Are you looking for inspiration to level up your vacation? Then, try visiting the filming locations of famous movies! Your favorite movie or series might be filmed in a breathtaking location, featuring flawless beaches or snow-capped mountains. Get ready to delve into the screen by traveling to these 21 iconic filming locations. Buckle up and book your flight!
Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland – Harry Potter
Ever dreamed of boarding the Hogwarts Express? Make it a reality by visiting Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland. Tucked in the lush valleys of the Scottish Highlands, its picturesque landscapes will spoil your sights. The viaduct cuts between verdant forests, which turn into astonishing shades of orange during autumn. Moreover, the surreal location inspired J.K. Rowling to write Harry Potter, making it a must-visit for every fan. If you are a Potterhead, you can book a West Coast Railway ticket to pass across it or stop by the Glenfinnan Visitor Center. Therefore, it is one of the most beautiful filming locations to visit.
Lake Como, Italy – Star Wars
This sparkling lake in Northeastern Italy describes ‘romance’ perfectly. Well, even the directors of Star Wars agree with it. Lake Como was chosen as the set of Anakin and Padme’s wedding. The scene was filmed in Villa Balbianello, creating a magical cut in the cult-classic series. The villa sits on the top of a meadowed hamlet, adorned with majestic magnolias and terraced gardens. Until today, visitors dream of recreating Anakin and Padme’s iconic wedding or simply enjoying the beautiful view of Lake Como. Therefore, it is one of the most beautiful filming locations to travel to.
Skopelos, Greece – Mamma Mia!
Spend a super-trouper summer soaking up the sun and dancing on the beaches of Skopelos. This small Greek island makes the all-time favorite Mamma Mia movie colorful. Feel like a dancing queen as you stroll around the blue-tinted villages. Climb up to the hilltop Agios Ioannis Chapel, where Donna sings the heart-wrenching “The Winner Takes It All”. Also, revisit the flawless Kastari Beach where Sophia went lovestruck in “Lay All Your Love on Me”. It is one of the best filming locations to travel to in summer.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia – Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Since appearing in the 2001 Lara Croft movie, Angkor Wat has been on tourists’ radar. This 12th-century temple stuns with its distinctive architecture, mystical atmosphere, and fascinating backstory. Take the role of a fearless adventurer, like Lara Croft, as you voyage through the temple complex. Pass through the centuries-old stone gates, admire the towering pagodas, and see giant trees growing from the temple structures. Moreover, you can call a local guide to learn more about the temple’s history. It is one of the filming locations you must put on your bucket list.
Hanapepe Valley, Hawaii – Jurassic Park
Who would not be stunned by the landscape of Isla Nubar in Jurassic Park? A giant waterfall cascades between verdant valleys and misty rainforests was filmed to depict the dinosaur-packed island. Good news – you can see the real-life Isla Nubar in Hanapepe Valley. It is tucked in Kauai, the fourth-largest island in Hawaii. Besides the waterfall, other landscapes in Jurassic Park and Jurassic World were filmed in Hanapepe Valley. Interestingly, you can join a Jurassic Park-themed tour to visit those filming locations.
Salzburg, Austria – Sound of Music
Spending your childhood with the cheerful songs from the Trapp family? You can travel to their original home in Salzburg, Austria. The beautiful city is tucked in the Eastern Alps, bordering Germany. It attracts travelers from all over the world for one reason – music!
Salzburg is the birthplace of maestro Mozart, but it became more famous since the Sound of Music boomed. Visit Mirabellgardten, where Maria and the children sang the iconic “Do-Re-Mi”. Additionally, don’t miss visiting Schloss Hellbrunn, where Liesel and Rolf sang “16 and 17.” Also, you can relive the movie by watching Sound of Music performance in Marionette Theater.
Sicily, Italy – The Godfather
Standing strong as an all-time classic, The Godfather is hard to forget. The movie focuses on the Italian-American Corleone family, who built a powerful crime network. Adapting to the Italian culture, some scenes were also filmed in Italy. The director chose Sicily, specifically Savocan Town, as a filming location. The quaint and picturesque film was the hideout location of Michael Corleone. Now, travelers can fall in love with the serene Savoca and other Sicilian cities while following the footsteps of The Godfather. It is one of the most beautiful filming locations to travel to.
Dubrovnik, Croatia – Game of Thrones
Are you a fan of Game of Thrones? Then, Dubrovnik is for you to visit! This antique Croatian city houses some iconic filming locations of the Game of Thrones. You can spot the real-life House of Underlying in the stone walls of Minčeta Tower or the King’s Landing in Dubrovnik’s Old Town. See how the King Landing’s harbor comes alive in the Pile Harbour – set on the southeastern coast of Dubrovnik. Besides seeing the Game of Thrones locations, you can enjoy the beaches and laid-back vibe of this Croatian city.
Nothing Hill, London, UK – Notting Hill
This classic romance movie focuses on a love story that started in a bookshop in Notting Hill. William, the main character, owned a bookshop named The Travel Book Company. Interestingly, the bookshop exists in the real world, specifically at 13 Blenheim Crescent London. The store operates until today, selling classic English books and souvenirs. Besides the bookshop, you can also stroll around Notting Hill. It is a trendy district in London, lined with quirky shops and aesthetically pleasing cafes. Make your vacation to London romantic by visiting this filming location.
