Best Places for Set Jetting: Your Guide to Film Tourism

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Seeing the locations of your favorite films and TV shows can be exhilarating. You can stand in the same spot your favorite character stood, see the same sites as them, or visit somewhere you saw on the screen simply because it is beautiful. Whatever the reason, set-jetting is becoming increasingly popular, and we’ve rounded up some of the best places to do it. 

What is Set Jetting? 

Jet-setting, also called media or film-induced tourism,  is planning vacations around the filming locations of TV shows and movies worldwide. Whatever you call it, the concept is the same: you pick a destination to visit simply because your favorite TV show or movie was filmed there. (And likely inundate your Instagram and TikTok feeds with footage of the location). 

Set Jetting Tips

1. Research

Make sure you research the area before you plan your trip. Some locations get overrun with tourists flocking there thanks to movies and TV. Maya Bay in Thailand, made famous in the 2000 film The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was severely damaged by tourists. Since 2018, the Thailand Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation has closed the beach down from time to time to ensure the environment can recover from any damage. The latest closure was from October 1, 2023, to July 30, 2024. Dubrovnik, Croatia, has seen a rise in tourists visiting thanks to Game of Thrones, implemented a tax for cruise ship passengers, and limits the number of cruise ships that can dock daily to two, so no more than 5,000 visitors will arrive in a single day. If the area would rather not have tourists visiting, be respectful and find another destination. 

2. Be Respectful

After you do your due diligence and ensure the area isn’t closed to tourists once you are there, be respectful.  If signs are posted telling you not to walk somewhere, don’t walk there. If there is wildlife in the area, don’t touch it. Remember that people call the surrounding area home and don’t appreciate loud tourists making a mess of their hometown. If you are in a city that may host numerous TV and movie landmarks, respect that people live and work in the buildings and are just trying to get through their day. If someone is coming home with groceries, just trying to get into their house, but it’s the house the character of your favorite movie lived in, let the people get their groceries in before you snap the photo and get out of their way. 

3. Don’t Be Stupid

Characters on TV shows and movies may do things in locations that look fun/cool/will get you a great shot, but remember it isn’t real. Chances are, they had all sorts of pulleys, cameras, different angles-you name it, that you won’t have. A character in a movie may run down a hill or easily navigate a cliff, but that doesn’t mean you can. Use common sense when visiting an on-location site. And, related to the above tip, please pay attention to any signage in the area- if local authorities don’t want you to go somewhere, it is for good reason. 

Now that we have discussed what set-jetting is and how to do it, it’s time to get into the good stuff: where to go. Here are some of the hottest spots for set-jetting. 

Best Set-Jetting Destinations

New Zealand 

Filming Locations: 

Movies: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lord of the Rings trilogy, Mission Impossible: Fallout, The Hobbit, Mulan, Power of the Dog 

TV: Top of the Lake, the Luminaries, Sweet Tooth, The Rings of Power

New Zealand’s striking, diverse landscapes make it a popular spot for filming TV shows and movies. Lord of the Rings brings the most set-jetting visitors to the country. If you are one of the LOTR fans,  you won’t want to miss visiting Matamata, located on New Zealand’s North Island and home to Hobbiton from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Daily tours are offered for anyone wanting an up-close look at the place Bilbo and Frodo call home. You’ll find Middle‑earth™ locations scattered throughout the country, from Tawhai Falls in Tongariro National Park, Mount Victoria, to  Mount Sunday, which was used as Edoras. If ”Top of the Lake” is more your thing, you’ll see familiar sites in Queenstown and Glenorchy and Lake Wakatipu, the lake used in the pilot episode. 

Where to Stay: Underhill Valley

If you’re searching for hobbits, you might as well stay in one of their houses, and Underhill Valley provides that experience. Located less than an hour from Hobbiton, this glamping retreat is built into the hillside, nestled within a farm. There is an outdoor bath, a wood-fired oven/stove, a composting toilet, and it is entirely off-grid (although there is cell phone service, you just won’t be able to charge your phone!) 

