Top Filming Locations Worldwide - The Ultimate Guide for Movies and TV

Visit ballintoy first for a hands-on sense of authentic exteriors. Take a scenic drive along the rugged coastline in county Antrim to the entrance to sea caves that have fueled notable cinematic moments. Several productions have filmed there, giving you a tangible feel before you step onto the path.

Then move inland to Doune for a castle fix with a twist. Doune, in central Scotland, centers on Doune Castle, a location that is prominently featured in several productions, which makes its courtyard and towers feel instantly recognizable. In the doune area, the nearby roman ruins and pastoral lanes add texture to the day, offering a compact, time-tested stop for fans who want a real sense of production design.

In spains varied backdrops, you can find scenes that stand in for ancient towns and arid deserts. Granada’s hills and Almería’s desert expanses have hosted notable shoots, filmed through the course of seasons to capture changing light. If you time your visit for a late-afternoon sun, you’ll see shadows taking longer on the time-worn walls, a sight that feels like a living storyboard your mother could tell as a bedtime tale.

Plan your route with practical breaks and meals in mind. From Doune to coastal towns or desert towns, you will travel through time as you hop between sites. Schedule a meal at a friendly pub to soak up local character, then consider a short harbor cruise if the day allows. Your itinerary should balance exterior shoots with time on the road, taking notes along the route so you can compare light and weather from location to location.

Your guide should be practical, not merely picturesque. Keep a compact notebook to note entrance points, vantage lines, and the prompts that made each shot notable. With a careful plan, you’ll collect a personal, cinematic map of the world’s top filming locations.

Malta Spotlight within the Global Filming Locations Blueprint

Valletta-based strategy centers on harbor views and fortress interiors, with quick hops to Mdina's castle-like streets and Gozo's cliffside vistas.

Lock in a core set of spots: Upper Barrakka Gardens for water-and-city panoramas, the palace exteriors around Valletta, and Mdina's cathedral square for amber stone light. Build a compact walking route that stitches these locations into a single day and lets you discover several spots across historic cities.

Beyond the capital, Gozo's inland valleys offer rugged adventure, while the blue water by the cliff-backed coast delivers expansive shots and an irish-style view at sunset, ideal for hero sequences or reflective moments. On inland lanes, look for beech-lined hedges that soften the light.

Historical authenticity shines in palaces, castles, and fortifications: the Grand Master’s Palace, Fort St. Angelo, and Mdina’s ancient walls provide scalable backdrops for both dialogue-heavy scenes and wide establishing shots. A baelor-inspired throne room can be sketched in the Palace while Mdina's shadowed lanes supply moody corridors.

Production logistics stay tight: crews traveled light and made efficient use of street access; local partners discovered straightforward permit steps and a leading catering network that keeps crews fueled on long shooting days.

While minceta-inspired fortress aesthetics draw many productions, dubrovniks fortress aesthetics attract the same scale, yet Malta offers a distinct texture with warm limestone, flexible locations, and a coastline that reads authentically on water and in daylight.

To diversify, schedule canet spots along the south coast for water-based scenes, and add evening shoots in party-friendly districts near St. Julian's to capture nightlife energy without compromising continuity. There is no shame in mixing open-water exteriors with intimate, controlled interiors for a cohesive look.

According to local film offices, a Malta route can connect several locations in a single loop: start in Valletta, pivot to Mdina for old-world calm, swing to Gozo for rugged outbacks, then return via the waterfront for closing shots–a leading sequence that audiences will find cohesive and easy to follow.

Valletta, Mdina, and Fortifications: Iconic Malta locations for period and urban scenes

Start your Malta scouting with Valletta’s compact historic core, where every street is a filmed backdrop. The unique pile of limestone façades and real palazzos give a belvedere on a hill that has been seen in leading show productions and remains a favourite find for many visitors.

Mdina, the silent city, feels long and intimate, with narrow lanes that lead you through centuries of habitations. The gates stand like a passage through time, and you can find the maze-like streets represented in many period dramas. There, you can feel the spirit of žrnovnica’s rugged texture in a quiet alley and imagine braavos-scale intrigue.

Fortifications circle the island, and Valletta’s ramparts–Fort St. Elmo, the bastioned walls, and the gates that open to the Grand Harbour–provide pivotal settings for urban scenes. The gates and bastions offer real, dramatic angles that have been represented on screen throughout the years, with moroccos textures visible in the stonework.

Before you book permits, contact the local authorities and check with источник to secure location releases. Plan your shoots at off-peak hours to minimize crowds, and map routes that connect Valletta’s battlements, Mdina’s gates, and Fort St. Elmo; this helps you shoot continuously through the day without backtracking.

