Are you a die-hard James Bond fan mourning the death of the original film actor? Tired of waiting for the next movie in the franchise, delayed yet again by the pandemic? In tribute to Sean Connery, who played the dapper secret agent on-screen seven times and died in the Bahamas on October 31, and while waiting for No Time To Die, take a virtual tour of filming locations from classic Bond movies through the years. Known for his tuxedos, shaken-not-stirred martinis, Aston Martin luxury motorcars and gadgets (courtesy of Q), the British secret agent—portrayed by six different actors on film, beginning with Connery in 1962—has consistently foiled villains in adventures set in far-flung, exotic locales.
Dunn's River Falls
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
In almost every adventure, the secret agent finds himself on a beautiful tropical island with an equally attractive woman. Many remember Sean Connery in the first Bond film, Dr. No (1962), with Ursula Andress and her famous white bikini. The locale is a popular tourist resort destination, but if you visit, don't expect it to be quite as secluded as it was for James and his Bond girl.
Himeji Castle
Himeji, Japan
Practicing martial arts is important to keep 007 in fighting shape, and he visits a dojo in You Only Live Twice (1967, Sean Connery) to keep his skills sharp. In reality, the castle, located outside Kyoto isn't used as a dojo, but visitors can visit the historic site and tour the grounds.
Varda Viaduct
Hacikiri, Turkey
Fight scenes in blood-pumping locations are a staple of Bond films. Skyfall (2012, Daniel Craig) opens with a motorbike chase through Istanbul, and the scene comes to a climax with a fistfight on top of a moving train as it crosses Varda Viaduct, a stone bridge 320 feet above a rocky canyon. Take a train across the bridge along the Baghdad Railway line, but make sure to stay in the train car.
Dragon Garden
Tsing Lung Tau, Hong Kong
In The Man With the Golden Gun (1974, Roger Moore), Bond infiltrates these gardens—meant to be the private residence of Hai Fat—at night, taking out guards along the way. The location is actually a private garden founded by Dr. Lee Iu-Cheung and now owned by Lumina College, which runs occasional guided tours, presumably with less security than 007 faced.
Furka Pass
The Alps, Switzerland
In the classic movie Goldfinger (1964, Sean Connery), Bond races along these precarious cliffs in pursuit of the villain. The sharp turns and breakneck speeds in classic cars make this an adrenaline-packed scene. You can drive the same road (at a much slower pace), but it is a region known for snow, so be careful!
ESO Hotel
Cerro Paranal, Chile
The villains of Quantum of Solace (2008) meet at a hotel in the desert to finalize plans, and Bond (Daniel Craig) is there with his Bond girl (played by Olga Kurylenko) to foil their plans. In real life, the hotel is at the Paranal Observatory in the Atacama Desert in an area known for amazing stargazing and breathtaking scenery. Just don't get stranded in the desert like Dominic Greene.
Casino de Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo, Monaco
What would Bond be without a well-fitting tuxedo and an extravagant casino? Visit the same hotel and casino the secret agent did in both Never Say Never Again (1983, Sean Connery) and GoldenEye (1995, Pierce Brosnan). High rollers can enter tournaments for Texas hold'em, Roulette and Baccarat (a favorite of Bond's) with prizes up to 500,000 euros.
Giza Pyramid Complex
Giza, Egypt
The pyramids serve as a beautiful and eerily-lit backdrop for the murder of an informant by henchman, Jaws (the man with steel teeth) in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). This iconic tourist destination outside Cairo didn't need any help from Bond to put it on the map, but fans can enjoy the added bonus of exploring the area with this Roger Moore film in mind.
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Key West, Florida
In the lesser-known film Licence to Kill (1989) with Timothy Dalton, Bond chases his enemy to Mexico, with a stopover and run-in with his boss, M, in Key West. The building—known for its beautiful architecture and the nearly 50 cats that live on-site—was also the home of the author of Ernest Hemingway.
