If you’ve been to see the new Wonder Woman, the scenes shot in the fictional Themyscira surely have you swooning for your next vacation. Or at the very least, wondering where on earth you might find the Themyscira filming locations, which Zeus also called the Paradise Island. Themyscira actually does exist in real life. Sort of.
As I watched the movie, I found myself thinking that Themyscira looked awfully familiar. When the scene with Queen Hippolyta holding a young Diana on a balcony overlooking a stunning blue sea played out, I knew for sure I wasn’t crazy. All of the scenes of Themyscira were filmed in Italy: Craco served as the village streets for Themyscira, the beach scenes were all shot in Palinuro on Italy’s Cilento Coast (with a little help from CGI), Villa Cimbrione on the Amalfi Coast stood as the balcony with the spectacular backdrop and Castel del Monte was the stage for the scenes inside the tower that held the Godkiller.
We’ve been saying for years that the Cilento Coast was one of Italy’s best kept secrets, since it is served by virtually no public transportation. Now that the blockbuster film Wonder Woman put it on the world’s radar, you’ll no doubt want to visit. Here’s where and how you can discover Themyscira:
Villa Cimbrone, Ravello, Amalfi Coast
It just so happens that Ravello is our favorite of the villages dotting the Amalfi Coast. Located on a cliff 1000 meters above the sea, it’s often overlooked by the tourists flocking to Positano and the tiny, rocky beach of Amalfi. Without much foot traffic, even in the midst of summer, it’s perhaps exactly why it is our favorite village.
Villa Cimbrone is one of two luxury hotels, both of which we also count among our favorite hotels in the world. Really, who needs a crowded, rocky beach when you can cool off in Villa Cimbrone’s pool with just a handful of other guests?
The villa’s Terrazzo dell’lnfinito is said to have one of the finest views in the world, and having seen it for ourselves, we can’t disagree. One of the features is the series of 18th century marble busts that line the terrace, and it was those marble busts that were the dead give away as to exactly where this magical Themyscira was brought to life from.
You don’t have to be a guest of Villa Cimbrone to enjoy the gardens and Terrazzo dell’lnfinito, though we highly recommend the splurge. It is one of the finest hotels of the Mediterranean and offers some of the most jaw-dropping views of the Amalfi Coast. The estate dates back to the 11th century, is set on eight hectares and is as lush as Themyscira. The rooms feature Vietri ceramic tile floors, frescoed ceilings and antiques that are typical of this area. Honestly, we’ve stayed at a lot of hotels on the Amalfi Coast and no place else feels quite as “Amalfi”.
Villa Cimbrone‘s gardens and Terrace of Infinity are open to the public daily from 9am – sunset. Admission is €7 per person.
Palinuro, Cilento Coast
One of the most unspoiled parts of the Campania region, the Cilento Coast sits just to the south of the world-known Amalfi Coast. Wild and rugged, this part of Italy isn’t very linked to trains and the nearest airport is two hours to the north in Naples. It’s not nearly as developed, which we think makes it even more lovely.
We’ve made no secret that beyond being picturesque in a photo, the typical Italian beaches packed with umbrellas and chairs in a fashion that leaves absolutely no privacy fail to impress us. Here in Palinuro, where the beaches are part of the Vallo di Diano National Park of Palinuro, you won’t find beach chairs lined up in front of the hundred seaside hotels that charge beachgoers for them. Here, there is nary another soul on the beach even on the hottest day in July.
While the towers of rock jutting from the sea that formed a protective circle around Themyscira were created with CGI, the views aren’t any less picturesque. This area is a haven for hikers and rock climbers, as the rugged cliffs stretch seemingly from sea to sky. Many coastal paths offer panoramic views of the coast, and there are watch towers in varying states of ruin from a time when this coast needed to be protected from some of the very enemies Diana fought in the movie.
The Palinuro is also famous for being home to Italy’s most extensive cave system. Capri’s Blue Grotto isn’t the only of its kind and here in Palinuro, you’ll most likely be the only boat exploring the magical blue grottoes. Not to mention, there’s also a Blood Cave, named as such because the red algae and light make it appear as though the cave walls are dripping blood. Sounds like something straight out of DC Comic, right?
Stay at Grand Hotel San Pietro while visiting Palinuro.
