Greece is a country with a rich history, culture and natural beauty that has inspired many filmmakers and TV producers over the years. From ancient monuments and mythical legends to picturesque islands and modern urban landscapes, Greece offers a variety of settings and stories for cinematic adventures. Whether you are looking for romance, comedy, drama, action or fantasy, you can find a movie or a TV show that will transport you to the land of the gods and the heroes.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the most popular movies and TV shows that were filmed or set in Greece and where you can see them. We will also give you some tips on how to plan your own film tourism trip to Greece and discover the locations that captured your imagination on screen.
Movies filmed or set in Greece
Here are some of the movies that were filmed or set in Greece:
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Mamma Mia
: This musical comedy based on the songs of ABBA tells the story of a bride-to-be who invites three men from her mother’s past to her wedding on a Greek island, hoping to find out who her father is. The movie was filmed on two islands of the Sporades: Skopelos and Skiathos. You can visit the Church of Agios Ioannis, where the wedding scene takes place, or the beaches of Amarandos and Glysteri, where some of the musical numbers are performed. You can also explore the lively town of Skiathos, where the port and the airport scenes were shot.
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Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life
: This action-adventure sequel follows the famous archaeologist Lara Croft as she tries to stop a villain from unleashing a deadly plague using Pandora’s Box. The movie features some scenes filmed on the volcanic island of Santorini, where Lara Croft arrives by boat and meets her contact. You can admire the stunning views of the caldera, the white-washed houses and the blue-domed churches that make Santorini one of the most iconic destinations in Greece.
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Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
: This romantic war drama is based on the novel by Louis de Bernières and stars Nicolas Cage and Penélope Cruz as an Italian officer and a Greek woman who fall in love during the Italian occupation of Greece in World War II. The movie was filmed on the Ionian island of Kefalonia, where you can visit the village of Sami, where most of the action takes place, or the beach of Antisamos, where some of the love scenes were shot. You can also learn more about the history of Kefalonia during the war at the Historical and Folklore Museum of Argostoli.
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The Big Blue
: This cult classic directed by Luc Besson is a fictionalized account of the rivalry between two free divers who compete to reach greater depths in the ocean. The movie features some scenes filmed on the island of Amorgos, part of the Cyclades, where you can see the Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa, built on a cliff overlooking the sea, or the beach of Agia Anna, where some of the diving scenes were shot. You can also enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility of Amorgos, which is ideal for hiking, snorkeling and relaxing.
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For Your Eyes Only
: This James Bond movie starring Roger Moore as 007 involves a mission to recover a device that controls British nuclear submarines from a sunken ship in Greece. The movie was filmed in various locations in Greece, including Corfu and Meteora. You can visit the Achilleion Palace, where Bond meets his contact, or the Mon Repos Palace, where he escapes from assassins. You can also see the famous monasteries perched on top of rock formations in Meteora, where Bond climbs to reach his enemy’s hideout.
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My Life in Ruins
: This romantic comedy stars Nia Vardalos as a tour guide who leads a group of tourists around Greece, hoping to find her own happiness along the way. The movie was filmed in some classic Greek settings like Athens, Olympia and Delphi, where you can see many monuments and landmarks of Ancient Greece. You can also visit the ancient theater of Epidaurus, where the movie ends with a musical performance.
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The Bourne Identity
: This spy thriller based on the novel by Robert Ludlum follows a man who suffers from amnesia and tries to discover his identity while being pursued by assassins. The movie features some scenes filmed in Greece, including Mykonos and Athens. You can see the windmills and the Little Venice area of Mykonos, where Bourne meets his ally, or the Syntagma Square and the Zappeion Hall of Athens, where he confronts his enemies.
TV shows filmed or set in Greece
Here are some TV shows that were filmed or set in Greece:
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The Durrells
: This British comedy-drama is based on the autobiographical books by Gerald Durrell and depicts his family’s life in Corfu in the 1930s. The show was filmed on location in Corfu, where you can see the Durrells’ house, the Corfu Town, the Agios Spyridon beach and many other places that feature in the show. You can also visit the Corfu Museum of Asian Art, where Gerald’s brother Lawrence worked as a curator.
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Daisy Jones & The Six
: This American musical drama is based on the novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid and follows the rise and fall of a fictional rock band in the 1970s. The show features some scenes filmed on the island of Hydra, part of the Saronic Islands, where Daisy Jones spends some time with her lover and fellow musician Billy Dunne. You can explore the bohemian and artistic atmosphere of Hydra, where many famous writers and musicians have lived or visited, such as Leonard Cohen, Henry Miller and Sophia Loren.
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Triangle of Sadness
: This Swedish comedy-drama directed by Ruben Östlund follows a couple of models who end up on a deserted island after a yacht accident. The show was filmed on the island of Evia, the second-largest island in Greece, where you can see the Lichadonisia islands, a group of small islets that resemble a crocodile. You can also enjoy the diverse scenery and activities that Evia has to offer, such as hiking, rafting, thermal springs and ancient sites.
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Maestro in Blue
: This British biographical drama tells the story of Leonard Bernstein, one of the most influential composers and conductors of the 20th century. The show features some scenes filmed on the islands of Paxi and Corfu, part of the Ionian Islands, where Bernstein spent some time with his family and friends. You can visit the Loggos village and the Lakka bay of Paxi, where Bernstein composed some of his works, or the Mon Repos Palace and the Achilleion Palace of Corfu, where he performed some concerts.
How to plan your film tourism trip to Greece
If you are inspired by these movies and TV shows and want to visit their filming locations in Greece, here are some tips on how to plan your trip:
- Check the availability and prices of ferry tickets online on Ferryhopper. You can find all the ferry routes and schedules to travel to any Greek island easily and fast.
- Book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak season (July-August). You can find hotels, apartments or villas near your favorite filming locations on platforms like Booking.com or Airbnb.
- Rent a car or a scooter to explore the islands at your own pace. You can find car rental services at most ports or airports or online on platforms like Rentalcars.com or Discover Cars.
- Do some research on the movies and TV shows you want to see before you go.
