TV show travel destinations have become a major source of inspiration for travelers who want to experience the places they have seen on screen. A familiar street, historic building, beautiful coastline, or dramatic mountain landscape can make viewers want to visit these TV show travel destinations for themselves.
This type of travel is often called screen-jetting — visiting destinations because of the movies and television shows filmed there. Instead of simply watching your favorite series from home, you can explore the real locations, neighborhoods, landmarks, and landscapes that helped bring those stories to life.
Table of Contents
- What Is Screen-Jetting?
- 1. Britain – A Giant TV and Film Set
- 2. Edinburgh, Scotland
- 3. London, England
- 4. Rome, Italy
- 5. Tuscany, Italy
- 6. Paris, France
- 7. New York City, USA
- 8. Dubrovnik, Croatia
- 9. Iceland
- 10. New Zealand
- 11. Barcelona, Spain
- 12. Ireland
- 13. Vancouver, Canada
- 14. Hawaii, USA
- 15. Japan
- How to Plan a TV-Inspired Trip
- How to Keep a Screen-Jetting Trip Affordable
- Final Thoughts
What Is Screen-Jetting?
Screen-jetting is the idea of traveling to destinations that have appeared in movies, television programs, and streaming series. It can be as simple as visiting a famous street from a favorite show or as extensive as planning an entire vacation around filming locations.
These TV show travel destinations can offer something different from a traditional sightseeing trip. You are not only visiting a landmark; you are connecting it with a story, character, scene, or memorable moment you already recognize.
For many travelers, TV show travel destinations provide a reason to explore places they might not otherwise consider. A television series can introduce viewers to historic neighborhoods, small towns, scenic countryside, and famous cities before they ever start planning a trip.
Britain is particularly well suited to this style of travel. VisitBritain maintains information about film and television locations across the country, including locations associated with major productions and popular shows. Explore Britain’s filming locations through VisitBritain.
1. Britain – A Giant TV and Film Set
Britain is one of the best countries for travelers interested in TV show travel destinations. Historic houses, medieval streets, castles, countryside, national parks, and modern cities have all appeared on screen.
Instead of limiting your trip to one production, you can combine several filming locations into one itinerary. London, Edinburgh, the English countryside, and historic estates can all be included depending on the shows and films you enjoy.
Britain’s combination of historic architecture and modern cities makes it particularly attractive for fans searching for TV show travel destinations. Different parts of the country can provide completely different screen-inspired experiences.
VisitBritain specifically highlights filming locations around Britain, including historic properties and locations connected with productions such as Paddington and other major screen projects.
2. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh has the atmosphere that makes a perfect television backdrop. Its stone buildings, narrow streets, historic architecture, dramatic skyline, and surrounding landscapes provide plenty of opportunities for screen-inspired exploration.
One example highlighted by VisitBritain is the Vennel Steps, which appeared in One Day. The location became associated with one of the show’s romantic scenes and offers visitors a chance to experience the setting in person.
If you enjoy TV show travel destinations with a strong historic atmosphere, Edinburgh deserves a place on your list.
For broader Scotland travel planning, consider combining Edinburgh with the Highlands, lochs, castles, and smaller towns.
3. London, England
London is one of the easiest TV show travel destinations to explore because productions have used locations throughout the city for decades.
You can combine screen-inspired locations with classic attractions such as Westminster, the Tower of London, the Thames, museums, markets, and historic neighborhoods.
One advantage of London is that you do not necessarily need an expensive organized tour. Many locations can be explored independently using public transportation and walking routes.
London is also useful for travelers building a list of TV show travel destinations because many attractions are relatively close together. This makes it possible to combine filming locations with traditional sightseeing during the same day.
Check our Trains & Buses guide when planning transportation around major cities.
4. Rome, Italy
Rome has been a backdrop for countless movies and television productions because of its ancient ruins, grand squares, fountains, churches, and historic streets.
Walking through Rome can feel like stepping into a historical drama. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, and surrounding neighborhoods provide an extraordinary visual setting.
Italy’s official tourism website highlights Rome, Pompeii, Tuscany, and other regions for their cultural and historical attractions. Explore official Italy travel information at Italia.it.