Castel del Monte, Puglia
Puglia is a region pockmarked with all these spectacular sights seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Castel del Monte is one of them. It’s 12 kilometers from the nearest town and stands alone on a hill with no obvious port or village to protect.
Built in the 13th century by Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, it’s an octagonal shape with a central courtyard. And it made the perfect place to house the sword Diana knows as the Godkiller.
Castel del Monte is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open to the public for visits, though it is pretty barren. Its setting in the rural farm lands of Puglia is a stark contrast to the seaside towns this region is more famous for, and is worth a stop for an hour or so. Especially if you decide to combine a trip to all of these filming locations in to a road trip of Southern Italy.
Castel del Monte is open daily from 9am – 6:30pm October – March and from 10:15am – 7:45pm April – September. Closed December 25 and January 1.
Craco, Basilicata
With a very big stretch of the imagination, Themyscira was modeled after the city of Matera in Italy’s Basilicata region. Though the cascading waterfalls, magnificent natural arch and massive central tower don’t exist anywhere but on screen, Diana does run from her tutor through the streets of a very real Italian village – Craco.
Craco is one of the most fascinating places we’ve visited in Italy. Once a bustling town, it suffered an earthquake so devastating that its residents were forced to abandon the entire town and start an entirely new one several kilometers downhill. Now it stands as a haunting reminder up on the hillside to those that once called it home.
These days Craco is most certainly not forgotten about; it’s a Hollywood starlet of its own right featuring as the stage in a number of Blockbuster movies including Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ and, most recently, Wonder Woman.
You can actually visit Craco with a guide, a hard hat and signing a waiver. Visits are by guided tour only and tours are available from 10am until sunset daily. The tours run approximately every hour and are about 1 hour in length. English tours are €15 per person. You can find contact information for the guides on the Comune di Craco website.
Interested in visiting other famous movie locations around the world like the seascape forever burned into our memories from The Beach or the world’s tallest building that Ethan Hunt scaled in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol? Find these locations and many more from other wanderlust inducing movies in this famous film location guide by Travel Republic.
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Dan Hagen says
Lucky you could get there before the movie came out. I bet it’s quite different now.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I’d really doubt that. All of the filming locations, with the exception of Villa Cimbrone are extremely off-the-beaten-path. During our time of living in Italy for the past seven years, and now in France, we find that foreigners are extremely afraid to rent cars and drive. It’s impossible to reach the filming locations without a car and they are so far off the tourist path that I just don’t see these places ever becoming overrun.
Additionally, Craco has been in many major films. The media often misquote the filming location as Matera though. And so Craco remains almost entirely unknown.
Monika says
It might indeed become more touristy as people learn about it
Why are foreigners afraid to rent cars? Is there something you need to be afraid of? It’s often hard to get to some beautiful locations if you don’t have your own transport.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Driving in Europe is very different for foreigners, especially Americans. The narrow, winding roads and just driving style they heard about are enough to make many people swear off renting a car.
We personally love driving and road trips are our favorite way to travel, though we are used to the driving after eight years of living in Europe.
Susan R says
We were lucky to go to a friend’s wedding in Ravello and seeing your photos of Villa Cimbrone brought back some great memories. We didn’t get to the Cilento Coast though, that looks very impressive too. Makes me want to see the film!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
What a beautiful spot that your friend got married in! Her photos must be absolutely incredible.
Rhonda Albom says
I haven’t seen Wonder Woman yet and I’m not planning to, but I know that my daughter wants to watch it quite badly. Film locations gaining popularity is also well-known in New Zealand, home of Middle Earth. It might be a pity that the place will become more touristy because of the movie, but on the flip side it will put it on the map and help with the local economy.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
The Amalfi Coast is already so touristy, and honestly, the other places are so far off-the-beaten-path and not accessible by public transportation that I just don’t see them ever getting the visitors the Amalfi Coast does. People aren’t keen to rent cars and Craco has already been in a number of other major pictures, yet has remained relatively unknown.
Kendal says
Watching Wonder Woman later today, but already obsessed over the film location after seeing bits of it in trailers. Now I know where it’s located, a return trip to Italy is necessary. Thanks for this! Awesome!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Enjoy! I quite liked the movie and I’m betting there will be a sequel. The filming locations they chose were some spectacular ones perfect for the backdrop of this movie.
