Greece Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews

Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Greece? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.

Filming in Greece

For an introduction to shooting in Greece see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.

Greece Film Locations

Greece is a Mediterranean country located in southeastern Europe. It is blessed with a long architectural history dating back thousands of years from the Bronze Age, through to Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Greece. Film locations of note include Athens, Thessaloniki, archaeological sites, Greek Orthodox churches, museums, sporting venues, mountain villages, ski resorts, rugged mountains, caves, gorges, lakes, rivers, sand dunes, and idyllic beaches. The picturesque whitewashed towns with blue-domed churches, black and white sand beaches and beautiful azure seas make the Greek Islands perhaps Greece’s most sought after film destination.

International shipping and Tourism are Greece’s largest industries. Agricultural film locations include farms that produce olives, wheat, corn, barley, peaches, grapes, oranges, tomatoes, watermelon, potatoes, sugar beets, and cotton. Fishing boats are available for filming. Greece mines bauxite, silver, and marble. Energy locations include thermal fired power plants, hydroelectric dams, as well as wind and solar power plants.

Greece has hosted productions such as Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022), Triangle of Sadness (2022), Crimes of the Future (2022), The Lost Daughter (2021), Tehran (2020-), The Little Drummer Girl (2018), Amazing Race 29 (2017), Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life (2003), The Bourne Identity (2002), Before Midnight (2013), Mama Mia (2008), The Big Blue (1988), For Your Eyes Only (1981), and The Guns of Navarone (1961).

Film locations of interest can be divided by the following regions:

Mainland Greece

Includes the regions of Attica, Central Greece, Peloponnese, Western Greece, Thessaly, Epirus, Western Macedonia, Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia & Thrace, and the autonomous region of Mount Athos.

Attica. The ancient city of Athens is Greece’s capital, largest city, and main film production centre where most crew and equipment are based. Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities.

The Acropolis is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens. Structures of note include the Parthenon, Propylaia, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and Theatre of Dionysus.

Ancient Agora of Athens is known for the Stoa of Attalos, Byzantine Church of Holy Apostles, and Temple of Hephaestus.

Roman Agora of Athens is known for its ancient columns.

Hadrian’s Library was an ancient Roman library.

The Prison of Socrates is said to have been the place Socrates was imprisoned.

The New Acropolis Museum is an impressive modern archaeological museum. Other Athens museums of note include the National Archaeological Museum, National Historical Museum, National Gallery, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Cycladic Art, Numismatic Museum of Athens, Benaki Museum, Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation, Byzantine and Christian Museum, Herakleidon Museum, Hellenic Motor Museum, and the Jewish Museum.

Government buildings of note include the Old Royal Palace, Athens City Hall, Presidential Mansion, Maximos Mansion, and National Library of Greece designed by Renzo Piano.

Centres of learning include the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Academy of Athens, and National Observatory of Athens.

Religious buildings of note include Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation, Church of Panagia Kapnikarea, Church of the Pantanassa, Holy Church of Saint Demetrios Loumbardiaris, Little Metropolis, Church of the Holy Apostles, Holy Church of Saint George of Lycabettus, Holy Monastery of Daphni, Tzistarakis Mosque, and the First Cemetery of Athens.

Transport locations include Athens Metro, Larissa Railway Station, Athens Tram Network, Port of Piraeus, and Athens International Airport. Ellinikon International Airport is an abandoned airport.

Athens Olympic Sports Complex, redesigned by Santiago Calatrava, include the Spyros Louis Athens Olympic Stadium, Nikos Galis Olympic Indoor Hall, Athens Olympic Aquatic Centre, Athens Olympic Velodrome, and Athens Olympic Tennis Centre. 1997 IAAF World Athletics Championships were held at the Olympic Stadium. Other Olympic complexes include Helliniko Olympic Complex, Faliro Coastal Zone Olympic Complex, Goudi Olympic Complex, and Markopoulo Olympic Complex. Other venues include Karaiskakis Stadium, and Panathenaic Stadium which is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble.

Entertainment venues include the Greek National Opera which was designed by Renzo Piano, Athens Concert Hall, and Zappeion Hall.

Parks of interest include the National Garden, Antonis Tritsis Metropolitan Park, and Diomidis Botanical Garden.

Georgios Averof is a Pisa-class armoured cruiser available for filming.

Just outside of Athens you can find the following film locations:

Cape Sounion’s Temple of Poseidon ruins look out on to the Myrtoan Sea.

The Saronic Islands include the islands of Salamina, Aegina, Hydra, Poros, Dokos, Agistri, and Spetses which hosted The Lost Daughter (2021).

Schinias Beach is located in Marathon.

