Forget Hollywood, did you know that some of the best-loved films were actually filmed in The Canary Islands?
High-profile productions in recent years have included Fast & Furious 6, Wrath of the Titans, and more recently Allied and Bourne 5.
The Canary Islands offer one of the best tax incentives in Europe. By implementing a series of financial incentives for film production companies with a 38% exemption, the islands are joining a film commission to push this industry.
Proving this has worked; over the last couple of years, The Canaries has seen some of the best actors and actresses from the likes of Shirley MacLaine, Jessica Lange, Demy Moore, Penelope Cruz, Matt Damon, Sigourney Weaver, Chris Hemsworth, and Christian Bale.
The Canary Islands’ geographical location provides a strategic opportunity as 79 airlines connect up to 147 international airports and world-class telecommunications facilities are available.
The seven islands of the archipelago offer a film-friendly environment and a consistent annual temperature of 22°C making the Islands the ideal year-round filming destination.
For travelers who want to relive that Hollywood moment in their own action or non-action adventure, we have selected two of the most recent film locations.
TENERIFE – BOURNE 5
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Where: Santa Cruz de Tenerife- Playa de Antequera borough
Why go: Jason Bourne would certainly appreciate this secluded beach. With The Canary’s being renowned for having ‘the best climate in the world’, there is no doubt travellers won’t enjoy busking in the sun or enjoying the beaches shallow and clear blue waters.
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Where: Fondo Submarino, Tabaiba, Tenerife. (amemona Telematactis cricoides)
Why go: Emulate Bourne’s sporty obsession by diving among historic ruins including decks, masts and enormous buried anchors. There is a story behind every shipwreck hidden in Canarian waters.
Oh, and if you are interested in marine wildlife, you might want to check out this post about going whale watching in Tenerife.
GRAN CANARIA – ALLIED
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Where: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Why go: A picturesque town where Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard have spent a lot of their time filming romantic scenes, provides the perfect backdrop for travellers to explore an enclave of traditional architecture. Here you’ll find a range of religious architecture, from gothic-madejar elements of the 16th century, the Church of Saint John the Baptist to gorgeous temples such as the Santo Domingo and San Telmo.
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Where: San Bartolomé de Tirajana
Why: Brad Pitt can recently be found in the center of Gran Canria deserts working on the new scenes clad in vintage World War II clothing amongst undulating sand dunes. Gran Canaria offers travelers a gorgeous mix of desert and oasis in the south of Gran Canaria with a huge range of ecosystems and the dunes are constantly changing due to the dynamic nature of the wind.
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Where: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, – Jardín Canario, Gran Canaria
Why go: For fans who want to know what the stars get up to when the cameras stop rolling, Jardín Canario, Gran Canaria provides Spain’s biggest botanical garden in a beautiful refuge offering over 600 unique plants.
About the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands is the place with The best climate in the world for enjoying exceptional holidays any time of the year. Seven different and unique islands, perfect for disconnecting from your daily routine, recharging your batteries, and returning home feeling physically and mentally refreshed. The beaches, volcanic landscapes, lively and hospitable lifestyle, and the possibility of choosing from all sorts of outdoor activities, as well as a wide range of quality accommodation and leisure activities, mean that the majority of visitors repeat the experience more than once.
About Promotur Turismo de Canarias
Promotur Turismo de Canarias, an entity attached to the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Regional Government of the Canary Islands, oversees the promotion of the Canary Islands tourism brand. Created in 2005, the main goal of this public company is to study, promote and market the huge tourist offer the Canarian archipelago affords, in conjunction with the other institutions on the islands related to the tourist sector.
Canary Islands –http://www.hellocanaryislands.com/
You can find more guides for Europe here. Or if you haven’t fully decided where to go yet, you can find other great destinations here.
