With the film award season in full swing, our attention turns to the big screen, the actors, and of course the incredible sets and impressive scenery which frame the action. Although lots of the images on film these days are CGI, many of the scenes are filmed in or inspired by real locations you can visit. Why not take in one of these on your next holiday?
Dubrovnik - Game of Thrones
Image Credit: Miroslav Vajdic
Croatia’s coastal city of Dubrovnik was the main filming location for King’s Landing in Game of Thrones. The historic fortifications, outer walls, and narrow streets create a perfect backdrop for the fictional capital of the Seven Kingdoms. The city offers tours highlighting where certain scenes were filmed, taking fans around many familiar on-screen locations. You might also recognise this Croatian landscape as Canto Bight, a city seen in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Petra - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Image Credit: Andrew Kippen
Jordan’s Rose City of Petra is a famous setting of numerous scenes in Sean Connery and Harrison Ford’s quest to find the Holy Grail. Visitors can walk through the high sandstone canyon then gaze in awe at the carved facades of the red cliffs, which are part of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. While in Jordan, you can also visit Wadi Rum - the red sandy expanse and sandstone formations that play the role of Planet Jedha in Star Wars: Rogue One.
Kualoa Ranch - Jurassic Park
Image Credit: Daniel Ramirez
The natural beauty of Hawaii has been an obvious choice as a film setting for numerous films, including Jurassic Park, Godzilla, Kong: Skull Island, and Jumanji - Welcome to the Jungle. Kualoa Ranch, listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, offers many guided tours to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of this stunning location.
Hong Kong - Batman: The Dark Knight
Image Credit: Brian Sterling
The urban skyscrapers and futuristic scenery of Hong Kong often attract producers looking for amazing film locations. Batman: The Dark Knight features the city’s second tallest tower, from which Christian Bale leaps, some of the busy streets and markets below, Victoria Harbour, and the Peninsula Hotel.
Skopelos - Mamma Mia!
Image Credit: Pascal Missale
The fictional island of Kalokairi, with its sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, and blue seas, is in fact a real place; the Greek island of Skopelos played host to the filming of the hit Abba musical. Fans can visit the locations featured in the film, stay where the stars and crew were based throughout their time on set, and even get married in the same church!
Matamata - Lord of the Rings trilogy
Image Credit: Joshua Eckert
The filming for this popular trilogy took place in New Zealand, so there are plenty of Middle Earth film locations to visit whilst Down Under. Matamata on the North Island is home to the rolling hills and green meadows of Hobbiton, and fans can visit the Shire for tours. If you’re planning a long break, work your way around the islands and check out more of the LOTR sights: Wellington, which is home to the Weta Cave Workshop and Stone Street Studios; Nelson, with its picturesque countryside; Christchurch, as the gateway to the Canterbury landscapes; Twizel, which features heavily in the Rohan and Gondor scenes; and Queenstown, with its beautiful alpine scenery.
Title Image Credit: Mark Gunn (Image Cropped)