Sometimes a movie or TV show makes us want to visit a place before we have ever seen it in person. A lantern-lit Parisian street, a dramatic coastline, a storybook village, a centuries-old castle, or a luxury resort on a glittering bay can feel like a destination long before the booking is made. Audiences have already fallen for the view, and that makes the trip feel personal.
This guide to TV and movie travel locations highlights real destinations you can visit today. Just as important, it separates what was filmed in a place from what was only set there. Many stories take place in invented towns, islands, or kingdoms, and the cameras often traveled somewhere else entirely. We will tell you which is which, and flag anything private or viewable only from the outside.
Quick Answers
What is movie-inspired travel?
Movie-inspired travel, also called screen tourism, means planning a trip around places seen in films or TV shows. Travelers visit real filming locations, towns, and landscapes from the screen, usually pairing them with local food, history, and culture so a favorite story becomes a complete vacation.
What are filming locations?
Filming locations are the real places where a movie or TV show was shot. They can differ from the story’s fictional setting: a show set in a made-up kingdom may be filmed across several countries, and some scenes are shot on studio sets rather than at the real place shown.
What are the best movie locations to visit?
Some of the best TV and movie travel locations include New Zealand for The Lord of the Rings, Northern Ireland for Game of Thrones, Scotland for Outlander, Salzburg for The Sound of Music, Skopelos for Mamma Mia!, and Singapore for Crazy Rich Asians.
The White Lotus: Hawaii, Sicily, and Thailand
What You Saw on Screen
The White Lotus is a dark comedy-drama about wealthy guests at luxury resorts, and each season moves to a new destination. The fictional “White Lotus” resort brand is invented, but the scenery and the hotels are very real.
Where It Was Filmed
Season 1 was filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hawaii. Season 2 was filmed in Sicily, centered on the San Domenico Palace, A Four Seasons Hotel in Taormina. Season 3 was filmed in Thailand, including resorts on Koh Samui and Phuket such as the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui and Rosewood Phuket.
What Travelers Can See
These are working hotels, so guests can stay on property. In Sicily, Taormina’s ancient Greek theater and hilltop streets are open to explore, and the coastline and nearby towns such as Cefalù reward day trips. In Thailand, beaches, temples, and island-hopping fill out a stay.
Best For
Couples, luxury travelers, and anyone celebrating a milestone.
How to Experience It
Choose one season and build around it. Sicily pairs naturally with a week exploring the island by car or private driver. Hawaii works as a beach week with a few cultural excursions. Thailand suits a longer trip combining a beach stay with Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
Travel Advisor Tip
The resorts are real, but suite categories and pricing vary widely by season. If you want a specific room or view, ask your advisor to confirm it before booking rather than relying on what you remember from the screen.
Emily in Paris: Paris, France
What You Saw on Screen
The Netflix series follows an American marketing professional in Paris, with fashion, cafés, and romantic streetscapes as the backdrop. The firm she works for is fictional, but the city is the real star.
Where It Was Filmed
The series is filmed largely on location in Paris. Emily’s apartment building is at Place de l’Estrapade in the 5th arrondissement, and the Palais-Royal area also appears in the show.
What Travelers Can See
Place de l’Estrapade is a quiet public square near the Panthéon, and the Palais-Royal gardens are open to the public. Residents live in the building seen on screen, so view it from the square and keep noise down. Pair it with the Latin Quarter, the Luxembourg Gardens, and the Louvre, which sits close to the Palais-Royal.
Best For
First-time Europe travelers, couples, food lovers, and fashion fans.
How to Experience It
Allow four to five nights in Paris. Many of the show’s spots are neighborhood corners, so a walking-focused itinerary works better than a checklist of addresses. If this is your first trip abroad, our guide to the best European destinations for first-time visitors is a good companion read.
Travel Advisor Tip
Book popular museum and landmark time slots in advance, then leave mornings or evenings open for wandering the neighborhoods that made the show feel so charming.
The Lord of the Rings: New Zealand
What You Saw on Screen
Peter Jackson’s trilogy turned Middle-earth into a landscape of green hills, volcanic peaks, and alpine valleys. Middle-earth is fictional, but nearly all of it was filmed in New Zealand.
Where It Was Filmed
The Shire was filmed at a working farm near Matamata in the Waikato region, now the Hobbiton Movie Set. Mordor’s volcanic scenery was filmed in Tongariro National Park, and Edoras was filmed at Mount Sunday in Canterbury’s Rangitata Valley.
