After earning a licence to kill, secret agent James Bond sets out on his first mission as 007. Bond must defeat a private banker funding terrorists in a high-stakes game of poker at Casino Royale, in Montenegro.
Brogborough FP6, Brogborough, Central Bedfordshire, England, MK43 0XU, United Kingdom
Scene: (on location)
Lenno
Planá
Musso
San Siro
Lierna
Daniel Craig’s first Bond is a globe-trotter that only pretends to visit Madagascar and Montenegro. In reality Casino Royale ran from a Lake Como villa to the spa town of Karlovy Vary, from Venice’s Grand Canal to a Bahamas beach – a very European Bond dressed up as a worldwide one.
Where was Casino Royale filmed?
The film was shot in the Czech Republic (Prague, Karlovy Vary and Loket, standing in for Montenegro), Italy (Lake Como and Venice), and the Bahamas, with studio work at Barrandov in Prague and Pinewood.
Every Casino Royale location, explained
1
Karlovy Vary and Loket – “Montenegro”
The Casino Royale itself is the Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary, and the town of Loket nearby played the fictional Montenegrin setting – the real Montenegro never appears.
2
Prague – the studios and streets
Much of the film was made in and around Prague, using the Strahov Monastery library, city streets and the Barrandov Studios.
3
Lake Como and Venice – the finale
The film’s romantic and tragic climax uses Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como (Bond’s recovery) and Venice, where the collapsing-house sequence was staged near the Grand Canal.
4
The Bahamas – the opening act
The “Madagascar” and Bahamas scenes, including Bond’s chase and the beach, were shot in New Providence and Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
Planning a visit
The Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary is a real luxury spa hotel you can stay in, and Loket’s castle town is a short drive away. Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como is open to visitors, and Venice needs no introduction – between them they cover Bond’s most memorable scenes.
Casino Royale Fun Facts
1
Montenegro is really Czechia The Montenegrin scenes were filmed in Karlovy Vary and Loket in the Czech Republic – Montenegro itself never appears.
2
The Casino Royale is the Grandhotel Pupp The famous casino is the Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary, a real spa hotel you can visit.
3
Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como Bond’s recovery scenes were shot at the Villa del Balbianello, a landmark villa open to the public.
4
Craig's debut Casino Royale was Daniel Craig’s first outing as James Bond, rebooting the series in 2006.
5
The house sinks in Venice The dramatic collapsing-house finale was staged on the Grand Canal in Venice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Casino Royale hotel?
It’s the Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic – a real, visitable spa hotel.
Was Casino Royale filmed in Montenegro?
No – the Montenegrin scenes were shot in the Czech Republic, mainly Karlovy Vary and Loket.
Where is Villa del Balbianello?
On Lake Como in northern Italy – it’s open to visitors and also appears in Star Wars.
Can you visit the Casino Royale locations?
Yes – the Grandhotel Pupp, Loket, Villa del Balbianello and Venice are all open to visitors.
