Famous Movie Locales
While Oscar season may be over, film fans have the entire year to explore places around the globe that have played starring roles in the movies. Often beautiful and always beguiling, a visit to one of the following 25 places will make you feel like you stepped on to the silver screen.
Petra, Jordan: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
This enchanting ancient city carved in stone served as the backdrop for the closing scenes of the original Indiana Jones trilogy. Its popularity has shot through the roof since and now people flock from all over the world to see the timeless wonder of Jordan’s crown jewel.
Soca River Valley, Slovenia: The Chronicles of Narnia
It could be easy to overlook small-ish Slovenia. Hollywood sure didn’t when it was looking for striking locations for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian though. The film shows off the wonders of the nation’s spectacular Soca River Valley and tourists have been flocking to Slovenia ever since.
Snowdonia National Park, Wales: King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
While this film was shot in several beautiful locations in Britain, the shots from Snowdonia might just be the most memorable. The stunning national park was the backdrop for several important scenes, including one where the sword Excalibur is tossed into a lake by Arthur.
Skellig Michael, Ireland: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
This jagged UNESCO-listed island off the coast of the Emerald Isle plays a big role in the latest Star Wars story. Skellig Michael is the spot where an exiled Luke Skywalker is found and while the island is uninhabited, you’ll find it full of intrigue if you take a tour.
Iceland: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
When Walter Mitty finally gets out from behind his desk to explore the world, he spends much of his time in Iceland. The film shows off the otherworldly landscapes of this North Atlantic nation and tourists are coming here in ever-increasing numbers.
Cornwall, England: About Time
This sentimental romantic comedy from Richard Curtis shows off the best of the craggy Cornwall coast. The sweeping landscapes of this English county serve as the backdrop for the main character’s childhood home and every time the story returns there, your eyes get a treat.
Bruges, Belgium: In Bruges
While this film is definitely a dark comedy, it has been a beacon to travelers to come and see Bruges for themselves. Walk along the lattice of canals, gawk at gables and then climb the Bruges Belfry to look out on the market square, just like the characters in the movie.
Monuriki Island, Fiji: Castaway
There are three main characters that most people remember from Castaway: Chuck (Tom Hanks), Wilson the volleyball and Monuriki Island. Monuriki lies in Fiji’s marvelous Mamanuca chain and while the tropical isle is uninhabited, it can be visited on a fascinating day trip.
Ouarzazate, Morocco: Gladiator
Located in the foothills of the soaring Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate is an old hand at stealing scenes. This sandstone town and its exotic Taourirt Kasbah have starred in such films such as Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia and The Mummy. Visit for yourself to see the magic of Morocco.
Savannah, Georgia: Forrest Gump
When Forrest Gump dishes up his sage advice about life being like a box of chocolates, he’s doing it under Savannah’s Spanish moss-draped trees. While the only place in the film to be featured is the city’s Chippewa Square, it’s a great sample of the grandeur of this Southern belle of a city.
Kananaskis Country, Alberta: Brokeback Mountain
When Brokeback Mountain came out, it sure had a lot of people talking, but many theatre-goers were left absolutely speechless by the scenery. Kananaskis Country in Canada stands in for Wyoming in the film and its snow-capped mountains and rushing rivers became the third main character of the movie.
Napali Coast, Hawaii: Jurassic Park
While the dinosaurs steal most of the scenes in Jurassic Park, this rugged stretch of Hawaiian coast also manages to make an impression on the viewer. The first sights of the fictional Isla Nublar that we get in the film are actually the Napali Coast.
Oregon: Wild
While in the movie, the main character traverses the entire length of the Pacific Crest Trail, Wild was actually mostly shot in the awesome state of Oregon. Shots of Mt. Hood, Crater Lake and Newberry National Volcanic Monument star in the film in addition to the charmingly quirky town of Ashland.
Barcelona & Oviedo, Spain: Vicky Cristina Barcelona
If this quirky romantic-comedy drama doesn’t make you want to visit Spain, nothing will. In addition to showing off the colorful Catalan city of Barcelona, the characters also retreat to Oviedo for a lovely weekend getaway—and don’t be surprised if you follow in their footsteps after watching the film.
Kenya: Out of Africa
This film inspired thousands of trips to the continent of Africa, but to re-trace the steps of Karen (Meryl Streep) and Denys (Robert Redford) accurately, you’ve got to go to Kenya. The enchanting Ngong Hills and teeming-with-life Shaba National Game Reserve were two of the most inspiring backdrops.
The Greek Peloponnese: Before Midnight
Before Sunrise showed off Vienna and Before Sunset put Paris on a pedestal, but the latest in this romantic series gave the Greek Peloponnese peninsula the star treatment. The Messinia region and its ancient ruins, coastal views and sun-drenched villas end up being almost as enthralling as the dialogue between Celine (Julie Delpy) and Jessee (Ethan Hawke).
St Vincent and the Grenadines: Pirates of the Caribbean
When Hollywood needed a backdrop for the first Pirates of the Caribbean film, there was only one idyllic island nation that fit the bill: St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In a film full of jaw-dropping scenes, perhaps the most memorable took place on Petit Tabac, a tiny island populated by nothing but coconut trees and snow-white sand.
Notting Hill, England: Notting Hill
Some would say that this eclectic London neighborhood shined as brightly as Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts in this lovable rom-com. Fans still flock here every day to shop at the fascinating Portobello Road market and then pop into the bookshop that inspired the movie.
Glencoe, Scotland: Skyfall
During the climactic scenes of this 007 thriller, the stunning Scottish scenery manages to steal attention away from Daniel Craig and Judi Dench. The sweeping panoramas include Glencoe and its surrounds—including the majesty of nearby mountain Buachaille Etive Mor.
Florence, Italy: Inferno
While this Dan Brown novel-inspired action flick hopscotches around historic European cities, the fantastic shots of Florence are the ones that are bound to stick with you. Beautiful Boboli Gardens and the striking Campanile of the Badia Fiorentina bell tower both play major roles.
Namib Desert, Namibia: Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max: Fury Road was supposed to be shot in the deserts of Australia, but unusually high amounts of rain turned the dry land lush and forced the film to Namibia. Most of the movie was filmed in the Namib Desert near Swakopmund, which shows off the lunar-like loveliness of this stretch of the African country.
Veracruz, Mexico: Romancing the Stone
Veracruz did a very admirable job of standing in for Cartagena, Colombia in this 80s classic. Visit this colorful Mexican port city to re-trace the steps of the Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas and Danny Devito at the historic Fort of San Juan de Ulua and at the nearby rapids on the Rio Antigua river.
Provence, France: A Good Year
While this flick was generally regarded as “less-than-wonderful,” it did wonders for the already-stellar reputation of Provence. The story follows a Londoner who relocates to the South of France and after watching the movie and taking in the stunning scenery, you will know precisely why.
Salvation Mountain, California: Into the Wild
Into the Wild may be one big love letter to Mother Nature, but the manmade Salvation Mountain also stuck in the minds of many moviegoers long after they finished watching the film. This kaleidoscopic “mountain” in Southern California declares to visitors that “God is Love” and you are sure to love it.
By Sott Hartbek, March 09, 2018, Travel pulse, Retrived: https://www.travelpulse.com/gallery/entertainment/25-places-made-famous-in-the-movies.html?image=1
