You can walk into Hobbiton, stand beneath the Hogwarts Express route, and visit the real gardens that became Dorne. The useful question is what you can actually do when you arrive: book a guided set tour, enter a historic building, or enjoy an outdoor filming location.
This set-jetting 2027 guide brings together 21 distinct movie and TV locations, with the screen connection, access requirements, a sensible home base, and the detail most likely to affect your plans.
- Want a maintained movie set? Start with Hobbiton.
- Prefer an easy U.S. city stop? Choose the Rocky Steps, Chippewa Square, or Griffith Observatory.
- Love period dramas? Look at Highclere, Lyme, Greenwich, and Doune.
- Want two film stops in one city? Seville pairs the Royal Alcázar with Plaza de España; Paris pairs the Louvre with Café des Deux Moulins.
Planning note: visitor information was checked on October 12, 2026. These are established visitor destinations for your 2027 shortlist, not a guarantee that every date or area will be available. Recheck the operator’s calendar before booking. Suggested visit lengths and seasonal choices below are editorial planning estimates, excluding travel time.
Visual note: all images are AI-generated travel concepts, not photographs of current conditions. Architectural details, landscaping, and viewpoints may differ from the real locations.
1. Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand — The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit
Base: Matamata or Rotorua, North Island. Access: Paid guided tour. Allow: Half a day, including check-in.
If you want a place that still feels like a film set, put Hobbiton near the top. Round doors, carefully tended gardens, and grassy hills make the Shire recognizable without needing a guide to point at an empty field.
The set sits on private farmland, so you cannot simply arrive and wander independently. Choose your departure point and experience through Hobbiton’s official tour website; a ticket leaving from the farm is different from a transport package departing another town. The standard Signature Tour is currently listed at about 2.5 hours.
For a U.S. winter escape, remember that December through February is New Zealand’s summer. A morning slot makes a pleasant starting point, but bring a rain layer and enclosed shoes in any season. Secure the tour before building a tightly timed day around it.
Also Read: My Best New Zealand Travel Tips 2026
2. Kualoa Ranch, Oʻahu, Hawaii — Jurassic Park
Base: Honolulu or Waikīkī. Access: Book a ranch tour. Allow: Half a day, plus transfers.
The huge green ridges and open valleys are the attraction here. Kualoa’s landscape appeared in Jurassic Park and later Jurassic films, making this a strong choice for travelers who want movie scenery alongside a beach vacation.
Choose the tour by its itinerary. The Movie Sites & Ranch Tour covers several productions, while the Jurassic Adventure Tour is a longer option with a stronger Jurassic focus. Do not assume every ranch activity stops at the same locations, or that a general admission ticket gives you independent access to the valleys.
Check the selected tour’s age, mobility, and vehicle requirements before paying. Leave room for Oʻahu traffic, and confirm whether transportation from your hotel is included. The scenery works year-round; the most useful planning decision is choosing the experience that matches your group.
3. Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles — La La Land
Base: Los Angeles. Access: Free general admission; planetarium shows and nearby parking may cost extra. Allow: About two hours.
Griffith Observatory gives you the domes, terraces, and sweeping city views associated with La La Land. The building is a real public observatory, so a visit can include exhibits and astronomy as well as a film-inspired photograph.
Plan around two separate things: the grounds’ access hours and the building’s opening schedule. A sunset visit is atmospheric, but it is also a busy time. Consider public transportation and the DASH Observatory service instead of relying on a last-minute parking space.
The movie’s floating dance is a special-effects sequence, not an experience offered inside. For a satisfying visit, arrive while there is still daylight, explore what is open, and watch the city change color from the terraces. Bring a layer for the evening.
4. The Rocky Steps, Philadelphia — Rocky
Base: Center City Philadelphia. Access: Free outdoor steps. Allow: 30–45 minutes, longer if you visit the museum.
The broad staircase at the Philadelphia Museum of Art delivers an unusually straightforward movie-location moment. Walk or jog up, turn toward the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and take in the skyline that makes the finish feel worthwhile.
You do not need museum admission to visit the outdoor steps. The museum galleries are a separate visit, and the Rocky Statue is a separate photo stop from the staircase itself; follow current signs for its location.
