Planning to film in Spain? The country’s landscapes have attracted major productions from Star Wars to Game of Thrones, but here’s what we’ve learned after 17 years of scouting locations in Spain: finding locations that look great is easy – finding ones you can actually film at without headaches is the real challenge.
The following 12 Spanish locations offer stunning visuals, plus the practical access and reasonable permits you need for international productions.
From vast Wild West landscapes to sweeping Middle Eastern deserts and haunting post-apocalyptic wastelands, the area offers a striking variety of stunning backdrops, perfect for creating cinematic scenes.
Famous productions that have been filmed here include: Lawrence of Arabia, Indiana Jones, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
The Tabernas Desert in Almería has doubled as a backdrop for everything from Arabia to the American Southwest. What makes it production-gold? Year-round filming weather, established local crew base, and logistics refined over 60+ years of international shoots.
Summer temperatures hit 40°C+ (104°F). Plan shoots for spring/ autumn unless you’re going for that authentic desert suffering look.
This massive semicircular plaza transforms into whatever your story needs. We’ve used it for everything from commercials to corporates. The real advantage? It’s built for events and crowds, so filming permits aren’t the nightmare you’d expect from most heritage sites.
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
Used the plaza’s curved colonnades, canal bridges, and vast terrace as Theed on Naboo (Anakin & Padmé’s walk-and-talk sequences). It was chosen for its monumental scale and elegant, other-worldly blend of arches, tiles, and symmetry – easy to extend with light VFX.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
The plaza stands in for the Cairo officers’ club and related exteriors, pairing seamlessly with nearby Maria Luisa Park buildings and Casa de Pilatos. Lean picked it for its grand arcades and Moorish-influenced stonework, which read convincingly as early-20th-century Middle East civic architecture.
According to our experience, early morning shoots (7-9 AM) allow you to avoid the crowds and capture the stunning light reflecting off the ceramic tiles. If you are looking for a trusted partner to film at Seville’s Plaza de España or anywhere else in the city, with over 17 years of filming experience and a local crew based in Seville, we’re ready to be your reliable filming partner whenever you need us. Find out why you can rely on us for your video production in Seville!
What it looks like: Rugged Atlantic coastlines, medieval fortresses, mystical Celtic landscapes.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe provides some of Europe’s most dramatic coastal cinematography. The narrow stone bridge leading to the hermitage creates natural leading lines that make any production look epic.
Famous productions include Game of Thrones (Dragonstone scenes) and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (coastal cliff scenes). The area’s dramatic landscapes and medieval castles have provided the perfect backdrop for these iconic films.
Limited vehicle access means you’ll need to transport equipment on foot. We recommend using lightweight camera packages, unless your budget allows for helicopter drops.
Futuristic cityscapes, classic European elegance, and winding Gothic streets. The mix of modern and historic architecture creates a unique and dynamic backdrop.
From Gaudí’s Sagrada Família to the medieval Gothic Quarter, Barcelona offers completely different looks within walking distance. The city’s film-friendly policies make it easier to secure urban filming permits than most European capitals.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Woody Allen’s romantic drama, showcasing the city’s vibrant culture and stunning architecture) and Perfume (the visually captivating film that uses Barcelona’s beautiful locations to enhance its dark, mysterious atmosphere).
From our personal experience, it’s very easy to shoot multiple “locations” in a single day. Gothic Quarter for medieval scenes, Eixample for modern European luxury, Port Vell for waterfront action.
With our headquarters in the heart of the city, we know every corner of this vibrant metropolis. Let us assist you in selecting the perfect locations for your video production, while saving you time and budget. Discover why we’re the perfect partner for your video production in Barcelona!
European palace interiors, government districts, grand urban squares.
The Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor offer immediate royal European authenticity. Plus, Madrid’s role as Spain’s capital means access to impressive government and business district locations.
Madrid’s Royal Grandeur has hosted numerous iconic productions, including the acclaimed The Crown, where its majestic interiors and historical elegance were showcased to depict royal life. Additionally, the palace has served as the stunning backdrop for various international commercials, with its opulent architecture adding a regal touch to high-end brand campaigns.
For example, the Royal Palace was featured in a luxury car commercial, where its grand corridors and gardens were used to emphasize the elegance and sophistication of the vehicle, aligning the brand with royalty and timeless luxury.
Take advantage of established filming protocols at governmental and corporate spots. We understand the advance booking requirements and seasonal restrictions, ensuring a smooth and efficient production process. If you need any assistance for your video production in Madrid, don’t hesitate to contact us.
