From Screen to Suitcase: Holiday Destinations Straight from the Big Screen
26/01/2026
Who doesn’t love a holiday? Even better is one that feels like stepping straight into a film scene. From dancing your way through sun-soaked Greece to sailing pirate waters in the Caribbean, movie locations have a way of turning travel into something truly magical. Whether you’re chasing famous backdrops or discovering lesser-known corners of the world, these are the destinations where the big screen meets real life.
Here We Go Again: Greece Through the Lens of Mamma Mia!
Few films have captured the carefree spirit of a Greek summer quite like Mamma Mia!. Much of the magic unfolds on the island of Skopelos, where pine forests tumble down to jewel-bright waters, and life moves at a sun-warmed pace. The film’s most iconic moment takes place at Agios Ioannis Chapel, a tiny white church perched dramatically atop a rock on Skopelos’ north-east coast. Climb the steps, and the view alone is worth the effort. Nearby Skiathos also plays its part, offering lively harbours, golden beaches and that unmistakable holiday hum that makes Greece feel like the ultimate escape.
Licence to Thrill: Following the Trail of James Bond
Bond films don’t just showcase destinations; they elevate them. In Italy, the sunlit streets and dramatic coastline of Amalfi set the scene for high-speed chases, while Lake Como’s Villa del Balbianello famously appears in Casino Royale, its elegant terraces overlooking glassy waters. Head further afield and you’ll find Phang Nga Bay in Thailand, where Koh Tapu (James Bond Island) rises sharply from emerald seas, forever linked to The Man with the Golden Gun. These are places designed for drama, where glamour and danger feel like two sides of the same coin.
Dead Men Tell No Tales: Chasing Pirates of the Caribbean
The Caribbean has long been the stuff of legend, but Pirates of the Caribbean turned its natural beauty into pure cinematic adventure. Port Royal in Jamaica doubles as the infamous pirate stronghold, while Wallilabou Bay in St Vincent served as the stand-in for Port Royal itself, its palm-lined shoreline and wooden jetties instantly recognisable to fans. Over in The Bahamas, the crystalline waters of Exuma and White Cay provide the perfect backdrop for shipwrecks, sword fights and secret coves. Visit today, and the scenery remains just as untamed, with beaches that still feel ripe for mischief.
Magic Made Real: A Harry Potter Journey
For those who grew up waiting for their Hogwarts letter, the UK offers a spellbinding journey through the wizarding world. In Scotland, the sweeping curves of the Glenfinnan Viaduct bring the Hogwarts Express to life, steam train and all, as it arcs across a landscape that feels wonderfully otherworldly. Alnwick Castle in Northumberland is where Harry first learned to fly, its grand courtyards echoing with movie history, while Durham Cathedral’s cloisters doubled as Hogwarts’ walkways. Add in Christ Church College in Oxford, which inspired the Great Hall, and you have a trip that feels every bit as magical off-screen as it does on.
Middle-earth, But Make It Real: The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit
New Zealand didn’t just host Middle-earth, it became it. Rolling green hills in Matamata are home to Hobbiton, where perfectly round doors and tidy gardens remain just as they appeared on screen. In Queenstown, jagged peaks and glacial lakes form the dramatic landscapes of epic battles and adventures. While Mount Sunday in Canterbury transforms into Edoras, the hilltop capital of Rohan, a place worth visiting for the rare chance to stand within one of cinema’s most iconic landscapes. Even off camera, the land itself feels as if it's telling an ancient story.
Romantic London: Notting Hill
Notting Hill turns one of London’s most characterful neighbourhoods into a modern fairy tale, rooted firmly in place. Stroll along Portobello Road, where colourful townhouses and market stalls frame the film’s most memorable moments, or pause outside The Travel Bookshop, the inspiration for William’s world. Nearby streets like Lansdowne Crescent and St Luke’s Mews capture the area’s postcard charm, while the leafy calm of Rosmead Gardens offers a quieter contrast. It’s a corner of London where romance feels unforced, everyday life takes centre stage, and the city shows its softer side.
Roll Credits, Pack Bags
These destinations prove that movie magic doesn’t end when the credits roll. Whether you’re retracing famous scenes or simply soaking up the atmosphere that inspired them, travelling through film locations offers a fresh way to experience places you thought you already knew. Sometimes, the best journeys begin with a story, and the next one could be yours.