Since Graham Greene’s story was written specifically to take place in Vienna, there was never any doubt about the setting. Looking back, it was a fortunate decision that the filmmakers chose to shoot on location rather than recreate the city in a studio. As a result, this remarkable chapter of Vienna’s history was preserved on film. Alongside Robert Krasker’s Academy Award-winning cinematography, it is the haunting atmosphere of the war-damaged city that makes The Third Man so unforgettable.

Mölker Bastei

This picturesque corner of Vienna’s historic center escaped the destruction of World War II and has remained remarkably unchanged ever since. It continues to be one of the city’s most sought-after filming locations. One of The Third Man‘s key scenes takes place here, and visitors today can experience almost exactly the same view seen by audiences in the late 1940s.

Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel

It was The Third Man that transformed the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel into one of cinema’s most iconic locations. The unforgettable scene between Harry Lime and Holly Martins inspired generations of filmmakers to return here. As one of the historic cabins slowly climbs above the city, time seems to stand still. For a moment, it’s easy to imagine yourself in the footsteps of Harry Lime—or even James Bond.

Am Hof

The square known as Am Hof provides the setting for one of the film’s most memorable moments, when Harry Lime appears to vanish into thin air. At the time, the open square—with little more than a single column at its center—created the perfect stage for this illusion. Visitors can still recognize the location today, although the filmmakers relied on a clever cinematic trick to make Orson Welles seemingly disappear.

Vienna is still widely regarded as a city of spies, thanks in part to its strategic location at the heart of Europe. While The Third Man is not a traditional spy film, the production itself had remarkable intelligence connections behind the scenes. It has since been confirmed that both producer Alexander Korda and author Graham Greene worked for the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), adding an intriguing real-life dimension to the film’s legacy.

The piles of rubble are long gone, and post-war Vienna has been beautifully rebuilt. Yet many of The Third Man‘s filming locations remain waiting to be discovered. The Giant Ferris Wheel, Am Hof, and Mölker Bastei have changed very little over the decades, allowing visitors to step directly into one of the most celebrated films ever made. This remarkable authenticity is one of the reasons Vienna continues to attract film lovers from around the world.

Would you like to discover the original filming locations in person?

The FILMED ON LOCATION audio tour takes you to the most important The Third Man filming locations while sharing fascinating behind-the-scenes stories exactly where they happened. Find all the details here.

Before Sunrise 

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