Where Was 'The Fault In Our Stars' Filmed?

The Fault in Our Stars was filmed in several locations that helped bring the story to life. Much of the movie was shot in Indianapolis, Indiana, which serves as the home city for the main characters, Hazel and Gus. Iconic landmarks like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and various city streets appear throughout the film, grounding the story in a real, relatable setting.

The movie also includes scenes set in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to depict the trip Hazel and Gus take to meet Peter Van Houten, the author of their favorite book. Filming in Amsterdam included recognizable canals, streets, and the Anne Frank House, giving the story authenticity and a romantic European backdrop.

Together, these locations—Indianapolis for the heart of their everyday lives and Amsterdam for the pivotal travel adventure—helped create the emotional and visual impact of the film, balancing American suburban life with a memorable international experience.

I can confirm 'The Fault in Our Stars' chose spots with incredible emotional resonance. The production team scouted locations that would honor John Green's original vision while being practical for filming.

Pittsburgh served as the primary backdrop, standing in for Indianapolis with surprising accuracy. Key locations included the Cathedral of Learning at University of Pittsburgh for several indoor scenes, and the historic Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall for hospital sequences. The Amsterdam scenes required actual overseas filming, with the crew capturing the authentic canals and that powerful Anne Frank House moment where Hazel struggles up the stairs.

What's fascinating is how they transformed ordinary Pittsburgh spots into magical settings. The famous swing set scene was shot at Mellon Park, while the airport goodbye happened at Pittsburgh International. Local restaurants like Eat'n Park became important character hangouts. The production designer intentionally chose locations with rich textures - brick buildings, tree-lined streets - to create that bittersweet atmosphere of beautiful moments in fragile lives.

Having followed the film's production closely, I admired how location choices enhanced the story's themes. Pittsburgh's mix of urban grit and green spaces mirrored Hazel's worldview - finding beauty in unexpected places.

The Amsterdam scenes were particularly meaningful since they filmed at actual locations from the book. The crew got special permission to film inside the Anne Frank House during off-hours, creating that unforgettable staircase scene. The hotel where Hazel and Gus stayed was the same one John Green described, right down to the elevator size.

Back in Pennsylvania, the production used practical locations instead of soundstages whenever possible. Hazel's house was a real home in Pittsburgh's Point Breeze neighborhood. The hospital scenes blended multiple locations - Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for exteriors while using a closed ward at St. Francis Hospital for interiors. Even small details mattered; the gas station where Gus works was an actual Marathon station in nearby Etna.