Laura Lynch says
I do love it when movies inspire people to travel, even if it’s just to find the locations and scenes from the movie. It’s still travel and passion! Plus, Italy is so fun to discover.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It was the reverse for us. These are places we learned about during the seven years we spent living in Italy and made a point of visiting because they aren’t frequented by tourists. I do hope the movie inspires so tourists to go visit and see some spots beyond the popular guidebooks.
Fernanda says
I had no idea that Wonder Woman was all shot in Italy! I have been living in here since the beginning of the year and couldn’t be more in love with the landscape, the food and the people. I will definitely try to find some of these places you mentioned, before it gets too crowded.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Not the entire movie – just Themyscira, the magical island where the Amazones live. The movie was also shot in London and France.
Sab says
Aaaw this blog post brought back some good memories. I visited Villa Cimbrone, Palinuro and some other places around Amalfi and Cilento Coast in summer 2015. I believe you also visited during that time… I haven\’t been back to Europe ever since, but this makes me want to return to Italy and visit more places in that region… Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Yes, we were on that trip together! Though I also visited Villa Crimbrone on another trip and went back to spend more time on the Cilento Coast.
Sounds like it’s definitely time for another trip back to Europe. Hope you’re well, Sab!
Elisa says
Wow! I thought I knew Italy well (traveled a lot around the country for a couple of years) but thanks to your post I am discovering new super cool places to add to my Italy wish list! Wonder Woman is not the kind of film I would go to watch but I may change opinion if I can have a glimpse of all these beautiful places . . Thanks for the inspiration.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
There is so much to see in Italy. We lived there for 7 years and traveled throughout Italy pretty extensively. And we still haven’t seen it all.
Megan Jerrard says
Well if there’s one way to attract tourism to a previously hidden part of Italy it’s with a blockbuster film! I haven’t seen Wonder Woman yet, though from what I have seen of previous Wonder Woman TV and old moveis, I can see how Italy would provide the perfect backdrop. Cilento Coast sounds stunning, I haven’t visited, though I’ve been to the Amalfi Coast – I might have to hurry up before it gets too over run with tourism – I love off the beaten path destinations 🙂
Villa Cimbrone looks stunning – favorite hotel in the world is a big claim! Will have to visit too 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I don’t think you have to hurry too much. Since these places can only be reached by car and aren’t covered in guidebooks, I don’t see them ever gaining the popularity of places like Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast. And that’s definitely not a bad thing.
Chrysoula says
I haven’t seen the movie but since it was filmed in Italy with its spectacular scenery I am going too. Craco looks so picturesque I would love to do a guided tour there for sure!
Trisha Velarmino says
I know a lot of people are unaware that Italy has this kind of places. We all know about the Venice, Amalfi Coast, etc. I must admit, I’ve been to Italy but was not able to go this far. I am a lover of road trips so I would just like to know how the drive was and what about the view?
Susan says
You should correct this article, many scenes were filmed in ‘Il Sassi’, the oldest known human-inhabited area in the city of Matera.
The city of Matera was recently awarded European Capital of Culture for 2019.
Cristina says
I as pleasantly surprised and joyed the movie! Wonder WOman was also filmed on the Gargano. Several of the beach scenes were filmed at the faraglioni, Baia delle Zagare, and one at Pizzumono, Vieste. I am from Puglia and visit every year. I recognized Baia delle Zagare right away! Buon Natale, Cristina
Tim says
Having recently visited Amalfi there is a bus to Ravello which is 20 min away .Great town to visit we walked down a 1700 flight staircase to Minori. By the way we rented a suv and drove to Amalfi
Bobby says
I saw your article about Themyscira. I enjoyed it and was excited to see it was filmed in Italy. However, in your side bar it says you don’t regard people who want to travel on $50 or less per day. I currently don’t make a lot of money but would love to see Themyscira. I want them to introduce Wonder Boy.
Thanks,
Bobby Mc
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Hi Bobby,
Thanks for visiting our site.
Our “About” is to clearly let visitors know we are a luxury travel website, not one about how to travel on $50 a day or less. Themyscira doesn’t actually exist, but several locations in Italy were used and then CGI enhanced to create Themyscira.
I’m sure there are some hostels you could stay in to visit the Amalfi acoast. We just don’t specialize in budget travel and can’t recommend any. Perhaps check the Hostelworld site for budget accommodation in the Amalfi Coast.