A weekday morning is a sensible choice if your priority is a less crowded picture. Keep a path clear for other visitors and avoid trying to recreate the run on wet or icy steps. This fits comfortably into a Philadelphia weekend without organizing a dedicated film tour.
Also Read: 9 Easy Weekend Getaways From U.S. Cities Where You Don’t Need a Car
5. Chippewa Square, Savannah, Georgia — Forrest Gump
Base: Savannah’s Historic District. Access: Public outdoor square. Allow: 20–30 minutes.
Chippewa Square supplied the backdrop for Forrest’s bus-stop storytelling scenes. The moss-draped trees, pathways, and surrounding streets make it an easy addition to a walk through Savannah.
The film bench is not waiting in the square. It was a production prop. Visit Savannah points visitors to a replica at the Savannah History Museum, so make the museum a separate stop if the bench matters more to you than the setting. Check its admission and opening hours before adding it.
In the square, enjoy the landscape and look toward the north side associated with filming. There is no need to stand in the road to copy a camera angle. Spring or fall would be my planning choice for a walking-focused trip; in hotter months, start early and build in a shaded break.
6. Timberline Lodge, Mount Hood, Oregon — The Shining
Base: Government Camp or the Mount Hood area. Access: Operating lodge and resort; confirm visitor access and parking. Allow: One to two hours for a lodge stop.
Timberline’s mountain setting and distinctive stone-and-timber exterior supplied establishing shots of the Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. It is especially appealing if your ideal film trip includes scenery, a meal, and time outdoors.
Keep the film connection specific: this is an exterior location. Do not book expecting the movie’s corridors, bathroom, or hedge maze to be waiting inside. The real lodge has its own architecture, artwork, guests, and daily operations.
For a simple sightseeing visit, consider summer or early fall and check road conditions shortly before leaving. A snowy image is tempting, but winter travel adds mountain-driving considerations. Arrange dining or an overnight stay separately if you want more than an exterior stop.
Also Read: 10 Cozy Mountain Getaways in the USA That Make You Want to Stay All Weekend
7. Alnwick Castle, England — Harry Potter
Base: Alnwick, Northumberland. Access: Ticketed castle during public opening periods. Allow: Half a day.
Alnwick’s lawns and medieval walls appeared in the first two Harry Potter movies. For many fans, the strongest connection is the flying lesson from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
The castle offers film-related interpretation and broomstick-training activities, but check the schedule and participation arrangements for your date. Booking castle admission does not mean every activity will run at the exact moment you arrive.
This is a real historic castle, not the complete Hogwarts campus. Go for the courtyards and recognizable outdoor settings, then give the building’s own history some time. Plan within the published visitor season, and check whether any separate nearby attraction you want to visit needs its own ticket.
8. Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland — Harry Potter
Base: Fort William. Access: Public walking routes to viewpoints; parking and train journeys are separate. Allow: 1.5–2 hours for a viewpoint visit.
The curving concrete viaduct is the real railway location associated with the Hogwarts Express. You have two different ways to enjoy it: watch a train cross from a designated viewpoint, or travel over the bridge yourself.
For the familiar exterior photograph, choose the viewpoint. A train passenger sees the landscape from above but cannot simultaneously photograph their own train crossing the arches. The National Trust for Scotland notes that steam appearances are seasonal, while local rail services use the route year-round.
Check the actual 2027 operating timetable before fixing your day around a steam train. Arrive with time to park and walk, wear shoes with grip, and stay away from the railway tracks. The viaduct is still worth seeing if no steam service is operating.
Also Read: 10 Scenic Train Trips in the USA With Views Worth Traveling For
9. Lyme, Cheshire, England — Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Base: Manchester or the Peak District area. Access: National Trust property; check house, garden, and estate admission. Allow: Two to three hours.
The house reflected in the lake is the reason to come. Lyme provided Pemberley’s exterior and grounds in the BBC’s 1995 Pride and Prejudice, starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.
Make sure you are matching the right adaptation: this is the television-series location, not a claim about the 2005 movie. The interiors on screen were not all filmed in this house, either. Your clearest connection is the building’s south front and the surrounding garden setting.
Choose a day when the garden areas you want are open, rather than assuming access to the wider park includes everything. Late spring or early summer would be a lovely choice for the grounds. Keep the visit to walking and photography; the lake is not an invitation to recreate Darcy’s swim.
10. Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London — Bridgerton
Base: London. Access: Grounds and paid visitor experiences have different arrangements. Allow: Two to three hours.
Greenwich’s grand courtyards and colonnades have appeared throughout Bridgerton. The Old Royal Naval College is particularly useful for travelers who want a period-drama setting without leaving London for a country-house excursion.
Start with the riverside grounds, then decide whether a film tour or an interior visit adds what you want. The site advertises film and TV tours covering productions including Bridgerton, The Crown, and Les Misérables. Read what your selected ticket includes, especially if the Painted Hall is on your wish list.
Do not expect permanent Regency street dressing: filming transforms an active heritage site. The pleasure is recognizing the architecture and hearing how it was used. Leave some flexibility for events or temporary closures, and combine your visit with a relaxed Greenwich afternoon.
11. Doune Castle, Scotland — Outlander and Monty Python
Base: Stirling. Access: Ticketed Historic Scotland property. Allow: 1.5–2 hours.
Doune offers two very different kinds of screen nostalgia in one substantial medieval castle. It played Castle Leoch in Outlander and appeared in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
The stone courtyard and imposing gatehouse provide the atmosphere, while the audio guide adds the production connections. Historic Environment Scotland lists contributions from Sam Heughan and Terry Jones, making this a good place to slow down and listen rather than simply take an exterior picture.
Reserve admission and check current conservation notices, because access to individual spaces can change. Expect historic surfaces and stairs; ask the operator about the route if mobility is a concern. Doune works well as a focused stop from Stirling, while Glenfinnan belongs to a separate Highland day with substantial travel between them.
12. Highclere Castle, Hampshire, England — Downton Abbey
Base: Newbury or London with prearranged transport. Access: Dated admission or a specified tour. Allow: Half a day on the estate.
Highclere is the country house most viewers picture when they think of Downton Abbey. Its familiar exterior and selected interiors make it more than a distant photo opportunity when you book the right visit.
The important step is choosing an actual opening date. Highclere does not operate like a museum that you can assume is open every day. Its official ticket store already lists some 2027 experiences, but availability depends on the individual event and ticket.
Read package descriptions closely: the castle itself warns that some third-party “Downton Abbey” tours may not include castle admission. If arriving by train, arrange the onward and return journey rather than expecting to walk from the station. Match the transport to the admission time before paying for either.
13. Fort Lovrijenac, Dubrovnik, Croatia — Game of Thrones
Base: Dubrovnik. Access: Ticketed fortress; check current city-wall or pass inclusions. Allow: One to two hours.
Fort Lovrijenac stands on a rocky headland just outside Dubrovnik’s city walls. Its role as part of the Red Keep makes it a specific, satisfying Game of Thrones stop rather than a vague promise that the entire city is one film set.
Climb to the fortress for the stone spaces and sea views, then appreciate how the production combined real architecture with digital changes. Dubrovnik’s tourism board identifies Lovrijenac among the city’s principal filming locations.
Check whether fortress entry is included in a ticket you already intend to buy; a walking-tour fee and attraction admission are not automatically the same thing. Expect stairs and exposed sunny areas. For my own planning, I would favor spring or early fall and an early visit over the hottest part of a summer afternoon.
14. Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como, Italy — Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
Base: Lenno or another Lake Como town with workable transport. Access: Reserved FAI admission. Allow: Two to three hours, plus arrival time.
The terraces and lakeside setting supplied romantic Naboo scenes in Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones. Come for the relationship between the architecture, clipped greenery, and water; it is an especially appealing film stop for couples.
FAI distinguishes a park-only ticket from a villa-and-park ticket. The former covers the gardens, terraces, and exterior loggia areas; the latter adds a guided interior visit. Choose according to what you want to see rather than assuming the word “villa” always includes the rooms.
Getting there needs its own plan. The walking approach from Lenno is uphill, while taxi-boat transport is separately arranged and paid. Allow a buffer before admission, and contact FAI about accessible arrival options if needed. Check the seasonal calendar before committing to a winter Lake Como itinerary.
15. Agios Ioannis at Kastri, Skopelos, Greece — Mamma Mia!
Base: Skopelos Town or Glossa. Access: Outdoor approach and steep steps; chapel access may vary. Allow: About one hour, plus island transport.
