Travel Like in the Movies: Real Filming Locations

Many people want to discover where their favorite movies and TV shows were filmed, and that curiosity often turns into a real travel plan once they realize they can actually visit these places. You can walk through castle grounds from Harry Potter, sit in cafés from Emily in Paris, or stand in desert landscapes from Dune. These locations exist beyond the screen, and you can experience them in real life.

Some of these real filming locations sit inside major cities, while others require longer drives, guided tours, or overnight stays. That difference shapes how much you spend and how easy the trip feels. This guide shows you where these places are, what you will see when you get there, and how you can plan each trip in a practical, budget-smart way.

Harry Potter filming locations you can visit

If you want to see where Harry Potter was filmed, you will spend most of your time in England and Scotland. The landscapes play a big role in the movies. Rolling hills, stone castles, and misty valleys create the atmosphere that defines Hogwarts and its surroundings.

Your trip begins with a flight from the US. Airlines such as British Airways, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Finnair operate nonstop and one-stop flights from the US to the United Kingdom.

• New York (JFK) to London (LHR): 7–8 hours, $600–$900 round trip.
• Los Angeles (LAX) to Edinburgh (EDI): 14–18 hours, $800–$1,300 round trip.

Once you arrive, you can start exploring some of the most recognizable shooting locations.

Alnwick Castle (England)

Alnwick Castle serves as Hogwarts in the first two movies. It is about 45 minutes from Newcastle International Airport (NCL). If you arrive at London Heathrow (LHR), you can take a train from King’s Cross to Alnmouth. The journey typically takes about 3 hours, followed by a 10–20 minute taxi to Alnwick.

You will recognize the Outer Bailey, where students practiced flying during their first broomstick lesson with Madam Hooch. You can join a similar Broomstick Training session, which makes this stop more interactive than most shooting locations. Inside the castle grounds, you can also walk through courtyards and areas that reflect everyday student life at Hogwarts. Ticket prices for adults usually range between £21.55 ($29) and £23.95 ($32).

Glenfinnan Viaduct (Scotland) 

This is one of the most recognizable railway scenes in the entire series. The Jacobite Steam Train, a black locomotive with deep red carriages, crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct and recreates the Hogwarts Express journey through the Scottish Highlands. 

The train runs between April and October, with two daily departures, usually in the morning and afternoon. Standard adult tickets cost £69 ($71). If you prefer to watch the train instead of riding it, you can visit the nearby Glenfinnan viewpoint or the Glenfinnan Monument area. Entry to the monument site costs £5 ($7).

If you are planning to see these locations, aim for May through September. You can enjoy nice weather and full schedules for all activities.

Game of Thrones filming locations across Europe

Two very different European settings were used as the backdrop for Game of Thrones: Dubrovnik in Croatia and Iceland.

If you are traveling from the US, these are two practical routes to reach the key filming locations:

• Chicago (ORD) to Croatia (DBV): Turkish Airlines offers connecting flights with a layover in Istanbul, which cost between $800 and $1,400.
• Boston (BOS) to Iceland (KEF): nonstop flights from Icelandair cost $400 to $500.

Dubrovnik (Croatia)

Dubrovnik represents King’s Landing, and many scenes were filmed inside the Old Town. The architecture, layout, and coastal views have remained largely unchanged since the TV show was shot, which makes the experience feel more immersive. You will recognize the city walls, narrow stone streets, and staircases used in major scenes such as the Walk of Shame. You will also recognize Fort Lovrijenac, which appears as the Red Keep in several scenes. 

Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) is located 27 km (17 miles) from the city center, and the drive usually takes between 20 and 40 minutes. You can choose between a few means of transportation:

• Bus: A round-trip ticket costs €15 ($17).
• Taxi: A ride costs $35 to $40.
• Rental Cars: The price for a rental car is between $16 and $70 per day.

Iceland

Iceland serves as the land beyond the Wall, with scenes filmed across remote natural areas. You will see wide open valleys, lava fields, glaciers, and rugged terrain that feel far more isolated than anything in Dubrovnik. They defined the visual tone of the North. Here, you can visit places such as Thingvellir National Park, which appears in scenes beyond the Wall and the Bloody Gate, and Vatnajökull Glacier, featured in multiple northern battle scenes. You can explore these areas through guided tours, which typically start at $100 to $200 per day.

Keflavik Airport (KEF) is located 50 km (31 miles) southwest of Reykjavik. You can reach Reykjavik by:

• Shuttle Bus: A round-trip ticket costs €15 ($17).
• Taxis: A ride costs €40 to €50 ($46-$57).
• Rental car: A rented car will cost €60 to €100 ($69 to $115) per day.

Croatia and Iceland shape your trip differently. Dubrovnik offers walkable filming locations concentrated in a single area, while Iceland has more spots to see that require more planning, longer drives, and higher expenses.

White Lotus filming locations you can actually stay in

The White Lotus uses real hotels as its main setting. That means you are not just visiting a filming location, but staying in the same space where the scenes were filmed.

