Photos: Davor Žunić, Petar Fabijan
Sail to the Adriatic destinations that have played a part in the world’s most famous films and series such as Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Robin Hood etc.
In the past few years, the Adriatic coast and islands have become an absolute favourite as beautiful backdrops for hit films and series. Since most of these wonderful destinations can be visited by boat, we have arranged for you a trip through world blockbusters, in which you can take a peek into the world of intrigue and legends with Game of Thrones, get to know the world of Star Wars, learn the dark secrets of the Roy family with Succession or follow the fight between good and evil with Robin Hood.
Although the competition of countries attracting large productions is increasing, Croatia enjoys the status of an extremely desirable film destination. International production companies decide to shoot in Croatia not only because of the beauty and variety of locations, but because of the Croatian producers’ trustworthiness and teams’ professionalism, which has been proven multiple times.
Since 2012, the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, working with the Ministry of Culture and Media and the Ministry of Finance, has been implementing a highly successful incentive scheme called Filming in Croatia. Since its launch, 95 projects have been carried out in Croatia, generating more than HRK 1.3 billion in local spending, and all the projects realised within the programme have amounted to 2370 days of filming in total, of which 1602 on the Croatian coast and islands.
ACI MARINA ROVINJ (Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard)
Full of colours and harmonious compositions, perfect as film scenery, Rovinj is one of Europe’s most romantic towns. A favourite with painters, poets and tourist nomads, Rovinj is a picture-postcard town; and anyone who visits this gem of Istria becomes its lifelong fan. The Church of St Euphemia as a symbol of Rovinj, the romantic alleys of the old town, the beautiful nature of the Zlatni rt (Golden Cape) forest park also charmed Hollywood stars Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek and Ryan Reynolds, who came to Istria to make the action-comedy Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard. For lovers of sailing, there is ACI Marina Rovinj with the striking view of the old town and the island of Sveta Katarina (St Catherine). A modern marina with unique design and the latest technological solutions, ACI Marina Rovinj offers rich content and quality of service, which places it among the very best in the world of nautical tourism.
ACI MARINA OPATIJA
The Opatija Riviera enjoys special status on the Croatian coast. The architecture, the atmosphere, a multitude of the finest restaurants and hotels are why Opatija has been branded ‘the queen of luxury tourism’ since 1844, when it was one of the two health resorts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. For many years, the European aristocracy, actors, Nobel laureates, writers and composers spent unforgettable moments here, which made the Opatija Riviera a symbol of elegance and grandeur. It was this aristocratic reputation of the ‘Kvarner lady’ that was the perfect scenery for the film Diana, based on the last two years of the life of Princess Diana, or the ‘Queen of Hearts’, and starring Naomi Watts. In the blue stretch of Kvarner, situated in the most beautiful part of the Riviera, there is also ACI Marina Opatija. Located in Ičići, not far from Opatija, it is close enough to the city to enjoy all the amenities it offers, yet at a reasonable distance that allows visitors to enjoy the peace and security of one of the best ports in the northern Adriatic.
ACI MARINA SPLIT (Game of Thrones)
Split is one of the most popular boating destinations in the Mediterranean, and for all those who use the largest Croatian coastal city as the starting point on their sailing, the world of film fantasy begins in the city centre.
