Gray concrete facade of a decommissioned power plant under overcast autumn sky, pine forest nearby.

Where Was Chernobyl Filmed?

The HBO miniseries shot mostly in Lithuania, at a twin nuclear plant and Soviet-era Vilnius neighborhoods, with added scenes in Ukraine.

Check availabilitySee every location

The Short Answer

Most of HBO's Chernobyl was filmed in Lithuania. The Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant near Visaginas, whose reactors were nearly identical to Chernobyl's, doubled for the plant itself, while the Fabijoniškės district of Vilnius stood in for Pripyat. Additional scenes were shot around Kaunas, and some footage was captured in Kyiv and the Chernobyl exclusion zone in Ukraine.

HBO's 2019 miniseries Chernobyl tells a story set in Soviet Ukraine and Moscow in 1986, but the production rarely worked where the real events happened. Around 70 percent of filming took place in Lithuania, with the remaining 30 percent in Kyiv and the Chernobyl zone in Ukraine. Over 40 locations were used and more than 1,000 hours of footage shot across the two countries.

The choice of Lithuania was practical as much as visual. The Ignalina plant had RBMK reactors nearly identical to Chernobyl's and had been decommissioned, while Vilnius' Fabijoniškės district was built in the late 1980s, mirroring Pripyat's era exactly. A 20-30 percent tax incentive and an established crew base helped too. Many of the sites are public streets or museums that travelers can see today, though the exclusion zone itself has been closed to tourists since 2022.

Every Location At A Glance

LocationWhereWhat was filmedAccess
Ignalina Nuclear Power PlantVisaginas, LithuaniaInterior and exterior scenes of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, control rooms, reactor halls (except ruined sections)Ticketed
Fabijoniškės districtVilnius, LithuaniaPripyat city streets, apartment blocks, evacuation scenes (e.g., Stanevičiaus g.)Free to see
Kaunas locations (various)Kaunas, LithuaniaMoscow exteriors, hospital scenes, railway bridge (Petrašiūnai), Legasov apartment (Vytauto Ave 58)Free to see
Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (KGB Museum)Vilnius, LithuaniaKGB prison and interrogation scenesTicketed
Institute of HydrobiologyKyiv, UkrainePripyat hospital scenesOutside only
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and Exclusion ZoneChernobyl, UkraineLimited on-location shots including some exteriors and establishing shotsClosed
Vernadsky National LibraryKyiv, UkraineLibrary/archive scenes (as Moscow University library)Free to see
National Technical University of Ukraine (KPI)Kyiv, UkraineCommunist Party headquarters scenesOutside only

Filming Locations Map

8 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Location By Location

Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, Visaginas
Location 01

Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant

Utena County, Visaginas, Lithuania Ticketed

Filmed here: Interior and exterior scenes of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, control rooms, reactor halls (except ruined sections)

This decommissioned plant near Visaginas stood in for the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, with interior and exterior scenes including control rooms and reactor halls, apart from the ruined sections, which were built as sets. Because its RBMK reactors were nearly identical to Chernobyl's, the resemblance was close enough to convince viewers. The site is ticketed and remains a restricted decommissioning facility. Guided tours are available in English, but visitors need to book in advance and expect limited access to certain areas.

Fabijoniškės district, Vilnius
Location 02

Fabijoniškės district

Vilnius County, Vilnius, Lithuania Free to see

Filmed here: Pripyat city streets, apartment blocks, evacuation scenes (e.g., Stanevičiaus g.)

This residential district of Vilnius portrayed the city of Pripyat, standing in for its streets, apartment blocks, and evacuation scenes, including sequences filmed along Stanevičiaus gatvė. Built in the late 1980s, its architecture matches Pripyat's era so precisely that little dressing was needed. It remains a normal living neighborhood with public streets and buildings. Walking tours focused on Soviet architecture pass through, and independent visitors can wander freely, though residents ask for consideration.

Kaunas locations (various), Kaunas
Location 03

Kaunas locations (various)

Kaunas County, Kaunas, Lithuania Free to see

Filmed here: Moscow exteriors, hospital scenes, railway bridge (Petrašiūnai), Legasov apartment (Vytauto Ave 58)

Kaunas hosted a range of exteriors, including Moscow street scenes, hospital sequences, the railway bridge at Petrašiūnai, and Legasov's apartment on Vytauto Avenue 58. The city's interwar and Soviet-era building stock made it a flexible stand-in for both Moscow and Ukraine. All of these sites are public, including bridges and buildings anyone can view from the street. Some guided film tours cover them, though many visitors simply map out the addresses and explore independently.

Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (KGB Museum), Vilnius
Location 04

Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (KGB Museum)

Vilnius County, Vilnius, Lithuania Ticketed

Filmed here: KGB prison and interrogation scenes

This Vilnius museum, housed in a former KGB building, provided the setting for the KGB prison and interrogation scenes. The museum retains its original cells, which gave the production authentic interiors without the need for set construction. Today it is a popular tourist site with paid entry, open to the public and easy to reach in central Vilnius. Visitors can see the actual prison spaces that appear on screen alongside wider exhibits on Soviet occupation.