When building an itinerary, leave time for both famous landmarks and quieter streets. Some of the best screen-inspired experiences come from simply exploring the city on foot.
5. Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany offers a completely different screen-inspired experience from Rome. Rolling hills, vineyards, medieval villages, historic villas, and winding roads create the visual style often associated with romantic and travel productions.
Italy’s official tourism portal describes Tuscany as a region known for its landscapes, art cities, history, food, and cultural heritage.
For travelers searching for relaxing TV show travel destinations, Tuscany can be especially appealing because the journey itself becomes part of the experience.
Consider staying in a smaller town and taking day trips through the countryside rather than spending the entire vacation in one major city.
6. Paris, France
Paris has appeared in countless films and television productions, making it one of Europe’s most recognizable screen destinations.
The Eiffel Tower, Seine, Montmartre, Latin Quarter, historic streets, cafés, and museums provide endless opportunities for screen-inspired travel.
The official France tourism website describes Paris as a city of neighborhoods, landmarks, art, culture, food, and historic attractions. Explore Paris through France’s official tourism website.
Paris can be one of the most memorable TV show travel destinations for visitors who enjoy combining famous screen settings with local food, museums, architecture, and neighborhood walks.
7. New York City, USA
Few cities have appeared on screen as often as New York City. From Manhattan streets and Central Park to Brooklyn neighborhoods and iconic skyscrapers, the city is almost a character in its own right.
Fans of television can recognize many different styles of New York depending on the production they enjoy. Romantic comedies, crime dramas, sitcoms, thrillers, and family shows have all used the city in different ways.
For visitors, the best strategy is to choose a few screen locations and combine them with major attractions rather than spending the entire trip chasing every filming location.
New York is particularly appealing when creating a list of TV show travel destinations because visitors can experience several different neighborhoods without leaving the city.
8. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik became especially famous among international travelers after appearing prominently in Game of Thrones. Its medieval walls, stone streets, dramatic coastline, and historic architecture created an ideal fantasy setting.
Even travelers who are not fans of the show can enjoy Dubrovnik’s old city, coastal views, historic buildings, and nearby islands.
For fans, Dubrovnik demonstrates how TV show travel destinations can transform a previously familiar place into an exciting new travel experience.
If you are visiting because of a particular production, remember that popular locations can become busy during peak travel periods. Planning visits early in the day can make the experience more comfortable.
9. Iceland
Iceland’s volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, glaciers, black-sand beaches, and rugged scenery have made the country a popular location for visually spectacular productions.
It is an excellent choice for travelers who want TV show travel destinations that focus more on dramatic landscapes than urban filming locations.
A road trip can be a practical way to experience several different landscapes, but weather and road conditions should always be considered when planning an itinerary.
10. New Zealand
New Zealand is another destination where screen tourism and natural scenery come together. Mountains, lakes, forests, rolling hills, and remote landscapes have attracted productions looking for spectacular scenery.
For screen-inspired travelers, the country can offer more than a single filming location. The landscapes themselves are often the biggest attraction.
New Zealand is worth considering alongside other TV show travel destinations if you prefer outdoor scenery, road trips, mountains, and quieter locations rather than busy city streets.
Because distances can be significant, plan your route carefully and avoid trying to cover the entire country in a short vacation.
11. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona offers colorful architecture, historic streets, beaches, markets, and distinctive neighborhoods that work beautifully on screen.
Travelers can combine screen-inspired exploration with famous attractions such as the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Gothic Quarter, and Mediterranean waterfront.
Barcelona is particularly suitable for travelers who want a city break that combines television-inspired sightseeing with food, architecture, culture, and nightlife.
12. Ireland
Ireland’s castles, green countryside, rugged coastline, historic villages, and dramatic weather make it another excellent destination for screen-inspired travelers.
Rather than focusing exclusively on one filming site, consider creating a road trip that includes several locations along with Ireland’s famous natural attractions.
Ireland can be especially rewarding for travelers looking for TV show travel destinations where countryside scenery and historic locations are just as important as the screen productions themselves.
This approach allows you to enjoy the landscape even when a particular filming location takes only a few minutes to visit.
13. Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver and surrounding British Columbia have been used for a wide variety of film and television productions. The area offers a combination of modern city scenery, forests, mountains, ocean views, and nearby communities.
That variety makes Vancouver a particularly useful base for travelers interested in multiple types of TV show travel destinations.
You can spend part of the trip exploring the city and another part visiting nearby natural areas.
14. Hawaii, USA
Hawaii has provided tropical settings for television series, movies, and adventure productions. Beaches, mountains, waterfalls, forests, and volcanic landscapes give productions a wide variety of scenery.
For travelers, Hawaii offers the opportunity to combine screen-inspired locations with beaches, hiking, water activities, and cultural experiences.
Because accommodation and transportation can be expensive, compare costs carefully before booking. Our Best Budget Travel Destinations guide can also help you think about alternative destinations when keeping costs low.
15. Japan
Japan’s combination of modern cities, traditional neighborhoods, temples, mountains, railways, and distinctive street scenes has made it a compelling setting for international productions.
Tokyo is especially interesting for screen-inspired travelers because different neighborhoods can provide completely different visual experiences.
Kyoto offers another side of Japan, with traditional architecture, gardens, temples, and historic streets.
Japan is an excellent option for travelers who want TV show travel destinations that combine modern city life with traditional culture and distinctive landscapes.
How to Plan a TV-Inspired Trip
Planning TV show travel destinations is slightly different from planning an ordinary vacation. Start with the show or production that inspired you and create a list of locations you genuinely want to see.
1. Identify the Real Location
Do not assume that a fictional location is actually filmed where the story takes place. Productions frequently use different cities, buildings, or countries to represent another location.
2. Separate Real Locations From Sets
Some scenes are filmed in real locations while others use studios or specially constructed sets. Research each location before adding it to your itinerary.
3. Map the Locations
Put the locations into a map and group nearby attractions together. This can save transportation time and money.
4. Check Access Rules
A filming location may be privately owned, inside a working business, or located on restricted property. Always check whether visitors can legally enter.
5. Add Regular Attractions
Do not make every activity dependent on the show. Combine filming locations with museums, parks, landmarks, food experiences, and local attractions.
How to Keep a Screen-Jetting Trip Affordable
Following your favorite show does not mean you need to spend a fortune. In fact, many TV show travel destinations can be explored independently.
- Travel during shoulder seasons when suitable.
- Compare hotels and alternative accommodations.
- Use public transportation where practical.
- Group nearby filming locations into one walking route.
- Look for free viewpoints and public spaces.
- Book major attractions in advance when required.
- Compare airport transfer costs before choosing flights.
- Set a daily food and activity budget.
For more budget ideas, read our Travel Europe on a Strict Budget guide.
If you are traveling with family, our Cheap Family Vacation guide can help you control the overall trip budget.
You can also explore our Underrated Weekend Getaways in the USA article if you want a shorter screen-inspired or destination-focused trip.
Why TV Show Travel Destinations Are Worth Visiting
Screen-inspired travel can make an ordinary vacation feel more personal. Instead of simply looking at a landmark, you may remember the characters and storylines connected to it.
It can also encourage travelers to explore places they might otherwise overlook. A small street, historic building, countryside village, or remote landscape can become interesting once you recognize it from a favorite production.
The popularity of TV show travel destinations also shows how entertainment can influence the way people discover new places. A memorable scene can turn an unfamiliar destination into a place travelers genuinely want to experience.
The best approach is to use television as inspiration rather than allowing it to dictate your entire itinerary. The real destination should still be enjoyable even after you have taken the perfect photo.
Final Thoughts
TV show travel destinations give travelers a fun way to connect their favorite entertainment with real-world exploration. From Britain’s historic filming locations and Edinburgh’s atmospheric streets to Rome, Paris, New York, Iceland, Japan, and beyond, screen-inspired travel can take you to some remarkable places.
Whether you are planning a short city break or a longer international vacation, TV show travel destinations can provide an interesting starting point for building your itinerary.
Before booking, research the actual filming locations, confirm that they are accessible, check transportation options, and compare the total cost of the trip.
Most importantly, look beyond the screen. The best screen-jetting experiences happen when the destination itself becomes part of the adventure rather than simply serving as a backdrop for a photo.