From the bottom of the sea to the shores of Sardinia. Discover with us the Italian locations of The Little Mermaid.
So if you are thinking of taking a trip to Sardinia to see for yourself the natural wonders that serve as the backdrop for the film, then you are in the right place. In this article, we will summarize all the Italian locations of The Little Mermaid, with an eye on the scenes in the film as well.
The Little Mermaid: a guide to the film's Italian locations.
Filming of the film took place between Italy and Pinewood Studios in Iver, in the southeast of the United Kingdom.
In Italy, the scenes were all concentrated on the northern coast of Sardinia, where sequences at sea, the iconic cliff and the fishermen's village were shot.
Castelsardo
Photo courtesy of Disney
If you have seen the movie, you have surely admired Eric's imposing castle. Well some of the settings chosen, especially those where the castle can be seen in the distance, from the sea, are in Castelsardo, in the heart of the Gulf of Asinara, in the province of Sassari.
Castelsardo is an ancient fortified village that retains all the charm of its thousand-year history. It is a must-see destination for those who want to discover the natural, cultural and gastronomic wonders of northern Sardinia. Among its attractions are the striking rocky inlets, where golden sandy beaches such as that of Lu Bagnu.
Breathtaking views of the gulf's coastline, including those of neighboring Corsica, can also be enjoyed from Castelsardo.
Rena Majore Beach in Aglientu
Photo courtesy of Disney
The most important of the Italian locations of The Little Mermaid is definitely Ariel's beach, namely Spiaggia di Rena Majore in Aglientu. This is where some of the main scenes of the film were shot, such as when Ariel rescues Eric and emerges from the water to climb the rock.
A small curiosity about the very rock: it does not exist in reality and is not a digital element added in post-production. The rock was specially constructed for the filming and was brought to Spiaggia di Rena Majore in Aglientu shortly before the cast arrived in Italy.
Rena Majore is a true spectacle: an expanse of soft white sand that plunges into a sea with enchanting reflections, with a backdrop of black rocks and pale granite rocks. It is located in the almost namesake town of Rena Majore, in the municipality of Aglientu, and is part of the Monti Russu nature site.
The sea, painted in shades of light blue and blue, is shallow and suitable for swimming by the less experienced. It is no coincidence that Rena Majore's seabed, diverse and populated with fish, is a popular destination for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.
The Italian locations of The Little Mermaid: Rena di Matteu di Aglientu
Photo courtesy of Disney
The rugged coastline of Rena di Metteu, also in the province of Aglientu, served as the backdrop for the carriage ride scenes with Ariel and Eric.
In addition to being one of the Italian locations for The Little Mermaid, Rena di Matteu beach is inescapable to visit for its fine, white sand, which stretches between two cliffs covered with Mediterranean scrub. The sea that washes the beach is incredibly clear, with shades ranging from blue to turquoise, and a shallow, sandy seabed dotted with a few emerging rocks.
Cala Moresca
The fishermen's village and the scenes showing the surroundings of the castle pier were all shot in Cala Moresca. This is a small bay located in the territory of Golfo Aranci, a few kilometers from Olbia, within the protected area of the promontory of Capo Figari.
Here you can admire two beautiful small beaches of golden sand, washed by a crystal clear emerald-colored sea. Between the two beaches are rock formations that emerge from the water and create an evocative setting with the island of Figarolo, which is distinguished by its pyramidal shape.