Together, Valletta, Mdina, and Malta’s fortifications offer a unique, world-class palette that is better for period and urban scenes than many alternatives. Based on decades of filming, these sites are favourite go-tos for productions seeking a real look, and they subtly nod to lannister and braavos lore. If you’re planning a shoot, this trio is worth visiting, especially there on a hilltop belvedere that overlooks the harbor. The world sees Malta as a leading destination for ambitious storytelling.

Gozo, Comino, and Seascapes: Diversity of coastlines and landscapes for wide shots

Taking advantage of dawn light, plan a two-part wide shot along Gozo’s northern cliffs and Comino’s sheltered coves to anchor your sequence, made for expansive, cinematic scenes.

Gozo delivers vertical limestone cliffs, mountain-flanked coasts, and broad sea panoramas that translate scale in wide shots. Use Dwejra Bay’s sea caves and Wied il-Mielaħ arch to frame foregrounds, then pull back to Ramla Bay and the northern headlands for context.

Comino contrasts with Gozo: flat coves, turquoise water, and the Blue Lagoon. For variety, shoot from Comino’s St. Mary’s Tower vantage and the island’s quiet coves; the setting also nods to croatian coastlines with calmer seas.

To evoke a medieval feel, Besalú’s stone lanes offer a blueprint, blended with southern palaces and Andalusia’s sunlit courtyards. Plan scenes that hint at lannister or starks processions along a kingsroad, with varys appearing in a filmed moment among the former fort. The hell-hot glare of noon is tempered by shaded arcades and reflections in the harbor.

Filming here remains accessible for many productions; these coastlines have been used to craft both rustic and grand looks. Gozo and Comino host popular spots and jewel-like harbors that translate well on camera; plan for a festive party vibe at the quay or quiet, contemplative corners inland. When you position your camera, use wide angles to capture the scale, then tighten to reveal texture and character–cities, coves, and bays read clearly on each frame. This world yields memorable wide shots, blending besalú’s vibe with spains palaces and croatian atmosphere for a cohesive, cinematic feel.

Permits in Malta: Step-by-step process, timelines, and required documentation

Apply to the Malta Film Commission at least 6-8 weeks before your shoot to secure core permits. Coordinate with local councils early to align location, road, and environment permits.

Step 1: Define scope and assemble required information Gather the project name, production company, key contact, planned shooting dates, and a location list. For walking sequences and exterior shoots, mark access windows and pedestrian impacts. Prepare a concise script excerpt and rough shot list to illustrate scale. Use this material to identify favourite locations and compare notable, memorable settings across Malta and the wider region.

Step 2: Submit core permits Submit a Film Permit request to the Malta Film Commission. Local Councils issue Location Permits for individual sites. For road closures or significant traffic disruption, coordinate a Traffic Management Permit with Transport Malta and the Police. For drone operations, apply to the Civil Aviation Directorate with your flight plan. If interiors are used, obtain permissions from the property owner or managing authority and verify any heritage requirements. Some former industrial spaces and jesuit-adjacent venues may require extra review.

Step 3: Prepare documentation Provide production company details, main contact, tax ID, and a project summary. Attach the script and a detailed location plan with exact coordinates, a consolidated shot list, and a site map. Include a comprehensive Health & Safety Plan and a formal Risk Assessment. Add current public liability insurance and, if applicable, workers’ compensation. Attach drone operation approvals, a noise management plan, and a fire safety plan. For rented private spaces, include rental agreements and owner consents. If some sites are protected or sensitive (grjótagjá-like interiors or other heritage zones), note access limitations and any required escorts. The life of a shoot often hinges on clear documentation; ensure every location is stamped with permissions and contact points.

Step 4: Timelines and processing Acknowledgement typically arrives within 5-7 working days. Standard decisions are usually issued 2-4 weeks after submission; complex shoots spanning several locations can extend to 6-8 weeks. Drone permits may add 7-14 days. Always build a buffer for weather, council calendars, and potential resubmissions. If a setting appeared to be perfect but isn’t available, have a mountain of backups ready so you can switch through locations quickly.

Step 5: Fees and budgeting Permits carry base fees plus location-specific charges. Some councils apply rent for publicly accessible areas; police and traffic management services add costs. Request a written fee schedule before signing. In many cases, initial inquiries are free; you pay when the formal permit is issued. Budget for potential additional costs if you plan extended shoots or night work in popular districts.

Step 6: On-site coordination and compliance On the day, verify location boundaries and keep a clean, unobtrusive footprint. Coordinate with the local council and police for pedestrian detours and crowd control. After wrap, secure a location release and return borrowed equipment. For projects that want cave-like visuals, plan for grjótagjá-like interiors and ensure you have proper access permissions; žrnovnica is sometimes used as a stand-in for rugged terrain in Malta and nearby regions. If your setting aims to evoke fantasy kingdoms (Dragonstone) or references characters like George, Baelor, and Khal, select coastal cliffs and fortifications that resemble those vistas while respecting heritage laws. The life of a shoot moves fast; stay flexible and communicate with all parties to keep filming on track.

