Catalonia’s coastline has been the setting for films, TV series and advertising campaigns that have left a lasting impression, from major international productions to local stories that capture life by the sea. Its beaches, cliffs and fishing villages have hosted shoots in search of authenticity and strong, characterful landscapes. This route takes you through the places where cinema found something truly special, allowing today’s traveller to walk in the very spots once seen on screen. Costa Brava: from Verne’s lighthouse to Hollywood cliffs The route begins on the Costa Brava, where Cap de Creus played a key role in The Lighthouse at the End of the World (1971), an adaptation of the novel by Jules Verne. A real lighthouse was built for the shoot, and its remains can still be seen among rocks battered by the tramuntana wind. Cadaqués has preserved the very aesthetic that captivated the film crew: a rugged landscape, whitewashed houses and an unmistakable seafaring atmosphere. Tossa de Mar and the arrival of classic Hollywood The next stop is Tossa de Mar, forever marked by Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951). Ava Gardner lived here during filming, and her presence is still remembered today through a statue at the Vila Vella viewpoint. Walking along the medieval walls, climbing up to the lighthouse or wandering through Sa Roqueta makes it easy to imagine that summer when Hollywood mingled with the town’s fishermen. Even Frank Sinatra paid a visit, reportedly driven by jealousy, as he was romantically involved with the diva at the time. Coves, glamour and cinema in the Baix Empordà In Begur, Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) found the intense light and unspoilt coves it needed. Aiguablava and Sa Tuna became the backdrop for Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift and Katharine Hepburn in Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s film. Decades later, Netflix returned to the area to shoot Through My Window: Across the Sea (2023), continuing the romantic story begun by Raquel and Ares in Through My Window. This time, locations such as Sa Riera and s’Eixugador have become places of pilgrimage for new generations of viewers. Before heading further south, the route stops in S’Agaró, Palafrugell and Pals, where Calladita (2023) was filmed, earning a nomination for Best New Director (Miguel Faus). The film showcases charming farmhouses, paths and residential areas across the Baix Empordà. In S’Agaró, you’ll also find Hostal La Gavina, a historic hotel renowned for its glamour, noucentista architecture and its role as an iconic film set and refuge for Hollywood stars from the 1950s to the 1970s. Guests have included Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne, Jack Nicholson and Sean Connery. Lloret de Mar: transformed landscapes and major productions The final stretch of this section takes us to Lloret de Mar, one of the most frequently filmed destinations on the Costa Brava. Cala Sa Boadella appeared in Sahara (2005), starring Penélope Cruz and Matthew McConaughey, which used this natural setting to recreate the desert. Although the story unfolds between Africa and the Caribbean, the crew chose this cove for its romantic scenes, transforming the surroundings with artificial palm trees and added vegetation to conceal the Mediterranean flora. For a few hours, a quiet nudist beach became a Caribbean-style set, showcasing the Costa Brava’s ability to stand in for almost anywhere in the world. Years later, the same cove returned to the big screen in Uncharted (2022), where drones and special effects were used to integrate the rocks and pine trees into high-energy adventure scenes, reinforcing the idea of a wild, hard-to-reach landscape. The Santa Clotilde Gardens, with their noucentista design and dramatic clifftop location, were transformed into the Royal Gardens in House of the Dragon (HBO), recreating a fantasy setting with very little digital enhancement. Just a short walk away, the Maritime Museum and the coastal path to Fenals round off the visit, offering insight into the town’s seafaring heritage. Those keen to explore further can join the Santa Clotilde filming tour, a theatrical guided visit available in August, organised by La Caravana de les Arts. The tour reveals how these gardens and other corners of Lloret have hosted various productions, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and filming curiosities. The stage ends with Costa!, filmed between Blanes, Lloret de Mar and Malgrat. One of the biggest box-office successes in Dutch cinema, the film has become an emotional gateway for many visitors from the Netherlands who dream of discovering our beaches.