What Travelers Can See
Hobbiton is visited on a guided tour. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a full-day hike, crosses the volcanic terrain. Mount Sunday is a remote landscape, and the Edoras set itself was not left standing, so you are visiting the scenery, not a building. Guided tours and helicopter experiences operate in some areas.
Best For
Adventure travelers, families with older children, nature lovers, and film fans.
How to Experience It
New Zealand is a long journey from North America, so plan for more than a week on the ground. Rent a car or use guided tours, and expect changeable weather. For more active trip ideas, see our adventure travel ideas.
Travel Advisor Tip
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is demanding and weather-dependent. If you are not an experienced hiker, ask about guided options or shorter walks in the same national park.
Game of Thrones: Northern Ireland and Croatia
What You Saw on Screen
The fantasy epic is set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. Nothing in the story takes place in the real world, but the production used real castles, harbors, and roads across several countries.
Where It Was Filmed
Northern Ireland was a major production base. The Dark Hedges, a beech-lined road in County Antrim, appeared as the King’s Road. Castle Ward in County Down stood in for Winterfell, and Ballintoy Harbour on the Antrim coast appeared as the Iron Islands. King’s Landing scenes were filmed in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
What Travelers Can See
In Northern Ireland, the coast road around Antrim pairs well with the Giant’s Causeway region, and Castle Ward is a National Trust property. There is also a Game of Thrones Studio Tour in County Down. In Dubrovnik, the walled Old Town can be explored on foot.
Best For
Film fans, history lovers, and road-trip travelers.
How to Experience It
Northern Ireland works well as a four- to five-day road trip, easily combined with Dublin. Dubrovnik is a separate Croatia trip, best in shoulder season to avoid peak crowds.
Travel Advisor Tip
Access to some roadside locations, including the Dark Hedges, can change. Check current visitor guidance before you plan your day around a single stop.
Mamma Mia!: The Greek Islands
What You Saw on Screen
The musical is set on a fictional Greek island called Kalokairi, with whitewashed lanes, turquoise water, and a hilltop wedding chapel. Kalokairi does not exist, but the places that stood in for it do.
Where It Was Filmed
Much of the film was shot on the islands of Skopelos and Skiathos, including the Agios Ioannis Kastri chapel on Skopelos and Kastani Beach. Some scenes were filmed at Damouchari on the Pelion peninsula of mainland Greece.
What Travelers Can See
The chapel perches on a rock above the sea and is reached by a climb, so wear sturdy shoes. Skopelos town and its beaches are easy to explore, and Skiathos has an airport, making it a practical gateway to the island group.
Best For
Couples, friends traveling together, families, and food lovers.
How to Experience It
Fly into Skiathos or reach the area via mainland Greece, then use ferries to island-hop. Late spring and early autumn are comfortable, and ferry schedules are seasonal.
Travel Advisor Tip
Island ferry schedules thin out outside summer. Build in a buffer day around any flight home so a delayed crossing doesn’t become a missed connection. For broader island planning, see our Greek Isles Travel Guide.
Outlander: Scotland
What You Saw on Screen
The time-travel romance moves between the 1940s and the 1700s, with sweeping Highland scenery, castles, and villages. The story is set in Scotland, and much of the production was filmed there as well.
Where It Was Filmed
Doune Castle near Stirling stood in for Castle Leoch. The village of Culross in Fife was used as Cranesmuir, and Midhope Castle near Edinburgh appeared as Lallybroch.
What Travelers Can See
Doune Castle is open to visitors. Culross is a well-preserved historic village. Midhope Castle sits on the Hopetoun estate, so check current visitor arrangements before going. Add Glencoe and the Highlands for the scenery.
Best For
Couples, history lovers, small-group travelers, and fans of the books.
How to Experience It
Base yourself in Edinburgh or Stirling for the castle stops, then head north for the Highlands. A rental car gives flexibility, but a small-group tour can simplify Highland driving.
Travel Advisor Tip
Scottish weather changes quickly, even in summer. Pack layers and plan indoor options such as castles and distilleries for rainy days.
Harry Potter: England and Scotland
What You Saw on Screen
Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, and the Hogwarts Express made the wizarding world feel tangible. The stories are fantasy, but many scenes used real castles, markets, and railways in the United Kingdom, along with purpose-built studio sets.