Each season of White Lotus takes place in a different destination, all of them at hotels that you can actually book:

• Season 1: Hawaii, US
• Season 2: Sicily, Italy
• Season 3: Thailand

Each destination offers a different balance between cost, travel time, and overall experience.

Hawaii (Season 1)

The first season was filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. The resort sits along a beachfront area with direct ocean views, large pools, and open-air spaces that appear throughout the series.

• Hotel stay: $1,500–$8,100 per night.
• Flights: Alaska Airlines offers direct flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Kahului (OGG) that cost $350–$500.

This is the easiest hotel to reach, especially from the West Coast. You avoid long-haul international travel, and flights are frequent year-round.

Sicily (Season 2)

Season two took place at San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Sicily. Taormina is a small city, and you can walk between filming spots without needing a car. The hotel sits on a cliff above the Ionian Sea, with terraces and views that define many of the show’s scenes.

• Hotel stay: €2,900–€20,000 ($3,300–$23,100) per night. Prices vary widely depending on room type and season.
• Flights: Delta Air Lines operates non-stop flights on the New York (JFK) to Catania (CTA) route, which range from $600 to $1,100. 

Catania Airport (CTA) is about 65km (40 miles) away from the city. You can reach Taormina by bus for €4 ($5) or train for €2.2 ($3), by taxi for €20 ($24), or by private transfer for $65–$97.

Thailand (Season 3)

Season 3 is set at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. The resort is situated on a hillside overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, with private villas and ocean views.

• Hotel stay: $2,300–$4,200 per night.
• Flights: Singapore Airlines offers flights with one stop in Singapore (SIN) on the Los Angeles (LAX) to Ko Samui (USM) route. The prices range from $1,000 to $2,000.

Reaching Koh Samui requires some planning. Most routes include at least one long-haul flight and a regional flight within Thailand.

Emily in Paris filming locations you can map out

Paris plays a central role in the series, with its streets, cafés, and architecture shaping the entire atmosphere of Emily in Paris. Many scenes unfold in lively neighborhoods filled with historic buildings, small squares, and classic Parisian terraces.

If you are wondering where the series was filmed, many of the key locations are within central districts, especially along the Left Bank. These areas combine everyday city life with the visual style that defines the show.

Some of the most recognizable locations include:

• Place de l’Estrapade, where Emily’s apartment and Gabriel’s restaurant are
• Terra Nera, the real restaurant used as the exterior for Gabriel’s restaurant in the show
• The Palais Royal gardens featured in several walking scenes
• Café de Flore, one of the most iconic cafés in Paris, is frequently shown in the series

These locations are close enough to explore on foot, which lets you experience the same streets, cafés, and viewpoints all at once.

Flights from the US:

• New York (JFK) to Paris (CDG): Air France offers non-stop flights, which cost between $600–$800.
• Chicago (ORD) to Paris (CDG): United Airlines operates non-stop flights on this route, and the prices range from $700–$1,100.

Airport transfer:

• The RER B train connects the airport to the city center. A one-way ticket for an adult costs €11.80 ($14), and the ride takes 35 to 50 minutes.

Mid-range prices for hotels:

• Central Paris: $150–$350 per night
• Outer areas: $100–$180 per night

Once you arrive in Paris, you can create a route that includes several key spots. For example, you can start at Place de l’Estrapade, walk toward the Seine, and continue into Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where several cafés and filming locations are within a short distance. 

Dune filming locations in real deserts

If you want to visit the places where Dune was filmed, you will need to plan for a more remote trip. The movie relies heavily on real desert locations, which create the vast, empty landscapes that define the world of Arrakis.

The main locations include Wadi Rum in Jordan and desert areas in the United Arab Emirates. Both offer wide open terrain, dramatic rock formations, and the scale that gives the movie its visual impact.

Flights from the US:

• New York (JFK) to Amman (AMM): Turkish Airlines offers flights with one stop in Istanbul (IST), with prices ranging between $900 and $1,200.
• Boston (BOS) to Abu Dhabi (AUH): Etihad Airways operates nonstop flights on this route, with prices ranging from $800 to $1,500.

Wadi Rum is one of the main filming locations used to represent Arrakis. You will see large sandstone mountains, red dunes, and open valleys that closely match the scenes from the movie. It is about 280 km (180 miles) from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), with a drive time of about 4 hours. Most travelers join organized tours:

• Desert tour (with transport and meals): $120–$250
• Private overnight tours: $250

In the United Arab Emirates, some scenes were filmed in the Liwa Desert near Abu Dhabi. This area features massive dunes and more isolated terrain, and it requires longer travel and more planning compared to Wadi Rum.

Most tours depart from Amman or Aqaba in Jordan, and from Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Desert experiences in the UAE have a similar structure but offer a wider range of price options:

• Desert tour (day trip): $25–$170
• Overnight desert camp: $120–$250
• Private desert experience: $250–$500

You will need a tour for most visits. They offer transport, food, and access, which makes planning easier. Visit between March and May or September and November to avoid high temperatures. The summer heat often goes above 37.7°C (100°F) and makes daytime travel difficult.

