Guide · Updated 24 September 2026
Lisbon for variety in a small area, Porto for the river and the granite, the Algarve for the coast, Madeira and the Azores for volcanic landscapes, and the Alentejo for open country. Each region has its own permits and its own light.
By Daniel Lopes, founder of Beyond Focus · 4 min read
Our map
PortugalWhere we have filmed
Outside Portugal, we have filmed in Madrid and Paris.
Porto, Lisbon, Montijo, Setúbal, Arrábida, Sesimbra and the Algarve. The rest of this guide covers the regions we are asked about most.
Lisbon
Historic quarters, the river, modern architecture and viewpoints, all in one city. A short drive away are the palaces and cliffs of Sintra, the beaches of Cascais and the bays of Arrábida, near Setúbal.
We have filmed in Lisbon for ProKitchens and for Erva at the Corinthia Lisbon, photographed Once Upon Lisboa, and filmed Hotel Casa Palmela at the foot of Arrábida and Ohana Poke in Setúbal.
Porto
The Ribeira, the Douro, the port cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia and the bridges give Porto a look of its own, darker and more textured than Lisbon. The Douro valley, with its terraced vineyards, is further up the river.
We filmed El Corte Inglés at Air Invictus in Porto, with the planes flying low over the water.
The Algarve
Sea stacks and coves in the west, long beaches and the Ria Formosa lagoon in the east, and the wild Costa Vicentina, which is a natural park. Each municipality issues its own filming permit, and the beaches can also involve the maritime authority.
In summer the best-known spots are full; spring and autumn keep the light with far fewer people in the frame.
Madeira and the Azores
Laurel forest, volcanic peaks and levada trails in Madeira; crater lakes, volcanoes and green coastlines in the Azores. Much of both is protected, so filming there needs the authorisation of the regional authorities, and equipment travels by air or sea.
For productions that qualify, Portugal's film incentive pays a higher rate in both regions.
The Alentejo
Plains, cork oaks, whitewashed villages and wine estates, with long views and few modern buildings in the frame. It suits rural scenes and period looks.
Permits
Often, yes. Filming in public spaces usually needs a permit from the city council, larger shoots in historic centres always do, and natural parks, heritage sites and private properties have their own rules. We ask for the permits our shoots need before the shoot.
Seasons
It depends on the look you want. Spring and autumn give warm light without the summer heat, summer gives the most sun and the fullest beaches, and winter gives moodier skies, with more rain in the North.
Drones
Yes, with an EU drone licence and, near airports, military zones and some protected areas, an extra authorisation. We fly our own drone, with the licence to do it, and ask for the authorisations before the shoot.
Wherever the hotel is, because a hotel film is about the place itself. What changes from region to region is the light and what surrounds the hotel. Hotel Casa Palmela, which we filmed, sits at the foot of the Arrábida hills, south of Lisbon.
It depends on the region, the number of locations and how much detail you need. On our projects, scouting is part of the preparation and goes into the proposal with everything else.
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