From Secret Agent to Travel Agent: The 7 Best Bond Movie Locations

Spectre is kind of a meandering mess of a movie (especially following on the heels of Skyfall, widely regarded as one of Bond’s best outings), but it still touts one of the franchise’s best cold-openings, which features a chase across the Zócalo, the main square in the capital’s historic center. The action takes place during a Día de Los Muertos parade and everything from the costumes to the architectural grandeur of the buildings Bond sprints across is hard to look away from.

Fun Fact: A parade wasn’t a traditional part Día de Los Muertos in Mexico City until after the movie’s release, making the onscreen procession the first of its kind.

Whether you gamble or not, this establishment is a must-see (as is Goldeneye)—especially if you’re an architecture fanatic. The structure was erected by the same designer behind the Paris Opera House in 1893, and with a fabulous marble atrium, gold sculptures, and gaming rooms with stained glass windows, it was practically made for a spy movie.

There are more than 275 waterfalls in Iguazu, and you know what that means: stunning scenery. Those two words alone mean this natural wonder would fit nicely into a Bond picture. Throw in some tropical sun (which eventually leads to rainbows) and a few butterflies and you’ve got a getaway! Unfortunately for your blood pressure, most of how the film uses the location isn’t in such a serene fashion. We’re talking boat chases, an ominous lair, and a giant snake.

Situated marvelously atop a hill amid lush vegetation, Himeji Castle, also known as White Egret Castle, is showcased as part of a training academy for ninjas in Bond’s outing in You Only Live Twice. The dazzling property (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) was initially built in 1333 as a fortress—the main stronghold stands six stories tall and it’s surrounded by three smaller ones, all of which are connected by passageways, some of which are accessible via guided tour.

Even during an intense car chase through the village streets of this island in Greece, it’s hard to mistake Corfu for anything other than idyllic. Corfu Town (the island’s capital), with its Venetian townhouses and bed-and-breakfasts, is especially popular with tourists. Otherwise, Corfu is a location full of rich history, so add such sites as the New Fortress, Casa Parlante (a museum in Corfu Town), and/or the 17th-century Paleokastritsa Monastery to your bucket list if you plan on visiting.

This 1981 Bond movie will truly awaken your inner wanderlust traveler. Here, 007 confronts the villain at his (now-iconic) hideout in Meteora (another UNESCO World Heritage Site). While the residence in which he dwells—St. Cyril’s Monastery—is fictional, the area’s rock formations support several real-life Eastern Orthodox monasteries; there are six, in all (though, only two of them are inhabited by nuns and/or monks). Aside from tours, there’s a bevy of outdoor activities for visitors to partake in the area including hiking, biking, and climbing (though, perhaps, not the same path James Bond took).

Interestingly enough, while the Great Sphinx was indeed shot on location in 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me, technical difficulties with the lighting forced the pyramids to be replaced with replicas. Regardless, Bond arrives onto the scene at night and, coincidentally, there is a nighttime light show (available for private bookings) in the area and if that’s not something to add to your bucket list, I honestly don’t know what is. For that matter, any legitimate historical tour concerning locations relating to ancient Egypt is worth checking out.