Greece is a country with a rich history, culture, and natural beauty. It has been the inspiration and the backdrop for many movies and TV shows over the years, from ancient epics to modern rom-coms. Whether you want to explore the ancient ruins of Athens, the stunning islands of the Aegean Sea, or the picturesque villages of the mainland, there is a movie or a TV show that will transport you there and make you fall in love with Greece.
In this blog post, we will introduce you to some of the best 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 trip to these locations and enjoy the best of Greek hospitality, cuisine, and scenery. So grab some popcorn and get ready for a cinematic journey through Greece!
Spetses: The Lost Daughter & Glass Onion
Spetses is a small island in the Saronic Gulf, near Athens. It is known for its elegant mansions, pine forests, and horse-drawn carriages. It is also the setting for two popular Greek TV shows: The Lost Daughter (I Hameni) and Glass Onion (Kritiki Salata).
The Lost Daughter is a drama series that follows the life of Anna, a successful lawyer who returns to her hometown of Spetses after 18 years of absence. She reconnects with her family, her old friends, and her first love, while trying to solve a mystery from her past. Glass Onion is a comedy series that revolves around the lives of four friends who run a taverna on Spetses. They deal with their personal and professional problems, while also getting involved in hilarious situations.
If you want to visit Spetses, you can take a ferry from Piraeus port in Athens. The trip takes about 2 hours and costs around 15 euros. You can also take a hydrofoil, which is faster but more expensive. Once on the island, you can explore its charming town, its beaches, and its historical sites, such as the Bouboulina Museum and the Laskarina Bouboulina Monument.
Skopelos & Skiathos: Mamma Mia
Mamma Mia is one of the most famous movies filmed in Greece. It is based on the musical of the same name, featuring the songs of ABBA. It tells the story of Sophie, a young bride-to-be who invites three men to her wedding on a Greek island, hoping to find out which one is her father.
The movie was filmed on two islands in the Sporades archipelago: Skopelos and Skiathos. Skopelos is where most of the scenes take place, including the iconic wedding at the Agios Ioannis Chapel on top of a rock. Skiathos is where the opening and closing scenes were shot, as well as some beach scenes.
To get to Skopelos and Skiathos, you can take a ferry from Volos or Agios Konstantinos ports on the mainland. The trip takes about 3 hours and costs around 20 euros. You can also fly to Skiathos airport from Athens or other European cities. Once on the islands, you can enjoy their green landscapes, their crystal-clear waters, and their lively nightlife.
Corfu: The Durrells
The Durrells is a British comedy-drama series that is based on the autobiographical books of Gerald Durrell, a naturalist and writer. It depicts his childhood on Corfu in the 1930s, when his widowed mother moved there with her four children. The series showcases the adventures and misadventures of the eccentric family as they adapt to their new life on the island.
The series was filmed on Corfu, one of the most beautiful islands in Greece. It is located in the Ionian Sea, off the west coast of the mainland. It has a rich history, culture, and architecture, influenced by various civilizations that occupied it over time. It also has stunning natural attractions, such as beaches, mountains, forests, and lakes.
To get to Corfu, you can take a ferry from Igoumenitsa port on the mainland. The trip takes about 1 hour and costs around 10 euros. You can also fly to Corfu airport from Athens or other European cities. Once on the island, you can visit its capital city Corfu Town, its museums and monuments, its villages and resorts, and its natural parks and reserves.
Hydra: Daisy Jones & The Six
Daisy Jones & The Six is an upcoming American drama series that is based on the novel of the same name by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It follows the rise and fall of a fictional rock band in the 1970s, as told by its members and associates. It also explores the personal and professional relationships of the band, especially between its lead singers Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne.
The series was partly filmed on Hydra, a small island in the Saronic Gulf, near Athens. Hydra is famous for its artistic and bohemian atmosphere, as well as its maritime history. It has attracted many writers, musicians, and celebrities over the years, such as Leonard Cohen, Sophia Loren, and Jackie Kennedy. It has also preserved its traditional character, with no cars or motorcycles allowed on the island.
To get to Hydra, you can take a ferry from Piraeus port in Athens. The trip takes about 1 hour and costs around 15 euros. You can also take a hydrofoil, which is faster but more expensive. Once on the island, you can walk around its picturesque harbor, its narrow alleys, and its stone houses. You can also visit its museums, churches, and monasteries.
Evia: Triangle of Sadness
Triangle of Sadness is a Swedish comedy-drama film that is directed by Ruben Östlund, the acclaimed filmmaker of The Square and Force Majeure. It stars Woody Harrelson, Harris Dickinson, and Charlbi Dean as a group of models who get stranded on a deserted island after a yacht accident. The film satirizes the fashion industry, the class system, and the human condition.
The film was partly filmed on Evia, the second-largest island in Greece. It is located in the Aegean Sea, connected to the mainland by two bridges. It has a diverse geography, with mountains, valleys, rivers, waterfalls, and beaches. It also has a rich history, culture, and gastronomy.
To get to Evia, you can drive from Athens or Thessaloniki via the bridges. The trip takes about 2 hours from Athens and 4 hours from Thessaloniki. You can also take a bus or a train to Chalkida, the capital of Evia, and then use local buses or taxis to get around the island. Once on Evia, you can explore its natural wonders, such as the Drimonas Waterfalls, the Lake of Dystos, and the Hot Springs of Edipsos.
Paxi & Corfu: Maestro in Blue
Maestro in Blue is a Greek biographical film that is directed by Nikos Perakis. It tells the story of Manos Hadjidakis, one of the most influential Greek composers of the 20th century. He won an Oscar for his song Never on Sunday in 1960 and created many other memorable works for cinema, theater, and television. He also founded the Orchestra of Colours in 1989.
The film was partly filmed on Paxi and Corfu, two islands in the Ionian Sea. Paxi is a small island with lush vegetation, turquoise waters, and white cliffs. It is ideal for relaxing holidays away from the crowds. Corfu is a larger island with a cosmopolitan flair, a Venetian heritage, and a vibrant culture.
To get to Paxi and Corfu, you can take a ferry from Igoumenitsa port on the mainland. The trip takes about 1 hour to Paxi and 2 hours to Corfu and costs around 10 euros. You can also fly to Corfu airport from Athens or other European cities and then take a ferry to Paxi. Once on the islands, you can enjoy their beauty, their history, and their music.
Other movies filmed or set in Greece
There are many other movies filmed or set in Greece that are worth watching. Here are some of them:
- Summer Lovers (1982): A romantic comedy about a young American couple who have a threesome with a French woman on Santorini.
- The Big Blue (1988): An adventure drama about two childhood friends who become rivals in free diving in Amorgos.
- Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (2001): A war drama about an Italian officer who falls in love with a Greek woman on Kefalonia.
- Mediterraneo (2001): A comedy about a group of Italian soldiers who are stranded on a Greek island during World War II.
- The Bourne Identity (2002): An action thriller about an amnesiac spy who tries to uncover
