Discover The 5 Most Stunning Filming Locations In Sardinia
Being the gorgeous island that it is, it’s no wonder that many directors and filmmakers alike flock to Sardinia to scout for filming locations. With authentic and unspoilt Sardinian landscapes and protected ancient architecture, this wonderful island makes a glorious backdrop and setting for television series and films. The dazzling Mediterranean weather also works in the production teams favour – with a lovely warm climate and beautiful blue skies all year round, it makes filming a pleasure!
What has been filmed in sardinia?
The Little mermaid (2023) - santa teresa gallura, castelsardo, cala moresca
Perhaps one of the more recent and well-known examples of filming that took place in Sardinia is Disney's The Little Mermaid (2023). This live action remake of the famous and critically acclaimed film, originally released in 1990, invites us back under the sea to watch Ariel’s story as she dreams of being human.
where was 'the little mermaid' filmed?
The majority of The Little Mermaid (2023) was filmed on the northern coast of Sardinia in Santa Teresa, where there are some beautiful beaches with clear turquoise sea, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Fascinating rock formations carved by the wind add greatly to the background and atmosphere of the movie. Santa Teresa embodies natural beauty, making it the perfect choice for the setting of the film aligning with the theme.
Cala Moresca is a small bay on Golfo Aranci in the north east of Sardinia and was the setting for the fishermen’s village and the castle pier in the film. Cala Moresca beach is a secluded bay near Spiaggia Bianca, with two beaches near the end of the railroad tracks that lead to Golfo Aranci. Cala Moresca boasts dramatic cliffs and rock features, pine trees and golden sands.
Rena Majore Beach in Aglientu is where several important scenes between Ariel and Eric were filmed, including when Ariel saves Eric from the water, and where Ariel sees Eric’s castle for the first time. The soft golden sands, occasionally separated by rocky formations, and the crystal-clear blue sea made it ideal for demonstrating the intertwining worlds of humans and mermaids.
Castelsardo in the north west of Sardinia was the beautiful filming location for the prince of the film, Eric’s castle. It is a strategic landmark with an ancient citadel perched on the hilltop jutting out into the sea. Little cobbled alleyways wind their way up past shops and restaurants, adding to the towns authentic Sardinian aesthetic. The natural charm of the town shows up beautifully and elegantly throughout the film, and the majestic castle in the distance is in colonial style.
Castelsardo, Sardinia
red notice (2021) - cala luna, cartoe beach
The streaming giant Netflix released Red Notice in 2021 after a tricky year of filming in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The film follows FBI agent John Hartley as he works to identify a cunning and infamous art thief known as Bishop. Caught up in a heist, he joins forces with Nolan Booth, another famous art thief, who is also looking for Bishop.
WHERE WAS 'RED NOTICE' FILMED?
Towards the end of the film, the three return from a swim in the gorgeous shimmering sea to their yacht. They are soon surrounded by Interpol Agents and manage to escape just in time. This scene was filmed near Cartoe Beach in Dorgali and deserves a spot in the list of most beautiful beaches in Sardinia. Surrounded by large rocks overlooking the Gulf of Orosei, the sea is often shallow which makes swimming and snorkelling in these waters accessible.
Cala Luna is located halfway between the territories of Baunei and Dorgali. Sheer rock faces protect secret coves, hideaways and natural caves. It’s popular for nature lovers, fishing enthusiasts or people who simply want to paddle in the mesmerizing turquoise sea . It’s luxurious feel as a secret hideaway link to the film theme of mystery and extravagance.
Cala Luna Beach
the spy who loved me (1977) - costa smeralda, porto cervo
James Bond is a popular series of films which began in 1962. They follow the many missions and adventures of the British Secret Agent 007, a highly skilled, quick witted and intelligent man.
The Spy Who Loved Me released in 1977 features Roger Moore portraying the iconic character on a mission to investigate the arch villain Karl Stromberg’s headquarters Atlantis, a huge amphibian structure located off the coast of Sardinia. The film features many iconic scenes, such as the intense driving chase scene along the coastline, followed by the underwater car scene, in which Bond’s car converts into a submarine. It is a cult classic and loved dearly by Bond fans today. Some parts of the wild car chase were filmed along the Costa Smeralda and on the country roads around San Pantaleo, but also in Alghero in the north west of the island.
where was 'the spy who loved me' filmed?
After an intense fight with Stromberg’s henchman in Egypt, Bond and his partner, fellow secret agent Amasova, travel to the port of Palau on the north east Sardinia. The vibrant town has a great selection of shops, a weekly market, restaurants and harbour with boat hire and boat trips out to the Archipeglao of La Maddalena. Iconic scenes from the film were shot here in the port of Palau including Bond driving off the ferry in his white Lotus Esprit 2.2 turbo (1976).
