8 iconic European filming locations from Gladiator, Star Wars, and The Fault in Our Stars
DestinationsLooking to add a bit of cinematic magic to your next holiday? Always pictured yourself on the silver screen? You’re not alone. 78% of travellers have been inspired to visit a location from a movie or TV show, according to a Travel Trends Report by British Airways.
With London Southend Airport, you can jet off to some of the most famous movie locations across Europe, where the real world meets the big screen. Step into the Wild West in Almería, where Clint Eastwood made his name as a legendary gunfighter. Relive Russel Crowe’s Roman epic in Malta – are you not entertained?
Explore the dunes of Tatooine, the walls of King’s Landing and more when you fly to London Southend Airport’s destinations. Whatever your taste in TV and cinema, we’ve got the perfect getaway waiting for you.
Malta – Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Troy
Malta has that ancient feel so many filmmakers are looking for. Fort Ricasoli on the coast stood in for the Colosseum in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator – and is where the filming for Gladiator 2 recently wrapped!
The fort was also used as the Red Keep, the bastion at the heart of King’s Landing in Season 1 of Game of Thrones. Head down to Mdina, and you might notice that the city’s ancient gate was also the entry to King’s Landing itself.
If you fancy a dip, head to Malta’s Blue Lagoon, where Brad Pitt’s Achille pined in Troy. Trust us, your stay will be much less dramatic.
Almeria – Spaghetti Westerns, Indiana Jones, and Lawrence of Arabia
Grab your cowboy hat! Almeria’s sun-soaked Tabernas Desert was the backdrop for some of Sergio Leone’s most iconic Spaghetti Westerns from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly to A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More.
Not a Client Eastwood fan? Indiana Jones lovers can follow in Harrison Ford’s footsteps – the same desert was a filming location in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Peter O’Toole even explored these sands in the classic epic Lawrence of Arabia. Saddle up – this is one adventure you won’t want to miss.
Amsterdam – The Fault in Our Stars
For something a bit more heart-wrenching, head to Amsterdam, where The Fault in Our Stars brought romance to the city’s scenic canals. FILMTake a walk along Leidsegracht, the iconic canal where the two main characters shared a tender moment, then hop on a canal boat to see more of the city that starred in their love story.
Nothing says romance quite like Amsterdam’s picturesque waterways.
Paris – Midnight in Paris, Inception, and Amélie
Okay – this one’s a bit of a cheat. There’s a bucket-load of movies filmed on location in Paris. It’s impossible to resist the city’s cinematic charm!
Walk in the footsteps of Owen Wilson’s character from Midnight in Paris as he time-travels back to the roaring 1920s. For something even more mind-bending, explore the Latin Quarter where Inception turned the city upside down (literally!).
And don’t forget Amélie – visit Montmartre’s Café des Deux Moulins to relive the whimsy of one of France’s most beloved films… or Emily in Paris. Paris is pure movie (and TV series) magic.
Read more:
Enfidha – Star Wars
For die-hard Star Wars fans, Enfidha is a must-visit!
You can spend two unforgettable days exploring the Sahara desert, including stops at the awe-inspiring El Djem Amphitheater and the surreal landscapes of Matmata.
The troglodyte houses in Matmata served as the backdrop for Luke Skywalker’s home on Tatooine in A New Hope, allowing you to step right into a galaxy far, far away.
Palma de Mallorca – The Night Manager
For those who like a bit of luxury with their drama, The Night Manager fans can take a stroll around La Fortaleza, the lavish fortress that played a starring role in the hit TV series.
Palma’s stunning Mediterranean views and historic charm make it the ideal spot to relive those high-stakes moments – minus the danger of an arms deal gone wrong, of course.
Tenerife – Fast and Furious and Clash of the Titans
If you’re after an adrenaline fix, Tenerife’s dramatic volcanic landscapes might be just the ticket. The winding roads featured in Fast and Furious 6 are perfect for your next adventure. Or dive into ancient mythology with a trip to Mount Teide, where gods and titans battled it out in Clash of the Titans.
It’s an island packed with adventure – and perfect for a holiday blockbuster of your own.
Marrakech – Mission Impossible, Sex and the City, and The Mummy
Need a bit of action in your holiday? Marrakech has you covered! Zoom through the city like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, or relive the glamour of Sex and the City 2 in some of Marrakech’s luxurious locales.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, head over to the historic streets that stood in for 1920s Cairo in The Mummy. Marrakech has thrills, glamour and a touch of history too.
Ready to star in your very own adventure? Book your next flight from London Southend Airport and let the magic of the movies take you away.
#FlyLondonSouthend
