“LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION” CROATIA’S IMPRESSIVE FILM SET STORY

Small, yet absolutely stunning, Croatia has almost everything a filmmaker could want:

glorious rolling countryside, vineyards and valleys, high, snow-peaked steel grey mountains, rivers , caves and gorges, quaint medieval towns and villages of white stone, vast green markets, fishermen in boats, dolphins, grand cities which bear more than a passing resemblance to some famous European capitals – and then, there is that winding, take-your-breath-away coastline, the almost-blindingly blue Adriatic sea and the islands, more than 1000 of them.

In 2018, the film “Mamma Mia! Here We Go again” was released to great worldwide acclaim and was a huge Box Office success. Possibly, the biggest movie hit ever to have been filmed in Croatia with international stars including Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Cher. It was filmed in 2017 mainly on the island of Vis, two hours from Split, a place where a beach called Stiniva has been voted the most beautiful in Europe by Conde Nast Traveller. At a speech at the launch of the film in Pula’s amphitheatre, the director said “we loved filming in Croatia and we hope to be back”. Certainly there are many more beautiful Croatian islands that could fit the bill.

June 2026, rumours started and gathered momentum as location scouts from USA using a fleet of helicopters were spotted multiple times on the islands of Rab and Korcula. Who knows?

LOOKING BACK – REMEMBER THESE MOVIES?

Vikings - 1958 - starring Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis

Was filmed at Lim Fjord near Rovinj on the Istrian peninsula. The directors wanted a real fjord in a location where there was a better chance of sunshine than in Norway! Today, people visit for waterside lunches of fresh mussels and clams – and superb views.

Isadora – 1968 – starring Vanessa Redgrave

Was filmed in Opatija, Rovinj and Zagreb and is the biography of the 1920’s American dancer Isadora Duncan who changed the idea of ballet. Opatija doubles as Nice where her red scarf becomes entangled in the wheels of a Bugatti convertible with fatal consequences. Today, the stylish Opatija Riviera attracts those who love the real “Riviera” feel with seaside promenades, cocktails and spas.

Kelly’s Heroes – 1970 – starring Clint Eastwood, Donald Sutherland, Telly Savalas

Was filmed in the tiny, stone village of Vizinada in the inland countryside of Istria.

Today, people visit for tranquillity, magnificent views across the Mirna valley (yet just 15 minutes drive to the beach) and superb Istrian wine and olive oil.

Fiddler on the Roof – 1971 starring Topol

This Oscar winning film was shot in central Croatia close to the villages of Mala Gorica and Lekenik not far from Zagreb, Croatia’s capital. Today, people visit for walking trails, green tourism, castles and excellent food and wine.

Sophie’s Choice – 1982 – starring Meryl Streep

The story of a Holocaust survivor was filmed in Samobor near Zagreb. Today, the region attracts hikers and lovers of nature. Easy for a visit to the capital Zagreb too.

Diana – 2013 – starring Naomi Watts

Biographical drama about the late Princess of Wales in the years after her divorce. Filmed in 2012-2013 in Opatija, which played elegant resorts in the South of France, in Rovinj for pretty, small harbour scenes and in Zagreb which doubled as various European capital cities.

AND MORE RECENTLY…..

Star Wars – 2017 - The Last Jedi – starring Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher

Filmed in Dubrovnik in 2016 where the “Pearl of the Adriatic” played the casino city of Canto Bight. Today, Dubrovnik is still one of the most visited places in Croatia.

Robin Hood – 2018 – starring Jamie Foxx

This American action-adventure film was shot in Dubrovnik in 2017, with its historic streets, stairways and city walls providing a dramatic medieval setting. Dubrovnik continues to be a top choice for leisure travellers.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again – 2018 – starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, Cher, Pierce Brosnan

The massive international box office hit and sequel to Mamma Mia! Was filmed on the island of Vis in Croatia’s Dalmatia region and at a few places near Split on the mainland, with the island playing the fictitious Greek island from the original film. Actors and production team stayed in villas on Vis, on yachts moored near Vis Town and in villa and hotel accommodation in and around Split on the mainland. Over 200 locals were used as “extras” in the making of the film and a horse had to be transported by boat from the mainland to Vis since there were none on the island!

Today, visitors come to Vis in search of the “hippy-chic” holiday vibe together with unspoilt beauty and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again remains one of the most watched films on streaming channels.

The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard - 2021 – starring Salma Hayek

Filmed in Rovinj in 2019, this action-comedy is the sequel to the 2017 film The Hitman’s Bodyguard.

The port, hilltop and narrow streets of Rovinj starred alongside actors Miss Hayek, Samuel L. Jackson, Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas who stayed in Rovinj’s five star hotels.

ON TELEVISION

Doctor Who, BBC, was filmed in Trogir in 2009. The Time Lord found himself in the medieval walled city of stone which was doubling for Venice.

McMafia which hit the UK on BBC One in early 2018 telling the story of mafia dealings and intrigue was filmed in 2017-2018 in Zagreb, Opatija, Split and on the island of Pag. Based on the book by Misha Glenny who also produced the programme.

The Day of the Jackal – 2024 - starring Eddie Redmayne

A British spy thriller and remake of the original 1973 film based on the famous novel by Frederick Forsyth. Filming took place in Croatia in 2023 featuring Rijeka (including the iconic fish market), Opatija, Lovran and a couple of curiosities: Zagreb airport played Seville airport in a crazy chase scene and the Croatian island of Pag stood in for Afghanistan due to the barren terrain of the island’s interior.

Game of Thrones, the hit fantasy series from HBO, and series 2-8 was filmed in Croatia from 2011-2018 in Dubrovnik (which became the famous King’s Landing), Trsteno Arboretum, Split, Klis Fortress and Žrnovnica near Split. There is rumour of further series. Fans of the series can enjoy special guided tours of the various filming locations in all places.

Explore the Game of Thrones filming locations:

Dubrovnik Fort Lovrijenac became Red Keep

Dubrovnik Fort Bokar became King’s Landing Defenses

Dubrovnik Minceta Tower became House of the Undying

Dubrovnik Jesuit Staircase became the famous “walk of shame”

Dubrovnik Pile, seaside became Blackwater Bay

Dubrovnik Lokrum island became the mysterious city of Qarth

Trsteno Arboretum became Palace Gardens of King’s Landing

Split Diocletian Palace became Daenerys’s Throne Room (of dragons)

Žrnovnica quiet village near Split became Missandei’s Bath Scene

Klis Fortress became the city of Meereen (series 4)

Hotel Portofino, a six-part series on ITVX and Britbox is a drama series about a British family which owns a hotel in the 1920’s for wealthy guests in the Italian resort town of Portofino. Filmed between 2021-2023 on the Opatija Riviera with Lovran the primary base (Villa Magnolia in Lovran played the actual hotel). Rovinj and Rijeka also feature heavily. Starring Natascha McElhone and Mark Umbers

BBC2 Monty Don’s Adriatic Gardens was filmed in summer 2021 and was broadcast in 2022 featuring Opatija’s historic Angiolina Park and American Gardens.

BBC2 Great Continental Railway Journeys with Michael Portillo filmed the fantastic train route from Italy and Slovenia into Croatia in 2024 featuring Opatija and Rijeka, with the programme broadcast in 2025.

So, if you are enjoying a holiday in Croatia and think that a place looks slightly familiar, you may well have seen it before….

Completely Croatia features the places mentioned and can arrange private, guided film location tours.

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