Spain is an open-air film set: its landscapes, villages and monuments have provided the backdrop for countless famous films and TV shows, both Spanish and international. Putting together a route around filming locations is an original and highly enjoyable idea for a motorhome trip, especially if you're into film. You get to combine travel, scenery and the thrill of recognising those places. Here are some ideas.
Famous locations across Spain
- The Bardenas Reales (Navarra) and the deserts of Almería (Tabernas, where the great "spaghetti westerns" and many blockbusters were filmed).
- Locations from major fantasy series: castles, historic cities and natural landscapes that have appeared in international productions.
- Villages and towns that have served as backdrops for Spanish cinema, from the coast to inland villages.
Almería: the mecca of filmmaking
Almería deserves a special mention: its deserts (Tabernas, the only one in Europe), its beaches (Cabo de Gata; see Cabo de Gata) and its light have turned it into the setting for hundreds of films. There are even old western film sets turned into theme parks. A film route in itself.
How to put the route together
Pick your favourite films or shows, find out where they were filmed, and plan a route linking those locations with the surrounding landscape and villages. Many are out in nature (perfect for the camper), others are in towns (park outside and walk in). It's a great excuse to discover corners you'd never otherwise visit.
Practical tips
- Do your research beforehand: there are guides and location routes organised by region.
- Respect the places: many are protected natural areas or historic town centres.
- Make the most of the surroundings: the location is usually in an area worth visiting in its own right.
- Use nearby sites (see motorhome sites).
In short
A film and TV location route is an original idea that combines travel and the screen, with Spain as one giant film set (Almería leading the way). The step to take today: pick a film or show you love, find out where it was filmed and plan a route around those locations and their surroundings; you'll discover spectacular corners of the country with an extra thrill thrown in. Pair it with the routes through Spain.