There are many filming locations you can actually visit, especially as cinema has a way of turning real places into cultural landmarks. From quiet train stations to remote islands, many famous filming locations remain open to visitors long after the cameras stop rolling. If you’ve ever wanted to step into the world of your favorite movie, these filming locations you can actually visit offer the chance to see the real places behind the scenes.
What makes these destinations so compelling is that they go beyond the screen. Whether it’s walking through the rolling hills of New Zealand or standing in driving through a city you’ve seen countless times in film, these locations bring a different level of connection to the stories we watch. The best filming locations you can actually visit aren’t just visually iconic; they let you experience the atmosphere, scale, and reality behind the scenes in a way that film alone can’t fully capture.
Hobbiton Movie Set – Matamata, New Zealand
The Hobbiton set built for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies remains fully preserved on a working farm in New Zealand’s Waikato region. Visitors can tour the Shire, see the iconic round hobbit doors, and walk through the same landscapes used in Peter Jackson’s films.
Griffith Observatory – Los Angeles, USA (La La Land)
Overlooking Los Angeles from Griffith Park, the observatory featured prominently in La La Land during the film’s planetarium dance sequence. The site is free to visit and offers sweeping views of the city along with exhibitions and public telescopes – making it one of key filming locations you can actually visit.
Salzburg – Austria (The Sound of Music)
Several famous scenes from The Sound of Music were filmed in and around Salzburg, including at Mirabell Gardens and in the surrounding countryside. The city has embraced its connection to the film, and guided tours visit many of the original locations.
Beverly Hills – Los Angeles, USA (Pretty Woman)
The Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Rodeo Drive became instantly recognizable after appearing in Pretty Woman. Fans still visit the hotel and the surrounding shopping district, where several memorable scenes from the film were shot.
Timberline Lodge – Oregon, USA (The Shining)
The exterior of the Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining was filmed at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood in Oregon. The historic mountain lodge is open year-round for visitors and remains a popular stop for film fans.
Kauai – Hawaii, USA (Jurassic Park)
The lush landscapes of Kauai served as the backdrop for many scenes in Jurassic Park. Locations like Manawaiopuna Falls, often called “Jurassic Falls,” can be seen by helicopter tours over the island’s dramatic cliffs and valleys.
Paramount Studios – Los Angeles, USA
One of Hollywood’s oldest working studios, Paramount offers guided tours through its backlot and sound stages. Visitors can see where countless films and television shows have been produced over the past century.
Angkor Wat – Cambodia (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider)
Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider filmed several scenes among the ancient temples of Angkor. Today, visitors can explore the same UNESCO World Heritage complex, including Ta Prohm, where jungle roots wind through the ruins.
Amityville House – New York, USA (The Amityville Horror)
The house that inspired The Amityville Horror still stands in the village of Amityville on Long Island. While it’s a private residence and not open to the public, film fans often visit the area to see the exterior of the infamous home.
King’s Cross Station – London, UK (Harry Potter)
Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station became one of the most famous fictional train platforms in cinema thanks to the Harry Potter films. Today, the station features a permanent photo spot and a nearby Harry Potter shop for visitors. All of these filming locations you can actually visit continue to draw fans looking to step into the worlds they’ve seen on screen.
