Ready, Set, Action: Must-Visit Movie and TV Locations Around the World

Whether you love rom-coms, action-adventures or fantasies, there's a movie location for you to visit.

Experiencing Movie Magic

For people who tend to obsess over celebrities and filmmaking, going to the locations where major movies (or epic TV series) have been filmed is an extraordinary experience. Knowing that you are in the same place your favorite actor once stood, or where your favorite movie scene was shot, is a visceral thrill.

In other words, if you consider yourself a film fanatic — or even if you just enjoy movies a lot — checking out filming locations around the world is a bucket-list must.

Fortunately, many of your favorite films and series can be experienced through travel, from "Lord of the Rings" and "Game of Thrones" to "The Godfather" to "When Harry Met Sally." Just make sure to have your camera ready, so you can snap a photo to have a piece of cinema to carry around with you.

Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, England ('Harry Potter')

Potterheads will recognizeChrist Church Cathedral from the "Harry Potter" movie series. More than 300,000 people visit the church each year to get a close-up look at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Both the Hall Staircase and The Cloister from the church were used for scenes in the Harry Potter films. The Cloister is where Harry is shown the trophy that his father won as a "seeker," and the staircase is shown during the scene where new students arrive at the school.

Footprints Tours Oxford offersHarry Potter walking tours via Trip Advisor that can be purchased for less than $30. The 2-hour tours include a visit to the Bodleian Library where the hall is located and stops by Oxford colleges with rooms and cloisters that doubled as Hogwarts spaces. Plus you'll learn insider knowledge on the movie series and behind-the-scenes gossip.

Hotel Sidi Driss in Tunisia ('Star Wars')

A traditional troglodyte cave dwelling, the Hotel Sidi Driss is known to “Star Wars” fans as Luke Skywalker's childhood home. It is located in the village of Matamata in the Tunisian desert — but in the film it was located on the planet of Tatooine. The hotel includes five pits connected to several underground tunnels and staircases. Featured in “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope,” it’s where Luke is shown growing up with his aunt and uncle Lars, and where many memorable scenes were filmed.

The hotel is open year round and costs about $20 per night. It's important to note that if you plan on staying overnight, the cave rooms have no windows and the beds are actually cots. This is definitely not the place to find luxury, and is far more about the experience than comfort.

Old Town of Dubrovnik, Croatia ('Game of Thrones')

The wildly popular "Game of Thrones" has filmed in many exotic locations, including Iceland, Morocco and Malta, but it's most recognizable site may be the Old Town of Dubrovnik, the filming location for the Seven Kingdoms capital of King's Landing.

Fans will recognize the city's formidable outer walls and narrow streets. The hardcore can even book a three-hour "Game of Thrones" tour. It includes a stop at Lovrijenac Fortress, where the season two tournament thrown in honor of King Joffrey’s name day was shot.

Philadelphia Museum of Art ('Rocky')

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is the third largest museum in the country. It's also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Philly, because it's the spot where — to the sound of one of cinema’s most rousing theme songs — Rocky Balboa ran up the steps and raised his arms to celebrate victory. The scene is perhaps the most iconic from Sylvester Stallone’s beloved “Rocky.”

At the museum, visitors can check out Rocky Statue; originally created for a scene in “Rocky III,” it memorializes the scrappy boxer with his arms raised, and is a popular spot for visitors to snap a photo as they mimic the victorious stance.

Al Khazneh Temple in Petra, Jordan ('Indiana Jones')

Starring Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, the 1989 film “The Last Crusade” is the third installment in the Indiana Jones series. Several of the movie's scenes were filmed at Al Khazneh Temple, which is constructed of sandstone in a Greek-inspired architectural design.

It’s the temple, dubbed the Canyon of the Crescent Moon, that houses the Holy Grail in the film. Towards the end of the film, we see Ford and Connery erupt from the Siq — a sandstone slot canyon — and head deep into the Treasury in search of the Grail. In reality, the Treasury is just a small hall that was once used as a royal tomb.

The temple is one of many historic wonders located in Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre site that’s been inhabited since prehistoric times.

Alexander Farm in Waikato, New Zealand ('Lord of the Rings')

When director Peter Jackson was looking for a filming location to shoot “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” he stumbled upon a 1,250-acre sheep farm in Waikato, New Zealand. It was here that he built the set for the movie. With the help of the New Zealand Army, 39 Hobbit Holes were created and scattered across the plot. The gardens surrounding Hobbiton were planted a year before filming.

The fictional land of Hobbiton still exists as a movie set and is now atourist attraction. Guides escort guests around the 12-acre set, pointing out significant spots from the movie and explaining how it was made while offering exclusive behind-the-scenes information. Complimentary Hobbit Southfarthing drinks are provided at the conclusion of the tour.