The Canary Islands feature surreal landscapes that evoke alien worlds, from volcanic wastelands and lush tropical paradises to stunning black sand beaches. This striking mix of rugged beauty and dramatic vistas makes it a truly unique filming destination.
Lanzarote and Tenerife provide landscapes that look genuinely extraterrestrial. The Teide National Park in Tenerife offers lunar-like terrain at 3,000+ meters elevation.
The Canary Islands have served as the stunning backdrop for several major films. Fast & Furious 6 showcased its dramatic volcanic landscapes, adding intensity to high-speed action sequences. Wonder Woman 1984 utilized the islands’ diverse terrains to create a visually captivating setting for Diana’s adventures. Additionally, The Witcher filmed some of its epic scenes in these rugged landscapes, perfectly capturing the mystical and otherworldly atmosphere of the series. These productions highlight the unique and versatile beauty of the Canary Islands, making it a sought-after filming location.
Enjoy EU filming regulations paired with year-round tropical weather. With enhanced tax incentives (up to €18 million), it’s a cost-competitive alternative to traditional ‘exotic’ filming locations.
A constellation of futuristic structures curves like grounded starships, all clean lines and ribbed exoskeletons. Reflection pools double the architecture, creating seamless horizons and cinematic symmetry. By day it feels luminous and minimal; after dusk, LEDs and water reflections turn it into a high-tech cityscape with an almost alien calm.
Tomorrowland (2015): Filmed around L’Hemisfèric (the eye-shaped cinema) and the ribbed Museu de les Ciències. The real white curves and mirror pools are on screen; CG just adds extra towers and transit lines.
Doctor Who – “Smile” (2017): The colony exteriors are the Museu de les Ciències and L’Àgora, with the Assut de l’Or Bridge and Umbracle walkways as approaches. The complex’s clean, white geometry made it look like another planet with minimal set dressing.
Technical consideration: Highly reflective surfaces require careful planning of lighting. We recommend location visits during your planned shooting hours to test equipment setups.
We also have local crews with in-depth knowledge of the City of Arts & Sciences and whole Valencia area, including for getting permits, technical scouting, lighting plans, and logistics. Learn more about our Valencia production service or contact us.
Whitewashed villages on hills. Red-tile roofs. Narrow, winding cobbled streets. Iron balconies with flower pots. Small squares with orange trees and a tiled fountain. A church tower above – sometimes Moorish castle ruins too. Olive groves and mountains around, sea haze in the distance. Feels a bit like the Greek islands or North African medinas, but clearly Spanish.
Villages like Ronda, Frigiliana, and Casares offer authentic Mediterranean architecture without the crowds of more famous locations. Narrow white-washed streets and dramatic cliff settings provide natural storytelling environments.
Various European commercials, including Coca-Cola (Spain, 2019): shot a spot in Frigiliana, including a terrace scene above the valley in the old town (Barribarto), Ferrari (2025 launch film): filmed around Ronda for the 296 Speciale reveal, using the dramatic roads and setting.
Travel documentaries like Rick Steves’ Andalucía / White Hill Towns: Features Arcos de la Frontera, Ronda, and other pueblos blancos (white villages) as key stops, PBS/Rick Steves segments: Ronda and Arcos highlighted for their whitewashed cores and cliff-top views.
Vehicle access is limited in historic village centers. Plan for equipment staging areas outside the old town and gear transport by cart or foot.
Deep green hills meet a wild Atlantic – rugged cliffs, misty woods, mossy stone. Granite villages with slate roofs and narrow lanes; hórreos on stilts by fields and coves. Long rías with quiet beaches, working harbors, and lighthouses, with sudden sun breaks after rain. It has that Celtic, mystical vibe – think Ireland or Scotland – but with unmistakably Galician culture and architecture: a fresh alternative to overused Irish/ Scottish locations, all without leaving Spain.
The Way (2010): The final stretch runs through Galicia. You see mossy footpaths, misty woods, stone villages, and the granite crosses leading to Santiago de Compostela – and even out to Finisterre. The film leans on Galicia’s Celtic mood: deep greens, old stones, ocean light.
European documentaries: Many travel and nature docs film on the Costa da Morte, the Rías Baixas, and in the inland hills. They come for the “Celtic” look – cliffy Atlantic coasts, fog, bagpipes at festivals, hórreos on stilts, and ancient castros. It feels like Ireland or Scotland, but with clearly Galician details.
Weather factor: Atlantic climate means frequent rain and mist – perfect for moody cinematography, but have backup indoor locations ready.
