Portugal is famous for its landscapes and, of course, its coastline. From the mountains to the beaches, the country has a lot to offer tourists, but also filmmakers and producers looking for idyllic settings for their works.
Among the many films and series shot in Portugal, we have selected the 10 most emblematic sets - not only for their global fame but also for the beautiful places captured in Portugal.
Aside from the quality of the films, each of these places is well worth a visit. The magic of the environment, the clarity of the sun, and the architectural wonders and details may be depicted on screen, but there's nothing like experiencing it all yourself.
Lisbon, Cascais, Estoril and Sesimbra were the cities chosen for the usual displays of charm of the world's most famous spy. Recorded in 1969, the film, directed by Peter R. Hunt, shows James Bond walking along Guincho beach, climbing the slopes of the Serra da Arrábida mountains and crossing the 25 de Abril Bridge.
Apart from the unforgettable landscapes, several Portuguese extras were also featured in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, such as the employees of the Hotel Estoril, where the team was staying.
For example, in the scene where James Bond arrives at the hotel behind the wheel of an Aston Martin, it is a real hotel employee who opens the car door for him and takes the keys. José was 18 years old at the time. Today he still works at the hotel and can be found at the front desk.
2. The Russia House
We return to James Bond, this time through the steep streets of Alfama. Sean Connery shared the view of St George's Castle with Michelle Pfeiffer in 1990 in this emotional and charming film.
The scenes made the Portuguese public proud, not least because the film was very well received by international critics and contributed to the visibility of the Alfama neighbourhood, which is still very popular with tourists these days.
3. Belle Époque
This storyline takes place in Spain, but all the filming took place in Portugal: Arruda dos Vinhos, Azambuja, Sobral de Monte Agraço and Estremoz were the towns chosen to bring the period scenes to life.
Shot in 1992, the film won Fernando Prueba an Oscar for best foreign film and he thanked Portugal for the way it was received by the authorities and the people.
4. The House of the Spirits
This 1993 film is based on the book of the same name by Isabel Allende. Some filming took place in Lisbon and in Alentejo, in Vila Nova de Milfontes. It was also cinema's first incursion into the Alentejo, and the beginning of a relationship of eternal love between film producers and the landscapes of the Portuguese countryside.
For a story about the Devil, only buildings with architecture that is both charming and intricate will do. Roman Polanski found them in Sintra: the film, shot in 1999, made Chalet Bister and Hotel Central famous.
The buildings and respective gardens still exist today and are well worth a visit, not only for their architectural value, but also for the way they fit into the surrounding landscape.
6. The Dancer Upstairs
In 2002, Javier Bardem visited Porto, Aveiro and Lisbon. The film was shot entirely in Portugal and was the beginning of John Malkovich's avowed love for Portugal. The actor chose the country to make his directorial debut and critics praised the result.
7. Stalin's Couch
When, in 2016, we saw Stalin confessing dreams and fears in psychotherapy sessions, the atmosphere seemed to match the spirit of the former Soviet leader. That setting still exists today and can not only be visited but also experienced: it is the Palace Hotel do Bussaco, one of the most famous in Portugal.
If you have a few free days in Portugal, take the opportunity to spend a few nights in this hotel and enjoy the gardens, which are as detailed as the architecture and decoration of the hotel.
8. Money Heist
The fifth and final season of the Netflix series includes a flashback sequence of Tokyo to the time she lived with her boyfriend in Lisbon. The scenes, of course, were shot in the Portuguese capital in 2020.
Among the places visible in the series are the Bica Funicular (where Tokyo strolls with her boyfriend), the Bairro Alto quarter (where a popular Santo António party is recreated), as well as Almada and Cacilhas.
9. Gloria
Glória's story is intertwined with the history of Portugal, and the series is indeed based on a true story. Similarly, the settings of Gloria are the actual settings where the events took place, during the Cold War.
Filming took place in 2021 and passed through Glória do Ribatejo (in Santarém) and Lisbon.
In 2021, the Idanha-a-Nova region was turned upside down with the arrival of film crews from one of HBO's most popular series. House of the Dragon is a spin-off of Game of Thrones that tells the story of the House Targaryen. It was filmed in Monsanto and Penha Garcia.
The castle that appears in the series is Monsanto Castle and yes, it is much as it appears in the series (dragons not included).
