Recently it was announced that the next installment in the Fast & Furious saga will be filmed in Portugal. However, our country has already hosted several renowned Hollywood productions, so we thought it would be interesting to visit some of them and see their potential as vacation spots.
Whether you’re interested in visiting them to spend a relaxing day or taking the best Instagram photos, these are 5 Portuguese Dream Destinations featured in Hollywood movies.
Batalha Monastery – Damsel
Damsel is a Netflix movie that’s still in production starring Millie Bobby Brown, better known as Eleven in the hit series, Stranger Things. In her new movie, it was revealed that some scenes will take place in the Batalha Monastery, more specifically, in the Royal Cloister and the Capelas Imperfeitas.
Located in Batalha, this historic monument began its construction in 1386, however, it took over 150 years before reaching its completion. Today, it blends several architectural styles, including a predominantly Gothic aesthetic, with Manueline and Renaissance influences.
The monastery is truly massive, containing a church, two cloisters with outbuildings and two royal pantheons.
It’s well worth exploring the town of Batalha, and the best way to get around, is through a car hire service at the Hertz location in Leiria.
Estoril – 007: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
The only 007 movie to be played by George Lazenby was also the first and only time that James Bond graced Portugal, more specifically Estoril. The film was a return to the series’ roots, in which even the hotel staff served as extras.
Those who wish to spend some calm, sunny days at the beach without having to worry about spies, will find that Estoril is one of the best vacation spots in Portugal. You should also take this opportunity to visit the Estoril Casino, which has been host to several popular musicians including Elton John, Tony Bennett, Nina Simone and Amália Rodrigues.
Be sure to make a pitstop at the Estoril Race Circuit, which is part of the official Formula 1 and Moto GP circuits.
If you wish to discover all of Estoril’s beauty, we simply must recommend that you rent a car at a Hertz location in Cascais and drive around the coast. We promise you won’t regret it.
Sintra – The Ninth Gate
The Ninth Gate is a movie directed by Roman Polansky, starring Johnny Depp, which was filmed at the Hotel Central in Sintra.
The city of Sintra sets the perfect stage for a film full of mysticism, one needs to only visit the Pena National Palace to feel like they’ve been transported to a faraway fairy tale. If your preference is geared towards a medieval setting like Game of Thrones, then you’ll find the Castelo dos Mouros, whose walls unveil a breathtaking view over the city.
Finally, be sure to visit the Quinta da Regaleira, also known as the Monteiro dos Milhões Palace. The palace is famous for the Poço Iniciático, where Masonic rituals were held and even today, you’ll find it decorated with alchemy symbols.
Sintra is indeed a one-of-a-kind destination for all lovers of fantasy movies and TV shows, and Hertz has several car rental locations in Lisbon for all your mobility needs.
Vila Nova de Milfontes – The House of the Spirits
The Alentejo region has played host to iconic movie stars such as Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close, Antonio Banderas and Meryl Streep. The cinematic adaptation of Isabel Allende’s novel brought a veritable Hollywood parade to the southwest Alentejo, and with good reason because it’s well worth a visit.
If you feel the call towards rural tourism, then Vila Nova de Milfontes is the ideal getaway for your next weekend. Be sure to spend an afternoon in one of its many beaches or take a boat trip down the Alentejo Coast.
Vila Nova de Milfontes can be a bit out of the way, which is why we recommend renting a car with Hertz at one of our 62 locations in Portugal.
Lisbon – The Russia House
Clearly, Portugal has a preference for spy movies, because in 1990, Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeifer starred in yet another film on the topic, which went on to receive critical acclaim.
Of course, in Lisbon there is no shortage of places to visit, starting with the São Jorge Castle, a medieval fortress built in the 11th century that provides an unforgettable view over the city and the 25 de Abril bridge.
You may also want to visit the Santa Justa elevator which has become one of Lisbon's main tourist attractions. Inaugurated in 1902, it was designed by one of Gustav Eiffel's disciples, providing an excellent view of downtown Lisbon.
Finally, we simply must recommend a visit to the Rossio plaza with the statue of D. Pedro IV and the Dona Maria II National Theater in its vicinity.
If you wish to travel around the city, we recommend that you rent a car in Lisbon at the Hertz location in Rua Castilho.
These are just some Portuguese locations that have helped shape Hollywood movies, but they’re not the only ones. From Aveiro to the Algarve, movies have been shot all over Portugal, and more will surely come.