Set-Jetting Destinations Blowing Up Because of Movies & TV Shows

Ever watched a movie so stunning you caught yourself googling where it was filmed? Maybe you finished a series and immediately wanted to walk the same streets your favorite characters roamed. That itch to visit a real-life filming location is real, and you’re definitely not alone in feeling it. There’s even a name for this kind of wanderlust now: set-jetting.

Set-jetting has quietly become one of the most exciting ways people choose where to travel. Instead of picking a destination based on a generic travel brochure, you’re chasing a specific scene, a piece of cinematic magic, or a fictional world you fell in love with on screen. And right now, certain filming locations are experiencing a serious surge in visitors who want to see these places in person. From breathtaking coastal cliffs to quaint European villages, let’s explore the set-jetting destinations blowing up because of movies and TV shows and why you might want to add one (or all) to your travel wish list.

What Exactly Is Set-Jetting?

Let’s break it down. Set-jetting is the act of traveling to a place specifically because you saw it in a film or television show. The term itself is a clever play on “jet-setting,” which traditionally refers to wealthy, world-traveling socialites. But set-jetting? It’s for the rest of us, the dreamers, the film buffs, the binge-watchers who finish a series and immediately book a flight.

The trend isn’t entirely new. People have been visiting filming locations for decades. Think of fans making pilgrimages to Hobbiton in New Zealand after The Lord of the Rings trilogy. But lately, the trend has exploded, thanks largely to streaming platforms that constantly drop new visually stunning content into our lives. Every time a major show or movie drops, social media lights up with people sharing locations, planning trips, and swapping travel tips.

And here’s the fun part: this kind of travel feels deeply personal. You’re not just ticking off a famous landmark. You’re stepping into a story you already love. You know the characters, the plot, and the exact shot that made you gasp. Standing in that same spot? That hits differently.

The Set-Jetting Destinations Blowing Up Right Now

1. Dubrovnik, Croatia — The Real-Life King’s Landing

If you watched Game of Thrones, you already know this place. Dubrovnik’s towering stone walls, terracotta rooftops, and crystal-blue Adriatic waters doubled as King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. Ever since the show wrapped, this Croatian coastal gem has been absolutely swarming with fans.

What makes Dubrovnik so magnetic is that it doesn’t need CGI to look magical. The medieval old town, the limestone streets, and the dramatic cliffs overlooking the sea—all of it is genuinely breathtaking. You can walk the city walls where Cersei took her infamous shame walk or climb the Jesuit Staircase where the Sept explosion was staged.

Travel tip: Visit in late spring or early fall. The summer crowds (boosted heavily by set-jetting) can be intense, and the heat is no joke. Plus, shoulder season usually means better prices on flights and hotels.

2. New Zealand: Middle-earth Comes Alive

Peter Jackson didn’t just film The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit in New Zealand. He essentially turned the entire country into Middle-earth. Rolling green hills, misty mountains, and volcanic landscapes—this place looks like fantasy was baked into its DNA.

The Hobbiton movie set in Matamata is now a permanent attraction, complete with the Shire’s colorful round doors, the Green Dragon Inn, and meticulously maintained gardens. It’s whimsical, detailed, and genuinely moving if you grew up loving these stories.

Beyond Hobbiton, you’ll find filming locations scattered across both the North and South Islands. The rugged peaks of the Southern Alps became the Misty Mountains. The forests of Fiordland transformed into Fangorn Forest. Adventure travelers can take dedicated tours that hit multiple spots.

Pro tip: New Zealand isn’t a budget destination, but the experience of driving through landscapes that feel genuinely otherworldly is unforgettable. Give yourself at least two weeks to do it justice.

3. Skellig Michael, Ireland A Star Wars Pilgrimage

Remember that jaw-dropping scene in Star Wars: The Force Awakens where Luke Skywalker is living in isolation on a remote island monastery? That was Skellig Michael, a jagged, windswept island off the southwestern coast of Ireland. The real-life location is even more striking in person.

Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and getting there requires climbing around 600 ancient stone steps carved by monks over a thousand years ago. It’s not an easy trip, but that’s exactly why it feels like a genuine adventure. Set-jetters who make the journey describe it as one of the most meaningful travel experiences of their lives.

The nearby Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula also feature heavily in Star Wars filming. If you’re a fan, planning a week-long Irish road trip is a no-brainer.

