Some places and monuments are synonymous with Hollywood, but have you ever wondered which places are the most filmed in the world? Guess no more, because NetCredit has created a definitive list for movie buffs and travel fanatics alike. Using IMDb's Advanced Search function, the finance experts have rounded up the most popular set locations in every country – and these are the top 30. From famous landmarks to lesser-known destinations, these places are forever captured on film.
In at number 30 is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Acropolis. Dating back some 2,500 years, this majestic citadel stands proud on a hillside plot overlooking the city of Athens, so it's no real wonder that this ancient landmark is Greece's most filmed place. From the 1989 Woody Allen-directed comedy New York Stories to the notorious documentary The Last Partisan, the Acropolis has been the backdrop for a number of high-profile films, and we can certainly understand why.
El Salvador's bustling capital San Salvador is a rising star of the travel world. The city offers endless museums, theatres and historic landmarks. And it seems many directors agree, since San Salvador is one of the world's most-filmed locations. Celebrated in various movies and television shows, the city was most recently used as the backdrop for the smash hit Spanish drama Jalón, which follows the story of a Salvadoran taxi driver.
This one might seem like a bit of a curve ball, but this Mexican mountain range makes for one seriously spectacular film set. Reaching heights of up to 10,863 feet (3,311m), the volcanic landscape of Sierra Madre Occidental was deemed perfect for Westerns, including the likes of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and, of course, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre – the 1948 classic that starred Humphrey Bogart.
The Astronomical Clock. The Charles Bridge. Praha hlavni nadrazi train station... all iconic Prague attractions, right? Okay, maybe not all of them. Yet despite Prague's captivating offerings, its seemingly ordinary travel hub has been named the most filmed location in Czech Republic. With 35 IMDb credits, the train station has featured in the likes of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol and Doctor Zhivago. If you happen to pass through, remember to acknowledge this destination.
Covering an area of over a thousand square miles (2,590sqkm), the Danube Delta river spans Tulcea County in Romania all the way to Odessa Oblast in Ukraine. A dramatic and picturesque landscape, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the largest rivers in Europe. Home to over 300 species of birds and 45 freshwater fish, the Danube Delta has been filmed for countless nature documentaries, including Sir David Attenborough's acclaimed series Seven Worlds, One Planet.
If you had to guess the Netherland's most filmed spot, you might consider Dam Square or the Red Light District in Amsterdam, or even Binnenhof or Peace Palace in The Hague – but you'd be wrong. The country's most captured place is De Kleine Komedie, which happens to be the oldest theatre in Amsterdam. Dating back to 1788, the theatre has appeared in 37 films or TV shows, most of which were live recordings of comedy or cabaret shows performed here.
Berlin, Germany's historic capital, is a rich and diverse place. From the Brandenburg Gate to the remnants of the infamous Berlin Wall, this European capital offers something for every tourist. Yet it's Alexanderplatz, the city's urban public square and transport hub, that is Germany's most-filmed destination. With 38 location credits, Alexanderplatz can be seen in the likes of The Bourne Supremacy and the award-winning television series Killing Eve.
As one of India's most famous landmarks, the Taj Mahal has to be seen to be believed. The spectacular, ultra-symmetrical marble mausoleum sits on the bank of the River Yamuna and normally attracts around eight million visitors a year. So, it's really no wonder that the 17th century monument is India's most-filmed spot. As well as appearing in a plethora of Bollywood hits, including Jeans and Youngistaan, the tomb can also be spotted in the Hollywood classic Armageddon.
Another slightly unusual listing on the top 30 movie locations around the world is the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw. Poland's bustling capital is home to plenty of unique attractions, yet this public and cultural institution is perhaps the city's most notable. As the second tallest building in the country, it's home to cinemas, theatres and libraries, and has played host to numerous movie sets, including the Polish thriller Jack Strong.
