Filming locations you can visit on a cruise holiday

Cruises are a wonderful form of travel – they blend relaxation, adventure and entertainment, allowing you to visit multiple locations and only unpack once. But what if your next cruise could do even more? What if your next cruise could transport you to the captivating world of your favourite movie or TV show?

From the picturesque Mediterranean to the volcanic plains of Iceland, in this article, we explore the most iconic filming destinations you can visit on an Ambassador cruise.

Roman Holiday – Rome, Italy

The second-best travel movie of all time (read our article What is the Best Travel Movie of All Time? to find out the best!), as the title suggests, Roman Holiday is set in the glorious capital of Italy. With heartthrobs Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn taking to the silver screen, Roman Holiday is often considered one of the greatest love stories of all time.

Join us on a Mediterranean cruise to visit Italy, including Rome. Whilst here, you’ll be able to visit locations you’ll recognise from the film, including the Spanish Steps, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and more – and of course, for the most authentic experience and Vespa ride is essential.

Discussing the scene that includes the iconic Mouth of Truth in Santa Maria in Cosmedin church – a stone ornament that is known for the legend that it will bite off the hand of liars – Nomad Epicureans explain: “The Mouth of Truth features in what is probably one of the most recognisable scenes from Roman Holiday. Joe tempts Ann to enter her hand into the Mouth of Truth. As she hesitates, Joe goes first and pretends to have his hand bitten off. Hilarity ensues.”

They continue, “The Mouth of Truth is very easily accessible, which, of course, makes it a double-edged sword. It is fairly easy to recreate the scenes there, but due to its popularity, you most likely won’t be the only one… The good news is, you are still allowed to insert your hand into the Mouth of Truth and let it decide whether you are a liar or not.”

Game of Thrones – Iceland

Has there been a bigger TV show than Game of Thrones? Filmed worldwide, you’ll recognise much of Iceland as Beyond the Wall and the North. From the home of the Wildlings to the locations of Wight sightings and THAT cave, much of Iceland has played set to the Game of Thrones crew over the years.

When you take a cruise to Iceland from the UK with Ambassador, you’ll be able to visit a selection of destinations around the island, including Reykjavik, Akureyri, Isafjordur and more.

READ MORE: Discovering Iceland’s Waterfalls, Geysers and Glaciers

In Bruges – Bruges, Belgium

The eighth best travel movie of all time, according to our study, In Bruges is a dark comedy-drama starring Colin Farrel, Brendan Gleeson, Clemence Poesy and Ralph Fiennes. The movie sees two hitmen explore Bruges whilst they await instruction from their boss after a hit gone wrong.

As indicated by the name, the movie takes place in Bruges, Belgium. A popular port for those cruising to Northern Europe and accessed by Zeebrugge, Bruges is an architecturally beautiful city with ample culture to enjoy – and of course, a wealth of iconic destinations from its namesake film!

Rebecca, the mind behind Almost Ginger, explains why she loves In Bruges: “If there’s one thing I love more than the iconic one-liners in In Bruges, it’s the film locations. Bruges is an adorable, medieval canal-side city on the Flemish/Dutch side of Belgium. Its fairytale good looks, cobbled pedestrianised streets and cosy taverns are juxtaposed against the assassins’ brutish actions and coarse language.

“It’s just such a great film and you could honestly plan your Bruges trip using these locations as they cover a lot of the main attractions.”

The Danish Girl – Copenhagen, Denmark

The Oscar-winning film The Danish Girl took the cinema by storm in 2015 when actor Eddie Redmayne became Danish painter Lili Elbe. Exploring Lili’s journey of self-discovery, the film beautifully details Lili’s realisation that she was a woman and her transition, including her gender-affirming surgery, one of the first in the world.

As the name suggests, the film is set in Denmark, with many iconic scenes filmed in the capital, Copenhagen. Embracing the older sections of the city, including Nyhavn, the stunning and multi-coloured harbour at the heart of the city, which is home to Lili’s flat in the movie.

READ MORE: 15 Facts about Copenhagen

Derry Girls – Londonderry, Northern Ireland

A new British classic, Derry Girls is a coming-of-age comedy showcasing a group of teenagers living alongside the struggles in ‘Derry’, Northern Ireland, in the 1990s. The show perfectly balances teen-angst with political unrest and also captures the essence of 90’s Britain perfectly, with ample Spice Girls and Take That references to boot!

Many of our British Isles cruises visit Derry – marked as Londonderry on our itineraries – and you can visit a lot of the iconic locations from the show. From the city walls, which are captured in the episode where the gang goes to see President Clinton, to Limewood Street, the iconic route for their walk to school. 

Talking about Derry Girls and its ability to showcase the city, Visit Derry explains: “Written by Derry’s very own Lisa McGee and starring Derry Girls cast members from the city, the show is set in 1990’s Derry and follows four teenage girls and one "wee English fella" as they navigate their teenage years amidst the backdrop of the Troubles. 

“Derry has a starring role in the show. The historic 400-year-old city walls, Bogside area and iconic landmarks such as The Guildhall and the city's churches are used as a backdrop. While a lot has changed in Derry since the 1990s, the humour and warm welcome shining through in Derry Girls remains the same.”

READ MORE: Answering FAQs about British Isles Cruises

Whether you want to see what’s beyond the wall in Iceland and relive some of your favourite Game of Thrones moments or enjoy the romance of Rome and enjoy a Vespa ride like Aubrey Hepburn, you can do so when enjoying a cruise holiday with Ambassador.

If you’re looking for more travel articles, be sure to check out our blog.