Bilbao, Host Destination
Bilbao, the exciting capital of Bizkaia, has established itself as one of the most attractive destinations for film and television industry. This city, which perfectly combines modernity and tradition, not only stands out for its architecture and urban landscapes, but has also managed to position itself as a benchmark in screen tourism.
With a clear commitment to host film shootings, Bilbao presents itself as a privileged destination for producers and filmmakers from all over the world. Thanks to its unique environment, its advantages and tax incentives of up to 70%, Bilbao encourages film industry in this territory.
And as a proof of this, according to data from Bilbao Bizkaia Film Commission, 2024 was a good year for the relationship between Bilbao and the cinema industry. Productions increased by 11% with a total number of 168, 17, more than in the previous year. The number of filming days increased by 26%, the number of feature films by 133% (1,294) and the number of series by 57%, 11 in total.
However, the bet of this great city as a filming destination is not limited only to its urban environment. Its province, with natural landscapes, ranging from green valleys to the impressive coasts of the Cantabrian Sea, offers a wide variety of settings for all kinds of film productions.
A clear example of this is Gaztelugatxe, or rather Dragonstone? An small island connected to the coast by a narrow stone bridge, which has achieved international fame thanks to its appearance in Game of Thrones. But it is not only the HBO series that left its mark on this territory. Another outstanding international example is the famous James Bond saga, whose film 007: The World Is Not Enough chose Bilbao as one of its filming locations.
National series have also found in this city a perfect setting for their plots and Intimacy is one of them. To these aforementioned productions, an increasingly long list of titles is joined, putting Bilbao and Bizkaia on the map: Intimacy, Four’s a crowd, Two Many Chefs, Wave of Crimes, Victim Number Eight, 70 Big Ones, The Double Plus Fifteen…
Filming locations make Bilbao an ideal destination for screen tourism. The city offers a unique proposal that goes beyond cinema. Travellers who visit Bilbao can enjoy a world-class gastronomic offer, with award-winning restaurants and a wide range of traditional dishes and recipes that mix Basque cuisine with innovative touches. Culture is also a fundamental pillar, with events, festivals and a nightlife that attracts locals and visitors equally. The parallel choices presented by screen tourism are endless, given that not only you can walk through the same settings that are shown on screen, but also you can discover the cultural roots of Bilbao and its history.
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