The little chapel high on a rocky outcrop is one of the most recognizable Mamma Mia! settings. The view from below is part of the appeal, so you can appreciate the location even if you decide against the climb.
Expect a steep stairway rather than a gentle village stroll. Wear secure footwear, carry water, and pause where you can do so without blocking others. This is a small religious site, so keep voices low and give worshippers priority.
Plan the island journey before the photo stop. Skopelos requires a ferry connection, and schedules depend on season and route. Late spring or early fall would be my preference, provided the transport works. Do not assume the tiny chapel interior will reproduce the movie’s complete wedding sequence or seating arrangement.
16. Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain — Game of Thrones
Base: Seville. Access: Timed palace admission. Allow: Two to three hours.
The Royal Alcázar’s gardens and palace spaces became the Water Gardens of Dorne. If elaborate courtyards, greenery, and warm stonework are what drew you to the show, this is a film location that also rewards a full historic-site visit.
Book through the palace’s official admission system and read the visitor requirements attached to your ticket. A themed walking tour should clearly state whether palace entry is included. Once inside, use the official visitor map and follow any room or garden closures.
Give the gardens their own time instead of rushing through them at the end. For a 2027 trip, spring or fall is my preferred starting point for a walking-heavy Seville itinerary. In summer, prioritize an earlier available slot and plan a shaded break afterward. The real palace is the attraction; no permanent Dorne set is required.
17. Plaza de España, Seville, Spain — Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
Base: Seville. Access: Public square, subject to opening arrangements and events. Allow: 45–60 minutes.
Seville supplies another piece of Naboo at Plaza de España. Its sweeping brick arcades appeared in Attack of the Clones, while the tiled bridges and canal give the real square a character worth exploring beyond the film connection.
Look along the colonnaded walkway for the recognizable architectural rhythm. The movie altered the setting digitally, so the layout will not match every wide shot. You are visiting the filming backdrop, not a full-size science-fiction city.
This pairs naturally with the Royal Alcázar, but treat them as separate stops and leave time to walk between them. An early visit favors comfortable temperatures; later light brings out the brickwork. Check for concerts or restricted areas, and do not assume public access includes every building or activity around the square.
18. Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg, Austria — The Sound of Music
Base: Central Salzburg. Access: Free garden admission during opening hours. Allow: 45–60 minutes.
Mirabell Gardens is one of Salzburg’s principal The Sound of Music locations, associated with the “Do-Re-Mi” sequence. The garden paths, fountains, and views toward the old city make it an easy choice even for travel companions who are less interested in musicals.
You can explore independently; an organized film tour is useful if you want commentary and additional locations, but it is not required just to visit the gardens. Look for the Pegasus Fountain and the familiar garden steps without turning them into a private performance space.
Choose the growing season if colorful flower beds are important to you. Salzburg’s official visitor information notes partial winter closures, including some garden areas. A winter city break can still be worthwhile, but it will not produce the same floral setting shown in the concept image.
19. The Louvre, Paris, France — The Da Vinci Code
Base: Paris. Access: Courtyard visit or separately ticketed museum entry. Allow: 30 minutes outside, or at least half a day with the museum.
The Louvre’s palace architecture and glass pyramid are central to the atmosphere of The Da Vinci Code. Decide whether you want the exterior film moment or a proper museum visit before choosing your day.
A courtyard photograph does not give you entry to the galleries. For the museum, reserve a timed ticket and check the opening calendar; the Louvre is currently closed on Tuesdays. Pick a manageable selection of galleries instead of treating the entire collection as a film-location scavenger hunt.
The fictional investigation is not a factual guide to the artworks, and you should not expect access to every room or route shown on screen. Evening light is lovely for the pyramid, but courtyard opening hours still apply. Check them before building a late-night photography plan.
20. Café des Deux Moulins, Montmartre, Paris — Amélie
Base: Paris. Access: Working café at 15 Rue Lepic; budget for an order if you sit down. Allow: 45–90 minutes.
This is the café associated with Amélie’s workplace, and the connection is confirmed by both the business and Paris’s tourism office. Its neighborhood setting makes it a more intimate film stop than a palace or museum.
Go as a customer if you want to spend time inside: order something, follow the staff’s seating guidance, and ask before photographing people. An exterior look from the public sidewalk is a different experience from occupying a table.
