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The Best Movies Set in 20 Different European Cities

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - June 7th 2025, 17:00 GMT+2

Cropped explanation for everything — Budapest – Explanation for Everything (2023)

In the heart of Central Europe, Budapest has always been a cinematic charmer, but *Explanation for Everything* takes things a step further. Directed by Gábor Reisz, this Hungarian gem dives into the chaos of youth, politics, and identity, all set against the moody backdrops of this grand, divided city. It’s not your typical tourist-glossy Budapest — instead, it's a refreshingly raw, sharp-eyed coming-of-age tale that nails the generational anxiety of modern Europe. The film gained serious buzz on the festival circuit and rightfully so: it’s nuanced, contemporary, and driven by strong local performances. If you’re tired of cookie-cutter plotlines and want something uniquely Eastern European with soul and smarts, this is your ticket. Don’t expect A-list stars, but do expect one of the most thought-provoking stories out of Hungary in recent years. | © Proton Cinema

Cropped the hand of god 2021 — Naples – The Hand of God (2021)

Only Paolo Sorrentino could make a film that blends soccer, tragedy, and a surreal coming-of-age story into a cinematic love letter to Naples. *The Hand of God* follows young Fabietto as he navigates a life-defining moment in his youth — and yes, Diego Maradona looms large, spiritually if not literally. This isn’t just another beautiful Italian movie; it’s Sorrentino at his most personal, loosely inspired by his own past. Filippo Scotti gives a breakout performance, and Toni Servillo — a frequent Sorrentino collaborator — shines as the eccentric father. Naples itself isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing character full of contradictions: chaotic and soulful, ancient and electric. If you love rich cinematography and emotional storytelling with bite, you’ll want to queue this up next. | © Netflix

Cropped copenhagen 2014 — Copenhagen – Copenhagen (2014)

What happens when a cynical young Canadian guy stumbles through Copenhagen and meets a much younger Danish girl who just might be wiser than he is? *Copenhagen* tackles that very question — and more. Mark Raso’s indie road-meets-romance movie sneaks up on you with surprising depth and a disarmingly honest tone. Starring Gethin Anthony (yes, Renly Baratheon from *Game of Thrones*) and the brilliant Frederikke Dahl Hansen, the film captures the quiet charm of the Danish capital without leaning too hard into postcard prettiness. There’s awkwardness, wit, and plenty of ethical gray zones — all things that make the film feel authentically human. Copenhagen’s streets, canals, and bike paths play the perfect role: subtle, stylish, and emotionally resonant. | © Level Film

Cropped the great beauty 2013 — Rome – The Great Beauty (2013)

Rome may be eternal, but in *The Great Beauty*, it’s also existential. This Oscar-winning film is a visual feast that glides through lavish parties, ancient ruins, and quiet moments of reflection — all filtered through the weary eyes of Jep Gambardella, played with delicious melancholy by Toni Servillo. Director Paolo Sorrentino (yes, him again!) crafts a stunning homage to Fellini's *La Dolce Vita*, with an updated take on modern disillusionment. Celebs like Sabrina Ferilli and Carlo Verdone add flair, but the real star here is the city itself — dazzling one minute, devastating the next. This isn’t just a film, it’s a mood, a vibe, a Roman fever dream. If you’re in the mood for decadent beauty and slow-burning introspection, Rome awaits. | © Indigo Film / Medusa Film

Cropped in bruges 2008 — Bruges – In Bruges (2008)

Dark, hilarious, and oddly heartwarming, *In Bruges* is what happens when two hitmen go on a “vacation” that feels more like purgatory. Martin McDonagh’s razor-sharp black comedy features Colin Farrell in peak tragicomic form, alongside Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes — all chewing through dialogue like Shakespeare with a hangover. Bruges, with its medieval charm and Gothic silence, becomes the perfect setting for existential breakdowns and shootouts with swans. The film balances violence and absurdity with a surprising amount of soul, and Farrell’s Golden Globe-winning performance anchors it all. Touristy clichés? Not here. This is Bruges with blood, wit, and pathos. | © Focus Features

