The magic of cinema has immortalised lots of places in Spain by turning them into the setting for national and international productions. Cities, monuments and natural landscapes, many of them easily recognisable, are all part of the history of the film world. We take you to visit the parts of Spain that can be seen on the silver screen.
1. Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao) – 007: The World is Not Enough
In this 1999 film directed by Michael Apted, James Bond travels to Bilbao and, in front of the Guggenheim, Pierce Brosnan faces off with Sophie Marceau. He also took a walk along Iparraguirre Street and La Salve Bridge.
2. Zumaia (Guipuzkoa) – Spanish Affair
Many scenes from director Emilio Martínez-Lázaro’s blockbuster comedy film, better known to people in Spain as ‘Ocho apellidos vascos’, were shot in this coastal town. Among all these beautiful landscapes, the Hermitage of San Telmo stands out, chosen for the wedding at the end of the film.
3. Castle of Loarre (Huesca) – Kingdom of Heaven
Director Ridley Scott, familiar with shooting in Spain, chose this destination as the setting for his movie focussing on the life of young crusader apprentice Balian (Orlando Bloom).
The castle abbey of Loarre is a Romanesque castle declared a National Cultural and Monumental Heritage Site back in 1906. It is considered the best-preserved Romanesque fortress in Europe, as only 4% of its walls have had to be restored.
4. Plaza de España (Seville) – Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
The Plaza de España, the main square in Seville, was at times the palace of Queen Amidala, located on the planet Naboo in the second instalment of the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
This famous square was also the setting for such well-known older films as Lawrence of Arabia.
5. Mónsul beach (Níjar, Almería) – Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Steven Spielberg chose the beach at Mónsul to shoot one of the most memorable scenes in the film, in which Sean Connery scares the seagulls with an umbrella. Apart from Níjar, the shooting of the film also took place in the city of Almería; Tabernas in the province of Almería; and Huétor and Guadix in Granada.
6. Castle of Molina de Aragón (Guadalajara) – The Name of the Rose
Although the exteriors were shot in a monastery specially built for the film, not far from Rome, and the interiors in the immense Monastery of Eberbach (Eltville am Rhein), Sean Connery walked around the castle of Molina de Aragon to shoot some scenes from this film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud and based on the novel by Umberto Eco.
7. Punta de Teno (Tenerife) – Fast and Furious 6
The spectacular chase scenes in this sixth instalment of the Fast and Furious franchise, in which the cars reached almost 200 miles per hour, involved a high level of danger that meant the area had to be closed off for filming.
Punta de Teno has also served as a natural setting for other recent productions such as Clash of the Titans.
8. Gothic Quarter in Barcelona – Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
For the film adaptation of Patrick Süskind's novel, director Tom Tikwer chose Barcelona's Gothic Quarter as the setting for 18th century Paris, where Grenouille tries to capture all the smells. In the Plaza Real is where he discovers a perfume shop, in the Plaza Sant Felip Neri he follows the redheaded saleswoman, and various other memorable moments were shot around the Cathedral of Barcelona.
9. Atocha station (Madrid) – The Bourne Ultimatum
In the Bourne films, the main character always travels around the world. Director Paul Greengrass filmed scenes in which Matt Damon got on a train that took him to Atocha, one of Madrid’s most central stations.
10. La Pedrera (Barcelona) – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
No list of famous films shot in Spain could be complete without this modern masterpiece. When Woody Allen wrote the screenplay, he explained that "I didn't think about anything other than creating a story in which Barcelona was just another character. I wanted to pay tribute to Barcelona, because I love this city and because I love Spain in general. It's a city full of visual beauty, it has a very romantic sensibility.”
One of the locations for the film was Antonio Gaudí's Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera. Its roof has original and distinctive ceramic chimneys in the shape of warriors. From there, Vicky, Cristina and Judy contemplated the beautiful views of Barcelona.
Living in Coripe: houses from €20K in rural Seville
Tucked away in the province of Seville, Coripe is the kind of place that barely registers on the usual tourist map. This is precisely why its property market is so remarkable, with traditional village houses starting from around €20,000. It’s an ideal spot for anyone seeking an authentic, rural Andalusian life without the hefty price tag.
Living in Sant Pere de Ribes: coast, city and countryside
For anyone considering living in Sant Pere de Ribes, this town in the Garraf region offers a wonderfully peaceful lifestyle while still keeping you well-connected to Barcelona. Its fantastic spot means you’re never far from the coast and can easily explore the many natural areas nearby.
Typical Balearic Islands dishes: this is the archipelago's cuisine
Visitors to the Balearic Islands don't only love their idyllic landscapes and crystal-clear beaches but also their rich, time-honoured cuisine that reflects centuries of history, cultural fusion and a deep respect for local ingredients.
Living in Madrid: calling the capital home
As Spain's capital, Madrid is a powerhouse of art, business, and culture. It’s a city with a personality very different to the coastal spots many people first think of in Spain. Proudly landlocked, the city has scorching summers and crisp winters. It's a city that comes alive after dark, with a social scene that revolves around late dinners and finding the perfect terrace for a caña.
New airport strike in Spain: August disruption for easyJet and BA
A fresh wave of airport strikes is set to affect major Spanish holiday destinations this August, impacting passengers flying with various carriers. The industrial action has been called by the UGT union, representing ground handling staff employed by the Menzies group. The walkouts are scheduled to coincide with the peak summer travel season.
Spain is one of Europe’s biggest ice cream producers
If you live in Spain — or are planning a move — you’re in luck: you’re in one of the ice cream capitals of Europe. According to EU figures, the bloc produced 3.3 billion litres of ice cream in 2024, a 2% increase on the 3.2 billion litres recorded in 2023.
Córdoba Mosque-Cathedral fire: swift action saves "La Mezquita" from disaster
The historic Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, one of Spain’s most treasured landmarks, narrowly escaped severe damage after a fire broke out on the night of Friday, 8 August 2025. The blaze, which started in the Almánzor chapel, was quickly brought under control thanks to the rapid and coordinated response of Córdoba’s emergency services. This is what we know so far.