7 Iconic Film Locations You Can Actually Visit: Insider Tips From Seasoned Travel Creators in 2026

Movie magic isn't just for the screen anymore. Thousands of travelers now plan entire vacations around visiting the exact locations where their favorite films and TV shows were shot—and the trend is accelerating in 2026.

The rise of "cinematic tourism" has transformed how people think about vacation planning. Instead of just watching Emily in Paris or Game of Thrones, fans want to walk through the same cobblestone streets, stand at the same vistas, and capture their own version of those iconic scenes.

We've compiled seven real-world filming locations that you can actually visit, complete with practical advice from seasoned travel creators who've been there.

Naples, Italy: The L'Antica Pizzeria Pilgrimage

The scene is unforgettable: Julia Roberts bites into a perfect Margherita pizza at L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele in Naples and declares, "I'm in love. I'm having a relationship with my pizza."

That moment from Eat, Pray, Love has turned this centuries-old pizzeria into one of Italy's most sought-after film locations.

Here's what you need to know: arrive early. The wait can stretch for hours, and you'll grab a numbered ticket and join the queue. But food enthusiast and creator Sofía Ocón (@sofiadetravesia) insists it's worth the patience. Order the classic Margherita, pair it with a crisp Peroni beer, and you'll understand why this single scene launched a thousand pizza pilgrimages.

The neighborhood around the pizzeria—with its narrow streets, laundry lines, and authentic Neapolitan energy—remains largely unchanged since filming. Pro tip: visit during off-season months (November-February) for shorter waits and a more authentic local experience.

London, UK: The Harry Potter Hidden Gem

Most Harry Potter fans flock to the obvious locations. But Leadenhall Market, a covered Victorian marketplace in the City of London, offers something different: the actual entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, the magical pub that leads to Diagon Alley.

London-based vlogger Samara Santos (@samarasaint) discovered this gem while exploring beyond the usual tourist circuit. The cobblestone streets, wrought-iron architecture, and gas lamps create authentic wizarding world atmosphere without the crowds you'd find at other Potter locations.

The market appears in two films and also famously featured in Erasure's "Love to Hate You" music video for nineties nostalgia lovers. Grab a pint at one of the surrounding pubs and soak in the medieval London vibe.

The best part? Unlike major attractions, you won't need advance tickets. Just show up, wander the covered lanes, and let the architectural details transport you to Muggle London.

Paris, France: The Emily in Paris Effect

Montmartre in Paris' 18th arrondissement has played host to countless cinematic masterpieces—Amélie, Funny Face, Moulin Rouge. But Netflix's Emily in Paris gave the neighborhood a second wind among younger travelers.

Creator Helen Ladi Yisa (@dilahel_travels) recommends starting at La Maison Rose, the café featured prominently in the series, positioned on the corner of what locals call "Paris' prettiest street," Rue de l'Abreuvoir. The pink building with white shutters is instantly recognizable, and the croissants are legitimately excellent.

From there, you can follow Emily's fictional path through the neighborhood: Gabriel's restaurant, the supposed agency office locations, and the sweeping staircases that defined the show's aesthetic.

Reddit: "The café scene shots from Emily in Paris made me finally book Paris. Worth it just for the neighborhood energy alone." — r/travel

The neighborhood itself—regardless of Netflix fandom—is genuinely one of Paris' most charming districts. Street artists occupy the squares, the light hits differently on those steep staircases, and you'll understand why directors keep returning here.

Hobbiton, New Zealand: The Ultimate Pilgrimage

There's no approximation here. Hobbiton, located on a farm one hour's drive from Hamilton on New Zealand's North Island, is the actual, permanent film set built for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

Explorer Eszter Toth (@estherscape) made visiting Hobbiton a lifelong dream—and she nailed the strategy: book the earliest tour to beat crowds and capture magical morning light hitting Bilbo Baggins' Hobbit Hole.

If you visit on weekends, the evening banquet tour offers a twilight adventure with dinner at the Green Dragon Inn. You'll leave with an iconic souvenir mug and memories of standing inside Middle-earth itself.

The production crew maintained the set as a permanent tourist attraction, meaning you're literally walking through the same locations used in the films. The attention to detail is staggering—from the miniature doorways to the hand-planted gardens.

Book in advance. Tours sell out regularly, especially during summer months.

Sólheimasandur, Iceland: The Haunting Plane Wreck

Iceland's black sand beaches produce stunning visual drama, but the Sólheimasandur plane wreck—the remains of a 1973 US Navy C-117D aircraft—offers something truly cinematic: haunting beauty against desolation.

The wreckage has become a magnet for filmmakers. Netflix's Katla featured it prominently. Justin Bieber's music video I'll Show You captured skateboarding sequences across the fuselage. Drone footage here produces genuinely jaw-dropping results.

Photographer Richard Prior (@theoceanaut) emphasizes arriving early to have the location nearly to yourself. The visual contrast—white aircraft against black sand beach under Arctic sky—creates an otherworldly cinematic experience.

You can hike the approximately 4-kilometer route from the parking area, or pay a small fee for half-hourly off-road shuttle buses. Either way, come expecting solitude and prepare for wind. This isn't a comfortable location, but it's unforgettable.

Dubrovnik, Croatia: Game of Thrones Reality

King's Landing from Game of Thrones isn't a set—it's Dubrovnik's actual walled Old Town, and walking through it hits differently when you've watched Cersei scheming through those same narrow streets.

Travel couple Ellie and Senci (@ellieandsenci) booked a walking tour hitting all the iconic spots: the Red Keep, where Joffrey ruled; the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor; and the famous Walk of Shame staircase where Cersei's character endured one of television's most brutal scenes.

The ancient fortifications, stone architecture, and Adriatic views create genuine medieval atmosphere. Beyond GoT fandom, Dubrovnik stands as one of Europe's most architecturally significant medieval cities—worth visiting regardless of your television preferences.

Book a specialized film locations tour to understand which specific scenes used which locations. The city has become savvy about these tours, and quality varies considerably.

Wadi Rum, Jordan: Star Wars Desert Vistas

The Martian-landscape aesthetics of Wadi Rum in southern Jordan have attracted filmmakers for decades. But the location exploded in popularity after appearing in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, where the otherworldly red rock formations doubled as desert planets.

The sandstone cliffs, canyon formations, and endless desert horizon create genuinely alien cinematography. You can explore via camel trek, Jeep safari, or hiking, staying overnight in traditional Bedouin camps.

The experience is less about photographing specific scenes and more about understanding why filmmakers choose this location: it legitimately looks like another planet. The isolation, scale, and raw geological drama create cinematic magic without Hollywood intervention.

Temperatures reach extreme levels in summer. Plan visits for October through April when daytime temperatures stay moderate and sunset light is spectacular.

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Practical Tips for Film Location Tourism

Visiting these locations teaches an important lesson: the locations themselves are real places with infrastructure, local populations, and seasonal variations.

The best film locations tours combine movie knowledge with local history. You'll get more from understanding why directors chose these places—architectural significance, historical context, natural lighting—beyond just snapping selfies at scene locations.

Many locations now charge entry fees and have official tour operators. Research current pricing and booking requirements before planning trips. Post-pandemic, several famous locations tightened restrictions on independent access.

Plan off-season visits when possible. Summer brings crowds that diminish the authentic experience. Winter visits require more preparation but reward you with emptier locations and better photo opportunities.

Visit where your favorite stories came alive—because sometimes the real locations are just as magical as the movies.

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