It will come as no surprise that Machu Picchu is not only Peru's most famous destination, but also the country's most documented. Built in the 15th century, the Incan citadel is set high in the Andes Mountains and its beauty is truly incomparable. A major must-visit spot for travellers the world over, Machu Picchu welcomes more than one million visitors a year and features in the likes of The Motorcycle Diaries and Secret of the Incas, the film that inspired Raiders of the Lost Ark.
With 45 location credits, the Syrian capital of Damascus is one of the world's most filmed cities. With a long and complicated history, many misjudge this historic place. Founded during the Early Bronze Age, Damascus is considered to be one of the oldest cities in the Middle East and is now protected by UNESCO. Thanks to its ancient centre, spectacular architecture and history of conflict, Damascus has played host to various films, including the critically acclaimed documentary The War Show.
Considered to be one of Europe's up-and-coming cities, Tirana has plenty to offer. From its vibrant Soviet-era architecture to its modernist National History Museum, Albania's capital is well worth a visit. Coming in at number 19 in the world, Tirana has 46 location credits, mostly for Albanian films and shorts, including The Van and The Albanian.
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Admired for its azure waters, pretty resort towns and surrounding volcanic scenery, Lake Balaton is one of Hungary's greatest natural assets. The freshwater lake, which is Europe's largest, can be found at the base of Balaton Uplands National Park and is well worth a visit for its hiking trails alone. As well as plenty of Hungarian movies, the lake was also the setting for the 2015 comedy hit Spy, staring Jude Law and Melissa McCarthy.
One of Russia's most spectacular offerings, Red Square has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. It's home to some seriously incredible architecture, including Saint Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin, a fortification of fairy-tale proportions. So, we're not at all surprised that this magnificent square is Russia's most filmed spot, and the 17th most filmed place in the world. You can spot it in the 1997 version of Anna Karenina, The Bourne Supremacy and Resident Evil: Retribution.
Probably best-known as the set for the 2015 action movie Everest, the world's tallest mountain range is also one of the finest. Located in Nepal, Mount Everest soars up more than 29,000 feet (8,849m) and typically attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. Interestingly, Everest, which starred Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin and Keira Knightley, was partly filmed at the mountain's famous Base Camp, but many scenes were actually filmed at Cinecitta Studios in Rome.
Spanning much of northwestern Brazil, as well as Colombia, Peru and other South American countries, the Amazon Rainforest covers an area of 3.4 million square miles (8.8m sqkm). With 49 movie location credits on IMDb, the world’s largest tropical rainforest has mostly been used for capturing remarkable wildlife for important documentaries, including David Attenborough's award-winning Netflix series Our Planet. It also featured in the Werner Herzog classic Fitzcarraldo.
Since they were discovered in 1535, the Galápagos Islands have captivated visitors. This volcanic archipelago can be found in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, off mainland Ecuador. With an unparalleled natural landscape and renowned wildlife, the island has been used as a location for 50 different movies, most notably, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. With such spectacular scenery on offer, we can certainly understand why anyone would want the Galápagos as their backdrop.
When you picture Copenhagen, Denmark's dreamy coastal capital, it's likely you'll think about Amalienborg Palace, Rosenborg Castle or Nyhavn with its watercolour houses. We doubt many keen travellers would even consider the city's airport and yet it is Denmark's most-filmed location. As well as starring in a whole host of Danish movies, the airport is probably most recognisable from the critically acclaimed Nordic noir TV series The Killing.
Covering an area of almost 40,540 square miles (105,000 sqkm), the Atacama Desert is beautiful and vast in equal measure. From the Valley of the Moon, with its unique rocky ridges, to the Atacama Salt Flat, this spectacular plateau is a travel essential. Many directors seem to agree, because Chile's renowned desert has been captured in 50 different movies and documentaries, including Spy Kids and the James Bond franchise instalment Quantum of Solace.
Few cities compare to the beauty and charm of Venice. A place entirely its own, this Italian island is home to an estimated 300 bridges and one seriously stunning piazza, St Mark's Square. So, it doesn't surprise us to learn that this dreamy public square is Italy's most filmed destination. Home to a spectacular basilica and the unique Doge's Palace, the square has appeared in many films and TV shows over the decades, including Casino Royale and The Da Vinci Code sequel Inferno.