Where It Was Filmed
Alnwick Castle in Northumberland served as Hogwarts exterior scenes in the first two films. Leadenhall Market in London was used for the Diagon Alley entrance scenes in the first film. The Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Scottish Highlands appears in the Hogwarts Express sequences. Much of the interior Hogwarts was built at Leavesden Studios, now home to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
What Travelers Can See
Alnwick Castle offers themed activities for visitors. Leadenhall Market is a public Victorian covered market. The Glenfinnan Viaduct can be viewed from a walking trail, and a heritage steam train runs on the line in season. The studio tour is the best place to see sets, costumes, and props. In King’s Cross station, the Platform 9¾ photo stop is a fan installation; the films used other platforms.
A note on Edinburgh: J.K. Rowling wrote parts of the series in Edinburgh, and the city’s Old Town is often said to have inspired the stories. That is inspiration, not filming: Edinburgh was not a primary filming location.
Best For
Families, film fans, and multi-generational groups.
How to Experience It
Combine London (studio tour, Leadenhall Market) with a northern leg to Alnwick and Scotland. See our guide to multi-generational travel for tips on pacing.
Travel Advisor Tip
The studio tour uses timed entry and can sell out. Book well before your trip, and check seasonal operating dates for the Glenfinnan steam train.
The Sound of Music: Salzburg, Austria
What You Saw on Screen
The 1965 musical about Maria and the von Trapp family is set in and around Salzburg. Unlike many films, it was genuinely shot there, although interiors were filmed on studio sets in California.
Where It Was Filmed
The Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg appear in the “Do-Re-Mi” sequence. Schloss Leopoldskron, a lakeside palace now operating as a hotel, provided the exterior of the von Trapp home’s lake setting. The wedding was filmed at the basilica in Mondsee, in the nearby Salzkammergut. Nonnberg Abbey is the real convent where Maria lived, but it was not used for filming.
What Travelers Can See
Mirabell Gardens are a public garden in the city. Salzburg’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and easy to walk. Dedicated Sound of Music tours cover the city and the lake district.
Best For
Families, couples, history and music lovers, and first-time Europe travelers.
How to Experience It
Salzburg works well as a two- to three-night stop between Munich and Vienna, with a day for the lakes and Alps.
Travel Advisor Tip
Because interiors were built in California, don’t expect to walk into the film’s rooms. Look for the exteriors and gardens instead. For rail-based routes through the region, see our guide to luxury train travel.
Under the Tuscan Sun: Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast
What You Saw on Screen
The 2003 film follows an American writer who buys a villa in Italy. It is based on Frances Mayes’s memoir about restoring her home, Bramasole, in Cortona.
Where It Was Filmed
The film was shot in Cortona in Tuscany and in Positano on the Amalfi Coast, with scenes in Rome. The villa seen on screen is private property and not open to visitors, and Mayes’s own Bramasole is also a private home.
What Travelers Can See
Cortona is a hilltop town with medieval streets and broad views across the Tuscan valley. Positano is a cliffside village stacked above the sea. Neither requires finding a villa: the appeal is the landscape, the piazzas, and the food.
Best For
Couples, food and wine lovers, slow travelers, and solo travelers.
How to Experience It
Stay several nights in the countryside around Cortona rather than rushing through. Consider a cooking class, a winery visit, and a day in Florence. Our romance travel ideas and guide to slow travel offer more inspiration.
Travel Advisor Tip
The Amalfi Coast and Tuscany are far apart, so don’t force both into a short trip. Pick one region and give it time.
James Bond: Italy, Norway, and Scotland
What You Saw on Screen
The Bond films travel the world, which makes them ideal for destination ideas. Rather than chasing every location, choose one that fits your style.
Where It Was Filmed
No Time to Die filmed its chase sequences in Matera, Italy, and used Norway’s Atlantic Road for a car sequence. Skyfall used the Glen Etive area of the Scottish Highlands, near Glencoe.
What Travelers Can See
Matera’s ancient cave-dwelling districts, the Sassi, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and walkable. The Atlantic Road is a public coastal route in western Norway, and Glen Etive is a dramatic valley reached by a single-track road. Some sets built for the films were temporary and are not there today.
Best For
Adventure travelers, road-trippers, and film fans.
