Ever watched a film and thought, “I need to go there”? The good news is that many of cinema’s most iconic locations aren’t just movie magic. From wizarding castles to tropical beaches and charming European villages, here are 50 incredible filming locations you can visit in real life.
1. King’s Cross Station, London
1. Harry Potter
Stand beneath the famous Platform 9¾ sign and visit the Harry Potter shop before hopping on a train.
📍 England
2. Glenfinnan Viaduct
Harry Potter
Ride the Jacobite Steam Train across the bridge made famous as the Hogwarts Express.
📍 Scotland
3. Alnwick Castle
Harry Potter
This castle doubled as Hogwarts in the first two films and even offers broomstick lessons.
📍 England
4. Hobbiton
The Lord of the Rings
Perhaps the world’s most famous movie set, complete with Bag End and hobbit holes.
📍 New Zealand
5. Skellig Michael
Star Wars
Luke Skywalker’s isolated island retreat is actually an ancient monastery.
📍 Ireland
6. Dubrovnik
Game of Thrones (TV, but every fan should visit!)
Walk through King’s Landing and climb the famous city walls.
📍 Croatia
7. Petra
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
The Treasury became the legendary temple hiding the Holy Grail.
📍 Jordan
8. Matamata
The Hobbit
Visit Hobbiton Movie Set and enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
📍 New Zealand
9. Salzburg
The Sound of Music
Take a tour through the gardens, abbey and famous filming locations.
📍 Austria
10. Maya Bay
Leonardo DiCaprio’s tropical paradise remains one of Thailand’s most famous beaches.
📍 Thailand
11. Philadelphia Museum of Art
Rocky
Run up the famous steps and recreate Rocky’s victory pose.
📍 USA
12. Monument Valley
Forrest Gump
The unforgettable road where Forrest finally decided to stop running.
📍 USA
13. Times Square
Spider-Man
One of New York’s most recognisable superhero locations.
📍 USA
14. Central Park
Home Alone 2
Kevin McCallister explored much of Manhattan here.
📍 USA
15. Savoca
The Godfather
Visit Bar Vitelli where Michael Corleone proposed to Apollonia.
📍 Sicily, Italy
16. Hallstatt
Frozen Inspiration
Although not officially confirmed, this Austrian village is widely believed to have inspired Arendelle.
17. Notting Hill
Notting Hill
Don’t miss the famous blue door and Portobello Road.
📍 London
18. Highclere Castle
Downton Abbey
Walk through the magnificent estate featured throughout the series and films.
19. Burgh Island
And Then There Were None
The mysterious island inspired Agatha Christie.
20. Castle Howard
Brideshead Revisited
A breathtaking English stately home.
21. Yale University
Indiana Jones 4
22. Princeton University
A Beautiful Mind
23. Oxford University
Harry Potter
Many Hogwarts interiors were filmed here.
24. Café des Deux Moulins
Amélie
Paris’ most charming café.
25. Trevi Fountain
Roman Holiday
Throw in a coin.
26. Plaza de España
Star Wars Episode II
Seville, Spain.
27. Neuschwanstein Castle
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and inspiration for Disney castles.
Germany.
28. Biltmore Estate
Richie Rich
North Carolina.
29. Astoria
The Goonies
Oregon.
30. Forks
Twilight
Washington State.
31. Goathland Station
Harry Potter
The real Hogsmeade Station.
32. Glencoe
Skyfall
33. Black Park
James Bond
England.
34. Hatley Castle
X-Men
35. Yale Campus
Mona Lisa Smile
USA.
36. Castle Combe
War Horse
England.
37. Lake Como
Casino Royale
Italy.
38. Chicago Union Station
The Untouchables
USA.
39. Tian Tan Buddha
The Dark Knight
Hong Kong.
40. The Blue Lagoon
Malta’s very own Blue Lagoon on Comino has appeared in several productions and is worth a visit for its crystal-clear waters.
41. Mdina
Gladiator
The Silent City has featured in several productions, including Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
📍 Malta
42. Popeye Village
Popeye
Originally built as the film set for the 1980 Robin Williams movie, it’s now one of Malta’s most colourful attractions.
📍 Malta
43. Kualoa Ranch
Jurassic Park
Hawaii.
44. Kauai
Pirates of the Caribbean
Hawaii.
45. Victoria Falls Bridge
The Lion King Inspiration
Zimbabwe/Zambia.
46. Christ Church College
Harry Potter
Oxford.
47. Loch Shiel
Harry Potter
Scotland.
48. Wadi Rum
The Martian, Dune, Star Wars
Jordan’s dramatic desert landscape has starred in multiple blockbusters.
49. The Steps of the Philadelphia Museum
Creed
Follow in Rocky Balboa’s footsteps.
50. Universal Studios Hollywood
Countless Movies
Go behind the scenes and see where movie magic is made.
Lights, Camera… Passport!
One of the best things about travelling is recognising places you’ve only ever seen on screen. Whether you’re wandering through Hobbiton, catching the Hogwarts Express, exploring the streets of Mdina, or standing on the Rocky steps, these destinations let you become part of the story.
The next time you plan a holiday, why not swap the typical tourist checklist for a cinematic adventure? You might just find yourself walking through your favourite film scene.