Just one place higher on the list of the most filmed locations in the world is another of Europe's pretty public squares. Senaatintori can be found in the Finnish capital of Helsinki and is certainly one of the city's finest offerings. Though likely not as well-known as St Mark's Square, Senaatintori has 59 location credits on IMDb. Keen movie fans may recognise it from the Michael Moore documentary Where to Invade Next, as well as the popular Finnish drama The Unknown Soldier.
As one of the most iconic and recognisable buildings in the world, the Sydney Opera House is a marvel of modern architecture. The performing arts venue overlooks the waters of Sydney Harbour and has been used as a set for some 65 films and television shows. From Mission: Impossible II to Independence Day, Hollywood clearly has a great love of this distinctive structure. Documentary fans will also remember one daring scene in the 2008 film Man on Wire.
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The eighth most-filmed destination in the world might surprise you. The Theater in der Josefstadt in Vienna was founded in 1788 and is the oldest operational theatre in the city. Grand and glorious in equal measure, the building is home to a spectacular auditorium decorated with red damask seats, gold detailing and Venetian chandeliers. As Austria's most captured place, IMDb suggests the theatre has been the set for various national TV productions, including a telling of the story of Anne Frank.
In at number seven is Dakar, the capital of Senegal. The pretty port city is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and notable museums, but perhaps not for its movie affiliation. And yet, according to IMDb, Dakar has appeared in 71 films or TV shows, including the 1961 action adventure The Guns of Navarone and the 2019 supernatural romantic drama Atlantics, which was shortlisted for the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival.
As the sixth most-filmed landmark, the Eiffel Tower is Paris' jewel in the crown. The City of Love is home to its fair share of beautiful buildings and unique monuments, but the Eiffel Tower has to be its most famous. Completed in 1889, it soars up 1,063 feet (324m) and is one of those attractions you simply can't resist. Over the decades it's starred in countless movies and TV shows, including iconic scenes in Funny Face, A View to a Kill and, of course, Moulin Rouge.
Cabo de Gata-Níjar natural park is the world's fifth most-filmed place, according to NetCredit and IMDb. The magnificent landscape can be found in Andalusia, Spain, and is home to some of Europe's oldest and most-admired geological features. The beautiful coastal stretch has been captured in no less than 99 productions, including the The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and the movie adaptation of the famous video game Assassin's Creed.
In at number four is the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul. As the largest urban centre in the country, Kabul has an estimated population of 4.4 million people. With a complex history of political conflict and a unique landscape, Kabul has been used for numerous war dramas, such as 1,000 Times Good Night, as well as plenty of national productions, including Osama.
Europe’s number one movie location is London's iconic Trafalgar Square. With 131 film credits, this world-renowned destination attracts millions of visitors every single year. Home to a lion-adorned fountain, Nelson's Column and the National Portrait Gallery, this spot is quintessentially London. From 28 Weeks Later to Wonder Woman, V for Vendetta and Skyfall, Trafalgar Square remains one of the world's most recognisable places.
Over on the Canadian-American border you'll find the second most-filmed place in the world, Niagara Falls. The monumental waterfall boasts three drops and has a total height of 167 feet (51m), but it is the fall's dramatic beauty that makes it so endearing. It's no wonder the destination has been captured in an estimated 142 movies and TV shows. These include everything from Superman II to Bruce Almighty, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and the Marilyn Monroe thriller Niagara. Interestingly, the sounds of the falls were also used in the animated hit, WALL-E.
From When Harry Met Sally to Ghostbusters, the spectacular urban paradise that is New York City's Central Park has starred in more movies than any actor in history. Making 532 appearances, Central Park spans a remarkable 843 acres and is an essential tourist destination with much to offer. From the boating lake made famous by Sex and the City, to Bethesda Terrace of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York fame, Central Park will forever be an icon – of both travel and Hollywood.