Written by Blue Water Holidays - Thursday 6th Feb 2025
What makes a film unforgettable? Well, aside from a captivating storyline and talented actors, a film location can make all the difference in setting the stage for movie magic to unfold - more so than you might think.
A mesmerising setting that complements the narrative of a film adds to its visual appeal, and creates a tone and mood amongst viewers that can better immerse them in its atmosphere.
There’s no doubt several iconic locations will spring to mind when you think of your favourite films, whether it’s the iconic Mirabel Gardens in Salzburg, Austria featured in the classic ‘Sound of Music’, or the ancient city of Petra in Jordan making an appearance in ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’.
But, few destinations rival Greece as a filming paradise. With gorgeous islands surrounded by bright blue waters, traditional white-washed buildings, and ancient monuments aplenty, Greece is a treasure trove of idyllic natural beauty and exceptional landscapes that offer near-endless filming opportunities. So, it’s not surprising that there have been plenty of movies shot in Greece that have made the most of this.
In this article, we’ve shared exactly what popular films are set in Greece. From blockbuster hits to much-loved family favourites, here are the top movies filmed in Greece, whose settings you can walk amongst during your next visit to this gorgeous country.
1. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Kefalonia (2001)
Everyone remembers this dramatic, but ever-so-slightly over-the-top film. British and Spanish actors play Greeks and, most notably, American actor Nicholas Cage plays the Italian Captain Corelli, complete with an interesting accent. Well, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that this movie was set in Greece, specifically on the beautiful island of Kefalonia, which is a spectacle not to be beaten - taking centre stage during the film.
Although the town of Argostoli was recreated for the film near the town of Sámi, some places were true to life. The Feast of St Gerasimos was filmed at the ruined monastery of Agios Fanentes – a protected archaeological site on a promontory above Sámi. The 11th-century monastery, with its medieval architecture and Byzantine frescoes, can be reached on a path through the ancient Acropolis, immediately east of Sámi.
Scenes during this film set in Greece were also filmed at Myrtos Beach, an arc of dazzling white pebbles cutting deep into sheer cliffs, regarded as the most beautiful beach on the island. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin is still one of the most famous films set in the Greek islands to this day, and you can still visit the aforementioned locations featured in the film, which you’ll recognise even decades later.
2. Mamma Mia - Skopelos (2008)
Love them or hate them, the songs of ABBA made this movie a massive hit. However, we think a lot of the credit also has to go to the movie being set in Greece. Specifically, they’re set on the stunning island of Skopelos, part of the Sporades Islands, located in the western Aegean Sea.
Many outdoor scenes were filmed on different parts of the island, especially at the beaches. Most scenes used the Kastani beach as a setting, where a beach bar and jetty were built along the beach and removed after production wrapped. Popular songs ‘Lay All Your Love On Me’ and ‘Does Your Mother Know’ were filmed there.
Sophie’s wedding procession was filmed at the Agios Ioannis Chapel near the village of Glossa. A cliff on Glysteri Beach on the island’s east coast was also used for the cliff-jumping scene with Sophie, Sam, Bill, and Harry (during the ‘Our Last Summer’ number).
When it comes to movies set on islands, Mamma Mia has to be one of the most famous which has drawn travellers from all over the world to experience a slice of movie magic in Greece.
3. Shirley Valentine - Mykonos (1989)
This much-loved film from the screenplay by Willy Russell was set largely in Liverpool and London. But, it is most memorable for the scenes filmed in Mykonos - one of the most glamorous and easily recognisable Cyclades Islands.
Another of the many films set in Greek Islands, different locations for Shirley Valentine were used across Mykonos to create Shirley’s holiday, including local beaches, tavernas, and hotels. The Sunset Tavern, where bored Liverpudlian housewife Shirley (Pauline Collins) meets Greek Costas (Tom Conti), is in Agios Ioannis, and is still there, if slightly modernised! Just around the corner is the famous ‘Shirley Valentine Beach’, where Shirley reflects on her move to Mykonos, which is still recognisable even now.
Many tourists still visit the beach during their trips to Mykonos after relating to Shirley’s heartfelt and emotive speech reflecting on the actualities of life, making it one of the most relatable movies shot in Greece to this day.
4. Boy on a Dolphin - Hydra (1957)
Starring Sophia Loren in her first English-language film, even this exceptional actress cannot compete with the spectacular backdrop of the Greek islands in this movie. Boy on a Dolphin was actually one of the first Hollywood movies filmed and set in Greece. Scenes were shot in Mykonos, Delos, Corinth, and Rhodes, but the main setting is the exquisite island of Hydra.
Loren plays a sponge diver who discovers a sunken ship off the coast of the Aegean Sea filled with priceless treasures, including an ancient gold statue of a boy on a dolphin. It’s not hard to recognise Hydra from the film today, as cars are banned on the island, giving it an authentically Greek, timeless feel.
The charming atmosphere of this movie set in Greece has seduced many international jet setters to Hydra, which has since been a retreat for famous personalities such as Leonard Cohen, Maria Callas, and Aristotle Onassis over the years.
5. The Big Blue - Amorgos (1988)
Directed by Luc Besson, this ‘based on true life’ story follows two freedivers who broke the world record of diving to depth without any equipment. Although their achievements are somewhat exaggerated for the film, that does not make the film any less attractive to watch. Not to mention that it has several renowned film stars portraying the main roles in the film, including Jean Reno, Rosanna Arquette, and Jean-Marc Barr.
Most of the scenes of this movie set in Greece were filmed in the waters near Amorgos Island, a location chosen for the stunning and unusual shade of the water, creating beautiful diving scenes in the Aegean Sea. Amorgos has been a somewhat underrated Greek island destination over the years. Situated in the Cyclades, its natural beauty, striking stone mountains, and clear blue waters aren’t to be missed, particularly for its diving opportunities.