Leave room for the café to look like a real business that has evolved since filming. Menus, furniture, and displays can change. A weekday visit outside the main meal rush would be my first choice, followed by time to explore Montmartre rather than rushing straight to another screen location.
Also Read: Short Stay, Big Luxury: How to Enjoy Paris Like Royalty
21. The Treasury at Petra, Jordan — Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Base: Wadi Musa. Access: Ticketed archaeological site. Allow: At least half a day; longer to explore beyond the Treasury.
Emerging from the Siq toward the Treasury’s carved sandstone facade is the film-location moment. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade used this exterior for the approach to its fictional Grail temple.
Think of it as a walking visit to a vast archaeological landscape, not a quick roadside photo. The main route passes through the Siq before reaching the Treasury; allow enough time and energy for the return journey. The movie’s chambers and traps are fiction, not an interior attraction to tour.
Spring or fall would be my planning preference for avoiding the strongest summer heat. Carry water, use appropriate footwear, and obey weather-related closures and route restrictions. Before committing to Jordan travel, review your government’s current advice and Petra’s operating notices. An established visitor site does not guarantee unchanged travel conditions in 2027.
How to turn these locations into a workable 2027 trip
Choose one main booking first. If Hobbiton, Highclere, or Villa del Balbianello is the reason for traveling, check its calendar before locking in a nonrefundable itinerary. Once the key visit is secured, add the more flexible outdoor stops around it.
Keep the geography manageable. These combinations are useful starting points, not complete day-by-day itineraries:
- Paris: Give the Louvre and Montmartre separate half-days, especially if you enter the museum.
- Seville: Reserve the Alcázar, then add Plaza de España elsewhere in the day when the temperature suits a walk.
- London and Hampshire: Visit Greenwich on a London day and Highclere on a separate date with transport arranged.
- Scotland: Treat Doune as a Stirling-area stop and Glenfinnan as a Fort William-area stop; allow a travel day or a broader road-trip plan between regions.
- A U.S. weekend: Choose one city, such as Philadelphia or Savannah, and build the weekend around its food, neighborhoods, and museums as well as the filming stop.
For U.S. school-break travel, start checking limited-date attractions as soon as your trip window is clear. European summer trips need extra thought about heat, crowds, and ferries. New Zealand’s seasons run opposite to those in the United States. Keep your schedule loose enough to move an outdoor visit if the weather changes.
Also Read: How To Organize Your Time On Vacation
Set-jetting questions worth asking before you book
What is set-jetting?
Set-jetting means choosing travel destinations because of a movie or TV show. A good trip starts with the screen connection and then makes room for the real place, including its history, food, residents, and everyday life.
Do I need a guided tour at every filming location?
No. Hobbiton requires a guided visit, and Kualoa’s filming areas are reached through booked experiences. Places such as Chippewa Square and Mirabell Gardens can be explored independently during permitted access hours. At museums, palaces, and castles, admission and a themed tour may be separate purchases.
Which stops work best on a smaller sightseeing budget?
The Rocky Steps, Chippewa Square, Griffith Observatory’s general admission, and Mirabell Gardens offer film connections without a general entry charge. Transportation, parking, optional shows, meals, and nearby museums still need their own budget. Choose a location that fits a trip you already want to take.
Will the location look exactly like the movie?
Often, no. Productions combine multiple buildings, add digital effects, remove props, and change interiors. Check the specific connection: Timberline supplied exterior shots, Lyme represents the 1995 Pemberley exterior, and Forrest’s bench is no longer in Chippewa Square. Those distinctions help you choose a visit you will enjoy.
Can I photograph the locations and recreate a scene?
Follow each property’s rules. Public access does not automatically permit tripods, drones, commercial shoots, or photography inside every room. Keep paths clear, respect staff and worshippers, and do not enter railway tracks, water, restricted viewpoints, or private areas for a matching shot.
Are these locations confirmed to be open throughout 2027?
No. They are established places with visitor access checked during preparation of this guide. Some operators have already released 2027 dates, while others publish availability later or seasonally. Recheck the exact day, ticket inclusions, transport, and any temporary closures before paying.
Pick the location whose real-world visit appeals to you most. A garden you want to linger in, a castle you want to explore, or a city you have been meaning to see will give you more to enjoy after you have taken the film-inspired photo.
