If you’ve ever sat in a movie theater or on your couch at home and thought, ‘I wish I could visit that place,’ you’re not alone. Below, we’ve compiled a list of eight iconic film sets from around the world that are open to the public, offering you the chance to relive your favorite movie moments.
1. District 12 at Burke County, North Carolina — The Hunger Games
This location was transformed into the streets of District 12 for the popular film series. The actual site, known as the Henry River Mill Village, was a textile mill in the 1920s but fell into disrepair in the following decades. Today, while it remains private property, guided tours are available for visitors.
2. Tabernas Desert, Spain — The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
During the 1960s, Tabernas Desert stood in for the Wild West in several movies, such as ‘The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.’ Although the set was eventually abandoned, visitors can still walk the streets of Frontier Town.
3. Dubrovnik, Croatia — Game of Thrones
Dubrovnik was transformed into King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms in HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones.’ Particularly recognizable are the Old Town neighborhood and the Walls of Dubrovnik, which were frequent backdrops for the Lannister family’s plots.
4. Hobbiton in New Zealand — The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies
Built for Peter Jackson’s adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s tales, the Hobbiton set is in the New Zealand countryside. Guided tours are available, and visitors can see landmarks like the Green Dragon Inn, Hobbit Holes, and the Mill.
5. Wallilabou Bay, St Vincent — Pirates of the Caribbean
Wallilabou Anchorage became the Port Royal in the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ series. The original set was preserved after filming, and the local community now maintains it, offering tours of ship galleys and the chance to view authentic movie props, including cannons.
6. Mokule’ia Beach in Oahu, Hawaii — Lost
Mokule’ia Beach served as the crash site of Oceanic Flight 815 and was also where the survivors set up camp during the show’s initial season. However, ‘Lost’ switched filming locations in later episodes, mostly due to weather conditions.
7. Apartment Building at 90 Bedford Street in New York City — Friends
While the inside of Monica’s apartment was a studio creation, the building’s exterior is a real place located at Bedford and Grove Streets in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. It has since become a popular NYC landmark.
8. Cafe des 2 Moulins in Paris, France — Amelie
The Parisian café where Amelie worked is actually a real establishment. Not only is it a popular tourist spot, but locals also frequent the café. Those hoping to relive the film’s moments can grab a coffee or meal here.