Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid was undoubtedly a huge undertaking, from the underwater CGI to figuring out how to fill the gaps in the original story. But while Rob Marshall’s version of the ocean and its creatures has gotten some flack already for looking, well, not great (Flounder, I’m so sorry), you can’t deny that the scenes on the island Jonah Hauer-King’s Prince Eric calls home were beautiful. But where exactly was The Little Mermaid even filmed?
In the movie, they never name the island, so it’s presumed to be some vague, fictional territory that’s likely in the Caribbean, based on the maps Eric shows Ariel when she first comes to the palace. But what if I told you that it was filmed on a different continent entirely?
Yep, that’s right — the principal shooting location for The Little Mermaid was actually Sardinia, Italy, where production took place in the summer of 2021. Production had originally begun in London at Pinewood Studios in 2020, according to Variety, but we all know what happened in 2020 — the COVID-19 pandemic caused a delay and regroup. More specifically, they filmed in Santa Teresa di Gallura, a little seaside village near the coast — I’m sure that’ll end up on everyone’s travel wishlist after they watch Eric and Ariel fall in love there.
Sardinia is an island off of the Mediterranean Sea known for its rugged coastline and ancient archaeological sites, according to Travel + Leisure. It has peaceful small villages with beautiful Italian architecture, but also wonders like a grotto, Bronze Age sculpture (Su Nuraxi Nuraghe), and Costa Smeralda, the 12-mile northeast shoreline. And according to Strictly Sardinia, it’s actually cheaper to visit than most other regions in Italy, making it a perfect destination for your next European vacation.
The filming location truly does look like a dream, and it seems the cast agrees: When filming wrapped in July 2021, Halle Bailey — aka Ariel — made a heartfelt Instagram post to commemorate the experience. (I’m so jealous of the ocean and sunset in that pic; I need to be there ASAP.)
“after auditioning for this film when i was 18 just about to turn 19 , to now finishing filming through a pandemic when i turned 21 ..we have finally made it,” Bailey wrote. “it has been the toughest experience being away from everything and everyone i’ve ever known, to feeling self doubt/ loneliness, but also feeling such freedom and perseverance as i’ve reached the end. this experience has made me so much stronger than i ever thought i could be.” After thanking the cast and crew, she finished her message with, “thank you sardinia for a wonderful ending!!! xoxo.”
Hauer-King posted his own picture of the beautiful shore in Sardinia to commemorate the experience during filming, and also shared some Polaroids of the cast and crew during their time on the island. It seems like everyone had a blast there, TBH. I know what place is next on my bucket list…