Cropped once 2007 — Dublin – Once (2007)

*Once* isn’t just a love story — it’s a bittersweet ballad to Dublin, played in soft chords and quiet streets. This low-budget indie took the world by surprise with its raw charm and unforgettable soundtrack, especially the Oscar-winning song “Falling Slowly.” Starring real-life musicians Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, the film follows a busker and a Czech immigrant as they connect through music and heartbreak. No flashy Hollywood tropes here — just honest performances, humble locations, and emotional resonance. Dublin hums in the background with a lived-in, rainy-day realism that makes the city feel like another character in the story. It’s simple, soulful, and ridiculously rewatchable. | © Summit Entertainment

Cropped Amelie 2001 — Paris – Amelie (2001)

Few films have romanticized a city quite like *Amelie* did for Paris. With its whimsical storytelling, lush cinematography, and sugar-sweet narration, this modern fairy tale turned Montmartre into a dreamscape. Audrey Tautou, in the role that made her an international star, plays the shy but imaginative Amélie Poulain, who decides to improve the lives of those around her — all while navigating her own lonely heart. Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet fills every frame with quirky detail and painterly charm, making Paris feel like the inside of a storybook. But don’t be fooled by its cuteness: this film is as smart as it is sentimental. A visual and emotional treat for Francophiles and romantics alike. | © Claudie Ossard Productions

Cropped all about my mother 1999 — Barcelona – All About My Mother (1999)

Pedro Almodóvar’s *All About My Mother* is vibrant, emotional, and unapologetically theatrical — just like Barcelona itself. The story follows Manuela, a grieving mother who returns to the Catalonian capital in search of her son’s transgender father, encountering a rich cast of characters along the way. Cecilia Roth gives a powerhouse performance, joined by Penélope Cruz in one of her early standout roles. This isn’t a tourist's Barcelona — it's gritty, stylish, and full of heart, painted in bold reds and deep blues. Themes of gender, loss, motherhood, and reinvention swirl together in a story that’s as moving as it is daring. If you want Almodóvar at his best, this is it. | © El Deseo

Cropped notting hill 1999 — London – Notting Hill (1999)

A bookshop, a movie star, and a very charming Hugh Grant — *Notting Hill* is as London as a rainy Sunday with tea. This rom-com classic brings together Julia Roberts as Hollywood royalty and Grant as the floppy-haired everyman in one of London’s most photogenic neighborhoods. The chemistry? Effortless. The one-liners? Endlessly quotable. And yes, the blue door is real. Writer Richard Curtis and director Roger Michell turn the Notting Hill area into a postcard-perfect backdrop for the ultimate wish-fulfillment fantasy. Bonus points for a delightfully dry supporting turn by Rhys Ifans as the world’s worst flatmate. It's everything you want from a romantic comedy, with just enough British awkwardness to keep it grounded. | © PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Cropped run lola run 1998 — Berlin – Run Lola Run (1998)

Fast-paced, visually explosive, and unapologetically cool, *Run Lola Run* is the Berlin energy drink of cinema. Directed by Tom Tykwer, the film stars Franka Potente as Lola, who has 20 minutes to save her boyfriend from a criminal disaster — three times over, with each iteration playing out in wild, adrenaline-fueled variations. Berlin, with its grungy streets and techno-pulse, is the perfect setting for this kinetic narrative experiment. Potente’s fiery red hair became iconic, and the pounding soundtrack helped define an entire generation of German cinema. This isn't your average Euro-drama — it’s a film that runs, jumps, and screams with style. | © X-Filme Creative Pool

Cropped trainspotting 1996 — Edinburgh – Trainspotting (1996)