How to Experience It
Matera suits a two- to three-night stop in southern Italy. Norway’s Atlantic Road fits into a western Norway road trip, and Glen Etive fits into a Highlands itinerary.
Travel Advisor Tip
The Glen Etive road is narrow and busy in good weather. Drive carefully, use pull-ins, and respect the landscape.
Crazy Rich Asians: Singapore
What You Saw on Screen
The 2018 romantic comedy follows a New Yorker meeting her boyfriend’s extravagant family in Singapore, and the city’s food, skyline, and gardens play a major role.
Where It Was Filmed
The film was shot largely on location in Singapore, including Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, and Newton Food Centre. Not every scene was filmed in Singapore, and some settings were created elsewhere.
What Travelers Can See
Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay are public attractions at the waterfront. Newton Food Centre is a hawker center where visitors can eat. Singapore’s diverse neighborhoods and food culture are the heart of a visit.
Best For
Food lovers, luxury travelers, first-time Asia travelers, and couples.
How to Experience It
Three to four nights covers the highlights. Singapore pairs well with a longer Southeast Asia trip.
Travel Advisor Tip
Eat at hawker centers at off-peak hours when you can, and ask your advisor which neighborhoods best suit your interests.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Movie/TV Show | Destination | Country | Best For | Suggested Trip Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The White Lotus | Maui / Taormina / Koh Samui & Phuket | USA / Italy / Thailand | Couples, luxury | 5–7 nights per destination |
| Emily in Paris | Paris | France | Food lovers, first-time Europe | 4–5 nights |
| The Lord of the Rings | Matamata, Tongariro, Canterbury | New Zealand | Adventure, nature | 10+ days |
| Game of Thrones | County Antrim / Dubrovnik | Northern Ireland / Croatia | Film fans, road trips | 4–5 nights each |
| Mamma Mia! | Skopelos / Skiathos | Greece | Couples, families | 5–7 nights |
| Outlander | Doune, Culross, Highlands | Scotland | History, couples | 7 days |
| Harry Potter | London, Alnwick, Glenfinnan | United Kingdom | Families | 5–7 days |
| The Sound of Music | Salzburg | Austria | Families, first-time Europe | 2–3 nights |
| Under the Tuscan Sun | Cortona / Positano | Italy | Couples, food lovers | 5–7 nights |
| James Bond | Matera / Atlantic Road / Glen Etive | Italy / Norway / Scotland | Adventure | 2–3 nights each |
| Crazy Rich Asians | Singapore | Singapore | Food, luxury | 3–4 nights |
Best TV & Movie Travel Destinations by Travel Style
Best for couples: Under the Tuscan Sun (Tuscany), Mamma Mia! (Skopelos), Outlander (Scotland)
Best for families: Harry Potter (London and northern England), The Sound of Music (Salzburg)
Best for history lovers: Outlander (Scotland), Game of Thrones (Northern Ireland), The Sound of Music (Salzburg)
Best for adventure travelers: The Lord of the Rings (New Zealand), James Bond (Norway and the Highlands)
Best for luxury travelers: The White Lotus (Maui, Sicily, Thailand), Crazy Rich Asians (Singapore)
Best for first-time Europe travelers: Emily in Paris (Paris), The Sound of Music (Salzburg)
Best for nature lovers: The Lord of the Rings (Tongariro), James Bond (Atlantic Road)
Best for pop-culture fans: Harry Potter (Studio Tour), Game of Thrones (Studio Tour), The White Lotus
How to Plan a TV & Movie Inspired Vacation
A filming location is a starting point, not a whole trip. Here is how to turn one into a vacation worth taking.
- Choose the right destination. Pick a place that appeals beyond the screen, with food, culture, and scenery you would enjoy even if the show didn’t exist.
- Combine filming locations with traditional attractions. Pair a castle used on screen with the town’s museum, market, or walking route.
- Allow enough time. Remote locations like Mount Sunday or the Highlands take longer than the map suggests.
- Book accommodations near major attractions. Staying close reduces transit time and gives you quieter mornings and evenings.
- Look for official filming-location tours. Licensed guides know the current access rules and can explain what is real and what was built.
- Check whether locations are publicly accessible. Some are private homes, working farms, or hotels.
- Respect private property. If a location is only viewable from the street, that is where you stay.
- Plan transportation. Rural filming sites often need a car or a guided transfer.
- Avoid overly packed itineraries. Two or three meaningful stops a day is plenty.
