The choice of great filming locations in Portugal can make your head spin! As any production coordinator in Portugal worth their salt will show you – it’s home to beautiful beaches, awe-inspiring ancient castles, and vibrant cities where the music flows and the food continues to be served until well into the early hours of the morning.
Our journalist fixer can fill you in on the details relating to each location, but in the meantime, why not check out five of our favourites:
Lisbon
Lisbon, the country’s vibrant capital, is one of the most popular filming locations in Portugal. It makes sense: The city’s iconic trams, cobblestone streets, and stunning architecture provide diverse backdrops for any project. Your dedicated location scout will also show you the breathtaking views from the city’s numerous hills, or you may prefer to take in the vista from the Castle of São Jorge, the city’s highest point. It’s important to always be mindful of the city’s busy traffic when filming as this can pose logistical challenges.
Coimbra
Coimbra, home to one of the world’s oldest universities, is one of the best filming locations in Portugal for period pieces and educational films. The stunning university buildings, medieval architecture, and picturesque riverside will no doubt be earmarked when location scouting. As a smaller city, Coimbra allows for easier logistics and less crowd interference, though your production coordinator in Portugal will be on top of any challenges here. Foreign film companies should note that access to certain historic sites may also require special permits.
Coimbra
Porto
Porto’s dramatic landscapes and historic charm make it one of the most captivating filming locations in Portugal. The city’s riverside setting, with its iconic bridges and colourful buildings, offers visually stunning backdrops. Porto is renowned for its wine cellars and narrow, winding streets, all of which your journalist fixer will only be too happy to tell you about. Something to be aware of, however, is that Porto can get occasional rain, particularly during October and December—so if shooting during those months, bring a brolly!
Sintra
Location scouting in Portugal for a fantasy or romance film? Look no further than Sintra. With its fairy-tale palaces and lush landscapes, is perfect for that kind of project. The town’s UNESCO-listed sites, like Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, offer breathtaking settings, while Sintra’s unique microclimate provides misty, mystical atmospheres, making it a thoroughly magical filming location in Portugal. Again, filming in protected areas and historic sites may pose problems, but Portugal Fixer can easily help you navigate the permit process.
Sintra
Algarve
The Algarve’s stunning beaches, dramatic cliffs, and sunny weather make it a prime location for outdoor and adventure films. When location scouting in this region, you’ll see that the diverse landscapes, from quaint fishing villages to upscale resorts, provide great settings for all types of video productions. Filmmakers do need to be aware that the summer tourist season can make popular locations crowded. However, having a dedicated production coordinator in Portugal means you’ll be able to plan and manage a smooth shooting experience.
Finding a location scout in Portugal
Portugal offers countless superb, sun-soaked, and historically rich locations for filming, and no matter your specific production needs, we’re here to help you find the perfect spot.
Our team, along with your dedicated production coordinator in Portugal, will carefully evaluate each location for acoustics, safety, accessibility, and logistical practicality. We ensure that all chosen filming locations in Portugal align with your director’s vision and so enhance the production’s overall atmosphere.
Our production fixer also collaborates closely with local communities and government offices to secure their commitment and support, ensuring a smooth and successful shoot. Properly researching your location is crucial—We know that it only takes one issue, like noisy neighbours or challenging access, to jeopardize your entire project.
So don’t delay in contacting us. At Portugal Fixer, we pride ourselves on our location scouting skills—finding you places off the beaten track as well as ably coordinating and managing more popular sites.
