Films about agent 007 are traditionally shot in many locations, using more real locations and fewer green screens, preferring real special effects to computer-generated ones. The next film was no exception in London, Istanbul, and Japan, showing many interesting locations both in the cities themselves and their surroundings. 

Filming Locations:

Embankment Place

In the Movie

Scene where Silva escapes from Bond and gets into a police car near the metro station.

In Reality

Hankley Common - Field

In the Movie

Scene where Bond and M arrive at the Skyfall estate to prepare for the approaching storm.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Hankley Common - a 560-hectare (1400-acre) nature reserve in southwest Surrey. It is owned by the Ministry of Defence. Access depends on ongoing military exercises. The reserve contains bunkers and walls created for training the invasion of Normandy in France in June 1944.

Virgin Active Canary Riverside Health Club

In the Movie

Scene where Bond swims on a Shanghai rooftop.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Thus, the Shanghai rooftop pool is actually the Virgin Active pool, a health club in London. Please note! If you want to visit the pool, you need to be a Virgin Active member.

Hashima - Gunkanjima

In the Movie

Scene where James arrives at Silva's island. Severine knows what awaits them.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Hashima is an abandoned island in Nagasaki. It is located about 15 km (9 miles) from the center of Nagasaki city. It is one of 505 uninhabited islands. The island once had over 5,000 residents due to coal mines beneath it. Soon the mine was closed, and all residents left the island, leaving it virtually abandoned for the next three decades. This island is also called "Gunkanjima" because of its appearance. The scenes on the island were not actually filmed there. Most of them were shot at the studio (Pinewood Studios). Some exterior shots are real. The shot of the yacht arriving at the island is computer-generated imagery (CGI). The yacht shots were filmed in Turkey, reports jamesbondlifestyle.com. Tours to the island have been conducted since April 22, 2009, but a number of rules must be followed.

Grand Bazaar

In the Movie

Scene where After leaving the roof of the Grand Bazaar, James Bond continues to pursue Patrice. They ride through the bazaar in Istanbul.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at The Grand Bazaar - meaning "Covered Market" - in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops, visited by 250,000 to 400,000 people daily. In 2014, it ranked first in the list of the most visited tourist attractions in the world with 91,250,000 visitors annually. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is often considered one of the world's first shopping malls.

Hankley Common - Road

In the Movie

Scene where Bond and M arrive at the Skyfall estate.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Hankley Common - a 560-hectare (1400-acre) nature reserve in southwest Surrey. It is owned by the Ministry of Defence. Access depends on ongoing military exercises. The reserve contains bunkers and walls created for training the invasion of Normandy in France in June 1944.

Railway Viaduct

In the Movie

Scene where James Bond fights an enemy on a moving train, gets shot, and then falls wounded into a river.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the Varda Viaduct - a railway crossing over the Kapikaya gorge north of the city of Mersin, Turkey. By the way, you can notice that this is a viaduct over a gorge, i.e., there is no river below, so in reality James would simply fall onto the rocks.

MI6 Headquarters, Vauxhall Cross

In the Movie

Scene where The scene where the iconic headquarters of the British Secret Service becomes the target of a devastating terrorist attack, resulting in a massive explosion and significant damage to the building. This key event forces the agency to operate from a temporary underground facility and sets the stage for the film's central conflict regarding the security of national intelligence.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at The scene was filmed at the real MI6 building, Vauxhall Cross, a distinctive postmodern structure known for its striking pyramidal roof. Located on the banks of the River Thames, it serves as the operational headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service. Its prominent position and unique architecture make it instantly recognizable in many films and media, symbolizing British intelligence.

Adana Railway Bridge

In the Movie

Scene where The scene where the protagonist engages in a brutal fight on the roof of a speeding train as it crosses a massive, historic railway bridge high above a valley. This thrilling opening sequence sets the tone for the film and showcases the agent's relentless determination, leading to a dramatic fall that lays the foundation for the main plot and subsequent quest for revenge.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at The scene was filmed at the Varda Viaduct, an impressive 99-meter railway bridge located in the Taurus Mountains in Adana, Turkey. Built by German engineers in the early 20th century, its majestic arches and picturesque mountain surroundings create a breathtaking and dangerous setting, making it an iconic structure of Turkish engineering and a memorable backdrop for the daring stunts.

MI6 Courtyard / Grand Interior

In the Movie

Scene where The scene depicting the interior and courtyard of MI6 after the devastating bomb attack. This location serves to showcase the temporary operational state of the intelligence agency and provides a backdrop for critical discussions between the agent and his superiors about the future of the service in the face of unprecedented challenges, highlighting the agency's indomitable spirit.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at The scene was filmed at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, a magnificent architectural ensemble designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Its majestic courtyards and classical buildings, in particular the iconic Painted Hall and chapel, were used to represent the formal, historical aspects of intelligence service operations, lending a sense of significance and tradition to the institution's resilience.

London Underground Chase

In the Movie

Scene where The scene where the protagonist engages in a high-speed chase through the busy London Underground system, navigating crowded platforms and leaping boldly between moving trains. This sequence builds tension as he pursues a key antagonist, showcasing the dynamic and unpredictable nature of urban espionage, with danger lurking in every tunnel.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at The scene was filmed at the actual Westminster Underground station, one of London's busiest stations, located directly under the Houses of Parliament. Its modern, massive concrete architecture creates a stark, labyrinthine backdrop for the chase. The station's distinctive design and real environment lend authenticity to the tense pursuit, grounding the action in a familiar yet chaotic setting.