too. The clever folks in Dubrovnik sensed an opportunity, and ever since the charming city of Dubrovnik became King's Landing from Game of Thrones, tourists have been flocking there! And the coffers are filling up. This sunny city hosted many famous scenes, such as Cersei’s walk of shame, King Joffrey’s tournament, and Daenerys Targaryen’s visit. If you want to follow in the footsteps of the Lannisters, definitely visit picturesque Dubrovnik.

Spider-Man: Rialto Bridge, Venice

Spider-Man: Far From Home is a showcase of European locations worth mentioning. Let’s stick to those that actually represent the places they are supposed to be. Yes, the average American Marvel fan might not know the difference between Prague and Liberec, but it at least brings a small smile to the faces of Czech fans.

The Water Elemental that rises from the Venetian canal chose the historic Rialto bridge for its epic entrance. This is also where most of the action takes place, as Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, and Quentin Beck, aka Mysterio, battle the water monster.

Indiana Jones: Syracuse, Sicily, Italy

Countless interesting films have been shot in Venice, from classics to modern action movies. One of the heroes who visited Venice, as well as other Italian locations, is the most beloved archaeologist of all time, Professor Henry “Indiana” Jones Jr.

The film Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny was filmed in Sicily in the autumn of 2021. Although the scenes from Sicily don't make much sense geographically, the film presents the beauty of this historically significant place in full glory.

Star Wars: Lake Como, Italy

If you’re looking for the perfect opportunity to tell a girl straight up that you don’t like sand, Lake Como in Italy is exactly the place you’re looking for. Lake Como in the Italian region of Lombardy is of glacial origin and covers 146 km², making it the third-largest lake in Italy. You won’t find sand there, but the view you’ll get won’t differ in the slightest from the beauty you’d admire on the planet Naboo.

Hunger Games: Les Espaces d’Abraxas, France

The crew of the epic young adult fantasy Hunger Games also visited Europe. When Katniss and her fellow rebels return to the capital, they are ambushed in a residential complex full of deadly traps. This dystopian structure is actually located just a short distance from Paris. Les Espaces d'Abraxas is an architectural experiment by Ricardo Bofill from 1978. Today, it is still fully functional as a residential building.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, Czech Republic

One of the most beautiful locations in the Czech Republic is undoubtedly the spectacular Adršpach nature reserve. It’s no wonder the film crew chose it nearly two decades ago as the site for the magical Narnia, a world from the pen of C. S. Lewis. The Adršpach-Teplice Rocks are the largest and most intricate rock city in Central Europe. The first tourists visited the rocks as early as the 18th century.

The Witcher: Ogrodzieniec Castle, Poland

Where else to film The Witcher than in Poland? That’s one of the few things Netflix actually got right, and the ruins of Ogrodzieniec Castle became the monumental Sodden Castle in 2019. The castle was built in the 14th and 15th centuries and belonged to a chain of castles designed to protect the country from western invaders. It was destroyed in 1655. For a long time, it was known only for the ghost of a large black dog with a chain. Now, thanks to The Witcher series, it enjoys huge tourist interest.

author Eva Lassler