Welcome to Edinburgh — not the glossy postcard version, but the one laced with addiction, anarchy, and absurdity, courtesy of *Trainspotting*. Directed by Danny Boyle and starring a fresh-faced Ewan McGregor, this cult classic dives headfirst into the lives of heroin addicts stumbling through the Scottish capital. The film is gritty, iconic, and weirdly beautiful — like watching chaos unfold with a killer soundtrack. You'll also spot future stars like Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle, doing things you won’t see on Masterpiece Theatre. Whether it’s sprinting through Princes Street or diving into “the worst toilet in Scotland,” *Trainspotting* made Edinburgh unforgettable in the most un-touristy way possible. Choose life, choose cinema. | © Channel Four Films

Cropped lisbon story 1994 — Lisbon – Lisbon Story (1994)

Few films capture the soulful stillness of a city like *Lisbon Story*. Wim Wenders’ poetic tribute to Portugal’s capital is part travelogue, part love letter, part philosophical deep-dive into the nature of sound and image. Centered on a sound engineer sent to find a missing director, the film meanders through the alleys, music, and melancholy of Lisbon, letting the city do much of the talking. There are no Hollywood names here — and that’s kind of the point. It’s a quiet, contemplative journey, boosted by the real-life musical stylings of Madredeus, whose songs form the heart of the film’s mood. If you like your cinema lyrical and meditative, Lisbon is calling. | © Road Movies Filmproduktion

Cropped women on the verge of a nervous breakdown 1988 — Madrid – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988)

If chaos had a capital, it might just be Madrid in *Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown*. Pedro Almodóvar’s screwball comedy is as bright and unhinged as a lipstick-stained martini glass. The story spirals around Pepa (Carmen Maura), who’s juggling a breakup, a runaway lover, a missing suitcase full of gazpacho (drugged, of course), and an entire cast of wildly unpredictable characters — including a young Antonio Banderas. Madrid is the technicolor playground for all this madness, and Almodóvar uses every corner to reflect his signature flair. Funny, feminist, and fabulously farcical, this is Spanish cinema turned all the way up. | © El Deseo

Cropped Dinner for Adele 1977 — Prague – Dinner for Adele (1977)

Before Wes Anderson made pastel murder mysteries cool, there was *Dinner for Adele*, a wonderfully oddball Czech comedy that parodies the detective genre with puppet-like sets and surreal humor. Directed by Oldřich Lipský, the film follows the mustachioed investigator Nick Carter on a delightfully absurd case involving a deadly carnivorous plant (yes, really) and a trail of very polite crime. Prague looks like something out of a storybook, all cobbled streets and Gothic whimsy — only slightly warped. While it doesn’t feature big international stars, Czech actor Michal Dočolomanský became a cult figure thanks to this quirky gem. Think Clue, but dreamier and more Slavic. | © Barrandov Studios

Cropped turkish delight 1973 — Amsterdam – Turkish Delight (1973)

Raw, passionate, and not for the faint of heart, *Turkish Delight* rips the veneer off romance in 1970s Amsterdam. Directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring a young, intense Rutger Hauer alongside Monique van de Ven, the film captures love at its most unfiltered — sensual, emotional, self-destructive. It’s messy and magnetic, much like the city it’s set in. Amsterdam here isn’t just picturesque canals; it’s freedom and chaos wrapped in a shaggy-haired fever dream. The film became a cultural phenomenon in the Netherlands and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, proving that love stories don’t have to be tidy to be unforgettable. | © Scorpio Films

Cropped Girl with a Pearl Earring 2003 — Delft – Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)

*Girl with a Pearl Earring* takes us to Delft, Netherlands, in the 17th century — a place where art, silence, and scandal brew beneath soft northern light. Scarlett Johansson stars as Griet, a maid who becomes the muse of the legendary painter Johannes Vermeer, played with subtle charm by Colin Firth. While the film is a fictional imagining of a real masterpiece, it brings Vermeer’s world to life in a way that's visually stunning and emotionally restrained — very Dutch, very elegant. The cobbled streets and quiet interiors of Delft are rendered like oil paintings themselves, creating an atmosphere of muted beauty and tension. It’s not just a film; it’s a canvas in motion. | © Lions Gate Films

