Sardinia: The Splendid Filming Location for the Little Mermaid

Updated On: November 09, 2023 by   Marwa Abdel Moniem

Quiet and tucked away in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia is one of the best places to capture fairytale-like pictures in the bosom of nature, let alone fiction movies.

This island in Italy is ideal for a romantic story, with all its picturesque that has come out of a fairytale. Yes, you got that right! The Island of Sardinia echoes the atmosphere of fairytales.

With its White sand, crystal water, and mountains, the Island of Sardinia is a copy of the Caribbean but in Europe! This is one reason The Little Mermaid‘s production team decided to film most scenes on this island.

Why Sardinia?

The boot-shaped island in Italy provided an excellent picturesque the filmmakers sought to convey the fictional idea of a mermaid turning into a human.

The Plot of The Little Mermaid

The movie follows Princess Ariel, a mermaid and the youngest daughter of King Triton. Adventurous and beautiful, Ariel is eager to explore the world beyond the sea. Following the orders of Triton, all merfolk are forbidden from going to the surface because a human killed Ariel’s mother. But Ariel did!

Fireworks above the ocean had Ariel move to the sea’s surface to take a closer look. It was then that she saw the ship of Prince Eric, who, likewise, wished to explore the unknown. A storm then hits, and Eric’s ship is crashed against the rocks, leaving the prince unconscious after Ariel rescues him on the shore. Ariel escapes before Eric can regain full consciousness.

Ariel falls in love with the dashing Prince Eric and is more determined to experience life on land. She willingly makes a deal with Ursula, the treacherous sea witch, to turn her into a human for three days, during which Prince Eric should fall for her to be able to remain human permanently.

Where in Sardinia Was the Filming of The Little Mermaid?

The filming of The Little Mermaid did not occur in the Caribbean as the story suggests. The producers got the camera rolling on the northern coast of the Island of Sardinia in Italy, much to the audience’s surprise.

There, in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, the remaking of the Disney movie was filmed on such an exceptional coastal landscape—on white sandy beaches and underwater in the middle of bright corals that are a perfect fit for, well, a little mermaid.

The production crew searched for an isolated beach that best conveys the epic atmosphere. The crystal-clear sea, cliffs, and expansive beaches were what they were looking for, and they found all that on the Island of Sardinia.

The team chose the seaside towns of Santa Teresa di Gallura, Castelsardo, and Golfo Aranci to shoot the outdoor scenes between Ariel and Prince Eric.

Santa Teresa di Gallura

Having been around since the 1800s, Santa Teresa di Gallura was a “that’s it!” for the production crew. Centred around a town square, Santa Teresa di Gallura has archaeological sites, a rugged rocky coast, and old war fortifications along the coastline, which suit the fairytale theme.  

Castelsardo

Why Castelsardo? Because of its “colonial” spirit, the filmmaker used this town to depict the Caribbean aesthetic of the kingdom of Prince Eric. Located in the northwestern area of the province of Sassari on the Island of Sardinia, Castelsardo was the set of many scenes between Princess Ariel and Prince Eric. Eric’s castle can be seen from the sea off Castelsardo, which sits on a rocky cliff in the heart of the Gulf of Asinara.

Golfo Aranci

The production team chose Golfo Aranci to film scenes of the fishermen’s village and the pier around the kingdom of Prince Eric. A small bay, Cala Moresca, with all the fishing boats and the crystal waters, was the ideal location here. 

The impressive cliffs, pine trees, and golden sands of Cala Moresca beach in Golfo Aranci added to the magical mood of the film. 

Rena Majore Beach in Aglientu 

At Rena Majore Beach in Aglientu, the movie’s main scenes were filmed. The scene where Ariel saves Eric from the water was marvellously shot here. It was Ariel’s beach, and from its waters, she emerged and climbed the rock— such an iconic scene in the movie. 

When visiting Rena Majore, however, you won’t find that rock; it does not actually exist at the beach. The rock was designed and constructed specifically for the filming. 

The Rugged Coast of Rena di Matteu

The carriage scenes with Ariel and Eric were filmed here. The filmmakers chose the rugged coastline of Rena di Matteu in Aglientu as the perfect location for the ride scenes.

The locations in Italy’s Sardinia rightly conveyed the epic story of The Little Mermaid thanks to its beautiful beaches and archaeological make-up that would leave you wondering about the history of this island. So let’s take a quick dive into the island’s history!

The History of the Island

Exploring the history of Sardinia is one of the reasons you would love to visit the island. Beyond the beautiful nature of the Sardinian Sea and beaches lie the monuments of the mysterious Bronze Age, which witnessed the rise of the ancient Nuragic culture and its people from around 1800 BC till 238 BC.

