Last Update: August 2026

A memorable setting can stay with you long after the credits roll. Set-jetting turns that feeling into a real trip. You get to visit the real cities, landscapes, hotels, and heritage sites used in your favorite movies and television shows.

The trend is real, but the numbers need some context. According to Expedia’s Unpack ’26 set-jetting forecast, 53% of surveyed travelers said their interest in screen-inspired trips had increased. Among surveyed Gen Z and Millennial travelers, 81% said they plan trips around places seen on screen. Expedia also estimated a potential $8.45 billion impact on the U.S. travel industry. Keep in mind that this figure is a survey-based projection rather than a measured global market value.

What Is Set-Jetting?

Set-jetting means planning a trip around a location featured in a movie or TV series. The attraction might be an exact filming site, a landscape used as a stand-in for somewhere else, or a destination that inspired the visual identity of the production.

The strongest set-jetting itineraries work as real vacations even without the screen connection. A Georgian city, a national park, or an archaeological site should offer enough history, food, scenery, and local culture to justify the trip on its own.

Set-Jetting StatisticImpact for 2026
Market ValueProjected to be an $8.4 billion industry.
Demographics81% of surveyed Gen Z and Millennials said they plan getaways based on TV shows and movies.
Top DriverAuthenticity and “Main Character Energy.”

Trending Set-Jetting Destinations in 2026

As we move through the year, a new map of travel continues to emerge. Whether you are looking for the high-society elegance of the 1800s or the rugged frontiers of a fantasy realm, these are the locations defining our travel bucket lists right now.

Regency Romance: Bridgerton & The Charm of Bath

With Season 4 released in February 2026, the city of Bath, England, is the With Season 4 released in February 2026, the city of Bath, England, is the undisputed epicenter of Regency-core.

  • The Royal Crescent: The exterior of No. 1 Royal Crescent serves as the Featherington family home. It is now a public museum where you can experience Georgian life in vivid detail.
  • Abbey Green: This area doubles as London’s high-fashion district. The Abbey Deli is the real-life location for The Modiste. Here, the town’s juiciest gossip is traded over tea.
  • The Holburne Museum: Its grand, pillared entrance is instantly recognizable as Lady Danbury’s beautiful villa.

Where to stay: The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa allows you to stay directly within the filming location. They even offer Lady Whistledown themed afternoon teas for fans.

Fun fact: While the show is set in London, most filming happens in Bath. Its honey-colored stone buildings are among the best-preserved 18th-century structures in the world.

The Bridgerton cast
The Bridgerton Cast

The White Lotus Season 3: Luxury in Thailand

HBO’s official Season 3 shooting-location list confirms that the Thailand season combined multiple properties and public locations across Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok. The fictional resort was assembled from several real places rather than just one hotel.

  • Koh Samui: Much of the drama unfolds at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. Fans can visit the private beach and infinity pools that served as the primary backdrop.
  • Phuket: The production also utilized the Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas. This property is famous for its serene lagoons and billabongs.
  • Bangkok: For urban scenes, the historic Mandarin Oriental provided the Old World glamour that has become a staple of the series.

Keep in mind that these are functioning hotels and businesses. They are not permanent studio attractions. Non-guests may need confirmed dining, spa, or activity reservations to enter, and you should never assume you have access to guest-only areas.

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

Gothic Moors: Wuthering Heights in Yorkshire

Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights opened in U.S. theaters on February 13, 2026. VisitEngland’s filming-location guide identifies the Yorkshire Dales as the main setting for the film’s gorgeous outdoor sequences.

  • Swaledale and Arkengarthdale: These valleys provided the raw, windswept backdrops for Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
  • Surrender Bridge: This is a key location for the most dramatic moorland moments of the movie. It is surrounded by haunting, ancient mining ruins.
  • Low Row: This picture-perfect stone village served as the production’s primary filming hub.

Where to stay: For the ultimate star experience, book a room at Simonstone Hall near Hawes. This is exactly where the lead cast stayed during filming.

Fun fact: Jacob Elordi was frequently spotted by locals at the pubs in Reeth. He reportedly enjoyed the traditional Yorkshire hospitality between takes.

Travel Tip: Swaledale, Low Row, and the surrounding moors are rural locations rather than a formal studio tour. A car is highly recommended for covering several stops. Please use designated parking and keep narrow roads and access points clear. Bring walking boots and waterproof layers. The weather can change quickly, cell service may be limited, and limestone paths become slippery when wet.

Wuthering Heights movie
Scene from the Wuthering Heights movie

Epic Revival: Gladiator II in Malta

Malta has a rich screen history. Fort Ricasoli was used extensively during the filming of Gladiator II. The Malta Film Commission documented production at the fort, and Visit Malta’s film guide highlights the islands’ wider movie heritage.

Fort Ricasoli is a working film and heritage site with restricted access. Do not plan on walking through the sets unless an official event or public tour is announced. A more reliable itinerary combines Valletta, the Grand Harbour, Mdina, and public viewpoints around Kalkara.

