Creating your dream itinerary and making plans for when the pandemic is finally over with? With everything that is going on around the world, it may be a while before we travel. But the arrival of vaccines has got us all hoping that an end is in sight. And that means we’ll soon be back satisfying our wanderlust! Discover our top 12 favourite famous film locations around the world, with all manner of genres to suit every taste.

Potterhead? Check out our Harry Potter travel bucket list for muggles in search of magic

A Pinterest pin for 12 famous film locations

Pride and Prejudice (2005 & 1995) – Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, UK

Chatsworth House, one of the famous film locations in Pride and Prejudice

One of the most famous film locations in England, a visit to Chatsworth House is a must for any period drama fan. As well as the Jane Austen classic, this was also the location for movies such as The Duchess (2008) and The Wolfman (2009).

YAVIN IV from Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (1977) – Tikal, Guatemala

The famous film location site, Tikal full of ancient stones and carvings

Situated in the El Petén department of Guatemala, the large archaeological site set amongst the rainforests is a popular site for Star Wars super fans.

Mamma Mia! (2008) – Skopelos, Greece

Everyone knows this famous little church, as one of the film locations for Mama Mia
Copyright: Aetherial Images / Shutterstock.com

Known as Kalokairi in the movie, this small island is part of the Sporades on the eastern side of the mainland. As well as being one of the most beautiful bucket list movie locations, it is also home to picturesque villages, blue seas, and white sands. Those who have seen Mama Mia, will recognize this little Church as one of the locations used in the famous film.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) – Petra, Jordan

Known from the movie Indiana Jones, this ancient palace carved into the rock is in Petra

Whilst this epic Indiana Jones movie was filmed in several locations around the world, the Holy Grail itself was hidden in the temple located at Petra, Jordon.  The set took an impressive six weeks to build and they use 80 feet of hydraulics to create that iconic earthquake scene.

The Sound of Music (1965) – Salzburg, Austria

The rolling valleys of Salzburg, the same as when they were filmed in the iconic movie, The Sound of Music

This 1965 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical was shot amongst the epic Austrian landscape. There are several famous film locations around the city, including Leopoldskron Palace, Frohnburg Palace, the Mirabell Palace Gardens, the old town of Salzburg, and the dramatic Mehlweg Mountain.

Amélie (2001) – Paris, France

The Eifel tower at twilight towering over Paris, locations for many famous films

Shot in over 80 locations around the city, Amélie is a French cult classic.  The Café Des Deux Moulins where Amélie worked as a waitress is one of the most popular places to visit, with many fans of the film trying to find this hidden gem.

Gladiator (2000)- Aït Benhaddou

The sandy stone buildings of Aït-benhaddou is one of the locations for many famous films

Aït Benhaddou is a fortified village, also known as a ksar. As well as the Russell Crowe classic, this UNESCO World Heritage Location has been featured in many famous films including Jesus of Nazareth (2977), The Mummy (1999), Kingdom of Heaven (2005) and Prince of Persia (2010), as well as being the great city of Yunkai on Game of Thrones.

Harry Potter (2001-2011) – Kings Cross Station, London UK

Kings Cross Station in London in the arrivals hall

Visit Platform 9 3/4s in England’s capital, take your very snapshot with the famous trolley and pick up Harry potter souvenirs at the nearby store.

Jurassic Park (1993) – Kaua’i, Hawaii

The fantastic scenery of Kauai valleys and turquoise waters

Hawaii’s fourth-largest island, Kaua’i is known as the ‘Garden Island’ because of its beautiful scenery. As well as the paleontological Steven Spielberg’s classic, it has also been used for movies such as The Descendants, Tropic Thunder, Mighty Joe Young and Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii.

Honestly it’s impossible not to get a #mypostcardmoment with this scenery, right? If you’ve got any photos hanging around from travels pre-2020, why not get them printed? MyPostcard delivers photo prints and photo postcards straight to your door!

The Godfather (1972) – Savoca, Italy

The medieval city of Savoca seen from a distance
Copyright: Simone-Padovani / Shutterstock.com

The City of Art provides the perfect opportunity to relive the actions of Don Vito in this international cult film. One of the most famous movie places in the world, this medieval town is known as Corleone in the film and it continues to be a top tourist destination for fans.

Lord of the Rings (2001 – 2003) – Matamata, New Zealand

The classic 'hobbit hole' in Matamata known as the one of the locations in the famous film trilogy, Lord of the Rings

Matamata is also known as the Home of the Shire and it was used for the entire LoTR trilogy as well as The Hobbit movies. One of NZ’s most popular tourist attractions, the area includes over 44 hobbit holes.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) – Tiffany & Co., New York.

Tiffany and Co. in New York where Breakfast at Tiffany's was filmed
Copyright: MontenegroStock / Shutterstock.com

Although you probably do not need an excuse to visit this world-renowned jewellery store, this Oscar-winning Audrey Hepburn movie is arguably one of the best rom coms in existence. Plus, the recently opened café means you can now actually enjoy Breakfast at Tiffany’s!

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) – Devils Tower, Wyoming

Devils Tower, a strange protruding mound of land

This dramatic butte of rock was the background when the alien mothership arrives, and it has since been a top tourist destination.  The Tower was the US’ first-ever national monument; designated as such in 1906. It certainly looks like a location aliens would use, and not just in famous film scenes!

Psycho (1960) – Bates Motel, Universal City, California

Barnes Motel signage

For fans of horror, this 1960 American psychological thriller is a cult classic. One of Alfred Hitchcock’s most popular movies, this has now been transformed into a haunted attraction.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) – Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap, scene from across the water

Several scenes from the Lara Croft movie were filmed at the beautiful Angkor Thom temple in Siem Reap. This Buddhist temple complex is one of the country’s most popular attractions, as well as being the largest religious monument in the world. It won’t surprise anyone to hear it has featured as one of the locations in many famous movies.

Any bucket list movie locations we’ve missed?

There’s a lot of good travel movies out there – so it stands to reason that we’ve missed a few fabulous famous film locations off our list. Can you think of any you’ve been to? Let us know in the comments!

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Author

Hiya, I’m Maud. I’m an English girl who's moved to Berlin - because who wouldn’t fall in love with a country which has words like ‘Kummerspeck’ hidden around every corner... I love traveling and finding out the quirks of each country - and what better way to remember them than on a postcard?

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