22 Fictional Places You Can Actually Visit!

If you still haven’t planned your summer vacation, why not go to Middle Earth? Or perhaps you’d prefer Hogwarts, Narnia, or even Westeros? Movies, TV, and books transport us to fantastic locations, but some of them exist in real life. Whether your favourite show was filmed there, or it was a location that inspired fictional places, it is actually quite easy to escape to landscapes from your favourite fictional universe.

While There May Not Be Any Wizards, Hobbits, Or Dragons, Here Are 22 Fascinating Locations Where Fantasy Comes To Life

King’s Landing From ‘Game of Thrones’ – Dubrovnik, Croatia

Scenes in King’s Landing were initially filmed in Mdina, Malta. However, it was relocated to Dubrovnik, Croatia, where the red roofs became instantly recognizable as the capital of the fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Many locations in and around the city were also used as Qarth and Slaver’s Bay.

The Shire From ‘The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings’ – Matamata, New Zealand

The sets used for Hobbiton in the Shire for both ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit trilogies remains intact just outside Matamata, New Zealand. You can even pay a visit to the Green Dragon pub, where the hobbits meet Aragorn in the first installment.

Arendelle From ‘Frozen’ – Nærøyfjord, Norway

The breathtaking Nærøyfjord in Norway inspired the animators who created the fictional kingdom of Arendelle in Disney’s ‘Frozen‘.

Hogwarts Castle From ‘Harry Potter‘ – Alnwick Castle, England

The fictional Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was actually filmed in many locations across the UK. Alnwick Castle is perhaps the most iconic of these, being used extensively in the first two films. Gloucester Cathedral and Durham Cathedral were also used for interior shots.

Also Read: 11 Harry Potter filming locations in Britain you can visit

Cair Paravel From ‘Narnia’ – Cathedral Cove, New Zealand

In ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian‘, they reenter the world of Narnia through Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. It serves as the location of their now ruined castle of Cair Paravel.

Tatooine From ‘Star Wars‘ – Tozeur, Tunisia

While it is likely that Tatouine in Tunisia gave Luke Skywalker’s home planet, Tatooine, its name, it was actually filmed in nearby Matmata and Tozeur. Located in the Sahara Desert, this Tunisian town still has the film sets from the movies.

Downton Abbey From ‘Downton Abbey’ – Highclere Castle, England

Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England, was used as the location of the house of the Earl of Grantham in the period drama Downton Abbey. However, Bampton in the Cotswolds served as the rural town.

Winterfell From ‘Game of Thrones’ – Castle Ward, Northern Ireland

Castle Ward in County Down, Northern Ireland was used as the home of the Stark family in ‘Game of Thrones’, Winterfell.

The Black Lake At Hogwarts From ‘Harry Potter‘ – Loch Elit, Scotland

Like the castle itself, Hogwart’s Black Lake was cobbled together using shots from many different Scottish lochs, including Loch Shiel, Loch Arkaig, and Loch Morar. However the most iconic is Loch Elit and Eilean na Moine which served as the final resting place of Albus Dumbledore, from which Voldemort steals the Elder Wand.

Mordor From ‘The Lord of the Rings’ – Mount Ngauruhoe, New Zealand

Tongariro National Park, New Zealand was used as Mordor in ‘The Lord of the Rings’, though shots were edited to make it seem darker and sinister. Mount Ngauruhoe, in particular, was used as Mount Doom, where Frodo must go to destroy the One Ring.

Beruna River From ‘Narnia’ – Soča River, Slovenia

The Soča River in Bovec, Slovenia was used in ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian‘ as the site of the Beruna Ford, and the final defeat of the Telmarines.

Gotham City From ‘Batman’ – New York City, USA

New York City has long stood in for Batman’s fictional Gotham City, even earning it as a nickname for itself. While legendary ‘Batman’ writer claimed that Gothan was “New York at night” others say that it is based on all the seedier locations in the city, or even that it is an amalgamation of Chicago and New York.

The Kingsroad From ‘Game Of Thrones’ – Bregagh Road, Northern Ireland

Bregagh Road in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, popularly known as the Dark Hedges thanks to its tunnel of beech trees, is used as the longest and grandest highway in the Seven Kingdoms. The Kingsroad runs from the Wall in the north, all the way to the capital city of King’s Landing.

Canyon Of The Crescent Moon From ‘Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade’ – Petra, Jordan

Al Khazneh, the Treasury at the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, stood in for the temple that housed the Holy Grail in the third ‘Indiana Jones’ movie.

Paradise Falls From ‘Up’ – Angel Falls, Venezuela

Paradise Falls from Pixar’s ‘Up’ was based on Angel Falls in Canaima National Park, Venezuela. At a height of 979 meters, it is the tallest uninterrupted waterfall in the world.

Great Hall At Hogwarts From Harry Potter – Christ Church College, England

Though the real set of the Great Hall can be found at Leavesden Studios, and its Harry Potter Studio Tour, the set designers of the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise were inspired by the iconic dining hall of Christ Church College in Oxford.

Camelot From ‘King Arthur’ – Wales

There are many locations across the UK claiming to be the true Camelot of Arthurian legend. However, the most promising of these is Wales and the city of Caerleon.

Xavier’s School For Gifted Youngsters From ‘X-Men’ – Hatley Castle, Canada

Hatley Castle in British Columbia, Canada, was used as the exterior of Xavier’s School in multiple X-Men films, and even in Deadpool. As fans will undoubtedly know, the school serves as the base for the superhero team, the X-Men.

The Water Gardens Of Dorne From ‘Game of Thrones’ – Alcázar, Seville

In southern Westeros, Dorne is far warmer than the rest of the Seven Kingdoms. It is then fitting that the capital city, Sunspear, and its Water Gardens were filmed at the Alcázar of Seville. Also in Seville is Roman Amphitheater of Italica which was used as the Dragon Pit of King’s Landing.

Yunkai From ‘Game Of Thrones’ – Aït Ben Haddou, Morocco

Ouarzazate and the fortified village of Aït Ben Haddou were used as the city of Yunkai in Slavers Bay. Daenerys Targaryen liberates the city from its masters. Located in Morocco, Ouarzazate is a famous film location and is used in many other films, such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

Warrior Falls From ‘Black Panther’ – Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Warrior Falls in the fictional African country of Wakanda is where King T’Challa of Wakanda’s (the Black Panther) coronation takes place. However, the falls from the recent film are not actually in Africa but are the spectacular Iguazu Falls in Argentina.

Glenfinnan Viaduct From ‘Harry Potter’ – Scotland

This spectacular railway is perhaps one of the most instantly recognizable fictional places. Featured in four of the ‘Harry Potter’ films on the journey the Hogwarts Express makes from King’s Cross Station to the school, it has become known as the ‘Harry Potter’ bridge.

Which Of These Fictional Places Do You Want To Visit?

There are so many amazing places in the world. Some of them have inspired aspects of the work of fiction themselves while others have served as locations for various fictional places. Regardless, there is no doubt that each of these “fictional places” is absolutely amazing to see and visit. So, if we’ve left out any of your favourite fiction-turned-reality places from around the world, please do let us know in the comments below.