Europe in the Movies
Europe’s natural beauty and stunning landmarks haven’t just caught the eyes of world travelers over the years.
Europe’s natural beauty and stunning landmarks haven’t just caught the eyes of world travelers over the years.
Interactive Map
© Tourism Ireland
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The Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare, Ireland
The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland were featured on the big screen 1987 in the motion picture The Princess Bride. You can see the cliffs during the scene when Cary Elwes’ character, Westley, is scaling them to defeat his enemies and retrieve his beloved Buttercup. The cliffs are known as “the Cliffs of Insanity” in the movie.
© Smabs Sputzer
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Manchester Town Hall, United Kingdom
England’s Manchester Town Hall played a key role in one of the biggest action scenes of the 2009 blockbuster Sherlock Holmes. It takes center stage for a few different scenes and makes for a perfect backdrop for the film’s Victorian Era setting.
© Matt Sharpe
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Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland, Great Britain
The Hogwarts Express may not be magical in real life but the route it takes is just as grand. The Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland is featured as the railway to Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies. It’s unmistakable in the movies thanks to the arched architecture of the railway and the lush green grass of Scotland.
© Simon Schwartzman
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Leopoldskron Palace, Austria
The Leopoldskron Palace in Austria was one of the key locations of Robert Wise’s The Sound of Music from 1965. Starring Julie Andrews, the film is one of the most famous motion picture adaptations of a musical and the Leopoldskron Palace is partly to thank for the film’s success.
© Dennis Jarvis
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Castel Sant'Angelo, Italy
Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck’s classic 1953 romance film, Roman Holiday, made use of many iconic locations throughout Rome. You’ll find the Castel Sant’Angelo as the backdrop of the movie’s unforgettable dance party scene.
© horrapics
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Playa de Monsul, Spain
Playa de Monsul is a famous beach in Spain and host to one of the most memorable scenes in Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade. As a matter of fact, many Western films were shot in Cabo de Gata, a National Park located in Playa de Monsul. You can find the beach when Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and Indiana’s father (Sean Connery) fight off an enemy plane with a flock of seagulls. Don’t worry; the seagulls aren’t like that in real life.
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Convent of Agios Ioannis, Greece
You may recognize the Convent of Agios Ioannis of Greece from the hit musical film Mamma Mia! The iconic Greek convent starred as the site of the chapel in the movie’s famous wedding scene.
© Malta Tourism Authority
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Blue Grotto, Malta
The epic, Ancient Greece–inspired film, Troy, had many of its scenes shot in and around the Blue Grotto in Malta. You can see the sparkling blue waters toward the beginning of the movie when Brad Pitt’s character, Achilles, is discussing with his mother about whether or not to leave for Troy to battle. Malta has become a popular country for other feature films, including The Guardian, starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
© Visit Europe
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Dubrovnik, Croatia
Although not a movie, Game of Thrones has captured the heart of thousands of people around the world. Shot in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Game of Thrones captures the historic city, peppered with ornate churches, beautiful palaces, and flowing fountains. Today, visitors can take their own Game of Thrones-inspired tour of Dubrovnik, where they’ll witness first-hand King’s Landing and the magical town of Qarth.
Galleries
Beyond Merry-Go-Rounds
Push your limits at Europe’s most exhilarating and unusual theme parks!
Your Guide to Europe’s Modern Architecture
Europe has been around for a long time. That’s why some of its most celebrated buildings are some of the oldest. But newer, more modern buildings can also be found. From Italy to Denmark, modern architecture has found its way into Europe’s heart. Browse this gallery to see some of the newest architectural marvels found throughout Europe.
Great Spa Towns of Europe
In 2021, eleven amazing spa towns in seven European countries were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a ‘transnational serial’ World Heritage Site, called the “Great Spa Towns of Europe”. These towns, in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom represent a unique cultural achievement and urban form which was at its height from the late 18th century to the 1930s.
Featured Experiences
Branch Cake
Provocative appearance and produced in an extremely interesting way is branch cake – Šakotis. Its taste is as impressing as its appearance. And no one argues about the taste of the Lithuanian branch cake – it’s fabulous. It’s for a good reason that it came to Lithuania in the beginning of the 20th century and in just over a hundred years have become the centerpiece of every Lithuanian wedding table and a mandatory sweet offering to the most honourable guests.
Trout Fillet with Forest Mushrooms
The lake trout “swims across” national borders and makes itself at home in deep, oxygen-rich lakes: in northern Russia, in Scandinavia, in the Baltic states, in Iceland. And of course, in Austria’s lakes. The sea trout is truly a globetrotter. In past times, it was the main fish to be found in Austrian lakes such as the Weissensee or the Millstätter See. And it is a great favourite with Austrian chefs and gastronomes. There’s very good reason for which the sea trout is the “Austrian Fish of the Year 2013”.
Eel in Green Herb Sauce
Paling in’t groen or eel in green sauce is a traditional Flemish dish of international renown.The dish developed as many fisherman caught eels in the Scheldt River, with folklore stating that the dish should be prepared with whatever fresh herbs were found on the riverside e.g. parsley, mint, spinach, sorrel and watercress.To many connoisseurs, the sauce is what makes this dish unique. Consisting mainly of the popular leafy green herb chervil as well as sorrel, it is important that these ingredients are added at the last moment of cooking so that sauce retains a bright green color and the flavor is strong and fresh. The fish itself is white and meaty, with a pronounced flavor.
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