Lara Croft lands in Almeria: Amazon’s Tomb Raider begins filming

Almería is back in the spotlight, this time with a starring role in Amazon Prime’s new series, Tomb Raider. Production is well underway, with the cast having been spotted on set around the globe, but filming only recently begun in Almería’s own Sierra Alhamilla.

Little is known about the production, but fans are cleverly piecing together clues. Many fans of the original video game franchise speculate Almería’s desert landscapes could be a stand-in for Egypt.

Almería has long been a more convenient filming location for similar projects, such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Game of Thrones and Exodus: Gods and Kings.  The province’s unique combination of desert scenery, year-round sunshine and established film infrastructure continues to attract major international productions.

Why fans think Amazon’s Tomb Raider will be set in

More credence is given to this theory because of a recently announced casting call searching for background actors with Arab features. Egypt played a prominent role in the Tomb Raider, and fans are excited to see it as the setting for the show’s first season.

The production has established one of its key filming locations at El Chorrillo, a striking area within Sierra Alhamilla that has previously doubled for locations across the Middle East and North Africa. Industry observers note that the region’s landscapes can convincingly recreate ancient and desert settings while offering easier logistics than filming abroad.

Sophie Turner returns to Spain as Lara Croft

While the fictional Lara Croft has a lot of experience exploring Egypt, the actress who will bring her to life has just as much experience filming in Spain. Sophie Turner frequently visited Spain for her role as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones which filmed in key destinations like Sevilla, the Basque Country and Catalonia.

Turner was recently confirmed as the new Lara Croft in the Amazon MGM Studios adaptation. The actress has already been linked to filming activity in Spain as production moves between multiple locations. 

Sierra Alhamilla continues Almería’s film legacy 

The arrival of Tomb Raider further strengthens Almería’s reputation as one of Europe’s leading filming destinations. Sierra Alhamilla and nearby desert landscapes have hosted countless productions over the decades, from classic westerns to major Hollywood blockbusters and international television series.

Tomb Raider is slated for a 2027 release, at which point beady-eyed viewers should keep a lookout for any familiar sets or backgrounds. If fan theories prove correct, Almeria may once again be disguising itself as one of the world’s most iconic archaeological destinations.