6. The Guns of Navarone - Rhodes (1961)
With a star-studded cast including David Niven, Gregory Peck, and Anthony Quinn, this WW2 epic based on the book by Alistair Maclean is one of the many movies shot in Greece.
It was set on the fictional Greek island of Kheros but was actually filmed in various locations on Rhodes. Although the plot is fictional, the story takes place within the real historical context of the Dodecanese Campaign - the Allies’ campaign to capture the Italian-held Greek islands in the Aegean Sea in 1943.
Although obviously a war film, there are some beautiful vistas of classical ruins and rocky beaches to tempt travellers to Greece. The most notable of these is the town of Lindos, an important and impressive archaeological site on Rhodes, overlooked by the mighty cliff-top Acropolis. Other scenes set in Greece for the film were shot at St Nicholas Bay and Mandraki Harbour, where the Colossus of Rhodes statue once stood. Anthony Quinn loved filming on Rhodes so much that he bought some land there in an area now known as Anthony Quinn Bay.
7. Tomb Raider: The Cradle of life - Santorini (2003)
On an entirely different note, Angelina Jolie returned as Lara Croft for the follow-up to the original Tomb Raider hit, in this slightly far-fetched film about the search for the long-lost treasures of Alexander the Great.
However, it’s worth watching simply for the stunning backdrop used for this movie set in Greece, provided by the unique island of Santorini. The film makes use of Santorini’s unparalleled volcanic beauty, not only with panoramic shots and the Cycladic scenery but also with some underwater scenes captured in and around Santorini’s deep caldera. It is mostly set in the town of Oia, with its world-famous sunset above the caldera and surrounding ‘moonscapes’.
8. Zorba the Greek - Crete (1964)
Another cinematic masterpiece to add to the collection of films set in the Greek islands, Zorba the Greek is a black and white classic film from 1964 shot on Crete. Written, edited, produced, and directed by Greek filmmaker Michael Cacoyannis, this film is a testament in every way to the beauty of Greece and the country’s creativity and cinematic genius.
Starring Anthony Quinn playing the main character of Zorba, the film follows a lively Cretan peasant who befriends a young intellectual named Basil, played by Alan Bates. The pair follows their misadventures attempting to build a lignite mine within a Cretan village, resulting in the unfortunate evacuation of its population. With a comedic element and an interesting focus on each character’s attitudes and outlooks, it is filled with moments teaching that life is beautiful and unpredictable, and how it should be embraced with spontaneity and passion.
Many of the film's most iconic locations included the city of Chania, one of Crete’s most popular destinations, with a rich history and stunning architecture. Stavros Beach - home to soft sands and clear waters - also made an appearance during the Greek film, in which Anthony Quinn’s character dances the Sirtaki - a Greek dance created for the film itself. Kokkino Chorio also appears in the film - a traditional village on Chania with authentic stone houses and traditional churches - with its main square famous for the setting of the weeping widow in the film.
9. The Bourne Identity - Mykonos (2002)
A name well-known by action movie lovers, The Bourne Identity, featuring Matt Damon as the main protagonist Jason Bourne, had its final scenes of the 2002 film set on the Greek island of Mykonos.
It is the only movie shot in Greece in the Bourne Identity franchise, which has a varied portfolio when it comes to global filming locations, spanning destinations like Goa in India and Canada in North America.
The film follows Jason Bourne (played by Damon), who suffers from psychogenic amnesia, forced to fight in order to discover his identity and connection to the CIA. Set in Greece on its popular island of Mykonos, the final scenes in the film showcase a bird’s eye view of the island, panning up to a traditional church on a cliff before moving to a scooter hire by the sea where iconic white-washed buildings line the seafront. A cafe overlooking the blue waters of Mykonos is featured too, where Bourne reunites with Marie Kreutz, played by Franka Potente.
10. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 - Athens, Corfu (2023)
Mentioning the top films set in Greece wouldn’t be complete without a mention of one of the most popular film franchises following a Greek family - My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
Based on a one-woman stage show, the film follows Toula Portokalos (played by Nia Vardalos), as she is still unmarried at 30. Working at Dancing Zorba’s, the Greek Restaurant owned by her parents, she later takes a job at her aunt’s travel agency before falling in love with a non-Greek, Ian Miller. While her family doesn’t initially approve, the franchise follows the pair as their relationship flourishes, while dealing with Toula’s loveable, yet sometimes overbearing, Greek family.
The third film in the franchise heavily features scenes set in Greece, across several of its islands and the capital. Athens Airport makes an appearance, alongside the Plaka neighbourhood of the city. Corfu appears later in the film with its Varipatades village, which is the backdrop for the fictional village where Toula’s father grew up. Other islands that are featured include Santorini, Crete, and Hydra.
This movie set in Greece really does its best to showcase the beautiful culture, landscapes, and population of Greece at its finest while following a loveable Greek family and their story.
Summary
Discovering the magic of the Mediterranean is made all the more possible through the lens of these timeless cinematic masterpieces set in Greece that showcase its breathtaking landscapes and beautiful settlements. From action movies to lighthearted comedies, the sun-kissed islands and cities of Greece know no bounds when it comes to offering the perfect backdrops for countless iconic moments in movies.
During your next trip to Greece, keep an eye out for some of these iconic movie moments and settings, and uncover the cinematic charm of the country, which has brought these stories to life throughout the decades.
Keen to unravel the cinematic beauty of Greece during your next holiday? Our cruises around the western Mediterranean are the perfect option to discover Greece and its islands, with plenty of routes to suit your wants and needs.
Specifically, our Greek Islands Cruises visit these many beautiful locations featured in films, as well as other iconic locations to make your visit to Greece all the more memorable.