Top 5 James Bond filming locations

In celebration of Global James Bond Day and the 50th anniversary of our favourite spy 007 on the Big Screen, we’ve picked out five of the best James Bond filming locations around the world:

Jamaica Dr No (1969)
One of the most famous Bond girls of all time has to be Honey Ryder (played by Ursula Andress) who captivated audiences in that beach scene in Dr No. The scene was shot in Jamaica at Laughing Waters Beach in Ocho Rios. Other famous moments from the first Bond film were also shot in the same area: Dr No’s base was at the Kaiser Terminal cruise port, while Bond (Sean Connery) and Honey frolicked in the foaming waters of Dunn's River Falls. Not only that, author Ian Fleming himself was based in Jamaica at his Goldeneye Estate, where he wrote all his James Bond books.

Bahamas Casino Royale (2006)
Remember the now-famous scene when hunky James Bond (played by Daniel Craig) strides out of the shimmering sea in his trunks in Casino Royale? This was filmed the rather aptly-named Paradise Island in The Bahamas. The island’s renowned Atlantis resort and luxurious One&Only Beach Club both feature heavily in the early scenes of the film. Other scenes were shot at Nassau International Airport and Coral Harbour in New Providence Island.

Rio de Janeiro Moonraker (1979)
Who could forget the clamping metal jaws of, well...Jaws – one of James Bond’s most lethal enemies in Moonraker. In the film, James Bond and his Bond girl of the moment, Holly Goodhead ((Lois Chiles) are attacked by Jaws whilst atop the cable car which takes you to the top of Rio de Janeiro’s iconic sights –Sugar Loaf Mountain – before sliding down the cable to safety.

Japan You Only Live Twice (1967)
Himeji-jo Castle in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, was the venue of Tiger Tanaka’s secret ninja training camp in You Only Live Twice, released in 1967. It’s not hard to see why it was such a good filming location. Known as the ‘white egret castle’ for its brilliant white walls and wing shaped turrets, Himeji-jo Castle, built in 1581, exhibits the classic military features of any Japanese castle and one of the castle’s most important (yet never-tested) defensive features is the confusing maze of alleyways leading up to the main tower or donjon. It's also the place where James Bond disguises himself as Japanese to discover the evil Blofeld's hideout, which turns out to be in a volcano in Kirishima National Park on Kyushu (until Bond blows it sky high that is!).

Istanbul Skyfall (2012)
The newest instalment of the James Bond franchise is Skyfall, due to be released later this month. Istanbul features heavily in the film, with the opening scenes being shot in the iconic Sultanahmet square and the stunning Hagia Sophia mosque’s museum. There’s also, reportedly, a rather exciting motorcycle chase through the colourful bazaars of the city. Watch this space!

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