Greek islands in Hollywood movies

Greece’s idyllic sunsets, turquoise waters, and whitewashed churches are the pole of attraction for many tourists …and Hollywood producers. It is not surprising that highly acclaimed movie directors and international productions have their eyes on the Greek islands as a backdrop for some of Hollywood’s most memorable movies. A scene from the James Bond movie in Corfu, or a Santorini scene “Lara Croft” is sure to capture the eyes and hearts of the movie enthusiasts. Let’s Ferry, your go-to website for cheap ferry tickets to any Greek island, will take you to Hollywood’s favorite Greek island destinations.

Hollywood movies in Greek islands

Boy on a Dolphin (1957)
This was the first Hollywood movie shot in Greece and also Sophia Loren’s English-language debut. Set in the island of Hydra, Boy on a Dolphin helped make the island known widely and boost its tourism. The statue seen next to the windmill where Phaedra, the film's main heroine, lived, is a commemorate to Hollywood's mark on the island.

The Guns of Navarone (1961)
The Oscar-winning movie, starring Anthony Quinn, Gregory Peck and the Greek actress Irene Pappas, was partly shot in Rhodes. Some of the movies’ scenes were filmed in the protected settlement of Lindos, the village of Kremastinear the island’s airport, as well as the green Valley of the Butterflies. If you want to learn more about the small Hollywood village that was set up on the island as well as stories from when the movie was filmed, get online ferry tickets to Rhodes at the lowest prices!

Rhodes with the impressive archaelogical site

Zorba the Greek (1961)
The most-talked about scene of the Zorba the Greek film is that of Anthony Quinn dancing syrtaki to the music of Mikis Theodorakis. This emblematic film about the life of Nikos Kazantzakis was shot on location on the island of Crete, in Stavros, at the Akrotiri of Chania. This is one of the least windy and most kid-friendly beaches, widely known as the “Zorba beach” following the movie.

The beach called Stavros in Crete

The Greek Tycoon (1978)
The Greek Tycoon movie, starring Anthony Quinn and Jacqueline Bisset, has several scenes shot in Mykonos. The backdrop of the famous Mykonos windmills makes for some unforgettable scenes. Shirley Valentine(1987), starring Pauline Collins, is another movie that was also filmed here. Trivia: after filming several scenes at Agios Ioannis, the beach became known as the Shirley Valentine beach. Last but not least, The Bourne Identity (2002),starring Matt Damon as Jason Bourne also had some legendary scenes of Matt Damon strolling through the warrenlike streets of Little Venice, the most popular neighborhood of Mykonos.

The famous Little Venice in Mykonos

James Bond: For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Roger Moore, the most famous field agent of the big screen visited Corfu for a part of the movie’s filming. He is said to have charmed the locals, he was the talk of the town for as long as the filming lasted, and to also have been charmed by the beauty of the island. Scenes of the movie feature very popular spots of Corfu such as the Achillion, the Pontikonisi, and Issos beach. If you want to feel like a field agent yourself and get your adrenaline pumping, get the itineraries and ferry tickets to Corfu at Let’s Ferry. Book your tickets online and have them delivered at your door or pick them up at the port.

The beautiful Church Panagia Vlaxerna in Corfu island

Deep Blue (1988)
Jean Reno and Jean-Marc Barr take a tour through the Cyclades in this atmospheric film while the audience cannot get enough of the crystal blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Amorgos becomes the show stealer through the impressive shots of the Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa, one of the Aegean’s oldest monasteries built in a steep rock with a breathtaking view. Some of the Deep Blue scenes were shot at the Magganari beach of Ios and on the island of Naxos. Visiting these movie sets on your next island-hopping expedition is super easy with Let’s Ferry’s multi-destination reservation system!

Impressive shot of the Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa

Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001)
This romantic story featuring first class actors, like Penelope Cruz and Nicolas Cage, was filmed in Kefalonia, one of the greenest islands of Greece. As expected, there are some spectacular shots of the island’s most beautiful beaches like Myrtos, Petanoi, Sami, Antisamos and Agia Efimia. So, don’t waste any time! Pack up, book cheap ferry tickets to Kefalonia online and you’re good to go.

The famous beach Antisamos in Kefalonia island

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003)
Angelina Jolie traveled to Oia in Santorini to star in a video game series inspired film that turned out to be a box office hit. The island became even more popular than it already was and the career of the actress took off. A win-win situation! Travel to where the movie was shot and stroll along Santorini’s Caldera! Check out the itineraries and get your ferry tickets to Santorini with Let’s Ferry.

The blue view in Caldera in Santorini Island

Mamma Mia (2008)
Hollywood’s biggest stars travelled to Skiathos and Skopelos for the filming of the Mamma Mia movie, another box office success. Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and other first-class actors filmed scenes at the island’s landmark church of Agios Ioannis in Kastri and also at Kastani beach, in Glisteri, where Villa Donna, the name of the hotel run by the character of Meryl Streep, was located.

The beautiful Church of Agios Ioannis in Skopelos Island

Until today, you can book a “Mamma-Mia” boat trip that can take you to the main filming locations.

The beautiful island of Skiathos

Bonus: the Greek films shot on Greek islands
The beautiful landscapes of Greece have been captured in foreign as well as in Greek films. For example, one of the most memorable scenes of the film Jenny Jenny" (1966) was that of the widely known to the Greek audience actress Jenny Karezi who dived into the Fairy Cave in the island of Spetses. Another movie "Mandalena" (1960) starring Greece’s most popular actress Aliki Vougiouklaki, was filmed on location in Antiparos. The movie made it to the shortlist of Cannes Film Festival and made Antiparos a popular Greek island destination.

The beautiful island of Spetses

Create your own holiday story, find out where your favorite movies were shot, and visit the destinations that stole the show with Let’s Ferry!