Destinations That Became Famous Because of Movies and TV Shows

Movies and television shows can change the way people see a destination. A quiet village, historic building or dramatic landscape can suddenly become recognisable to millions of viewers after appearing on screen.

Some locations become associated so strongly with a particular film or series that fans eventually travel there to see the scenery for themselves. Filming can also introduce lesser-known towns and regions to international audiences, creating a new reason for travellers to visit.

Here are 10 destinations that gained significant attention through movies and TV shows.

New Zealand

New Zealand became closely associated with Middle-earth after its landscapes were used extensively in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films.

The country's mountains, grasslands, forests and dramatic valleys provided the backdrop for many fictional locations. Hobbiton, near Matamata on the North Island, was transformed into a permanent visitor attraction after being used as the setting for Hobbiton in the films.

Beyond the film locations, New Zealand's real landscapes offer plenty for travellers interested in hiking, road trips and outdoor adventures.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik gained even greater international attention after appearing as King's Landing in Game of Thrones.

The city's medieval walls, stone streets and coastal setting provided a natural backdrop for the fictional capital of Westeros. Several locations within and around the historic centre appeared throughout the series.

Today, fans can explore filming locations while also experiencing Dubrovnik's historic architecture and Adriatic coastline.

Scotland

Scotland has appeared in numerous films and television productions, but the Outlander series gave many Scottish landscapes and historic sites a particularly strong connection with international audiences.

Castles, villages, countryside and dramatic Highland scenery feature prominently throughout the series.

Fans can follow filming-related routes while exploring Scotland's broader history, landscapes and cultural heritage.

Paris, France

Paris has appeared in countless films, but productions such as Amélie and Emily in Paris have given viewers distinctive perspectives of the French capital.

Montmartre became particularly associated with Amélie's story, while Emily in Paris introduced viewers to cafés, streets, parks and neighbourhoods across the city.

The appeal is not limited to filming locations. Paris's architecture, food and streets have made the city a natural setting for cinema for decades.

New York City, United States

Few cities have appeared on screen as frequently as New York.

From Manhattan skyscrapers and Central Park to neighbourhood streets and iconic landmarks, the city has featured in thousands of films and television productions.

Shows such as Friends, Sex and the City and Gossip Girl helped turn particular neighbourhoods and landmarks into recognisable locations for international audiences.

Visitors can easily encounter film and television references while exploring the city, even without following a dedicated filming tour.

London, United Kingdom

London's historic buildings, streets and modern skyline have made it a favourite location for filmmakers.

The city became particularly associated with the Harry Potter films, which used several locations across London and elsewhere in the UK.

King's Cross Station is connected with the fictional platform 9¾, while locations such as the Millennium Bridge and historic streets have appeared in different productions.

London's extensive film history means that visitors can encounter familiar locations throughout the city.

Iceland

Iceland's unusual landscapes have made it a popular filming destination for productions requiring dramatic wilderness.

The country's waterfalls, glaciers, volcanic terrain and black-sand beaches have appeared in films and television series, including Game of Thrones.

The contrast between mountains, ice and dark volcanic landscapes gives Iceland a distinctive visual character that works particularly well on screen.

Travellers can experience many of these landscapes without necessarily following a specific filming itinerary.

Hawaii, United States

Hawaii has provided the backdrop for numerous films and television productions because of its beaches, forests, mountains and volcanic landscapes.

The island of Oahu, in particular, has been used for productions ranging from Jurassic Park-related films to television series such as Lost.

Kauai has also appeared in major Hollywood productions, with its dramatic valleys and coastline providing recognisable tropical scenery.

Matera, Italy

Matera became internationally recognisable after appearing in films including The Passion of the Christ and the James Bond film No Time to Die.

The city's ancient cave dwellings and stone-built landscape provide a setting that looks remarkably different from many other European destinations.

Matera's historic Sassi district is particularly distinctive, with homes and structures carved into the rock.

Its cinematic appearances have added another layer of interest to a destination already known for its remarkable history.

Alnwick, England

Alnwick Castle in Northumberland became especially popular among Harry Potter fans after appearing as Hogwarts in the first two films.

Visitors can explore parts of the castle and its grounds while learning about its much longer history beyond the films.

The surrounding Northumberland region also offers castles, countryside and coastal landscapes, making it possible to build a wider trip around the filming location.

Why Do Film Locations Become Tourist Attractions?

Seeing a place on screen creates a sense of familiarity. Viewers may recognise a street, building or landscape before ever visiting it in person.

Films and television also provide destinations with an emotional association. Fans do not simply see a historic castle or mountain. They see a location connected to a story, character or memorable scene.

Social media has strengthened this effect. Once a location becomes popular online, photographs and travel videos can introduce it to an even larger audience.

Film Tourism Can Change a Destination

The popularity created by a successful production can bring economic benefits to local communities through hotels, restaurants, guided tours and other tourism services.

However, sudden popularity can also create challenges. Some locations experience overcrowding, pressure on infrastructure and disruption to local residents.

Travellers can help by respecting local rules, avoiding restricted areas and supporting local businesses rather than treating filming locations purely as photo opportunities.

When Fiction Meets Reality

One of the most interesting aspects of film tourism is seeing how a real place has been transformed for a fictional story.

New Zealand's landscapes became Middle-earth, Dubrovnik became King's Landing and Matera provided an ancient cinematic setting for major films. Other cities such as London, Paris and New York have appeared so often on screen that their streets have become part of popular culture.

For travellers, visiting these places offers the chance to see familiar scenes from a completely different perspective while discovering what makes the real destination worth visiting beyond the screen.