This beloved tale, given a modern reboot, captures the story of Ariel, a mermaid with aspiration for adventure. This perfect family film shines a light on some stunning locations in northern Sardinia.
With Disney’s The Little Mermaid hitting the screens, the team at Sardinian Places are thrilled to see that many of the filming locations were in Sardinia! With plenty of beautiful coastal regions, we are not surprised that this was the chosen location for some of the main scenes in the film. We delve into them in this blog…
In this scene, we see the famous castle belonging to the prince, although the dramatic building is a fictional one, the scenery itself is 100% real and the citadel does have its very own castle. Castelsardo is an ancient village, sitting atop a hill with magnificent views out over the marina and the gulf, out towards Corsica. The charm of this ancient citadel stems from its thousand-year history, with tiny, cobbled streets, pastel-coloured buildings and little cafes and restaurants dotted throughout, it makes for a wonderful afternoon out. Once you’ve explored the cobbled streets, visit the main event, the castle! A beautiful, ancient building with a church on site that is well worth paying a visit, the views from the surrounding walls are stunning, and here, you can soak up all the history and culture on offer.
Stunning view of Castelsardo by night
Spiaggia di Rena Majore
Located in Aglientu, prominent scenes in the film are shot along this stunning beach, it's crystal-clear waters and fine golden sand shown in all its glory. The scenes in which Ariel rescues Eric and emerges from the water on the rock are all shot here, and we love to see the areas captured in this blockbuster film!
There are plenty of wonderful properties to choose from in the Costa Smeralda and north east that bring you close to this stunning beach as well as plenty of other activities to fill your summer holiday.

Some recommended areas to stay in and around, that are close to Spiaggia di Rena Majore, are Santa Teresa Gallura, and here, just a 20-minute drive away, is Resort Valle dell’Erica Thalasso & SPA, a delightful 5-star hotel that is perfect for families as well as couples. Soak up the stunning views across the Straits of Bonifacio and La Maddalena islands, whilst being close to other towns and villages of the Costa Smeralda. Arzachena is another option for great accommodation, and it is less than a 40-minute drive from the famous Little Mermaid filming location. Arzachena is a charming and quaint town to base yourself in, with four fabulous hotels in the region. And finally, from Isola Rossa, you can reach Rena Majore in just 45 minutes, and we have six fabulous hotels to choose from in the area.
Resort Valle dell'Erica Thalasso & Spa
Rena di Matteu
Another filming location set in the Aglientu region of the north east, sees the carriage ride scene occur, as Ariel is whisked along the stunning coastline with her newly found freedom! Rena di Matteu is a beautiful place to spend the day, the beach boasts fine white sand which stretches between two cliffs dusted with a covering of Mediterranean scrub, bringing the scents of Sardinia to your nose! The clear waters will amaze you and most definitely tempt you for a dip, kids will love exploring the area and discovering the spots in which this famous Disney film was created.
This small bay in the region of Golfo Aranci is just a few kilometres from Olbia, so is in a great location to visit from many of our hotels in the Costa Smeralda and north east of the island. The location is within the protected promontory of Capo Figari. Once you arrive you will be able to explore two magnificent golden sand beaches, with crystal-clear waters lapping at the shores. The rock formations between these two beaches are fantastic as they dramatically emerge from the water. And the most impressive backdrop is the island of Figarolo, a very distinguishable pyramid shape, covered in lush greenery, it is a sight to behold!
Cala Moresca Beach
Isola di Figarolo
This filming location boasts proximity to the wonderful town of Golfo Aranci, our experts recommend staying in Gabbiano Azzuro Hotel & Suites, a 4-star hotel with wonderful views out to the bay, with a range of restaurants on your doorstep. If you are staying in the nearby town of Olbia, Hotel Felix Olbia is a lovely contemporary property just a 25-minute drive away.
Gabbiano Azzuro Hotel & Suites
If you are looking to explore the wonderful island of Sardinia this summer, to find the magical filming location for the new Little Mermaid film, our experts can recommend the ideal properties for you and bring the holiday of your dreams to life.