9 Iconic Film Locations You Can See By Bike

Visiting the setting where your favourite actors once stood brings a certain wow factor to any holiday. But what’s the best part about visiting famous film landmarks on two wheels? There's the added benefit of a whole cycling tour filled with world-famous cities, dazzling coastlines or peaceful countryside to discover at your leisure as well!

I’ve spoken with the film buffs in the Freedom Treks team and put together a list of nine iconic filming locations across the globe which you can visit on one of our bike tours.

If you're a fan of any of the films or stunning locations below, enquire online or call our friendly team on +44 (0) 1273 224066 (Mon to Fri 9am to 5:30pm UK time) and we’ll help you pick a blockbuster cycling holiday.

A classic tear-jerking comedy, ‘Life Is Beautiful’ was filmed in Italy in 1997. Those who have seen the film are likely to remember the heart-warming scene where Guido (Roberto Benigni), Dora (Nicoletta Braschi) and their son Giosué (Giorgio Cantarini) ride a bike through the medieval square, Piazza Grande in Arezzo. However, unlike the three characters, you'll be cruising through the square on your own hybrid or e-bike!

Arezzo’s Piazza Grande is just one of the many highlights along the gorgeous route from Florence to Rome. The cycle between the two World Heritage cities will see you climb rolling hills scattered with vineyards and roll into traditional Umbrian villages filled with striking architecture everywhere you look. A tour which promises to delight any experienced cyclist and is a wonderful reminder that 'life is beautiful'.

Arguably one of the most beloved romantic films of all time, ‘Before Sunrise’ captures Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline's (Julie Delpy) few stolen hours together in vibrant Vienna. Follow their footsteps by parking the bike, grabbing a coffee and watching the world go by next to the Vienna State Opera House. Our top tip is to visit on the evening of day one of the tour when the Opera House is lit up - you'll snap some fantastic pictures next to the stone balustrade.

The romantic scenery doesn't stop at the Opera House. The gentle route takes you along picturesque towpaths and gorgeous country roads whilst following the shimmering waters of the Danube River. The only thing left to complete your idyllic riverside lunch is a wicker hamper and a red gingham blanket! Our Vienna to Budapest Bike Tour is as romantic as it is easy, plus it's a wonderful way to see Austria, Slovakia and Hungary all in one relaxed trip.

Sticking with the romantic genre, our handlebars turn towards Venice and the Rialto Market. During a particularly thrilling scene in 'The Tourist', you might recall Frank Tupelo (Johnny Depp) being chased through the ancient market whilst in his pyjamas. Aside from providing a pretty backdrop for a chaotic chase scene with a Hollywood A-lister, the market is home to local restaurants providing mouth-watering meals using fresh produce and seafood.

Your opportunity to visit Rialto Market comes on day eight of our Bolzano to Venice Bike Tour. The previous seven days are a laid-back route featuring five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and beautiful clear lakes ideal for cooling off. As you pedal beside the banks of the Adige River, you’ll pass luscious vineyards and quintessential Tyrolean villages.

There are few bigger names in the musical genre than 'The Sound Of Music'. Salzburg's alpine surroundings are synonymous with Julie Andrews's famous performance of 'The Hills Are Alive'. At the heart of the city is Nonnberg Abbey. Those who have seen the film might recall this as the location where the real Maria (Julie Andrews) resided before being sent to care for Captain Von Trapp’s seven children. As the interior is never featured in the film, it's a chance to peek into the 'unseen' lives of the characters in a simply beautiful location in Austria.

The cycle from Innsbruck to Salzburg is as easy as Do-Re-Mi due to the tour mostly taking place on dedicated cycle and riverside paths with regular stops to admire the scenery consisting of mountains, waterfalls and peaceful lakes. Getting spectacular mountain views usually involves a few steep climbs and sore thighs. However, this tour includes a transfer over the Gerlos Pass to Krimml cutting out the strenuous ascents.

The first scenes in the blockbuster science-fiction film 'Inception', take place in a 17th-century shogun castle giving the opening a distinctly Japanese look. The set for these clips was based on the historic Nijo Castle in Kyoto. A gorgeous shogun castle built in 1603, a visit here would expose you to magnificent culture and architecture, whilst getting a glimpse of the setting for one of 2010's highest-grossing films.