4. Sintra, Portugal The Setting of the House of the Dragon

Portugal has been climbing everyone’s travel list for years, and The House of the Dragon accelerated that trend. The fairytale palaces and misty forests of Sintra, a town just outside Lisbon, featured prominently in the show’s first season.

Pena Palace, with its bright yellow and red towers perched on a mountaintop, looks like something straight out of a storybook. Quinta da Regaleira, with its mysterious initiation wells and hidden tunnels, adds a layer of gothic intrigue that feels perfectly at home in the Game of Thrones universe. Even if you’ve never watched a single episode, these locations will make you feel like you’ve wandered into a fantasy novel.

Set-jetting aside, Sintra is wonderfully accessible. You can base yourself in Lisbon and take a 40-minute train ride to spend a full day exploring. It’s an easy add to any Portugal itinerary.

5. Alta, Norway The Location Behind Succession‘s Stunning Finale

Succession wrapped up in 2023, and fans immediately flocked to figure out where those breathtaking final scenes were filmed. The answer: Alta, a remote town in northern Norway, roughly 500 miles above the Arctic Circle.

This is a more under-the-radar set-jetting destination, but that’s part of its appeal. Alta offers dog sledding, Northern Lights viewing, and some of the most dramatic natural scenery on the planet. It’s the kind of place where you go for the show but stay for the silence, the snow, and the surreal beauty of the Arctic landscape.

If you’re looking for a trip that combines pop culture with serious off-the-beaten-path adventure, this is it.

6. Kdrama Filming Locations Across South Korea

Korean dramas have become a global phenomenon, and the locations they feature are now firmly on the set-jetting map. Shows like Crash Landing on You, Vincenzo, and My Love from the Star have sent fans flocking to Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island.

Seoul itself feels like a character in many K-dramas. N Seoul Tower, Bukchon Hanok Village, and the trendy cafes of Gangnam are all recurring stars. Busan’s Gamcheon Culture Village, with its colorful hillside houses and narrow alleyways, has become Instagram-famous partly because of how often it appears on screen.

South Korea is also incredibly easy to navigate, with excellent public transportation and a tourist infrastructure built around helping fans find specific locations. You can literally follow K-drama maps that guide you from one filming site to the next.

Why Set-Jetting Is More Than Just a Trend

Here’s the thing about set-jetting: it’s not going anywhere. In fact, it’s reshaping how people think about travel. Instead of visiting a place because a guidebook told you to, you’re going because a story moved you. That emotional connection makes the experience richer and more memorable.

Travel companies have caught on, too. Tour operators now build entire itineraries around famous filming locations. Hotels near major sets report booking surges whenever a new show drops. Even local governments have started marketing their regions based on their on-screen appearances.

For travelers, this is a golden age. There’s a whole world of destinations waiting, many of which you might never have considered without a little push from your favorite show. And the best part? These places often feel even more magical in person than they do on screen.

Tips for Planning Your Own Set-Jetting Adventure

Do your research. Before booking, find out exactly where your favorite scenes were filmed. Some locations are easy to visit. Others require permits, guided tours, or even boat rides.

Travel in shoulder season. Popular filming locations get crowded fast, especially right after a show airs. If you can, visit during the off-season for a calmer, more authentic experience.

Respect the location. Many filming sites are also sacred, historic, or ecologically sensitive. Follow local rules, stay on marked paths, and don’t be that tourist who ruins things for everyone.

Build a flexible itinerary. Set-jetting is more fun when you leave room for spontaneous discoveries. That little café your favorite character drank coffee in? It might just become your new favorite spot.

Embrace the story. Don’t feel silly about geeking out. The whole point of set-jetting is letting fiction deepen your real-world experience. Lean into it.

Final Thoughts: Your Favorite Scene Is Waiting

Set-jetting turns passive watching into active exploration. It gives you a reason to book that trip, explore that neighborhood, or finally visit that country you’ve been dreaming about. And right now, there’s no shortage of destinations blowing up because of movies and TV shows.

Whether you want to walk the streets of King’s Landing, climb the steps of a real Jedi retreat, or sip coffee in a Seoul café that once appeared in your favorite K-drama, the world is full of cinematic magic just waiting for you to find it. Pick a show. Pick a scene. And start planning your trip. The screen brought the story to life. Now it’s your turn to step inside it.