Popular Travel Destinations From Films
A good film is always able to immerse you into the scene. So much so, that you might wish you could set off an international journey like Brad Pitt when shooting The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, explore ancient monuments from Tomb Raider & Indiana Jones, or experience the wildness of nature as Out of Africa…
Fortunately, many film locations are real, here are the top 10 of them that inspire wanderlust. Although you might not actually be a movie star or an archaeologist searching for lost treasure, you can pack your bags to be the leading character of your own adventure.
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The Nile, Egypt
Egypt is a land of myth, magic, and majesty, attracting production teams to shoot here. Filmed in various locations in the country, Death on the Nile team was one of them. Apart from the Nile, you can also see many famous tourist spots in the film, such as Cairo, the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, Aswan, Luxor, Abu Simbel, and Karnak. -
Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
Phi Phi Islands are among the most naturally beautiful islands in the world and are most famous for being the setting of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach. But beyond that, the islands‘ stunning limestone mountains with cliffs, caves, long white sandy beaches, and colorful marine life offer an ultimate tropical getaway. -
Nairobi, Kenya
The film that made us fall in love with Kenya - Out of Africa, was filmed in Nairobi, once the capital of British East Africa. It provides many historic sites for a taste of rich colonial heritage and attractions for wildlife lovers to encounter various wildlife, including black rhinos, Cape buffaloes, zebras, Tanzanian cheetahs, Massai giraffes, vultures, etc. -
Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco
The place where Maximus, the hero from the Oscars winning movie Gladiator, was sold into slavery has a special historical vibe around it with its rocky houses & forts crammed together inside the defensive walls. It is considered a great example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
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Bali, Indonesia
Most of the Bali locations for Eat, Pray, Love were filmed in and around Ubud, the cultural heart of the island. But Bali goes beyond mere heritage, it’s best known for its unparalleled beach views and world-class hotels. Luxury travelers have Nusa Dua and Kuta, off-the-beaten-trackers go to Canggu, and recreation seekers have Sanur.
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Santorini, Greece
With crystal-clear blue waters, white villages atop the red-brown cliffs, beaches composed of volcanic sand & pebbles, and interesting winemaking tradition, no wonder travelers tout Santorini as being an ideal island for a romantic getaway, so does Lena in the movie The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
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Ta Prohm Temple, Cambodia
Built without mortar, Ta Prohm is a Buddhist monastery constructed in 1186. Nowadays the temple is carrying the fame of being one of Tomb Raider's shooting scenes, which has made quite an impression on audiences for its fallen premises entwined by giant roots, looking like a battle is going on between nature and masonry.
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Istanbul, Turkey
As the bridge between Asia and Europe, Istanbul is one of the top world destinations for travelers featuring attractions such as the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus, etc. Its colorful buildings and busy bazaars make a perfect background to the Oscar-winning movie Argo.
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Petra, Jordan
The World Heritage Site, Petra, is carved out of sandstone cliffs by the Nabataeans who controlled the trade routes. The city once became one of the richest in the old Arab world. Due to an earthquake, it was abandoned. Stunned by the eroded architecture, carvings, & rocks, the team of Indiana Jones decided to film here.
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Varanasi, India
When Brad Pitt visited Varanasi for filming The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, he found it 'absolutely staggering', and was in awe of the way the 'city spills into the river Ganges'. That's how everyone feels when they arrive. Located by the sacred Ganges, Varanasi is the holiest city for the Hindus and undoubtedly the spiritual heart of India.