Scotland 

Filming Locations: 

Movies: Harry Potter, James Bond: Skyfall, Trainspotting, Braveheart, 

TV: Outlander, Buccaneers, Rebus, One Day

Outlander has started a whole revolution on jet setting in Scotland, from 12-day driving tours to 1-day guided tours; exploring the world of Jamie and Claire is easy and Instagram-worthy, thanks to the gorgeous scenery. Travel like James Bond with a visit to Glencoe, seen in Skyfall and Braveheart. If you hope to see more spots from Braveheart, head to Glen Nevis, or Loch Levin. Edinburgh is home to several on-location spots, most recently to popular TV show Rebus. 

Where to Stay: Dunkeld House Hotel

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Located in Perthshire, Dunkeld House Hotel is featured heavily in season four, although you may not realize it—it is the setting for the North Carolina wilderness. Nearby, you’ll find Kinloch Rannoch, Timbermore Parish Church, and Drummond Castle Garden—filming locations in seasons one and two. The 100 bedrooms are luxurious and comfortable, with rooms ranging from cozy doubles to family suites and deluxe rooms with balconies. There is an on-site restaurant and spa. 

Croatia

Filming Locations:

Movies: Lee, Mama Mia: Here We Go Again, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi

TV: Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, Succession, The Wheel of Time, 

It is no wonder UNESCO World Hertitage Site Dubrovnik has attracted so many location scouts- it looks like it comes straight from a fairy tale or other world. The spots that attract the most set-jetting tourists are from Game of Thrones, and for good reason – they are quite a site to behold. Top spots include Lovrijenac Fort, Jesuit Staircase by Saint Ignatius Church (scene of the famous Cersei walk). You may also recognize Dubrovnik as Canto Bight in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi. Wheel of Time fans can head to Velebit Nature Park, or Ličko polje to see filming locations. 

Where to Stay: St. Joseph’s

Located in the center of old town, St. Joseph’s provides easy access to many movie location sties in Dubrovnik. It offers a complimentary continental breakfast and free airport shuttle. Rooms range from smaller attic rooms in the annex to large suites. 

Italy 

Filming Locations: 

Movies: Roman Holiday, La Dolce Vita, Romeo & Juliet, Eat Pray Love, House of Gucci, Call Me by Your Name, The Talented Mr. Ripley

TV: The White Lotus, White Collar, Medici: Masters of Florence

Italy has been a cinematic muse for decades with its timeless beauty and rich history. From the romantic canals of Venice to the sun-drenched Amalfi Coast, the country offers a diverse backdrop perfect for storytelling. Rome is a must-visit for any film buff. Iconic locations include the Spanish Steps (Roman Holiday), the Trevi Fountain (La Dolce Vita), and the Colosseum (Gladiator). For a more modern cinematic experience, check out the Villa Necchi Campiglio, the stunning setting for House of Gucci. Fans of Eat Pray Love can follow Julia Roberts’ footsteps through Florence and Rome. White Lotus fans will want to head to Sicily, backdrop to season 2. Viator offers tours that will make you feel like you’re a character on the show (without the drama, I hope)- whether it’s on a Vespa ride, strolling Cefalù Beach, or visiting the Palazzo owned by Quentin. 

Where to Stay: San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel

Obviously, you need to stay at the hotel that serves as the White Lotus in season 2. The San Domenico Palace is a luxurious family-friendly resort nestled near the Church of San Domenico. This recently refurbished hotel offers stunning views, world-class amenities, and impeccable service. Guests can enjoy multiple dining options, a rejuvenating spa, and a refreshing pool. Each of the 111 rooms is thoughtfully designed with modern comforts and family-friendly features, making it an ideal choice for a memorable Sicilian getaway.

Honorable Mentions

Other destinations worth visiting thanks to their filming locations include the Czech Republic (The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Last Kingdom), Ontario, Canada (Schitt’s Creek, The Handmaid’s Tale, Suits, Orphan Black, Suicide Squad), Iceland (Game of Thrones, Die Another Day), and of course, places like New York City, London, and Los Angeles, which not only have on-location spots, but house big studios where movies and television shows are filmed. 

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