Did you know that there are plenty of chances to have already “visited” Greece while watching a movie? The sun, sea, beaches and the idyllic settings attract movie makers like a magnet. Whether you plan to visit Greece soon or you just want a “preview” of the location, here’s a list with the top 5 movies shot in Greece.

1. Zorba the Greek

Back in 1964, Anthony Quinn makes an awesome role as Alexis Zorbas, a middle aged Cretan with a lust for life. An English writer travels to Crete because he just found he has a small inheritance there. But his life is disturbed by Zorba. As the writer discovers the earthly pleasures of Crete, his outlook on life is changed for ever.

More information on:

>>Ferries from Athens to Crete
>>Ferries from Santorini to Crete (and return)

2. Shirley Valentine

Shirley is a middle-aged Liverpool housewife, frustrated in her marriage. She finds herself comparing her current life with what she used to be like and realizes she’s in a rut. It all changes when her best friend wins a vacation to Mykonos . There she finds romantic adventure and a new meaning for her life.

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>>Ferries to and from Mykonos
>>Ferries from Athens to Mykonos
>>Ferries from Rafina to Mykonos
>>Ferries from Santorini to Mykonos (and return)

3. For Your Eyes Only

This Bond movie features some breathtaking views of hang gliding at the monasteries of Meteora . The plot is simple: a British spy ship sinks off the coast of a Warsaw pact county. On board there’s a communication device which can order Western submarines to attack friendly areas. James Bond is sent to recover the device. His investigations lead to Greece where he meets Melina Havelock. Her parents have been murdered by the Russian “contact” sent to recover the same device. The non stop action includes automobile chases, underwater battles and the above mentioned attack at the monasteries.

More information on:
>> Getting from Athens to Meteora
>> Getting from Thessaloniki to Meteora
>> Visiting the Monasteries of Meteora

4. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Nicholas Cage and Penelope Cruz star in this fact-based action-romance movie. The action takes place in the Greek island of Cephalonia during World War II. Captain Antonio Corelli (Nicholas Cage) who has a jovial personality and a passion for mandolin initially alienates a number of the villagers. Among the villages he reaches Pelagia, where the doctor’s daughter (Penelope Cruz) is first offended by the Italian soldier’s behavior. They start to get along as they are forced to share her father’s home. As the war comes near, they are forced to choose between their love and their allegiance to their countries.

5. Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life

Angelina Jolie plays Lara Craft in this action packed movie which features many Greek locations, including Santorini.

The British archeologist is on the quest to find Pandora’s Box. The orb leading to it fell in the hands of Jonathan Reiss, an evil scientist who hopes to sell the contents of the box as an ultimate weapon. Lara recruits Terry Sheridan, a former British marine, and together they set off on a great adventure.

More information on:

>> Ferries to and from Santorini
>>Ferries from Athens to Santorini
>>Ferries from Santorini to Naxos (and return)

Bonus movies:

Bourne Identity

Part of the movie is shot on the Greek island of Mykonos. On a stormy night, a nearly dead young man is pulled out of the Mediterranean Sea by the crew of an Italian fishing boat. The young man carries bullets in his back and a chip which contains a bank number. Completely without identity or background, he is starting to discover who he is and what had happened to his life. In a bank vault in Zurich he discovers his name: Jason Bourne.

Mamma Mia! The Movie

Mamma Mia! The Movie was shot, among other locations, in the Greek islands of Skopelos and Skiathos. The movie’s plot is simple: a young girl is trying to find her real feather who she wants to invite to her wedding. The story is told using hit songs from ABBA. A must-see for the ABBA fans and for those who like romantic movies.

>>more information on Ferries from Alonissos to Skopelos

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