Mexico City: More than an ordinary opening scene
One of the greatest impacts of the James Bond series is its ability not merely to use a city, but to redefine it. The clearest example of this is undoubtedly Mexico City.
The opening sequence of the 2015 film Spectre featured one of the most ambitious productions of the Daniel Craig era. In the opening minutes, viewers saw thousands of people marching in skeleton costumes during a grand “Día de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) parade. Yet at the time, no such large-scale procession actually existed in Mexico. The scene became so iconic and so intertwined with the city’s spirit that, following the film’s success, the Mexican government transformed this fictional parade into an annual event. Today, thousands of visitors travel to the city each year to take part in a tradition that, in many ways, 007 himself set in motion.
Production notes and details
The famous hotel Bond walks through while trying to prevent an assassination is the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México, one of the city’s oldest and most magnificent landmarks. Built in 1899, the building represents the height of Art Nouveau architecture. For Bond fans, standing beneath the hotel’s monumental Tiffany stained-glass ceiling and seeing its antique cage elevators feels like stepping directly into the film. Yet the true technical brilliance of the sequence lies in the helicopter acrobatics staged over Zócalo. Piloted by Chuck Aaron, the helicopter performed daring maneuvers just meters above thousands of extras, captured entirely through real stunt work rather than CGI, which has since become standard in modern action cinema.
The Mexican adventure, of course, is not limited to Spectre. In the 1989 film Licence to Kill, the director again used the city to portray the fictional Isthmus City. Scenes in which Bond pursues the villain Sanchez featured the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the city’s surrounding highways, providing a perfect backdrop for the series’ darker, revenge-driven chapter. Today, for a Bond enthusiast visiting Mexico, having a coffee at the Zócalo is far more than a casual break; it becomes a quiet tribute to one of the most memorable opening sequences in cinematic history.
At the same time, the Omega Seamaster 300 seen on Daniel Craig’s wrist in the opening scene of Spectre was specially designed for the film. With its vintage aesthetic and NATO strap, the watch makes a striking impression while also serving as a subtle nod to Bond’s naval roots, frequently referenced in the original novels.
Austrian Alps: Crystal elegance
Bond and winter sports have been inseparable since the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. However, Austria has always elevated this relationship to a more sophisticated, technologically advanced level. The Sölden region, in particular, is the epicenter of the ‘glass and steel’ aesthetic so often seen in modern Bond cinematography.
Ice Q and 007 ELEMENTS:
The building that appears in Spectre as the “Hoffler Clinic,” where Bond meets psychologist Madeleine Swann, is actually the Ice Q Restaurant, perched at an altitude of 3,048 meters. This minimalist, all-glass structure gleams on the Gaislachkogl summit like a crystal of ice. The producers chose this location for its sweeping 360-degree panorama and the futuristic atmosphere created by the architecture. Just steps away stands 007 ELEMENTS, the world’s only permanent Bond experience center. Carved into the mountain, this immersive museum goes beyond revealing behind-the-scenes details of the film; it also lets visitors step inside the architectural language of the franchise’s iconic villain lairs.
Bregenz and Weissensee Details:
For a true “Bond nerd”, Austria is never just about snow-covered peaks. One of the most striking examples appears in the 2008 film Quantum of Solace, in the famous opera sequence where James Bond infiltrates a secret organization’s meeting. The scene was filmed on the floating stage of the Bregenz Festival (Seebühne) set against the vast waters of Lake Constance and marked by a gigantic eye-shaped stage design. Few places in the world blend theatrical spectacle and espionage aesthetics with such seamless impact.
In The Living Daylights, the first time Timothy Dalton played James Bond, the frozen Weissensee lake, used to cross the border, hosted one of the series’ nostalgic yet technically flawless action scenes. Austria has always stood out to Bond as both a point of escape and an arena where technology collides with nature in the most elegant way.
The Bahamas: The magic of underwater cinematography
Our next stop in the Bond universe is the Bahamas. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Bahamas is one of the defining locations that shape the series’ identity. From underwater sequences to beachside style, many of the Bond world’s “firsts” took place in these turquoise waters.
The 1965 film Thunderball revolutionized underwater action scenes, which were considered nearly impossible at the time. The sequences in which James Bond, portrayed by Sean Connery, fights enemies among coral reefs in his orange swimsuit were filmed at Thunderball Grotto near Staniel Cay. Today, the site remains an essential destination for diving enthusiasts. The underwater cameras and lighting techniques used during the film’s production later inspired countless Hollywood projects. For a devoted fan, visiting the iconic submerged aircraft wreck beneath the surface, the fictional remains of a Vulcan bomber, feels like touching the most technical layers of 007 history.
Nearly forty years after Thunderball, the series was rebooted in 2006 with Daniel Craig, and the producers returned to the Bahamas. The harbor of Nassau, where Bond trails an assassin, and the One&Only Ocean Club, now known as The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, represent the modern definition of luxury in the Bond universe. One of the film’s most memorable shots, Bond emerging from the sea, was filmed on the beach directly in front of the resort. The moment also serves as a subtle nod to Never Say Never Again, where Sean Connery returned to the role years later. For Bond, the Bahamas is not merely a sun-soaked holiday destination; it is where the profession of espionage acquires its signature cool, that famous shaken-but-not-stirred composure.
Tokyo: The traditional Japanese spirit
Among James Bond’s Far East adventures, Japan has always held a special place. The 1967 film You Only Live Twice fused the Cold War space race with Tokyo’s neon skyline and the country’s ancient traditions. Ian Fleming’s detailed observations of Tokyo were brought to life on screen as a striking visual spectacle.
Hotel New Otani and architectural brilliance: The massive cylindrical building presented in the film as the villain’s headquarters is in reality Hotel New Otani Tokyo, one of the city’s most prestigious hotels. The revolving restaurant on the 17th floor and the century-old Japanese garden are among the clearest examples of how Bond’s world blends cutting-edge technology with deep-rooted tradition.
Toyota 2000GT and ninja training: The Tokyo segment also stands out for Bond’s unusual automotive choice. While audiences are accustomed to seeing Bond behind the wheel of an Aston Martin, his presence in Tokyo prompted a different decision in this film. Because Bond’s (Sean Connery) height did not fit comfortably in the standard Toyota 2000GT, Toyota produced two special open-top versions exclusively for the movie. Today, these vehicles are regarded by collectors as priceless works of automotive art.
The scenes in which James Bond undergoes ninja training were filmed at Himeji Castle, a location that brings Japan’s feudal history directly into the world of espionage. From the crowded avenues of Shinjuku to the refined bars of Ginza, every corner of Tokyo reflects Bond’s ability to survive within a foreign culture. For Bond, Tokyo is not merely a stop along the way; it is the most sophisticated meeting point between West and East.
Visiting the cities where the James Bond films were shot is more than stepping onto a movie set; it is about breathing in the mysterious, luxurious, and adrenaline-charged atmosphere embedded in those places. From the festival crowds of Mexico to the silent peaks of the Alps, from the depths of the Bahamas to the neon streets of Tokyo, each location adds another brick to the Bond legend.
In the third installment of our series, we journey to four very different corners of the Bond universe. From the ancient stone streets of Matera to the mystical landscapes of Cairo, from the tropical shores of Jamaica where 007 was born to the misty Highlands of Scotland where his roots lie. Keep your passport close and follow Bond’s trail for your next adventure, because every corner of the world holds a story worthy of a spy legend.