Bond and Amasova drive along the coastal road with views of the beautiful island Isola Santo Stefano to the Costa Smeralda, perhaps one of the most famous areas in Sardinia, to arrive at iconic Hotel Cala di Volpe.
‘The Emerald Coast’ is a name inspired by the azure colour of the sea, designed and developed by the Aga Khan in the 1960s to preserve and protect this earthly paradise. At the beginning of the sixties, the Costa Smeralda appeared as an untouched area without any roads, electricity, water or telephones. With Porto Cervo at its centre, the Costa Smeralda coastline stretches for 55km with a harmonisation between the Mediterranean architecture, natural landscape and seascape, encompassing more than 80 beautiful bays, coves and sandy beaches.
Costa Smeralda
the black stallion (1979) - costa paradiso, san teodoro
While traveling with his father, young Alec becomes fascinated by a mysterious Arabian stallion who is brought on board and stabled in the ship he is sailing. After a tragic sinking of the ship, Alec and the horse are the only survivors. He befriends the horse before returning to his home, where they begin training the stallion to race against the fastest horses in the world.
WHERE WAS 'THE BLACK STALLION' FILMED?
Sardinia was chosen for the island sequences of the film because of the spectacular remote areas of the coast. The first location was the town of Marina di Arbus on the rugged western coast of the island. A large expanse of fine golden sand 2km long, delimited by a cliff dotted with Mediterranean greenery was where several scenes were shot.
Costa Paradiso was a vital location as some of the most heartful scenes were filmed here, such as the starving stallion accepting food from the young boy for the first time, and majestic shots of the horse swimming in the sea. For the last sequence, special horses were imported from the swamplands of the Camargue in France, where an amazing breed has developed which is specially adapted for swimming in the sea. The name 'Costa Paradiso' says it all – a true paradise reflected in the natural beauty and wild charm found in the surroundings, the distant views and landscaped formations. Costa Paradiso makes for a fantastic day out, with the sea being ideal for snorkelling as it especially clear.
San Teodoro near La Caletta on the east coast of Sardinia was another site for filming. The beach was perfect with its mile-long stretch of fine white sugar sand and wide sand bar reaching far offshore. This also added extra safety levels when it came to handling and doing action shots for the horse. Hiding behind the dunes lies Stagno di San Teodoro marshland, which is home to many species of birds. The charisma of the town and beach add to the atmosphere of the film and exemplify the remote paradise where the pair find themselves lost.
San Teodoro Beach
catch 22 (2019) - olbia, capo testa, capo ceraso
Adapted from the classic Joseph Heller novel, this satirical series set between 1942 and 1944 follows Captain John Yossarian, a World War II bombardier, stationed on the island of Pianosa. He is an individualist who seeks to protect his own life by fleeing to the hospital since a ‘catch-22’ in the army regulations prevents him from being grounded for illness or obtaining leave. Throughout the course of Catch-22, Yossarian is trying to find ways to leave the army through new and ingenious ways.
where was 'catch 22' filmed?
This mini-series adaptation was filmed primarily in Italy, with key locations including Olbia and Santa Teresa di Gallura in Sardinia. These locations were chosen to amplify the settings of the novel, which is set during World War II in the Mediterranean theatre, primarily on the fictional island of Pianosa. Parts of the UK were initially scouted as stand-ins for Italy, until the team eventually settled on Sardinia as their base for filming.
The series is set in Olbia, with the main location being the decommissioned airport of Olbia-Venafiorita. It was a public and military airport which serviced the town of Olbia, and in the 1970s was replaced by the Costa Smeralda Airport. In the series the old airport stands in for the American airbase of Pianosa. The set was decorated with hangars, control towers, military tents and even American fighter planes. Olbia is the gateway to the aforementioned Costa Smeralda on the northeast coast with the international airport, ferry port, marina and interesting town of Olbia which overlooks the Gulf of Olbia and Tavolara Island. It has a great selection of shops, café bars, restaurants, and in high season, a night market with live music.
Funtanaccia in Capo Testa was used for showing downtime between missions on the show. Close to Santa Teresa, these are situated on the northern most tip of the island, enjoying lovely views over the Straits of Bonifacio to the island of Corsica beyond. Another destination close to Olbia is Capo Ceraso, a granite promontory rising between the city and the island of Tavolara. This enchanting area and its Mediterranean undergrowth is guarded from above by fighter planes in the television show. It’s highest part, Mount Maladromi, was once a military observation point, making the land ‘s history intertwine with the series.
Capo Testa
Author: Sebrena Hough - Admin / Ops Assistant
I joined the Just Sardinia Administration team in July 2024. This is my first role in the travel industry, and I am looking forward to learning about the different cultures, lifestyles and of course visiting Sardinia! I enjoy warm stunning beaches and excellent food, and I can’t wait to experience it all for the first time. I am excited to be working with such a dedicated and passionate team, and to see what the future holds. It’s an honour to be a part of making someone’s dream holiday come true!
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