Spain has established itself as one of the premier international destinations for filmmakers seeking dramatic natural landscapes, architectural grandeur, and rich culture. With settings ranging from arid desert expanses and medieval fortresses to pristine beaches, mountain ranges, and historic towns, directors have regularly chosen Spanish locations to host world-famous movies and television series.
The country's diverse geography has allowed Spanish landmarks to double as distant galaxies, fantasy realms, and historical settings. A total of 11 distinct Spanish locations stand out for their roles in international blockbusters, including the Plaza de España in Seville, which appeared in Star Wars, and Peñíscola Castle, which featured prominently in Game of Thrones.
The European Hollywood in Almería
The Tabernas Desert, located in the southern province of Almería in Andalusia, is widely recognized as the European Hollywood because it is considered the only true desert on the European continent. This unique topography made it an ideal backdrop for numerous film productions, most notably the westerns directed by Sergio Leone during the 1960s and 1970s.
Classic Spaghetti Westerns such as A Fistful of Dollars and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly captured actor Clint Eastwood beneath the scorching skies and arid terrain of the area. Beyond cowboy pictures, director Ridley Scott also chose the location to film scenes for his 2014 biblical epic Exodus: Gods and Kings.
In Seville, the regional capital of Andalusia, the Plaza de España has provided an impressive setting for major international cinema due to its distinctive semi-circular design and picturesque canals. Built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, the Sevillian landmark was transformed into the fictional planet Naboo for George Lucas's Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.
Years later, the same architectural complex served as the location for an eccentric royal palace in the 2012 comedy film The Dictator, chosen by filmmakers for its striking visual impact and sweeping walkways.
Cathedrals, Gothic Quarters, and Historic Squares
Monuments across Spain have frequently substituted for famous foreign landmarks. The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo, a historic city in central Spain, served as a key location for director Tom Tykwer's 2006 drama Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.
Scenes intended to represent the interior of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris were filmed inside the Toledo monument. Additionally, extensive sequences for the same production were recorded across the narrow medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona.
Spanish urban squares have also attracted prominent international directors. American filmmaker Woody Allen selected a square in Salamanca, a historic university city in western Spain, to shoot scenes for his 2008 film Vicky Cristina Barcelona. In one key scene from the movie, characters portrayed by actresses Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall are shown conversing on an outdoor café terrace in the city.
Futuristic Architecture and Historic Madrid Bullrings
For science fiction and futuristic narratives, directors have turned to the vanguard architecture of Valencia along Spain's eastern coast. The City of Arts and Sciences, designed by renowned Spanish architects Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, features organic structural design, ornamental gates, and traditional trencadís mosaic tile work that almost seems to breathe.
In the 2015 science fiction film Tomorrowland, the complex was featured as an attractive futuristic city visited by the lead character, played by actor George Clooney. The site's futuristic aesthetic provided a natural match for the production's vision.
In the Community of Madrid, the Plaza Mayor of Chinchón has served as a centerpiece for classic cinematic productions. In the 1956 film Around the World in 80 Days, the enclosed town square was selected as the backdrop for a bullfight sequence. Acclaimed filmmaker Orson Welles also chose Chinchón to record multiple scenes for his 1965 drama Chimes at Midnight.
Satirical Comedy, Cave Dwellings, and Desert Dunes
Spanish towns have also formed the backdrop for celebrated domestic cinema that achieved international acclaim. The municipality of Guadalix de la Sierra, situated in the mountains north of Madrid, served as the primary filming site for director Luis García Berlanga's classic 1953 comedy Welcome Mr. Marshall.
The town's train station, church, and residential houses were utilized to deliver a humorous social critique of 1950s Spain. Today, the local municipality honors the Spanish director with commemorative statues and plaques throughout the town.
Further south in Granada, the municipality of Guadix hosted the dramatic culmination of the 1989 adventure movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The production filmed its iconic train station scene around the town's famous troglodyte cave dwellings, with more than 100 local residents participating in the project as extras.
Fortresses along the Mediterranean coast have similarly played major roles in global television franchises. The stone walls of Peñíscola Castle and the adjacent Artillery Park, located in the province of Castellón, were transformed into the fictional city of Meereen for the sixth season of the fantasy series Game of Thrones.
Wilderness Dunes and Rock Formations
Spain's diverse natural ecosystems have allowed filmmakers to evoke far-off global destinations. The varied natural terrain of Doñana National Park, located in Andalusia, was selected for the 1962 historical film Lawrence of Arabia to simulate an Arabian desert. Filmmakers chose the park's sweeping sand dunes for its rich biodiversity and its capacity to evoke distant locations.
Finally, the unique rock sculptures of the Enchanted City of Cuenca served as the natural backdrop for the fantasy film Conan the Barbarian in 1982. Located in central Spain, these unusual rock formations framed the adventures of the title character, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Production for the action movie also took place in Segovia, Ávila, and Madrid.