With no substantial written records commemorating their civilization, the Nuragic people only left behind their stone structures and sacred wells. Their unique megalithic marvels dotted around Sardinia are proof of their presence on the island.

This Nuragic culture remained on the Island of Sardinia until the Roman colonization in 238 BC. The word “Nuragic” is derived from “nuraghe,” a tower fortress built by the ancient Sardinians. The island is home to more than 7,000 nuraghes that dot the Sardinian landscape now.

Archaeological Sites on the Island of Sardinia

You will be surprised to know that the Island of Sardinia was where the early civilization of Italy bolstered hundreds of thousands of years ago. The island has been there since prehistoric times and is home to many archaeological sites that you might find interesting to visit during your trip. The mysterious giants’ tombs and the Nuragic sacred wells could give you a hint of the ancient islanders’ past.  

The Tombs of the Giants

Characteristic of the Nuragic culture, the rectangular-shaped tombs were built during the Bronze Age. The Nuragic people built more than 800 graves of the giants, which are scattered throughout what is nowadays the Island of Sardinia.

Located on a low hill, this necropolis constitutes the largest burial chamber on the island. It was called the Tomb of the Giants not because the buried people are giants but because the tomb itself is. This is a fascinating archaeological site unique to the Island of Sardinia.

The Nuragic Sacred Wells

Sardinia’s sacred wells were also constructed during the Bronze Age. The Nuragic people built those underground structures and used them as temples to worship water. They were constructed everywhere across the island and served as places for pilgrimage and ceremonies in the Nuragic civilization.

Of those sacred wells, only that of Santa Cristina, as it is known nowadays, is best preserved. This Nuragic landmark in the northeastern part of the Island of Sardinia was also used by the people to perform their distinctive water worship rituals.

Beaches on the Island of Sardinia

Back to the beach, the Island of Sardinia is considered a perfect getaway from bustling city life to a trove of natural beauty. The scenery is amazing that you might think you are in a fictional landscape. Well, that’s what the filmmakers of The Little Mermaid thought when they decided to shoot the remaking of the movie on this Italian island.

The Island of Sardinia has more than 200 beaches with wide-open stretches of powdery white sand, turquoise waters, and rocks scattered along the coastline as you walk. You can also find dunes in some parts of the island.

So, if you are considering visiting the island, rest assured that Sardinian beaches are more beautiful than anything you could have imagined in your wildest dreams. Beautiful and secluded, the Island of Sardinia is surely the best retreat. You can bet on it!

The Interior of the Island of Sardinia

A natural portrait of valleys, rivers, and lakes that are surrounded by hills and mountains—that’s what the interior of the island looks like. It is a wild interior!

Inside, the landscape is full of lush greenery. You can find green cork forests there, and furry sheep are found almost everywhere around, adding to the lovely natural painting of the inner depth of the island. That wild interior was seen as one of the best locations to film the new adaptation of The Little Mermaid.

While the coastal areas have towns and villages, the interior of the island is sparsely populated. That was another reason why the filming of The Little Mermaid took place here. The filmmakers found all the factors needed to shoot the movie on this Italian island.

Activities on the Island of Sardinia

The third reason you will find the Island of Sardinia interesting is the activities it offers its visitors. Vacationers have plenty of activities to enjoy while on the island. You will have a blast!

You can consider swimming and snorkelling, especially in the south of the island. If you love the sun, this place is a good choice to get sun-kissed. Sunbathing is one of the activities you can enjoy on the Island of Sardinia.

It is also an excellent surfing destination. With swells at every corner of the island, you can guarantee surfing is available all year round. So, have your surfboard ready and enjoy the action! The Island of Sardinia also is a no-think-twice when it comes to hiking. The mountains in Barbagia province on the island are so encouraging to walk through. 

The Climate on the Island of Sardinia

All set to visit the Italian paradise? You need to know some facts about the climate on the island first. It is purely Mediterranean weather—hot, dry in summer and mild cold in winter.

If you are much more comfortable during sunny summers, you can consider visiting between the months of June and August. The maximum temperature in summer can reach up to 35 degrees Celsius.

Sardinia Has It All!

Having reached this far in the article, you must have realised that the Island of Sardinia is a place for relaxation, recreation, and archaeology. It is a retreat that will help you re-energise, and it is cheaper than most other regions in Italy.

Whether on your own, with your significant other, or as part of a group, you will find what is best for your mood on this beautiful and isolated island, where you can abdicate responsibility for a while and take a deep breath. So, come shed it all off on the beaches of Sardinia. You won’t be disappointed!

The Island of Sardinia is a place to make good memories and take awesome pictures. Remember, quality time is best spent around loved ones in magical places, such as the Island of Sardinia in Italy!