Some say that travel is about leaving; that it's an escape from the ordinary. The mundanities of daily life can grind us down, causing us to lose our passion. Travel, however, is an opportunity to reignite our curiosity and rediscover our zest for life. If you're struggling with something, perhaps a journey is the perfect place to start.
Classic movie scenes are often filled with natural wonders and cultural landmarks: soaring mountain ranges, rushing waterfalls, endless coastlines, grand plazas, majestic cathedrals, and serene castles. Each memorable film setting can be found in real-life locations throughout Europe.
This post takes you on a journey through some of these iconic filming locations to embark on your own movie-inspired adventure.
1. Rome, Italy: Roman Holiday
Rome, the capital of Italy, is the nation's political, economic, cultural, and transportation hub. The birthplace of ancient Rome and a cradle of culture, it has a history spanning over 2,500 years. Known as the "Eternal City," it was founded on seven hills in the Tiber River basin. This vast city covers more than 1,200 square kilometers, with a central district covering the original city center. It’s the most populous city in Italy and a major tourist destination that was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Rome and Florence were centers of the Italian Renaissance. Today, its streets still display significant examples of Renaissance and Baroque architecture.
Castel Sant’Angelo, on the bank of the Tiber River, was the location where the princess kisses Joe after her escape from the ball. The Trevi Fountain was the setting for the princess after leaving Joe’s apartment. It took 30 years to build and features rich ornamentation and a dynamic design. It’s also famously known as the "Wishing Fountain."
Rome is known as the "City of Fountains", and you’ll find a fountain at almost every plaza and intersection. In a side street east of the famous Trevi Fountain, the princess stopped at a barber shop. It was here that the "Hepburn hairstyle" was born. Later, after meeting again, the princess tells Joe she wants to see the Colosseum. They travel there by scooter. The Colosseum is a must-see location on any trip to Rome.
The couple met at the cafe G.ROCCA, next to the Roman Forum. Today, that cafe has been replaced by a shopping mall, and is no longer there.
2. Salzburg, Austria: The Sound of Music
Salzburg, the capital of the Austrian state of Salzburg, is located in western Austria, at the foot of the Alps. The city’s architectural style is primarily Baroque. It is the oldest city in Austria, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Salzburg is the birthplace of musical genius Mozart, who spent most of his life there. It's also the hometown of conductor Herbert von Karajan, and the filming location of The Sound of Music. Many visitors choose to take themed tours and revisit the filming locations.
Two iconic sites are Nonnberg Abbey where Maria was a novice nun. It's one of the oldest monasteries in the area. Then there's Mirabell Palace. It's in the gardens that you see the famous scene of Maria teaching the children how to sing “Do-Re-Mi.”
3. Lake Tekapo, New Zealand: The Hobbit
Lake Tekapo is located between the famous tourist cities of Christchurch and Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island. The enchanting lake is surrounded by golden trees and snow-covered mountains.
Lake Tekapo and the smaller surrounding lakes of Alexandrina, McGregor and Conway are great spots for brown and rainbow trout fishing. In the winter, Tekapo attracts a throng of skiers.
4. Scala dei Turchi, Sicily, Italy: Malèna
Scala dei Turchi (Turkish Steps) is a white cliff on a beach near Agrigento on the west coast of Sicily. This white stone cliff reflects the Mediterranean sun, showing the magic of Sicily. Unlike some better-known landmarks, this location has only a vague address in most travel guides and no public transport.
The scene from Malèna where the main character and his friends are watching the sunset was filmed here.
5. Château de Chambord, France: Beauty and the Beast
When the animators for Beauty and the Beast visited the Château de Chambord, they were inspired. They felt this was a place for a beast.
The Château de Chambord is located in the town of Cosson, 5 kilometers from the left bank of the Loire River. It was originally used as a hunting ground for the Counts of Blois. In 1519, it was transformed by King Francis I. Francis I was an intelligent and active ruler, greatly influenced by the Renaissance.
The castle’s architect remains a mystery. It is said that Francis I invited Leonardo da Vinci to the French court to design the initial sketches, but there's no proof of this. The design is certainly influenced by da Vinci’s style and ideas. The castle was completed 150 years later during the reign of Louis XIV.
6. St. Peter's Square, Italy & Vatican City: 2012
The movie 2012 has many scenes, but one of the most unforgettable is St. Peter’s Square. In the movie, the Italian president chooses to stay in the Vatican with the Pope rather than go to an ark for refuge. St. Peter’s Square is located east of Vatican City, made famous by St. Peter’s Basilica.
The square is a blend of historical architectural styles, with a capacity of 500,000 people, and is a central location for Vatican religious ceremonies. Its ownership is currently disputed between Vatican City and Rome.
The construction of the square took 11 years (1656-1667), overseen by the architect Bernini. Surrounded by 284 Doric columns, its central feature is a large obelisk transported from Egypt around 40 AD.
7. Trafalgar Square, London, UK: Sherlock
Trafalgar Square is a well-known public space in central London. To the east is the City of London, to the north is Soho, to the south is Whitehall, and the royal palace is to the southwest.
Trafalgar Square was built to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar, and it features a monument to Admiral Nelson. In the British series Sherlock, you often see Sherlock and Watson walking through London Eye, Big Ben, and Trafalgar Square.
8. Milford Sound, New Zealand: The Lord of the Rings
New Zealand is a popular film location. The Lord of the Rings series has made it one of the world’s premier movie tourism spots. From the towering, untouched forests to the surrounding alpine peaks, Milford Sound encapsulates the magic of the films.
Located on the eastern side of the Tasman Sea, Milford Sound was formed during the ice age, with its deepest point nearly 265 meters below the summit of Mitre Peak.
9. Mont Saint-Michel, France: Tangled
Mont Saint-Michel is a French historic site and a Catholic pilgrimage destination. Located on a small island two kilometers off the coast of Manche, the conical island is 900 meters in circumference and made of granite.
One of the most popular tourist spots in France, it is the third-largest Catholic holy site after Jerusalem and the Vatican. The Mont Saint-Michel and its bay were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The site is now maintained by the Centre des monuments nationaux. The bay is a mudflat where the tides constantly wash sediment onto the shore, giving Mont Saint-Michel the appearance of a mystical island.
In the movie Tangled, the castle that Rapunzel is stolen from was a mix of different castles, but was clearly inspired by the location of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy.
10. Taormina, Italy: The Big Blue
Taormina is a town in Sicily’s Messina province. It is located between Messina and Catania, with a population of approximately 9,900. Taormina was a colony of ancient Greece in 400 BC. Later, it came under the control of the Roman Empire in 212 BC.
Taormina is a mountain town on the east coast of Sicily and a popular resort. Luc Besson’s film, The Big Blue, was filmed in Taormina.
As the French writer Maupassant once said: "If someone can only stay in Sicily for a day, and he asks, Where should I go visit? I will answer without hesitation, Taormina. This small village is merely a little panorama, but everything in it will allow your vision, mind and imagination to indulge and enjoy."