Set-jetting, or taking trips to experience the filming locations of your favorite movies and television shows, is one of the top travel trends of 2023.
According to Expedia, two-thirds of travelers around the globe have considered set-jetting, and 39% of travelers have actually booked trips to a destination after seeing it in a movie or television show.
Here are some of the top set-jetting destinations around the world that will bring your favorite movies and television shows to life as you explore their filming locations.
1. Hobbiton, New Zealand (The Lord of the Rings)
Located less than two hours from Auckland, New Zealand, travelers can step into the Shire and tour the village of Hobbiton.
This movie set is where many scenes from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed. On a guided tour, you can visit round-doored Hobbit Holes and even have a drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
2. Sicily, Italy (The White Lotus)
The White Lotus was one of the most popular television shows of last year. The second season of this HBO black comedy series aired at the end of 2022 and immediately created a flurry of interest for its primary filming location.
The show took place at a luxury resort in Sicily, Italy, causing an explosion of popularity for this underrated island in Southern Italy.
There are many amazing places to visit in Sicily that are inspired by the TV show, including Taormina, Cefalu, and Noto.
3. Petra, Jordan (Indiana Jones)
Fans of the classic adventure movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade will feel like they are on their own quest for the Holy Grail when visiting Petra.
This prehistoric city carved into a pinkish-red sandstone cliff in Jordan is an architectural marvel, leading to its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although you cannot go inside (like Harrison Ford did in the movie), you can admire the facade of Petra.
You can also explore the nearby Wadi Rum village, another filming location from Indiana Jones, and other popular movies like Star Wars and Dune.
4. Bucharest, Romania (Wednesday)
Fans of the hit Netflix TV show Wednesday will be delighted to know that you can explore many of the series’ filming locations in Romania.
This Eastern European country is the perfect setting for the show inspired by the spooky Addams Family, because it’s no stranger to spooky itself: Romania is home to Transylvania and Bran Castle, said to be the inspiration for the classic Dracula.
The vibrant capital city of Bucharest is also where many scenes from the show were filmed.
5. Dubrovnik, Croatia (Game of Thrones)
Although it ended in 2019, Game of Thrones was one of the most popular television series of the 2010s, and it brought flocks of visitors to Dubrovnik, where much of the show was filmed.
The impressive fortified Old Town of Dubrovnik was where many scenes were filmed, along with nearby Lovrijenac Fort and the island of Lokrum.
6. Skellig Michael, Ireland (Star Wars)
Skellig Michael is a remote, mystical destination that Star Wars fans will instantly recognize as Luke Skywalker’s home in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
Although it’s not easy to reach, fans will be rewarded with incredible scenery on the island, which is home to a 1,500-year-old Gaelic monastery that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
7. Paris, France (Emily in Paris)
Although thousands of movies and television shows have been filmed in Paris, one of the most popular recent favorites is Emily in Paris.
This hit Netflix series about an American girl moving to Paris has inspired countless young travelers to explore the City of Light.