Twilight filming locations in the US

The Twilight movies built their identity around a specific atmosphere: dark forests, cloudy weather, and quiet coastal towns. Forks, a city on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, created the mood of the story, while several locations in Portland, Oregon, were used to film the majority of the scenes.  

Forks, Washington

• Distance: 140 miles from Seattle (SEA), the closest major hub
• Travel time: About 3.5 hours by car
• Rental car: $50–$120 per day

The area feels exactly like the mystical world portrayed in the movies. Dense forests, misty weather, and nearby coastal spots like La Push Beach create the same environment you see on screen.

Portland, Oregon

Many recognizable scenes were recorded in and around Portland, including the Cullen house and several school locations. This makes it the more practical option if you want to visit confirmed movie sites.

Hotels:

• Forks: $120–$200
• Portland: $100–$250

When deciding where to travel to experience that supernatural atmosphere, consider what each location offers. Forks provides the setting and mood, while Portland offers easier logistics and more filming locations.

Mamma Mia filming locations in Greece

The setting of Mamma Mia revolves around bright coastal scenery, whitewashed buildings, and clear blue water. Most of the movie was shot on the Greek islands.

You will have to travel between Skiathos and Skopelos to uncover Mamma Mia’s locations. Skiathos is your main entry point, while Skopelos is where most of the recognizable scenes take place.

Travel flow:

• Washington (IAD) to Athens (ATH): Nonstop flights range from $750 to $1,300.
• Athens (ATH) to Skiathos (JSI): Nonstop flights cost between $180 and $250.
• Ferry to Skopelos: One ticket costs €18–€30 ($21–$35).

Skopelos provides the backdrop for many key scenes, with its green hills, small beaches, and traditional houses overlooking the sea. The famous church scene at Agios Ioannis requires climbing about 200 steps, adding a sporty feel to your journey.

Hotels:

• Skiathos: $180–$400 per week.
• Skopelos: $280–$500 per week. This island has fewer accommodation options, which can push prices slightly higher during peak season.

Most travelers stay in Skiathos and visit Skopelos on day trips. This approach gives you more flexibility and a wider choice of hotels. Plan your visit in June or September to avoid peak crowds and higher ferry demand.

The Lord of the Rings filming locations in New Zealand

New Zealand defines the world of The Lord of the Rings, with landscapes that bring Middle-earth to life. Among all filming locations, Hobbiton stands out as the most complete and accessible experience. It offers a rare opportunity to walk through a fully preserved set rather than a natural location used for filming. You can reach Hobbiton from Auckland Airport (AKL) by car in about 2 hours.

If you want to explore Hobbiton independently, that won’t be possible. Access is only available through guided tours, which control entry and movement across the set.

You can visit:

• The hobbit holes
• The Green Dragon Inn
• The Shire landscape

Costs:

• Guided tours: For an adult, the ticket costs NZ$130-NZ$170 (US$75–US$97), depending on the tour you book.
• Flights: Air New Zealand offers nonstop flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland (AKL) for the price of US$700–US$1,100.
• Hotels in Auckland: US$100–US$300 per day.

What makes this location unique is how it was preserved after filming. The set remains fully intact, which allows you to move through the same spaces seen in the movies rather than imagining them from partial locations.

Visit between November and March for summer weather. If you prefer lower prices and fewer crowds, plan your trip during the shoulder seasons from April to May or September to October.

Gladiator filming locations in Italy and beyond

Rome anchors the world of Gladiator, with the Colosseum representing the movie’s most recognizable setting. It places you directly inside the historical setting that inspired it. The Colosseum’s scale, stone arches, and arena layout reflect the same environment shown on screen. This site draws large numbers of visitors throughout the day, which can limit how much you see and how easily you move around.

There are multiple non-stop flights from the US to Italy from ITA Airways. Round-trip tickets for Boston (BOS)–Rome (FCO), one of the most popular routes, typically range from $500 to $1,000.

The Colosseum is about 20 miles from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO). You can reach it by a few means of transportation, such as:

• Train: $6–$10
• Taxi: $75–$90

For tickets, you can expect to pay:

• General ticket: €18.00 ($21)
• Guided tour: €40 ($47)

Some additional scenes were filmed outside Italy, including locations in Morocco, where large-scale battle sequences were recreated. 

Inception filming locations around the world

Inception uses real cities to create its shifting, dream-like environments. Instead of focusing on one destination, the movie moves across multiple locations, each representing a different layer of the story.

Paris stands out as one of the most recognizable settings, especially the Bir-Hakeim Bridge, where the famous folding city scene takes place. The surrounding streets and walkways appear in several sequences, and you can easily recognize the layout when you visit.

Other locations include Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Calgary. Each city contributes a different visual tone, from dense urban streets to wide, open spaces.

You do not need to plan a separate trip for these locations. For example, if you are already visiting Paris, you can walk to Bir-Hakeim Bridge from the Eiffel Tower and be there in about 15 minutes. In Los Angeles, several scenes were recorded in downtown areas that you can combine with other stops in the city.

Trying to visit all movie locations in one trip would require multiple long-haul flights, which increases both cost and travel time. It makes more sense to visit one city at a time and include filming spots as part of your existing itinerary.