Mount Parnitha National Park is known for its forests.

Central Greece. Delphi is known for its archaeological ruins, and the Delphi Archaeological museum. Locations include the Temple of Apollo, Treasuries, Altar of the Chians, Stoa of the Athenians, Sibyl Rock, The Theatre, Temple of Athena Pronaia, Gymnasium, Stadium, Hippodrome, Polygonal Wall, Castalian Spring, Roman Agora, and Athletic Statues.

Picturesque mountain towns include Arachova, and Palaios Panteleimonas.

Monasteries include Hosios Loukas Holy Monastery, and Holy Monastery of Prousos.

Karpenisi Velouchi Ski Resort is located in Central Greece.

Peloponnese. Patras is the regional capital and largest city.

Archaeological film locations include the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, Sanctuary of Asclepius, Temple of Apollo Epicurius in Bassae, Olympia, Ancient Corinth, Ancient Messene, and the ruins of Mycenae.

Nafplio is known for Fortress of Palamidi, and Bourtzi Castle.

Mystras is a Byzantine fortified town.

Vatheia is known for its abandoned houses, towers and chapels.

Karytaina is a beautiful mountain village.

Monemvasia is an impressive coastal village.

The Corinth Canal is an interesting film location.

Amanzoe Hotel is a luxury resort located in Port Heli that was filmed for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022).

Caves include Caves of Diros, and Kapsia Cave.

Simos beach is a beautiful beach.

Western Greece. Aitoliko is a densely populated island located in the middle of a calm lagoon.

Thessaly. Lárisa is the capital and largest city of the Thessaly region.

Meteora is known for its monasteries built on rock pinnacles including Great Meteoron Holy Monastery, Monastery of Varlaam, Monastery of St Stephan, and Monastery of the Holy Trinity at Meteora.

Mount Olympus is the country’s highest mountain.

Skopelos Island has beaches, lush green forests and picturesque villages such as Skopelos, and Glossa. Mama Mia (2008) filmed in Skopelos Island.

Epirus. Northwestern Greece’s locations of interest include Roman ruins at Nikopolis, and Syrrako mountain village.

Zagorohoria is a region in the Pindus mountains home to many traditional mountain villages including Mikro Papigo, Monodendri, and Vitsa.

Ioannina is known for Castle of Ioannina, Silversmithing Museum, Municipal Ethnographic Museum of Ioannina, and Ali Pasha Musuem.

Parga is a colourful seaside town.

Beaches of note include Lichnos Beach, Valtos Beach, Sarakiniko Beach, and Bella Vraka Beach.

Vikos–Aoös National Park is known for the beautiful Vikos Gorge, Aoös Gorge, and Mt Tymphe. Wildlife includes wolves, foxes, brown bears, lynxes, wild cats, deer, otters and a diversity of birdlife.

Bridge of Arta is an old stone bridge.

Ancient Theatre of Dodona is located in Epirus.

Nicopolis is known for Archaeological Museum is located in Nicopolis.

The Nekromanteion of Acheron was an ancient Greek temple of necromancy.

Western Macedonia. Kozani is the capital of Western Macedonia.

Kastoria is a beautiful lakefront city with snow-capped mountains.

Ski resorts include Vasilitsa, and Vigla Pisoderi.

Central Macedonia. Greece’s second largest city, Thessaloniki is known for its Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. Thessaloniki film locations include the White Tower of Thessaloniki, The Heptapyrgion, Rotunda of Galerius, Aristotelous Square, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, Museum of Byzantine Culture, Atatürk Museum, Church of St Demetrius, Church of St Catherine, Hagia Sophia of Thessaloniki, Church of the Acheiropoietos, the Church of Panagia Chalkeon, Alaca Imaret Mosque, Thessaloniki Concert Hall, Thessaloniki Science Center & Technology Museum, Kaftanzoglio National Stadium, Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium, and Port of Thessaloniki.

Edessa Waterfalls are a beautiful film location.

Alistrati Cave is located in Central Macedonia.

Eastern Macedonia & Thrace. Alexandroupolis is the largest city in the region and Komotini is the capital.

Kavala Fortress is a castle ruins.

Beaches of note include Ammolofoi Beach, Psili Ammos Beach, La Scala Beach, and Atspas Beach.

Autonomous Region of Mount Athos. Mount Athos is an autonomous monastic state where only men are allowed.

Greek Islands

Includes the regions of North Aegean, South Aegean, Ionian Islands, and Crete.

North Aegean. This region is located in the northeastern Aegean Sea.

Lesbos Island is home to the regional capital, Mytilene. Film locations include the Castle of Molyvos, Castle of Mytilene, Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest, and Barbayannis Ouzo Museum, and Agios Isidoros Beach.