Sun-bleached badlands and steppe plains that feel straight out of the Wild West – dust tracks, eroded cliffs, sparse scrub. Red rock towers and wide, empty horizons. Hilltop castles and walled medieval towns in warm stone; narrow lanes, arched bridges, Romanesque churches. To the north, the Pyrenees: jagged peaks, seasonal snow, pine forests, alpine meadows, and turquoise glacial lakes. River valleys with vineyards and orchards. Big skies. Dramatic light.
The Monegros Desert offers Wild West landscapes, while medieval castles like Castillo de Loarre provide Game of Thrones-level fortress authenticity.
The Sisters Brothers (2018): was shot in Aragon, to mimic the American West. It offers the same look – Monegros-style badlands, dust tracks, big skies. You get that Western feel without leaving the region.
Various productions: Car ads, music videos, and indie films use Aragon for “spaghetti-western” vibes. The Monegros give empty, sun-bleached plains; the ruins of Belchite read like a frontier town – no heavy set build needed. The Pyrenees nearby add quick access to mountain shots.
One Base, Four Looks: base your crew in Zaragoza. Within a two-hour drive you can hit desert badlands, Pyrenees mountains, medieval castles/towns, and modern cityscapes. Fewer crew and gear moves, more variety, same day.
Picos de Europa mountains and Somiedo Natural Park deliver true alpine drama – sharp limestone peaks (snow in season), deep green valleys, mirror-still lakes (Lagos de Covadonga), and narrow roads threading gorges. Stone villages with slate roofs, wooden balconies, and hórreos on stilts. Fast-changing weather: sun, cloud, mist. Thirty minutes away, the Atlantic hits cliffs and quiet coves. Think Swiss Alps or Scottish Highlands – without Alpine costs – plus wildlife potential (Somiedo’s brown bears) and Asturian cider houses with Romanesque chapels.
Cantábrico: Los dominios del oso pardo (2017) – Feature nature documentary. Filmed across Asturias (Picos de Europa, Somiedo, and the coast near Llanes). Uses the region’s alpine-style valleys, beech – oak forests, and rivers to capture brown bears, wolves, and salmon runs – showcasing exactly the “Spain’s Switzerland” look (snow-dusted peaks, mist, mirror lakes).
Renault Kadjar (2018) European TV commercial – Shot in Asturias around Gijón/ Xixón and Cangas de Onís. The spot pairs coastal city visuals with mountain roads and stone bridges near the Picos, leveraging quick access to beaches, gorges, and high-country switchbacks for a classic car-ad mix of scenery.
Mountain units need 4WD and advanced checks for road/park closures. Aim for summer to early autumn (roughly July – September) for the most reliable weather. Build buffer days for fog and sudden rain.
Honey-stone castles and walled quarters; stork-topped bell towers and arcaded plazas. Roman Mérida’s theater, amphitheater, and aqueduct – plus the Alcántara bridge. Slate-roofed villages and quiet convents set in open dehesa of holm oaks and golden fields.
Cáceres and Trujillo preserve medieval architecture without modern intrusions. UNESCO World Heritage status provides authenticity but requires careful permit planning.
If your production calls for medieval Europe, ancient Rome, or untouched historic towns, this is the place in Spain.
Game of Thrones (Season 7): Used Extremadura heavily – Cáceres’ walled old town as King’s Landing streets (Arco de la Estrella, Plaza de Santa María), Trujillo Castle for Casterly Rock exteriors, and Los Barruecos (Malpartida de Cáceres) for the “Loot Train Battle.”
Piggy (2022) was filmed in Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres), using La Vera’s river pools, tight stone lanes, and harsh summer light to ground the story in a vivid rural setting. The authentic, self-contained locations delivered isolation and realism with minimal set build or traffic control.
492: Conquest of Paradise (1992, Ridley Scott) – filmed in Trujillo and Cáceres; the old-town plazas doubled for period processions and Inquisition scenes.
Budget advantage: In Extremadura, you’ll spend less than in Spain’s headline hubs, but keep the same production quality – reliable local crews, rental houses, and easy links to major cities. More screen value per euro.
Spain is a beautiful country and highly production-friendly. Over €1.32 billion in international productions filmed here between 2019-2022 (generating €1.8 billion in total economic impact), thanks to strong government incentives (for example, up to 70% tax rebates in Basque Country) and logistics that actually work.
17 years of Spanish productions have taught us that location beauty means nothing if you can’t actually film there successfully. Every location recommendation includes:
We handle the complex logistics so you can focus on creative excellence. From initial scouting and film permit acquisition to final wrap, our English-speaking teams manage every aspect of filming in Spain.
Share your project requirements, and we’ll identify which Spanish locations work best for your specific production needs, timeline, and budget.