Institute of Hydrobiology, Kyiv
Location 05

Institute of Hydrobiology

Kyiv, Ukraine Outside only

Filmed here: Pripyat hospital scenes

This scientific institute in Kyiv was used for the Pripyat hospital scenes. It is a working research facility rather than a tourist attraction, so there is no public access to the interior. The building's exterior is visible from the street, which is enough to recognize its role in the series. Travelers exploring Kyiv's film locations often pass by as part of a wider route taking in the city's other Chernobyl filming sites.

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and Exclusion Zone, Chernobyl
Location 06

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and Exclusion Zone

Kyiv Oblast, Chernobyl, Ukraine Closed

Filmed here: Limited on-location shots including some exteriors and establishing shots

A limited amount of on-location shooting happened here, including some exteriors and establishing shots of the real plant and zone. For years afterward, guided tours of the exclusion zone were a popular excursion from Kyiv. That has changed: the zone has been closed to tourists since 2022 due to the war in Ukraine, and no visits are currently possible. Travelers wanting the on-screen experience instead head to Lithuania, where most of the plant scenes were filmed anyway.

Vernadsky National Library, Kyiv
Location 07

Vernadsky National Library

Kyiv, Ukraine Free to see

Filmed here: Library/archive scenes (as Moscow University library)

This Kyiv library appeared as the Moscow University library in the library and archive scenes. Its distinctive architecture made a convincing Soviet-period academic setting. The building operates as a public library, so anyone can approach and view it. Interiors may require permission to enter, so casual visitors should treat this primarily as an exterior stop. It sits within easy reach of Kyiv's other Chernobyl filming locations for those mapping a self-guided route.

National Technical University of Ukraine (KPI), Kyiv
Location 08

National Technical University of Ukraine (KPI)

Kyiv, Ukraine Outside only

Filmed here: Communist Party headquarters scenes

The KPI campus in Kyiv stood in for the Communist Party headquarters seen in the series. As with several Kyiv locations, the production used the exterior, and the campus remains freely accessible today. Visitors can view the buildings from outside during a walk around the university grounds. Combined with the Vernadsky National Library and the Institute of Hydrobiology, it forms part of a compact cluster of Chernobyl filming sites in the Ukrainian capital.

Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed

The story is set in Chernobyl and Pripyat in Soviet Ukraine, with Moscow scenes set in Russia, all in 1986. Filming told a different story: roughly 70 percent of production took place in Lithuania, mainly at the Ignalina plant and in Vilnius, with the remaining 30 percent in Kyiv and the Chernobyl exclusion zone in Ukraine. Scenes set in Russia were never filmed there at all, with Kaunas covering most Moscow exteriors.

The Studio Side

Interior work relied on Vilnius studio space. Production used Martynas Studio, also known as Kino Studija, and the Audejas factory, where some reactor control room and ruined reactor scenes were built as sets. Neither studio is open to the public for visits, so screen-used interiors can no longer be seen in place, though the Ignalina plant tours cover much of the same ground in authentic surroundings.

Tours That Visit These Locations

Two bookable tours focus specifically on the series' Vilnius locations, taking in Fabijoniškės and other filming points with a guide who explains what was shot where. Both are well rated by past participants.

Small-Group Series Walk, Vilnius

Chernobyl Series Tour Vilnius

A shared Vilnius tour at $101, rated 4.9 from 8 reviews, pairing the key filming sites with guide commentary at a lower price.

4.9 out of 5 · 8 reviews

From$101Check availability

Private Vilnius Film Tour

Private Chernobyl Series Tour Vilnius

A private option at $130 with a perfect 5 rating from 3 reviews, ideal for fans who want the itinerary and pace tailored to them.

5.0 out of 5 · 3 reviews

From$130Check availability

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Visit The Nuclear Plant Where Chernobyl Was Filmed?

Yes. The Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant near Visaginas in Lithuania offers guided tours in English. It is a ticketed, active decommissioning site with restricted areas, so advance booking is required.

Is The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Open To Tourists?

No. The zone has been closed to tourists since 2022 due to the war in Ukraine. Before that, guided tours operated from Kyiv, but visits are not currently possible.

Why Was Chernobyl Filmed In Lithuania Instead Of Ukraine?

The Ignalina plant has RBMK reactors nearly identical to Chernobyl's and was already decommissioned, making it safe to film in. Lithuania also offered a 20-30 percent tax incentive and an established crew base.

Where Is Pripyat In The Series Actually Located?

Most Pripyat scenes were filmed in the Fabijoniškės district of Vilnius. Built in the late 1980s, its apartment blocks closely match the real Pripyat's era, and the streets remain publicly accessible today.

Can You Walk Around The Vilnius Filming Locations On Your Own?

Yes. Fabijoniškės is a normal residential area with public streets, and the Kaunas sites are also publicly viewable. Guided tours exist for both, but independent visits are straightforward.

Are Any Chernobyl Interiors Real Locations?

Many are. The KGB prison and interrogation scenes used the genuine cells of Vilnius' Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights. Some reactor control room and ruined reactor scenes, however, were built as sets in Vilnius studios.

Lithuania carries most of the series on its own shoulders, and nearly all of it is visitable: a twin nuclear plant with English-language tours, a residential district that doubles as Pripyat, a real KGB prison, and a string of Kaunas exteriors. Ukraine's contribution, including the exclusion zone itself, remains off-limits for now, which makes Vilnius the practical base for anyone following the production. A guided tour covers the highlights efficiently, or a self-guided walk through Fabijoniškės costs nothing at all.

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