Cropped The Italian Job 1969 — Turin – The Italian Job (1969)

If you’ve ever fantasized about a car chase through narrow European streets, *The Italian Job* is where that dream was born — in Turin, no less. This British heist caper is legendary for its Mini Cooper stunts, swinging '60s flair, and the ever-cool Michael Caine delivering one of cinema’s most quoted lines: “You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!” Turin’s industrial elegance becomes the backdrop for a meticulously planned (and chaotically executed) gold heist, with rooftop jumps and underground tunnels adding spice to the ride. Fun, stylish, and endlessly rewatchable, it’s a high-octane ode to the era when crime looked good and sounded even better. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped The Sound of Music 1965 — Salzburg – The Sound of Music (1965)

You can’t talk about Salzburg without breaking into song — and that’s entirely *The Sound of Music*’s fault. Julie Andrews’ iconic performance as Maria, the free-spirited governess turned family savior, cemented this Austrian city’s place in cinematic history. The hills are not just alive, they’re practically glowing, as the von Trapp family story unfolds in panoramic glory. Salzburg’s baroque charm, mountain vistas, and real filming locations (yes, you can still visit them) make this a tourism powerhouse and a musical for the ages. With Christopher Plummer adding gravitas as Captain von Trapp, it’s a perfect blend of historical drama and joyful escapism. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped Summertime 1955 — Venice – Summertime (1955)

Long before Instagram influencers were sipping Aperol in gondolas, *Summertime* gave Venice its romantic close-up. This mid-century gem stars Katharine Hepburn as a lonely American woman who falls for an Italian antiques dealer while exploring the city’s sun-drenched alleys and moonlit canals. Directed by David Lean, the film captures the wistful magic of traveling alone — complete with awkward encounters, dreamy bridges, and the bittersweet ache of fleeting love. Venice is as much the lead here as Hepburn, with scenes drenched in golden light and water so reflective it practically co-stars. Melancholy and beautiful, it’s Venice through the eyes of someone learning to love again. | © London Film Productions

Cropped The Third Man 1949 — Vienna – The Third Man (1949)

Shadowy, suspenseful, and slathered in post-war paranoia, *The Third Man* turns Vienna into a noir playground of mystery and betrayal. Directed by Carol Reed and written by Graham Greene, the film follows pulp novelist Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) as he unravels the supposed death of his old friend — played by none other than Orson Welles, in one of his most magnetic roles. The zither score is unforgettable, the visuals are stark and moody, and Vienna’s bombed-out elegance is hauntingly beautiful. From Ferris wheel monologues to sewer chases, this is a masterclass in tension and atmosphere. If noir had a European capital, this would be it. | © London Films

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Europe has long been a favorite backdrop for filmmakers, offering a rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and breathtaking urban landscapes. In this curated list, we spotlight 20 remarkable films – each one uniquely tied to a different European city. From the cobbled streets of Lisbon to the buzzing energy of Berlin, these movies don't just tell great stories – they capture the soul of a place. And to keep things fresh, no city appears more than once. Whether you're planning a Eurotrip or just dreaming of one, this list offers cinematic journeys through 20 distinct European destinations.

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Europe has long been a favorite backdrop for filmmakers, offering a rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and breathtaking urban landscapes. In this curated list, we spotlight 20 remarkable films – each one uniquely tied to a different European city. From the cobbled streets of Lisbon to the buzzing energy of Berlin, these movies don't just tell great stories – they capture the soul of a place. And to keep things fresh, no city appears more than once. Whether you're planning a Eurotrip or just dreaming of one, this list offers cinematic journeys through 20 distinct European destinations.