10 European Destinations You Might Know From the Silver Screen

Who knew that Wes Anderson's famous Grand Budapest Hotel is actually set in the small town of Görlitz, Germany? The hotel was originally built as an Art Nouveau department store in 1912, and today its grand entrance hall is used as the hotel’s lobby. Today, the Kaufhaus Görlitz is also recognizable for its grand staircases, glass ceilings, and marble architecture. While this silver screen history has the locals calling the town “Görliwood,” the film was also shot at a confectionary shop in Dresden (Pfunds Molkerei, Bautznerstrasse 79) and a castle in Zwickau (Osterstein Castle). goerlitz.de

Set in the real-life Sicilian town of Corleone, the dramatic Godfather film trilogy was actually shot in nearby towns and villages, including Savoca and Forza d'Agro. Cinema buffs must stop by the historic Chiesa di Santa Lucia church, used for the Godfather’s famed wedding scene, and Bar Vietelli in Savoca, where Al Pacino held meetings with his bodyguards. Today, the bar looks more or less the same; the 18th-century stone building, covered in vines, also contains a collection of photos from the making of the film. While there, order up a granita di limone, director Francis Ford Coppola's favorite drink (it’s a local lemonade recipe).

The 1965 Hollywood classic starring Julie Andrews was shot in the hilly terrain of Salzburg, edging on the Alps of Switzerland. The classic musical clearly remains unforgettable to fans, as over 300,000 film buffs come to walk in the footsteps of its famous actors every year. The iconic snow-capped mountain opening credits were captured along Salzburg's Salzkammergut and the city's old monastery, the Kloster Höglwörth. Other scenes were shot in the rose-filled Mirabell Gardens, the city square Residenzplatz, which was featured during the famous carriage ride through the city, and St. Peter's Cemetery, which is where the family hid before escaping to Switzerland.

So, we lied a little: film locations weren't the only spots that stole our hearts. This popular TV series is shot in the center of Old Town Dubrovnik, which is lined with labyrinth-like streets, terracotta tiled-rooftops adorning Gothic and Renaissance-era buildings, and a choppy, craggy seashore. From 2012-2015, Dubrovnik garnered $150 million in tourism, helping the city to recover from the economic depression of 2011. Check out famous shooting scenes from the show, including the Jesuit staircase, St. Dominic Street, and the Ethnographic Museum Rupe.

This 2010 remake film starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett was shot in the peaceful English countryside, from Wales to Derbyshire and Surrey. One must-see is the Windsor Castle in Berkshire, one of the world's oldest fortresses, owned by the royal family, as well as the Windsor Great Park in Surrey, which is famous for its waterfall.

This blockbuster film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, shot on the stunning Left Bank of Paris, includes the legendary rue César Franck and rue Bouchut. Stop by the Italian deli Da Stuzzi, which was transformed into Cafe Debussy for the film. The fountain on Place Georges-Mulot, built 1904, is adorned with four medallions celebrating Parisian heroes; the engineer George Mulot, painter Rosa Bonheur, Dr. Bouchut and Haüy Valentin, who founded the Institute for Blind Youth in Paris.

Located between Edinburgh and Newcastle, this is probably the most recognizable castle on the silver screen (next to Walt Disney’s beloved Disney Castle). Set in the hilly region of Northumberland, it’s lined with cobblestone roads, stone pillars, and narrow alleyways. Today, the spot is also home to broomstick-training workshops, knight school, jousting competitions, and book talks by fantasy authors in the second-hand bookshop.

Hotel Palácio is the luxury hotel from the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, shot in Portugal and starring George Lazenby. The spot is also where creator Ian Fleming stayed during the Second World War. Alongside the rooms, lobby, and bar—where much of the same design is still intact—the film was also shot in Guincho Beach and Arrábida Mountain, both in Lisbon (average room rate at Hotel Palácio is $600).

This 1999 film starring Matt Damon and Jude Law highlights the main port of Ischia, a volcanic island off the Gulf of Naples in the south of Italy. The film's luscious scenery was also filmed near the volcanic islands in the Bay of Naples and the island of Procida. If you're feeling adventurous, there's a ferry that travels to all them (and they each have stunning beaches).

This famous Tom Cruise adventure classic from 1996 was filmed mostly in the historic buildings of Prague, like the Natural History Museum. (Staged to appear as an embassy, the museum was also used in the James Bond film Casino Royale). The film also features Wenceslas Square, a must-see in the heart of the Old Town. Be sure to check out the Lichtenstein Palace on Kampa Island, as well as the infamous Hotel Europa (which yes, is a real hotel).