By Jenna Rose 
We’ve all had that moment while watching a movie: a breathtaking landscape, a magical castle, or a stunningly beautiful city street flashes across the screen, and we let out an audible sigh, thinking, “I wish I could go there.” For many of us, these places feel as fictional as the stories they help tell—masterful creations of CGI or elaborate, temporary sets. But what if we told you that many of these spectacular worlds are not only real but are also places you can visit on your next vacation?
Film tourism, or “set-jetting,” is a thrilling way to travel, allowing you to step out of your living room and directly into the scenes of your favorite movies. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with a story on a deeper level, to stand where your heroes stood, and to see firsthand the real-world magic that inspired filmmakers. From the rolling green hills of the Shire to the otherworldly deserts of a galaxy far, far away, the line between cinematic fantasy and travel reality is thinner than you think.
Pack your bags and your camera. This is your ultimate guide to the surprising and spectacular movie locations you can actually visit.
Hike Through Middle-earth in New Zealand
For fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, New Zealand isn’t just a country; it’s a real-life Middle-earth. Peter Jackson used the country’s dramatic and diverse landscapes to create his epic fantasy world, and today, it’s one of the world’s premier destinations for film tourists.
The Location: The crown jewel is the Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata on the North Island. What was once a temporary set has been rebuilt into a permanent attraction. You can take a guided tour through the idyllic Shire, wander past vibrant hobbit holes, have a drink at the Green Dragon Inn, and truly feel as if Frodo or Bilbo might pop out at any moment.
For a more rugged adventure, head to the South Island. The dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps served as the Misty Mountains, while the area around Queenstown was used for numerous locations, including the Ford of Bruinen and the Forest of Lothlórien. Tongariro National Park, with its volcanic, desolate beauty, was the perfect stand-in for the dark land of Mordor and the imposing Mount Doom (Mount Ngauruhoe). Numerous tour companies offer guided excursions that point out specific filming spots, making it easy to relive the Fellowship’s journey.
Explore Ancient Rome in Morocco and Malta
Ridley Scott’s epic Gladiator brought the grandeur and brutality of Ancient Rome to life. While much of the Colosseum was CGI, the film’s most memorable locations, from the dusty gladiator schools to the grand provincial arenas, were filmed in very real and accessible places.
The Location: The sun-scorched landscapes of Morocco provided the backdrop for Maximus’s early enslavement and training. The incredible fortified village of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site near Ouarzazate, served as the location for the provincial arena where Maximus first fights as a gladiator. Walking through its ancient mud-brick walls feels like stepping back thousands of years.
The “Rome” scenes were primarily filmed in Fort Ricasoli, Malta. The fort’s imposing gate was transformed into the entrance of the Colosseum. Malta’s historic architecture and Mediterranean light have made it a popular filming location for many historical epics, including Troy and Game of Thrones.
Journey to Pandora in China
James Cameron’s Avatar transported audiences to the breathtaking alien moon of Pandora, with its floating mountains and lush, bioluminescent forests. While the world itself is pure science fiction, its primary inspiration is a very real and equally stunning national park in China.
The Location: The spectacular “Hallelujah Mountains” of Pandora were directly inspired by the towering sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China’s Hunan province. When you visit Zhangjiajie, you’ll immediately recognize the otherworldly landscape. The park is filled with thousands of quartzite-sandstone pillars that rise dramatically from the forest floor, often shrouded in mist, creating the illusion that they are floating. One of the tallest pillars has even been officially renamed “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain.” You can explore the park via a series of hiking trails, cable cars, and the world’s tallest outdoor elevator, all offering jaw-dropping views that feel truly out of this world.
Live a Sci-Fi Dream in Tunisia and Ireland
The Star Wars saga has taken us to countless planets, and many of them have very real terrestrial homes that you can visit.
The Location: The desert planet of Tatooine, home to Luke and Anakin Skywalker, was largely filmed in the deserts of southern Tunisia. You can visit Matmata, where the underground troglodyte dwellings were used as the Lars Homestead interior (now a hotel where you can stay). The igloo-like exterior was filmed on the Chott el Djerid salt flats nearby.
For a completely different vibe, travel to the windswept island of Skellig Michael off the coast of Ireland. This dramatic, rocky island, a UNESCO World Heritage site with an ancient monastic settlement, served as the secluded Jedi temple planet of Ahch-To, where Luke Skywalker was found in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. The raw, wild beauty of the island perfectly captured the isolation and spiritual power of the location.
Your next vacation doesn’t have to be just a trip; it can be an adventure into the stories you love. Visiting these real-life movie sets is a powerful reminder of the artistry of filmmaking and the stunning beauty of our own world. It’s a unique way to merge a passion for travel with a love for cinema, creating memories that are as epic and unforgettable as the films themselves.