Step 7: Final tips and resources Maintain a single source of truth: a consolidated permit bundle with contact points and expiry dates. Use the Malta Film Commission as your primary contact and request a consolidated bundle if possible. Keep a backup plan for weather and location changes, and note any former locations you might reuse with updated permissions. When scouting, you can find moroccos-inspired ideas or.walking routes to help identify your favourite shots. For reference, consult notable Maltese settings like Valletta and Mdina, and use žrnovnica as a comparison for rugged terrain visuals. If you need more guidance, istиочник

Incentives and Budget Planning: Tax credits, subsidies, and local sourcing in Malta

Begin by applying to the Malta Film Commission and align your budget to maximize the local spend rebate. Target main cost centers–Maltese crew, local post houses, set construction, props, catering, and transport–sourced from your favourite Maltese suppliers. Lock contracts early and document local spend by category to ensure you meet the incentive criteria.

Tax credits and subsidies in Malta reward sourcing across the island and throughout the region. Use Maltese studios, equipment rental houses, and post facilities to maximize eligible expenditures. Maintain clear records of spend across parts of production and verify invoices against Maltese VAT numbers. Local sourcing also reduces logistics complexity and supports local talent, crews, and crafts.

Location strategy centers on water and coast shoots across the island, with gardens and a palace providing varied backdrops. Malta’s landscape serves world cinema while staying distinctly Maltese. For GoT vibes, you can stage scenes reminiscent of Dragonstone and Ballintoy coast, using on-site fortifications and inland courtyards. Draw inspiration from Minceta fortress, Trsteno gardens, and the Dubrovniks look, while Spain’s coastal textures surface in nearby settings. Throughout the season, map the best seasons and plan holidays to minimize crowds; visit different parts of the archipelago to test light and camera angles. If your script calls for Khal, bokar, Baelor, or Roman textures, leverage jesuit sites and Roman ruins to reinforce authenticity. First, confirm permits and prefer Maltese suppliers that can deliver consistent quality across the main production phases.

Logistics on the Islands: Base camps, housing, transport, crew networks, and equipment access

Plan a modular, scalable base camp footprint on each island and establish a central logistics hub to minimize daily commutes. This approach keeps the workflow tight across destinations and in the world of filming, delivering a predictable rhythm for crews and equipment.

Base camps and housing

• Position the main crew village near the harbor with a dedicated gear yard and a separate living zone. This setup keeps parts of the operation moving even when weather blocks occur.
• Use modular tents and prefabricated cabins, paired with insulated containers and climate control, to endure a wide range of conditions from Besalú-like cobbled streets to open sea air.
• Provide on-site dining, showers, and secure storage; design waste management so investigations around sensitive sites remain clean and respectful.
• Install a resilient power plan: solar arrays, battery banks, and a genset as a backup; connect water through tanks and a mobile pump system for dry spells.

Transport and access

• Lock in a robust boat plan: dock at a primary quay, with a secondary ramp for gear on the opposite tide. Use a dedicated crane for heavy packages and schedule a weather window for large shipments.
• Coordinate crew transfer via a small fleet of tenders and a safety boat; maintain a real-time log for shifts and fatigue management.
• Map trips to key filming spots–Trsteno, Ireland, and other magical destinations–and keep a contingency cruise itinerary for cast movement between islands.
• Set up a regional supplier chain near the base to reduce travel time, including local markets, camera shops, and repair services.

Crew networks and equipment access

• Build a regional directory of vetted locals: line producers, drivers, technicians, translators, and security; ensure fair, clear contracts and safe working conditions.
• Engage anchors in places like Trsteno and Ireland to access established networks, easing permits and on-site coordination; these links speed up onboarding and problem-solving.
• Establish a gear corridor between the base, quay, and production tents: cameras, rigs, sound, and lighting stored in climate-controlled units; implement check-in/out logs to prevent losses.
• Coordinate access to sensitive sites–monasteries, gates, and other heritage locations–through Jesuit and local community channels, with clear permissions and handling rules.

Planning details and risk management

1. Start starting 8–12 weeks ahead: map the region, identify potential destinations, and draft a phased plan that aligns with the shoot calendar.
2. Block weather and sea-state windows carefully; build a buffer to cover transfers and setup days, prioritizing a single, reliable window for major shipments.
3. Quantify benefits of a centralized base versus dispersed sets in terms of travel time, fuel, and crew hours, then adjust the plan for efficiency.
4. Keep a memorable record of locations used–from village look-alikes to monastery exteriors–to guide future trips and destination decisions.

Notes on sensitive sites and ethics

• Respect local heritage by securing permissions near gates, monasteries, and religious buildings; follow regional guidelines for Cerseis areas and related protections.
• Ensure ethical labor practices: pay fair wages, provide safe working conditions, and avoid treating staff as substitutes for labor; cultivate a collaborative, respectful network instead of coercive arrangements.