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A Hollywood Tour Of Turkey - Taking You Through The Scenes Of Your Favorite Films...

Sirkeci Railway Station: Murder On The Orient Express


The Orient Express (the real one) began in Sirkeci Railway Station so it's no surprise that the 2017 film directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz filmed here. Agatha Christie wrote the novel from İstanbul's Pera district, and you can see in the opening of the movie right away that they've filmed in the authentic location. Visit the stunning Sirkeci station and imagine yourself in one of the great murder mysteries ever written.

James Bond Loves İstanbul: From Russia With Love, The World Is Not Enough, Skyfall

Most of From Russia with Love takes place in İstanbul. It tells the history of the Hagia Sophia and has some truly incredible scenes depicting İstanbul in the 1960s. The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar feature prominently and, perhaps less common in the modern era, the movie features a number of Turkish actors and acresses as well.

The World is not Enough takes place partly in İstanbul. Dolmabahçe Palace was used to film what was claimed to be Azerbaijan. Underwater scenes in which James Bond almost dies (but miraculously survives!) were shot on the Bosphorus, and you can catch glimpses of the stately Maiden's Tower (or Kız Kulesi) as well.



Skyfall features a thrilling chase through the Grand Bazaar on a motorcycle, as well as scenes shot in Adana and Fethiye. The train scene through Adana is a classic Bond scene, and Fethiye is used to show Bond in his retreat to peace and tranquility. The film also takes a few scenes of İstanbul from previous movies.

Cappadocia: Ghost Rider 2

Speaking of Bond, a rumored possibility for a future Bond leading actor in Idris Elba passed through playing the leader of a group of rebel monks, all shot in the mysterious setting of Cappadocia. Filming lasted around 14 days and the crew have commented on how hospitably they were treated and how much they enjoyed their stay in Turkey.

Some shooting also took place in the ancient theater of Hierapolis on top of Pamukkale.


Kayaköy, Muğla: Water Diviner

The Water Diviner was Russell Crowe's directorial debut, telling the story of an Australian man trying to track down his three missing sons following the Battle of Gallipoli.

The first half of the film takes place in Australia whereas almost the entire second half of the movie was shot on location in Turkey, with stunning shots in particular of Kayaköy near Fethiye as well as plenty of shots in and around Çanakkale and Gallipoli.

Yerebatan Sarnıcı: Inferno


Dan Brown spent a significant amount of time in İstanbul to write Inferno, and much of the story takes place amidst the history and mystery of İstanbul's past. The film was adopted to the big screen and many of the action scenes take place in the Basilica Cistern. Shooting lasted 4 days in the city with hundreds of extras around the Grand Bazaar, Beyazit Square, the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

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