While Harry Potter’s spells may have been the magic of CGI, the hallowed halls of Hogwarts were anything but. Instead of just filming on a Hollywood soundstage, the movies shot onsite at medieval locations ranging from the highlands of Scotland to the University of Oxford.
Like “Harry Potter,” dozens of iconic movies have filming locations you can visit in real life. Some of these destinations have tours specifically geared to learning more about how the movie was produced, hitting all of the top spots.
From hobbit holes to ancient desert cities worth of Indiana Jones, these filming locations are worth the trip:
Kualoa Ranch, Hawaii – Jurassic Park
Kualoa Ranch in Oahu has everything you know and love from the original Jurassic Park movie, minus the dinosaurs. The ranch has 4,000 acres of pristine natural areas, ranging from lush jungles with roaring waterfalls to serene, palm-lined beaches. You’ll likely remember Kualoa Ranch’s picturesque Jurassic Valley from a dinosaur stampede scene in the 1993 film.
Matamata, New Zealand – The Lord of the Rings
Transport yourself to Middle Earth with a visit to Matamata, New Zealand. This quaint town in the New Zealand countryside was the setting for Hobbiton in The Lord of the Rings franchise. Today, film buffs can take guided tours through the collection of hobbit holes.
Petra, Jordan – Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Embark on an epic adventure to Petra and recreate your favorite moments from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The final scenes of the adventure movie were filmed throughout this iconic destination.
Al-Khazneh, The Treasury, is the most famous Petra building featured in the film. This impressive architectural feat was carved directly into the sandstone cliff, giving it a larger-than-life appearance.
University of Oxford, England – Harry Potter
Experience the magic of the Harry Potter universe at England’s legendary University of Oxford. Many moments throughout the beloved 8-film series took place at the historical campus. Include the university’s Christ Church College and the Bodleian Library on your Oxford sightseeing itinerary.
Ait Benhaddou, Morocco – Gladiator
The Russell Crowe-starring Gladiator movie heavily featured Ait Benhaddou in Morocco. This ancient village is an excellent example of traditional Moroccan architecture and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Ait Benhaddou is the ideal Marrakesh day or overnight trip for movie lovers, as several of Gladiator’s intense training and fight scenes were filmed there.
Salzburg, Austria – The Sound of Music
Head to Salzburg and step onto the real-life set of The Sound of Music. Once you see this picture-perfect city, you’ll understand why it inspired the classic 1965 musical.
Not only did the movie take place in Salzburg, but the actual Trapp Family also resided there. Salzburg has a vibrant cultural heritage, which travelers can uncover through its museums and historic landmarks.
Lake Como, Italy – Star Wars Episode II
See the location where Padme and Anakin married in Star Wars Episode II during your Italian getaway. Villa del Balbianello in Lake Como is a stunning property with scenic waterfront views. Even if you aren’t a Star Wars fan, the beautiful villa and surrounding Lake Como area are worth seeing the next time you’re in Italy.
Ko Phi Phi Le, Thailand – The Beach
Ko Phi Phi Le, a tropical Thai island, is one of the most famous movie filming locations worldwide. The Beach, a 2000 thriller movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, takes place in this idyllic locale. Many tourists flock to Ko Phi Phi Le’s Maya Bay annually, so expect crowds year-round.
Skopelos, Greece – Mamma Mia
You may recognize the Greek island of Skopelos from 2008’s Mamma Mia. The captivating coastlines and white-washed villages make Skopelos an excellent place to relive your favorite movie moments while escaping the hustle and bustle of overcrowded towns like Santorini. Don’t miss the Kastani and Glysteri Beaches, where some of Mamma Mia was shot.
Café des Deux Moulins, France – Amélie
Café des Deux Moulins isn’t just an adorable Parisian landmark—it was also a significant location for the French film Amélie. The main character works at Café des Deux Moulins, instantly recognizable for its vintage-inspired red facade. Snap a photo of the exterior while touring the city, or step inside to grab a meal and pretend you’re a local.
Pike Place Market, Washington – Sleepless in Seattle
While Sleepless in Seattle features many famous attractions throughout the city, Pike Place Market is a can’t-miss. The market has been a Seattle staple for over 100 years, and many tourists visit to see its resident fishmongers tossing seafood to each other throughout the day. Browse the quirky shops and vendor stalls and reminisce on the 1993 Nora Ephron classic.
Angkor Thom, Cambodia – Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
You’ll feel like an action movie star while strolling through Angkor Thom. Several areas of the temple complex appear in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie. Though there probably won’t be as much excitement at Angkor Thom as the movie depicts, its mystical atmosphere is still worth experiencing.
Namib Desert, Namibia – Mad Max: Fury Road
Fans of Mad Max: Fury Road can bring the over-the-top action movie to life in Namibia’s Namib Desert. As the oldest desert in the world, the Namib boasts many otherworldly landscapes and dramatic dunes. Make the most of your African safari adventure by quad-biking, sandboarding, hiking, and more.
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania – Rocky
Swing by the Philadelphia Museum of Art to recreate the memorable stair scene from Rocky. In the film, Sylvester Stallone’s character runs through the city before ascending the steps and raising his fists triumphantly. The moment became so iconic that a bronze statue of the fictional boxer now stands at the bottom of the stone stairs.
Step onto the real-life sets of your favorite television shows
From “Game of Thrones” to “Friends,” there are many TV filming locations around the world that you can visit. Enter your favorite fictional worlds by seeing the actual places that inspired them.
14 TV Show Filming Locations You Can Visit in Real Life
Over-tourism has permanently ruined these famous sights
Some attractions have become so popular that they experience neverending streams of visitors. Sadly, overcrowding has caused irreversible damage to these famous worldwide destinations.
13 Famous Destinations Ruined by Tourism
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
