We suggest film and TV series locations that are worth visiting. It is said that 'streaming tourism', i.e. visiting places inspired by films and TV series, is a new trend. Here are 10 places that you can be attracted to, via the TV screen or film screen.
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Ten shooting locations for films and TV series
Here you will find a list of ten film and TV series shooting locations that are possible to visit in real life. The locations can be found in Sweden as well as in the rest of Europe and other parts of the world. For those of you who prefer to experience things in the comfort of your own home, you can of course choose adventure through films, game or books.
1. Harry Potter: United Kingdom
Have you been dreaming away in the magical world of Harry Potter, alone or with your children or grandchildren? Then it might be tempting to visit some of the film's locations in real life. For example, you can visit Kings Cross train station in London, which is used to go to Hogwarts boarding school, or experience the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. If you want to immerse yourself even more, you can visit Alnwick Castle (Hogwarts) or Christ Church in Oxford (Hogwarts Dining Hall).
2. The Lion King: Kenya
The Lion King is a cartoon film set in Africa, and if you want to get the real thing, Kenya is the place to be. Here you can see lions for real, in their natural habitat.
3. Wallander: Ystad
If you like the books or films about Kurt Wallander, don't miss visiting Ystad. No less than 44 films have been shot in Ystad and the Österlen region. At the tourist office in Ystad you will find information to locate different places such as Fridolf's patisserie - Wallander's favourite café.
4. Outlander: Scotland
Anyone else follow the TV series Outlander? Claire Randall time-travels from a modern Scotland to an 18th century Scotland. She marries James Fraser and the series takes many unexpected turns. There are several different filming locations to visit, with Jamie's parents' home Lallybroch, actually called Midhope Castle, being one of the most famous.
5. Game of Thrones: Northern Ireland and Croatia
The TV series Game of Thrones is a great saga, if you like that kind of story. You'll find many of the locations from the show in Northern Ireland, such as Tollymore Forest, Winterfell, Kings Road and many others. There are also quite a few Game of Thrones filming locations in Croatia, including Dubrovnik.
6. The Bridgerton family: Bath in the United Kingdom
Have you seen the TV series about the Bridgerton siblings on Netflix? If you want to see the settings where the series was filmed, Bath in the UK is the place to go. Here you can discover the city's Georgian stone buildings. Some places to visit include the Holburne Museum, No.1 Royal Crescent (the family home in Featherington in the series) and the cobbled streets of Abbey Green. Note that there are also guided tours in the footsteps of the series.
7. Star Wars: Tunisia
Star Wars is a true classic of science fiction. Scenes have been filmed in various locations around the world, including Jordan, Iceland and Ireland, where boat trips to the island are available. Skellig Michaelwhich features in two of the films. But the most Star Wars-like experience is in Tunisia. Here you can visit a site outside Tozeur that was the filming location for the planet Tatooine. You can also visit Matmata, where you will find 'Lars' homestead'.
8. Gladiator: Morocco
Were you fascinated by the film Gladiator directed by Ridley Scott? The film has been shot in several locations around the world, including Bourne Woods, UK (war scenes), Tuscany, Italy (Maximus' home) and Fort Ricasoli, Malta (ancient Rome). But perhaps the most Gladiator-esque experience is in Morocco. Scenes have been filmed mainly in Ouarzazate, located southeast of Marrakech.
9. The Fjällbacka murders: Fjällbacka
The Fjällbacka Murders is a Swedish film series based on Camilla Läckberg's popular novel characters. Filmed in and around Fjällbacka and Tanumshede, it is sometimes possible to go on a murder spree in the wake of the series. While you're in Fjällbacka, check out Kungsklyftan, which served as the filming location for the 'Wolf's Claw' in Ronja Rövardotter.
10. The Lord of the Rings: New Zealand
The Lord of the Rings is a fantastic saga set in a fairytale setting. Filmed mainly in New Zealand, you can travel in the footsteps of the series. Some of the places you can visit include Matamata (Shire), Tongariro National Park (Mordor), Kaitoke National Park (Rivendell) and Harcourt Park in Upper Hutt (Isengard).
More tips for film and TV series locations?
Have you ever travelled to a place because you were inspired by film or television? If so, where, and inspired by which film or series? Do you have any other tips for film and TV series locations?
Top image in the article: Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland (Kings Road in Game of Thrones)
Eriksson Bo says:
Ankor War, Cambodia. Laura Croft, Tomb Raider
09 December 2023 - 9:40
Helena says:
Cambodia sounds exciting! Haven't seen Tomb Raider, but know both the game and the film ...
09 December 2023 - 16:01
Only British says:
I don't think this is a new trend. Already when I was in Matmata in 1979, it was presented as the "Star Wars place" by the charter guides. Many have also long gone to Vienna to ride the Prater's Ferris wheel as in the classic Third Man. I highly recommend the Third Man Museum in Vienna, where Sweden is also represented because we gave emergency aid during the war.
I'm working on a post about Potter because there are so many places besides King's Cross (where I take the trains "home" to York and my sister-in-law) and Alnwick. I like smaller films so I have travelled to Penrith (Withnail & I) and want to go to small villages in Scotland (Local Hero).
In Yorkshire, TV tourism is all the rage because of In Our Lord's Garden, Emmerdale, Back to Aidensfield, A Lost World...
09 December 2023 - 14:09
Helena says:
Thank you for your input! Perhaps I was a bit vague about what is trendy. I completely agree that filming locations have been visited for a long time. What is highlighted now in several different trend reports is that films and TV series are predicted to be one of the most important influencing factors for where people travel for the coming year, among other things.
09 December 2023 - 16:05
Ditte says:
Not really! But I travelled to LOndon with my adult daughters and eldest granddaughter to focus on Harry Potter - all at the granddaughter's request. And we visited UNiversal Studios for a full day, but also other places in the London area that were relevant.
Then we have on site in New Zealand. Cambodia, Hawaii, Ystad, Fjällbacka, Gotland, the Stockholm archipelago, Åland, Norway, France, Ireland, Scotland, Morocco, Tunisia, many states in the USA and parts of South America (including Patagonia, Buenos Aires and Cape Horn) discovered that there was a connection between films being shot and us being here. But we haven't travelled for that reason. Other than to London.
09 December 2023 - 15:57
Helena says:
Many exciting places! Yes, that has been the case for us too. Not that we travelled for that reason, but rather that it was an interesting discovery on the spot.
09 December 2023 - 16:06
Anna Nilsson Spets says:
There is a rumour that Planet of the Apes was filmed in Djibouti, where I was at Lac Abbee, the location would have been excellent but definitely a rumour because no big film crew can go there. In Sweden, I was of course at Penningby Castle where Huset Silfvercrona was filmed.
09 December 2023 - 18:43
Lena in Wales and a bit everywhere says:
Great post!
Have visited some places, but not all.
Tip, Nääs Fabriker in Tollered, shooting of the film Tuppen in 1980. Maybe not of interest, but couldn't resist since I live there.
Take care!
14 December 2023 - 18:35