Brimming with diversity and history, our Kyoto Bike Tour delivers a highly memorable ride for cyclists with a fascinating blend of rural and city cycling. Your time in Japan will include staying in traditional ryokan inns, soaking in onsen hot springs and treating your tastebuds with local delicacies. The cycling level is classed as moderate because you'll encounter some hilly sections, but it's all worthwhile when you're visiting Japan's largest freshwater lake, Ancient Nara's Giant Buddha and vast tea plantations.

Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn by grabbing an ice cream at one of the most famous landmarks in Rome, the Spanish Steps. It's difficult to reenact the specific scene from ‘Roman Holiday’, as sitting on these great steps was banned in 2019. We think it's best to enjoy your gelato and view the steps from a distance. You'll avoid the crowds, plus, watching the tourists and locals filter down the steps almost emulates the motions of water trickling down one of Rome's traditional fountains, offering a completely different perspective.

Who knew the route from Florence to Rome would have not one, but two iconic filming locations? As previously mentioned, you'll drop by the Piazza Grande, as seen in 'Life Is Beautiful', on day two of the tour. Day seven sees you ride through the green heart of Umbria, passing inspiring mountains to reach Calvi. From there, it's a short train to the capital to revel in your 'Roman Holiday'.

Continuing with the theme of famous film stairs, the steps leading up to Charles Bridge in Prague may not be as well known as the Spanish Steps.  However, they do feature in the original 'Mission: Impossible' film when Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) can be seen running up the steps as Jim Phelps (Jon Voight) gets shot. Other iconic landmarks in the Czech capital such as the National Museum and Old Town Square feature in the early stages of the film as Tom Cruise's character attempts to track down a suspect in Prague.

Small in size but mighty in stature, the World Heritage city of Prague is bursting with astonishing architecture and beautiful landmarks. There's a lot to see in the capital and there's even more to admire outside of the city limits. The best way to explore the inside and outside of the city is on our Prague & Beyond Boat & Bike Tour. Starting and finishing in Prague, you'll spend the week pedalling through emerald forests and medieval towns before resting up on your traditional riverboat in the evening. To ensure you get your fix of 'Mission: Impossible', one of the mooring locations for the night has a splendid view of Charles Bridge!

Winning the hearts of millions of viewers, those who have watched 'The Fault in Our Stars' will know to have a box of tissues at the ready. Whilst it may not be the most feel-good film, Hazel (Shailene Woodley) and Gus' (Ansel Elgort) date night strolling past the Rijksmuseum in the heart of Amsterdam is a popular, heart-warming scene. The Rijksmuseum is also a museum steeped in 800 years of Dutch history and showcases masterpieces by artists Frans Hals and Vermeer.

Amsterdam is the backdrop to this award-winning film, home to outstanding museums and renowned for being one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the world. As there's so much to discover, we suggest our Amsterdam Bike Tour From One Hotel to maximise your time in Holland's capital and surrounding areas. This tour provides the perfect balance of city exploration and adventures to neighbouring towns where the discovery of Dutch culture continues with windmills, traditional cheeses and medieval castles.

If a location is worthy of providing the backdrop to one of the James Bond franchises, then it's safe to assume the scenery will be special, and this next film set is one of Portugal's hidden gems. The spectacular seaside resort named Estoril is located a few kilometres from Lisbon and was the chosen destination to shoot several scenes for ‘James Bond - On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. Most notable is the Hotel Palácio and the nearby Guincho Coastal Road, where James Bond's latest wife met her untimely end. It's impossible not to feel like 007 as you stroll along the warm sandy beach and stop for a cocktail (or mocktail)!

Whether you're a mega fan of the Bond franchise or a casual viewer, you'll love cycling along the rolling hills of Portugal's west coast as you ride between two magnificent European cities. On your journey from Porto to Lisbon, you'll encounter stunning towns displaying charming 19th-century architecture, unrivalled cliff-top views of the coast and pristine beaches. Our Porto to Lisbon Bike Tour is by no means easy, but the breathtaking views and interesting Bond landmarks make tackling the steeper sections worthwhile.

If you've spotted a tour featuring a famous film set you want to see for yourself, learn more by enquiring online or calling our team on +44(0) 1273 224066.

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