Ninh Binh, Vietnam – Kong: Skull Island
An undiscovered island coated with thick jungles and surrounded by vegetation-veiled cliffs where prehistoric animals roam – Kong’s setting is simply otherworldly. But who would have thought such place exists in real life? You can see the filming location of Kong: Skull Island in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. Stretching two-hour drive from the capital city, Ninh Binh offers a serene natural landscape. The region is adorned with towering limestone cliffs, emerald lakes, and gapping caves. Therefore, you can see how this beautiful Vietnam region brings Kong to life.
Tokyo, Japan – The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
The Fast and the Furious franchise stays iconic until today. Then, one of the movies that stick to our minds is Tokyo Drift. Just like its name suggests, the directors brought this movie to life by choosing Tokyo as one of the filming locations. Follow the footsteps of racer Sean Boswell in exploring the underground drift world of Tokyo. It was filmed in some of Tokyo’s famous spots, including Harajuku, Shibuya, and Shinjuku.
Seoul, South Korea – Avengers: Age of Ultron
If you are a Marvel fan, you might remember the fight scene between the Avengers and Ultron. The scene took place in Seoul, featuring the metropolitan’s skyscrapers and glimpse of the massive Han River. Moreover, the fictional U-GIN Genetic Research Facility called Seoul its home. Bringing the facility into the movie, the director chose Gangnam – a high-end district – to record the scene. Besides Avengers filming locations, traveling to Seoul is a great choice as you can explore its delicious cuisine, fantastic shopping scene, and beautiful historical places.
Petra, Jordan – Indiana Jones
The adventurous and creative plot of Indiana Jones makes the franchise relevant until today. Then, its third installment, The Last Crusade, has transformed tourism in Jordan. The story revolved around the Holy Grail, an artifact hidden in fictional ‘Canyon of the Crescent Moon’. To enhance the mysterious atmosphere, it took the Ancient City of Petra as one of the filming locations. You can see the glimpses of Greek-influenced pillars and reddish sandstones in the movie. Traveling to Petra would make you feel you are a part of Indiana Jones’ clique!
Namib Desert, Namibia – Mad Max
The award-winning Mad Max series charmed millions of viewers with its post-apocalyptic plot and action-packed scenes. Presenting a wasted and arid Earth after an apocalypse, the movie was filmed in Namib Desert. The otherworldly dunes of Namib Desert have created a perfect setting for the movie. You can see the filming location by traveling to Namibia. Get ready to be charmed by Namib Desert’s dramatic landscapes, along with the world-famous Sossusvlei salt plan.
Bali, Indonesia – Eat Pray Love
Trace the trails of Julia Robert’s character as she discovered love and healing in the Island of Gods. Eat Pray Love is a movie that has amplified Bali’s beauty and popularity. It depicts the island’s flawless beaches, friendly faces, and mystical atmosphere. Until this day, a lot of travelers want to explore the itinerary of Eat Pray Love when visiting Bali. You can soak up the sun in Padang-Padang Beach and get a fortune telling from a Balinese healer.
National Research Council, Madrid, Spain – Money Heist
Netflix’s Money Heist has gained importance in pop culture since 2021. It is hard to forget the iconic mask and red bodysuit costume from the series. Moreover, it is hard to separate the Royal Mint of Spain from the mindblowing plot of Money Heist. However, the series could not film its scenes in the original building. Instead, it used the exterior of the Spanish National Research Council in Madrid as a filming location. So, when you are traveling to Madrid, make sure to stop by the council and imagine how the crew operated their heist.
Balmoral Castle, Scotland – The Crown
Inspired by real-life tales of the British Royal Family, The Crown’s filming locations are in the United Kingdom. One of the most beautiful locations is the Balmoral Castle in Scotland. It was featured in season four, depicting Lady Diana and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s meeting with the Queen. Balmoral Castle is a majestic 18th-century structure, designed in an astonishing Gothic architecture. It is a residence of the British Royal Family, but also opens to visitors. You can marvel at the intricate rooms and well-manicured gardens.
Saint Tropez, France – Emily in Paris
Emily in Paris series in Netflix has captured the hearts of the youngsters. It tells the story of Emily, an American marketing executive working for a fashion company in Paris. Just like its name suggests, the series took place in Paris and features the city’s glitz and glamor. However, another city that draws attention from the audience is Saint Tropez. It was featured in season two, where the protagonist escapes with her friends to this sunny French Riviera city. Follow Emily’s itinerary, which includes basking in the sun at Paloma Beach and sampling sweet treats in Senequier Cafe.
Los Angeles, USA – La La Land
Featuring famous stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, La La Land stays iconic until today. The bittersweet romance movie has been nominated for 140 awards. Then, due to its popularity, it boosted tourism in Los Angeles. Visitors want to see the places where Mia and Sebastian, the main characters, tailored their love story. You cannot miss Cathy’s Corner in Griffith Park, where the main characters sang their famous ‘What a Lovely Night’. Other La La Land filming locations you can visit in the City of Angels include Warner Bros Studio, El Rey Theatre, and Smoke House Restaurant.
Amityville House, New York, USA – Amityville Horror
Challenge yourself for a chilling experience in the real Amityville House. Horror fans must have watched Amityville Horror, which was inspired by a true paranormal experience. To enhance the eerie atmosphere, the movie was filmed in an old colonial-styled house in the state of New York. They say the house is not really haunted, but you have to see it for yourself. This filming location will bring chills down your spine!