Chios Island is known for Castle of Chios, and Chios Mastic Museum.

Psara Island is known for the village of Psara and, Psili Ammos Beach.

Oinousses Island is known for Glaroi Beach.

Ikaria Island is known for Seychelles Beach, and Nas Beach.

Fournoi Korseon Island is known for the picturesque town of Fourni.

Lemnos Island is known for Myrina, Aliki Salt Lake, and the sand dunes of Lemnos.

Agios Efstratios Island is known for the village of Agios Efstratios.

Samos Island is known for the town of Samos, and Heraion of Samos archaeological site.

South Aegean. This region is located in the southeastern Aegean Sea.

Andros Island is known for Chora Andros, Batsi, Panachrantou Monastery, Achla Beach, Tis Grias to Pidima Beach, Zorkos Beach, and Tourlitis Lighthouse which is located on a nearby islet.

Kalymnos Island is home to the town Pothia which is known for Holy Monastery of Agios Savvas, and Chrysocheria Castle. The island’s sea cliffs are popular with rock climbers.

Karpathos Island is known for the Karpathos Port, Olympos Village, Menetes Village, Karavostasi Beach, and Kira Panagia Beach.

Kea-Kythnos Islands are home to the picturesque town of Kythnos.

Kos is known for Neratzia Castle, Castle of Antimachia, Cathedral of Kos, Gazi Hasan Pasha Mosque, Roman Odeon, Asclepieia archaeological site, and Hippocratic Museum.

Milos Island is known for Sarakiniko Beach, Fyriplaka beach, Tsigrado Beach, Paliochori Beach, Cave of Sykia, Milos Mining Museum, Milos Archaeological Museum, Trypiti Village, Ancient Theatre of Milos, and the Catacombs of Milos.

Mykonos is a popular party island which featured in The Bourne Identity (2002). Film locations include the Windmills of Mykonos, Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, and Panagia Paraportiani, Monastery of Tourliani, and the luxury hotel CavoTagoo. Beaches of note include Elia Beach, Agrari Beach, Paradise Beach, and Super Paradise Beach. The nearby island of Delos has archaeological ruins.

Naxos Island film locations include Naxos Old Town, Temple of Apollo Portara, Mikri Vigla Beach, Agios Prokopios Beach, Plaka Beach, and Naxos Marble Quarry.

Paros Island is known for the Holy Church of the Virgin Mary Ekatontapyliani located in Parikia, the fishing village of Naousa, and the mountain village of Lefkas.

Rhodes is home to the largest city in the region, Rhodes. Film locations include Rhodes Old Town, Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, and Lindos Acropolis.

Syros is home to the regional capital, the beautiful city of Ermoupoli, which is known for the Ermoupoli Town Hall, Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, and Ermoupoli Port.

Santorini Island is famous for the villages of Oia and Imerovigli with their whitewashed buildings, and stunning sunsets. Akrotiri archaeological site is also located on Santorini. Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life (2003) filmed in Santorini.

Tinos Island film locations include Holy Church of the Virgin Mary Evangelistria, and the picturesque villages of Kardiani, and Panormos.

Patmos Island is known for the Chora of Patmos, Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, Cave of the Apocalypse, Windmills of Patmos, Agrio Livadi Beach, and the port town of Skala.

Leros Island is known for its traditional windmills, and Leros Castle.

Symi Island is known for the colourful houses of Symi Harbour.

Folegandros Island is a picturesque, relaxed island with white-washed houses, blue-domed churches, and arid landscapes.

Koufonisia Islands are known for their white-washed houses and beautiful beaches.

Sifnos Island has chic hotels and delicious food.

Kastellorizo Island is another beautiful relaxed island.

Nisyros Island is known for the town of Mandraki. The island also has a film-friendly volcano.

Ionian Islands are located on the west coast of Greece. The islands are known for their Venetian history, beautiful towns, and beaches.

Corfu Island is known for Corfu Old Town, Achilleion Palace, New Venetian Fortress, Old Fortress, Angelokastro Castle, Gardiki Castle, Kassiopi Castle, Holy Church of Saint Spyridon, Corfu Museum of Asian Art, Archaeological Museum of Corfu, and Corfu International Airport. For Your Eyes Only (1981) filmed on Corfu Island.

Paxos Island is a relaxed island known for Gaios Port.

Lefkada Island is known for Porto Katsiki Beach, Egremni Beach, Ammoussa Beach, Milos Beach, Kathisma Beach, Gialos Beach, and Κavalikefta Beach.

Ithaca Island is known for Vathy.