Malta works especially well for set-jetting. The film connection sits right alongside UNESCO-listed architecture, museums, fortifications, and very short travel distances between locations.

Gladiator II

Mythic Greece: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey

Following the massive July 2026 release of The Odyssey, the Peloponnese region is seeing a huge surge in mythic tourism.

  • Methoni Castle: This 13th-century Venetian fortress provided the stunning backdrop for Odysseus’s return to Ithaca.
  • Voidokilia Beach: This horseshoe-shaped cove is where Nolan filmed the highly anticipated scenes involving the Cyclops.
  • Acrocorinth: The massive acropolis overlooking Corinth served as the film’s epic fortress set.

Where to stay: The cast, including Matt Damon and Zendaya, stayed at Costa Navarino. This sustainable luxury resort is a spectacular destination in its own right.

Fun fact: Nolan reportedly insisted on using a real, 200-year-old wooden trireme for his sea sequences. The historical Greek warship was shipped in specifically for the shoot.

Methoni Castle, Greece
Methoni Castle, Greece

Aclaimed Survival: Society of the Snow in Sierra Nevada

J.A. Bayona’s masterpiece Society of the Snow (La Sociedad de la Nieve) has J.A. Bayona’s masterpiece Society of the Snow sparked a massive interest in prestige set-jetting. Travelers want to visit locations that represent human endurance and natural beauty. To recreate the Andes, the production chose the high-altitude peaks of Andalusia in Spain.

  • Laguna de las Yeguas: At nearly 3,000 meters above sea level, this was the primary site for the fuselage wreckage. It offers the same blinding white horizons and dramatic lighting seen in the film.
  • Pradollano: This popular ski resort served as the production’s base camp. You can take the gondola up to the higher peaks to experience the thin air and majestic silence that the actors lived through during the 138-day shoot.
  • Güéjar Sierra: Visit the Cortijo de la Argumosa. This is where the production built a massive hangar to film the harrowing avalanche sequences.

Travel Tip: The best time to visit for the full Andes look is between January and April. Always be prepared for the high altitude and cold conditions.

Society of the Snow in Sierra Nevada

Fantasy & Fire: House of the Dragon in Cáceres

Spain has officially replaced Croatia as the definitive home of the Game of Thrones universe. The medieval city of Cáceres provides the cobblestones and shadows of King’s Landing.

  • Trujillo Castle: Located just a short drive away, this 9th-century fortress offers the battlements where the Targaryen power is truly felt. It is a former mental health facility that lends the show its eerie and authentic vibe.
  • Cáceres Old Town: A UNESCO World Heritage site where time seems to have completely stopped. The Plaza de Santa María is a key location for public announcements in the show.

Fun fact: In the town of Trujillo, the production team removed the famous bronze statue of conquistador Francisco Pizarro. They replaced it with a massive, life-sized Targaryen dragon to turn the town square into the heart of King’s Landing.

House of Dragon tv show

Other Classic Movie and TV Locations

For those who want to mix new hits with legacy sets, these classics are still trending in 2026:

  • Lord of the Rings in New Zealand: Hobbiton in Matamata now allows guests to go inside the Hobbit Holes for a fully immersive lunch.
  • Harry Potter in the UK: The Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland remains the top spot to see the Hogwarts Express in action.
  • Star Wars in Ireland: The rugged island of Skellig Michael continues to draw fans of the Jedi archives.
  • Avengers Doomsday in London: Take a walk around the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. This historical campus served as a major hub for Marvel’s latest production.
  • Emily in Paris in Italy: Emily’s big move to Italy made the Hotel Eden in Rome and the Rialto Bridge in Venice the most photographed spots of the spring.
Emily in Paris
Scene from the Emily in Paris tv show

Practical Tips for Planning a Movie-Themed Trip

  • Cluster your locations: Do not try to see too much at once. Group nearby sets to save on travel time. For example, pair the Wicklow Mountains with Dublin if you are tracking down locations for Wednesday.
  • Book themed stays early: Iconic spots like the Chief Joseph Ranch or The Royal Crescent often book out a full year in advance.
  • Check accessibility: Some sets are located on private property. Always check if a location is open to the public or requires a guided tour before you show up.
  • Respect local life: Be a respectful guest. Many famous sets are actually quiet, everyday neighborhoods where people live and work.

Why Heymondo Is Your Best Co-Star

A screen-inspired trip works best when the filming locations are just one part of a broader itinerary. Leave plenty of time for local food, museums, neighborhoods, and landscapes that never appeared on camera.

Set-jetting routes often combine cities, rural landscapes, ferries, trains, and timed-entry attractions in the same trip. Before you follow the story from one screen location to the next, check that your international travel insurance fits your full itinerary. We want you to enjoy a worry-free adventure, so make sure your coverage includes all the fun activities you plan to do, not just your first destination.

Buy your travel insurance now!

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