As audiences continue to debate who will take over the role of James Bond, The Independent has revealed the most spectacular filming locations from the franchise that fans can visit.
The travel guide details how the fictional British secret agent moved far beyond the gleaming MI6 headquarters in the Vauxhall area of London. The chaotic routes of the spy spanned multiple continents, taking him from Shanghai to the Scottish Highlands. Along the way, the film productions showcased enemy lairs, luxurious estates, luxury hotels, ancient cities, private islands and dramatic fight scenes.
Since the cinematic release of Dr No in 1962, the James Bond films have become famous for their distinct atmospheric settings. These visually striking global backdrops attract international tourists eager to experience the luxurious lifestyle of a leading intelligence officer.
The cinematic locations have permanently altered local tourism in several countries. Phang Nga Bay in Thailand is now colloquially known as James Bond Island among travellers. Meanwhile, a drive by actor Daniel Craig along the Atlantic Ocean Road in Norway during the film No Time to Die has inspired fans to take scenic road trips of their own.
Mexico City festivities
The Mexican capital hosted film crews for both Licence to Kill in 1989 and Spectre in 2015.
The opening sequences of Spectre feature a massive Day of the Dead parade. Craig pursues a villain through a chaotic street celebration filled with thousands of costumed extras, allegorical floats and giant skeleton puppets.
The Independent reported that Mexico City is a dynamic and vibrant destination for travellers, featuring bars, art and numerous parks. The publication noted the city boasts more than 150 museums, hosts lucha libre wrestling competitions and sits near the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan, making it an obvious choice for film producers.
Following the release of the film, Mexico City held its first official Day of the Dead parade in November 2016. The cinematic depiction helped make the traditional local celebration even more famous on a global scale.
Istanbul landmarks
Bond navigated the markets and spice stalls of Istanbul in From Russia with Love in 1963, The World Is Not Enough in 1999 and Skyfall in 2012.
The Skyfall production used the sprawling Grand Bazaar, the underground Basilica Cistern and the Hagia Sophia as striking backdrops. One prominent scene features a high speed motorcycle chase across the rooftops against the skyline of the Turkish city.
Fans visiting Istanbul can explore Byzantine treasures, majestic minarets and ancient architecture. The destination also offers a rich calendar of events and famous traditional Turkish hammams.
Ancient Matera
The production team for No Time to Die travelled to Matera in Italy to shoot the 2021 film, which marked the final performance by Craig as the British secret agent.
Matera is the third oldest continuously inhabited city in the world and served as the European Capital of Culture in 2019. The fairy tale destination in southern Italy is famous for its winding streets and its sassi. These historic dwellings, caves and grottoes are carved directly into limestone.
The ancient structures provided the setting for another high speed chase featuring the legendary Aston Martin car driven by Bond.
Tangier cafes
The fictional MI6 agent has travelled to Tangier in Morocco on two occasions.
In Spectre, Bond and the character Madeleine Swann travel to the coastal city with its tall palm trees and closed houses after escaping from Austria.
Previously, Timothy Dalton played the agent in the 1987 film The Living Daylights. The plot involved investigating a KGB policy regarding the elimination of enemy agents in the Moroccan city.
Tangier possesses a rich history and was reportedly a historical haven for spies and pirates. Modern visitors can enjoy the local beaches, an Art Deco cinema and a thriving cafe culture.
Cairo architecture
Actor Roger Moore worked in Cairo for the 1977 release The Spy Who Loved Me. The plot required Bond to complete a mission surrounded by ancient Egyptian treasures and impressive architecture.
The film showcases the Gayer-Anderson Museum, Al-Muizz Street and the historic Ibn Tulun mosque. Tourist routes in Cairo today allow fans to retrace parts of the action packed journey taken by the spy.
Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands feature prominently in From Russia with Love, The Spy Who Loved Me, Skyfall and No Time to Die.
An Aston Martin speeds through the scenic landscapes of Glencoe and Glen Etive on the way to the fictional Skyfall family estate. In the same 2012 film, Bond and the character M drive along the A82 road past the Buachaille Etive Mor and Buachaille Etive Beag mountain peaks.
In The World Is Not Enough, Eilean Donan Castle appeared as the Scottish headquarters for MI6.
The thirteenth century island fortress sits at the confluence of three lochs.
Jamaican beaches
Jamaica is the birthplace of the James Bond character and the filming location for the first movie starring Sean Connery.
The picturesque beaches of Ocho Rios appeared on screen in Live and Let Die in 1973 and No Time to Die. For the most recent production, crews constructed a temporary beach hut on a bay in Port Antonio. The structure served as the home of the agent after he retired from active service.
Author Ian Fleming created the character at his GoldenEye estate on the Caribbean island. The property opened as a luxury resort in 2011, allowing visitors to completely immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the original novels.
Swiss Alps lair
The Schilthorn peak station in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland served as a convincing villainous lair in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. The location acted as the base for Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the primary enemy of Bond.
The Piz Gloria revolving restaurant sits almost 3,000 metres above sea level and has become a true pilgrimage destination for fans. Diners can eat fondue and walk along a permanent walk of fame dedicated to the actors and crew who worked on the film. The remote site is accessible by cable car.
Los Angeles museum
Separately, a new narrative art museum in Los Angeles promises to be a major discovery for fans of the Star Wars franchise.
The space saga created by director George Lucas makes up only a small part of the vast collection. The star director described the facility as a temple of folk art that presents an extremely wide spectrum of creative works.