Kefallonia Island is the largest of the Ionian Islands. It is known for Assos Village, Fiscardo Harbour, Drogarati Cave, and Melissani Lake. Beautiful beaches include Myrtos Beach, Skala Beach, Emplisi Beach, Antisamos Beach, and Makris Gialos Beach. 

Zakynthos Island is known for Byzantine Museum, Blue Caves, Porto Limnionas Beach, Banana Beach, Xigia Sulfur Beach, Gerakas Beach, and Navagio Beach which has a rusting shipwreck resting on a paradise beach.

Marathonisi Island is a beautiful islet and breeding ground for loggerhead turtles.

Kythira Island is known for Kythira, Kaladi Beach, and Melidoni Beach.

Amorgos Island is known for the spectacular Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary Chozoviotissa. The Big Blue (1988) filmed on Amorgos Island.

Crete. Located in the south of the country, Crete is Greece’s largest island.

Heraklion is known for Agios Minas Cathedral, Saint Peter Monastery, Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Natural History Museum of Crete, Museum of the Battle of Crete and the National Resistance, Pankritio Stadium, and Heraklion International Airport.

Knossos archaeological site is one of Europe’s oldest cities.

The ancient olive tree of Vouves has been bearing fruit for at least 2,000 years.

Ring House is a beautiful modern home in Agia Galini.

Other Crete film locations include Venetian Fortezza Castle in Rethymno, Arkadi Monastery, Agia Triada Monastery, Windmills of Lasithi Plateau, Elafonisi Beach, Balos Beach, Samaria Gorge, and Dikteon Cave.

Greece Film Location Permits

Filming archaeological sites requires special permission from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sport. Permission is subject to availability and the script not being offensive to the monuments and their authenticity. The Acropolis and Temple of Poseidon hosted The Little Drummer Girl (2018) miniseries. Aerial shots, underwater filming and shoots that require closing public spaces require additional permits. Permission to film the New Acropolis Museum requires a very detailed application and strict criteria to be met. There are no citywide permits for Athens, even for smaller shoots that do not require exclusive use of public space. Each Athens location must be permitted individually. Our Greek fixer / service company can package a rate for permits depending on the specifics of each shoot. Please contact us for more location specific information.

When To Shoot?

Greece has a wide range of microclimates and local variations. Generally speaking Greece has a typical Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures, and little rainfall, with an average of 250 sunny days each year. Winter is from February to March and sees short, heavy showers. The mountains in the north get snowfall and the islands in the south experience a mild winter. April to October are hot with heat waves common in July and August especially in Athens. The height of the summer has 14 hours of daylight. For monthly weather statistics please see here.

Events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:

• Epiphany celebrations take place in Piraeus in January.
• Carnival festivities take place in Athens in February.
• Greek Orthodox Easter celebrations (such as the Rocket War of Vrontados) take place in April, as does the Feast of St George.
• The Aegean Regatta takes place in August in the Dodecanese.

Greece is a predominately Greek Orthodox Christian country.

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Greece.

Unique Local Stories

Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.

If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.

If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.

Costs & Tax Incentives

Costs. Greece trades in the Euro. Greece is considered to be a relatively expensive place to shoot, however there are ways to film low budget projects, particularly if the projects are small and shoot outside of the centre of Athens. Filming on the islands adds to travel costs as most gear and crew needs to be brought in. That said, our locally based fixers and service producers will negotiate deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget. See here for the current VAT rate.

Tax Incentives. Greece offers a 40% cash rebate for qualifying productions. A Location Scouting Support Program is also available. Greece has several co-production treaties. The country’s separate tax relief program, which covers up to 30% of eligible costs deducted from net taxable income, can be combined with the rebate to total up to 50% of the overall production cost. This is extended to 60% for EU co-productions.

Film Crew & Talent

Crews. Greece has a small but good pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. There is a good depth of English speaking key crew experienced in servicing all types of productions. Greece’s close proximity to other major European production centres allows easy access to those technical and creative crews should you ever need to look further.

Contact us if you are looking for a Athens or Greek Islands based director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew in Greece.

Talent. Buyouts and day rates are negotiable.

Greek is the official language.

Greeks are the largest ethnic group. Minorities include Turks, Albanians, Roma, Macedonians, Bulgarians, and Armenians. Some Arab, Asian, African, and blonde looks are available too. Greece’s close proximity to other major European production centres allows easy access to those pools of talent should you ever need to look further.

Greece Film Equipment

Equipment. Greece has a range of standard and specialized camera, grip and lighting equipment available locally. For productions looking to bring in film equipment Greece is an ATA carnet country.

Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.

Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.

For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.

Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production