- Build in free time. Unplanned wandering is often what travelers remember most.
Tips for Visiting Famous Filming Locations
- Respect residents and private property. Many filming locations are homes, farms, or working businesses. Keep noise down and don’t enter private grounds.
- Check current access information. Roads, trails, and estates can change their rules, so confirm before you go.
- Avoid trespassing. If there is no public access, enjoy the view from where you are allowed to stand.
- Visit responsibly. Stay on marked paths, take your litter with you, and follow local guidance.
- Book tours in advance when necessary. Studio tours, Hobbiton, and guided hikes can sell out.
- Check seasonal conditions. Ferries, steam trains, and mountain trails often run seasonally.
- Expect locations to look different in person. Cameras, editing, and weather change how a place feels.
- Remember that some scenes combine locations or sets. A single scene may blend several real places and a studio.
Can You Build an Entire Vacation Around a Movie or TV Show?
Yes. The best trips combine screen-inspired stops with authentic local experiences: a market, a cooking class, a historic site, an unhurried afternoon. Here are five realistic ideas.
7 Days in Scotland (Outlander + Highlands). Two nights in Edinburgh, a day for Doune Castle and Culross, then three nights in the Highlands including Glencoe. Add a distillery visit and a castle. Our small group travel ideas are a good fit for guided options.
7 Days in Italy (Under the Tuscan Sun). Four nights in the Cortona area with cooking and wine experiences, two nights in Florence for museums and food, and one day to relax.
7 Days in Greece (Mamma Mia!). Four nights on Skopelos for the chapel and beaches, a day trip to Skiathos, and two nights in Athens for history and food.
7 Days on the Ground in New Zealand (Lord of the Rings). Three nights around Matamata and Rotorua, two nights near Tongariro, and two in Wellington. Because the flight is long, many travelers add days.
7 Days in France (Emily in Paris). Five nights in Paris with museums, food, and neighborhoods, plus a day trip. Resist adding a second region.
Why Movies and TV Shows Can Inspire Better Travel
Screen tourism often sends travelers to places they might never have considered. It can lead you to smaller towns like Culross or Cortona, encourage you to try local food and customs, and spark an interest in the history behind a story. Seeing a landscape in person, rather than on a screen, builds the kind of memory that outlasts a photo. A good trip uses the film as the invitation and the destination as the experience.
Ready to Turn Screen Inspiration Into a Real Trip?
Sometimes the best travel inspiration comes from the places we’ve already fallen in love with on screen. If a movie or TV show has inspired your next trip, the Simply Inspired Travel team can help turn that inspiration into a personalized itinerary. Reach out to our travel advisors to start planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best movie filming locations to visit?
Top choices include Hobbiton and Tongariro in New Zealand, the Antrim coast in Northern Ireland, Doune Castle in Scotland, Salzburg’s gardens, Skopelos in Greece, and Singapore. These combine recognizable scenes with strong tourism infrastructure, so they work well as the center of a trip.
What are the best TV show filming locations?
Popular TV destinations include Northern Ireland and Dubrovnik for Game of Thrones, Taormina and Maui for The White Lotus, Scotland for Outlander, and Paris for Emily in Paris. All offer plenty to do beyond the filming sites themselves.
Can you visit actual movie filming locations?
Often, yes. Many are public places such as gardens, markets, castles, and beaches. Others are private homes or sets that were removed. Check access before you go and book official tours where they exist.
What destinations are famous for movie and TV tourism?
New Zealand, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Greece, Italy, and Paris are well known for screen tourism. Studio tours near London and in Northern Ireland also draw visitors who want to see sets and props.
Can I plan an entire vacation around a movie?
Yes. The best trips combine a few filming locations with local food, culture, and history. Aim for one region, allow enough time, and avoid trying to see every location.
What is screen tourism?
Screen tourism, also called film tourism, is travel inspired by movies or TV shows. Visitors seek out real places seen on screen, often alongside regular sightseeing, and many destinations now promote their filming connections.
Are filming locations usually open to the public?
It depends. Gardens, markets, beaches, and national parks are usually public. Private homes, working farms, and some estates may be viewable only from outside or by booking. Always confirm current access.
How do I find filming locations when planning a trip?
Start with the official tourism board for the destination, then look for licensed filming-location tours. A travel advisor can verify which sites are accessible and build them into a realistic itinerary.
