Sigmaringen Castle in the Swabian Alb in the warm autumn light, majestically perched on a rock above the town.

Lights, Camera, ActionCinematic Settings in Southwest Germany

31.12.20255 min. read timeby Hirsch & Greif

Visit the original cinematic settings you know from cinema and television. See where series stars and Hollywood icons worked.

Science Fiction, Horror and Fairytale CastlesOriginal Settings in Southwest Germany. For Film Lovers and Series Junkies.

Fairytale castles, modern architecture, hidden historical gems, and breath-taking landscapes - Baden-Württemberg is rich in atmosphere and inspiration. A diverse setting for creating unforgettable stories, it's no wonder that Southwest Germany, with its countless legendary locations, has been attracting production teams from around the world for years – filming everything from regional dramas to movies for the silver-screen.

Northern Baden-WürttembergHistoric Charm & Extraordinary Stories

Film fans can discover many familiar backdrops in northern Baden-Württemberg. Heidelberg’s romantic old town and castle appeared in Sean Connery's, 'The Name of the Rose', as well as German films such as 'Anatomy' and 'The Pharmacist'. While Netflix romcom hit 'Isi & Ossi', plays on the contrasting clichés of Heidelberg and nearby Mannheim. The old salt-making town of Schwäbisch Hall is now probably more well-known for its film-making, earning it the nickname 'Hallywood'. But the most notable international big screen appearance comes from the small village of Öhringen-Michelbach which featured in the film 'Rush', a biopic about Formula 1 legends James Hunt and Niki Lauda, starring Chris Hemsworth.

Discover the northern part of Baden-Württemberg

View of a small town with half-timbered houses. In the foreground is a body of water and a strip of greenery. The sky is blue.

Greetings from Hallywood

Schwäbisch Hall shines as the scenery for many film projects.

Stuttgart RegionUrban Appeal

The Stuttgart region has long been in the spotlight with its elegant settings making it a favourite for both national and international productions. Popular German TV series' such as 'Tatort', '4 Blocks', and 'SOKO Stuttgart' regularly use the capital’s diverse scenery. And Hollywood, too: Stuttgart was the site of the epic superhero showdown in 'The Avengers' – although scenes were actually filmed in a replica of Stuttgart built by set designers in Cleveland, Ohio, where a few curious mistakes crept in. German cinema dramas 'Freier Fall' and 'Novemberkind' managed to show the quieter, more emotional side of the region, filmed amid the charm of Ludwigsburg and Kornwestheim.

Click here for the filming location Stuttgart

Evening atmosphere at Stuttgart's Schlossplatz with the illuminated Königsbau and modern art museum.

Stuttgart in the spotlight

Palace Square, Königsbau and Museum of Modern Art are ready for their grand appearance.

Swabian AlbMyth & Movies

The Swabian Alb, with its ancient caves, dense forests, and dramatic landscapes, offers scenery straight out of any fantasy film. And that’s why filmmakers love it: the German reimagining of 'Sleeping Beauty' was filmed at both Lichtenstein and Hohenzollern castles. Years later, the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' director, Gore Verbinski, chose the same dramatic settings for 'A Cure for Wellness'. During filming, the castles became crowd magnets - and today, even without cameras rolling, their enchanting atmospheres continue to attract visitors.

Discover the enchanting Swabian Alb

Hohenzollern Castle in the Swabian Alb at sunset, surrounded by green hills and sweeping valley views.

Like something out of a fantasy film

Hohenzollern Castle towers above the Alb and enchants visitors with its spectacular views.

The Black ForestA Blockbuster Setting

The iconic Black Forest's career as a film location began with the German film 'The Black Forest Girl'. The region's green fir trees, colourful traditional costumes, 'Bollenhut' red hats, and of course a happy ending attracted over 14 million people to cinemas from 1950 onwards. It was the first German post-war film produced in colour and starlet Sonja Ziemann achieved worldwide fame for her role. Since then, numerous film crews have used the area as their backdrop: the small town of Gengenbach featured in the opening sequence of Tim Burton's remake of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', the 2020 Netflix series 'Biohackers' was filmed in Freiburg, and stars such as Joaquin Phoenix have filmed in Karlsruhe, where you can sleep in the Cinema City Hotel.

More surprises in the Black Forest

Hotel room of a hotel with a noble sofa in red color and high walls.

Between nostalgia and thrills

The Grandhotel Waldlust is a filming locatgion for drama and horror in the Black Forest.

Upper Swabia & Lake ConstanceTrue Crime & Fairytales

The imposing Sigmaringen Castle towers majestically over the Danube and is not only a popular destination for visitors, but also a sought-after location for TV and film dramas alike. Guided tours of the state rooms and the castle courtyard evoke a fantastic atmosphere of centuries past - but its towers, bay windows, and artistic façades have also been featured in numerous productions such as the German fairytale film 'The Three Royal Children' and the Danish literary adaptation 'The Queen and the Physician'. In 2020, the pile dwellings at Unteruhldingen provided the backdrop to scenes for the Apple TV+ science fiction series 'Foundation'. And Lake Constance is often used as a location for German TV crime dramas 'Tatort Konstanz', 'WaPo Bodensee', and 'Die Toten vom Bodensee' where investigative teams can regularly be found searching for clues around the lake.

Immerse yourself in other worlds