Katz's Delicatessen in New York City ('When Harry Met Sally')

This deli is widely recognizable as a filming location in several different movies — including, most famously, 1989's “When Harry Met Sally.” It was here where Meg Ryan, as Sally, faked an orgasm that went down in movie history. After the movie, Katz's put a sign above the table where the actress sat, with the words, "Where Harry met Sally...hope you have what she had! Enjoy!"

In the 1997 film “Donnie Brasco,”Katz's Delicatessen is where you see Johnny Depp's character, Joseph Pistone, meet with an FBI contact. The deli also played a role in the 2007 Disney flick “Enchanted”; it’s where James Marsden's character, Prince Edward, ate a sandwich before being interrupted by Timothy Spall's character, Nathanial.

The deli is located on the Lower East Side, home to the must-visit Tenement Museum and several of the city's most bustling restaurants and bars.

Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield ('Shawshank Redemption')

For nearly 100 years, the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield operated as a prison. It was closed in 1990, but was later used as the site of the movie “The Shawshank Redemption,” chosen by producer Niki Marvin for its timeless style and because it was vacant.

The prison now givestours to visitors that take them along The Shawshank Trail, which features 15 filming sites. A few of the familiar spots highlighted are Warden Norton's office, the Parole Board room, Brooks' hotel room and Andy Dufresne's escape tunnel. The original lights used in the movie are also on display. Separate self-guided tours are also available, as well as additional guided tour options and add-ons.

Mansfield itself doesn’t cater much to tourists, but it’s located just over 60 miles from Ohio’s two largest cities, both rife with visitor-friendly attractions: Columbus and Cleveland.

Chippewa Square in Savannah, Georgia ('Forrest Gump')

In 1994, audiences everywhere fell in love with Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump. In the movie of the same name, Forrest sits on a park bench at a bus stop and shares his life story with whomever is willing to listen. The opening scene of the film shows a feather floating above the trees past the Independent Presbyterian Church, eventually landing on the ground near the bench. This is where Forrest sits for about 80% of the film.

At the time of filming, the famous bench was located inChippewa Square in the historic downtown district of Savannah. It was placed there as a prop, but has since been moved to the Savannah History Museum — itself a worthy spot for a visit, featuring exhibits on the Civil War, Industrial Revolution and more.

Chippewa Square is still a popular photo spot for tourists, though, so if you have the urge to reenact a scene from Forrest Gump, you can snap a selfie at the square (you likely won't be the only one).

Savoca and Forza d'Agro, Italy ('The Godfather')

In the 1970s, the mob drama “The Godfather” was released to vigorous acclaim and critical success. Today, many consider it to be the best film of all time. The movie’s Italian scenes were actually set in Corleone, but director Francis Ford Coppola thought the city was too developed at the time to use for filming. Instead, Savoca and Forza d'Agro were chosen.

One familiar spot from the film is Bar Vitelli, which still includes the same beaded curtains featured in the movie. The Church of Sant' Agostino is where Michael goes to Corleone for the first time with his bodyguards; the church where he marries Apollonia is on a hilltop in Santa Lucia.

The cities of Savoca and Forza d'Agro were subsequently used in “The Godfather Part II” and “The Godfather Part III,” which also featured the city of Palermo. The scenes in which Michael Corleone's son performs in the opera and his daughter dies on the steps were filmed at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo.

Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, California ('Pretty Woman')

The affluent neighborhood of Beverly Hills is home to Rodeo Drive, a two-mile street where the city's well-off residents shop at more than 100 luxe stores. The drive also includes one of the city’s oldest hotels: the Beverly Wilshire. It was here that Julia Roberts' character, Vivian Ward, stayed with Richard Gere's character, Edward Lewis, in the 1990 rom-com Pretty Woman.

In the movie, Vivian spends a week at the hotel taking bubble baths, drinking champagne and falling in love with Edward. Today, visitors looking for a movie experience can get a mani-pedi at the hotel spa's Nail Bar, which plays “Pretty Woman” for customers as they sip champagne while being pampered.

Cleveland's Public Square ('The Avengers')

Even though “The Avengers” takes place in New York City, a good chunk of the movie was filmed at Cleveland's Public Square, referred to in the film as "Stuttgart Square." The actual square is a popular spot for both locals and visitors to gather; food trucks regularly make an appearance and its home to a popular public speaker series.

The Cleveland area features prominently in other ways as well. The scene where Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, is interrogated while tied to a chair takes place inside a warehouse at Ashland and Cedar. When Nick Fury and Maria Hill, played by Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders, go down a circular staircase at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, they are actually at the NASA facility in Sandusky, about an hour outside Cleveland.

To commemorate Cleveland’s involvement in the film, an Avengers mural was painted on the wall at Biggie's Foods, located at East 55th and Cedar.

Serendipity 3 in New York City ('Serendipity')

Hopeless romantics everywhere became believers in fate after watching the 2001 film “Serendipity,” starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. In the movie, their characters, Jonathan Trager and Sara Thomas, sit and have a drink together after a chance meeting at Bloomingdale's. That drink is frozen hot chocolate, and that place isSerendipity 3. Since the movie's release, the table where Sara and Jonathan sat has been rechristened the Star Table.

Serendipity 3 — located in the city’s swanky shopping mecca of the Upper East Side — was also featured in “One Fine Day” and “Trust the Man.”

The Residenzplatz (Residence) Square in Salzburg, Austria ('The Sound of Music')

In “The Sound of Music,” on her way to meet the Von Trapp family for the first time, Maria crosses The Residence Square while singing "I Have Confidence." Also in Salzberg, the Nonnbery Abbey was the spot where the nuns gave their performance of the song "Maria" in the courtyard, and where the Von Trapp children came to the gate to ask Maria to come home.

And you know those hills that were alive? Those are in the area too. The mountain where Julie Andrews' character, Maria, twirls around in the movie is near the Bavarian village of Markt Schellenberg, about six miles from Salzburg.

To see all of the major filming locations from the movie, check outPanorama Tours, which takes visitors to several spots, like Mirabell Gardens, where the Von Trapp children sing "Do-Re-Mi" on the steps.

As a bonus, Salzburg — Austria's fourth-largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage site — is a wonderful spot to visit for other reasons as well.

Palais Galliera in Paris, France ('The Devil Wears Prada')

Anne Hathaway took on the role of aspiring fashionista Andrea (Andy) Sachs for the 2006 film “The Devil Wears Prada.” It was mostly shot in New York, but parts were filmed in Paris. The fashion show that Andy attends for Paris Fashion Week is held at Palais Galliera, which is actually a fashion museum.

And the scene where Andy decides that being Miranda Priestly's (played by Meryl Streep) assistant isn't what she wants and tosses her phone into the fountain? That was the Fontaine des Fleuves et Place de la Concorde.

Notting Hill in London ('Notting Hill,' Of Course)

In the 1990s, Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts starred in the romantic comedy “Notting Hill,” shot in the London neighborhood of the same name. The opening scenes of the movie were filmed on Portobello Road, which is also the street where Will's bookshop was located. However, at the time, the bookstore was actually an antique shop. Today it is home to a shoe store.

At 91 Landsdowne Road, around the corner from Rosemead Gardens, is the home where William Thacker (played by Grant) brings Anna Scott (played by Roberts) for his sister's birthday party. And Will's tiny house with the blue door can be found at 280 Westbourne Park Road; however, the owners have since painted it and changed the appearance a bit.

Notting Hill was also showcased in the 2003 romantic drama "Love Actually." Along the narrow, cobblestone streets of St Luke's Mews, a row of houses in Notting Hill, Mark (played by Andrew Lincoln) famously declares his love for Juliet (played by Keira Knightley) using a series of cue cards.

Hook and Ladder 8 in New York City ('Ghostbusters')

At the corner of Varick Street in New York City, you'll find Hook and Ladder 8, a fully functioning firehouse. But in 1984, it was more famously known as HQ for a bunch of goofy poltergeist killers in “Ghostbusters.” While this firehouse was actually only used for exterior shots (interior scenes were filmed at Fire Station 23 in Los Angeles), it remains a popular spot for Manhattan-goers to snap photos.

Reportedly, the logo sign used in the film still hangs in the station.

Mount Victoria in New Zealand ('Pete's Dragon')

The 2016 fantasy film “Pete's Dragon” was a remake of the 1977 classic. Starring Oakes Fegley as Pete, the movie was filmed in the forests of New Zealand. One of the early scenes shows Pete encounter a bear on the edge of the river. Elliot, the dragon, pops up behind to scare the bear away. This was shot at McLaren Falls Park, about a 10-minute drive from Tauranga, a destination that’s also popular for camping, fishing and kayaking.

Production designer Jade Healy transformed the town of Tapanui into the fictional logging town of Millhaven, where the film takes place. The forest scenes in the movie were shot at Redwoods Forest and Mount Victoria. Redwoods Forest, featuring towering Californian Redwoods, is situated in Rotura, a lakeside town known for its geothermal activity. Mount Victoria — located near Wellington, where production on the film began at Stone Street Studios — is a lush peak that was also used in two scenes from the “Lord of the Rings,” including one where the hobbits ran away from the Nazgûl.