We rarely judge a TV series solely for its filming locations, there are some shows where the landscape and backgrounds give off as much main character energy as the protagonists themselves. Let’s take a look at the TV shows from the last few years that have made us wonder where filming took place—and even convinced many travellers to book holidays as soon as we binge-watch the season.
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The Last of Us
While the crumbling dystopian world of The Last of Us doesn’t provide the best holiday travelling experience and inspiration, the show features some breathtaking landscapes that make us wonder where it was filmed. The series imagines remnant versions of major cities like Boston, and Kansas City which were shot in a whopping 180 locations. Most of the main action was filmed in Alberta, Canada. Places like High River, Canmore, Waterton Lakes National Park, and Mount Royal University were used some of which have been tuned into the show’s aesthetic.
Virgin River
Based on a 20-strong book series by Robyn Carr, this series depicts life in a northern Californian town, among redwoods, waterfalls and epic scenery. But in reality, the series was filmed in Hollywood North, a new filming centre just outside of Vancouver in Canada. Some other Canadian vistas might be recognisable, including Mel's waterside cabin which is the caretaker's house in Murdo Frazer Park on Vancouver's North Shore; her place of work at New Westminster in the city's south-east, and the woods, water and skyscraper building
The White Lotus’
After its initial success during the lockdown, The White Lotus has become a firm favourite of many, Season 1 was set in a luxury Hawaiian resort, which actually was filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Maul at Wailea ( in one-location shoot, due to strict Covid guidances). The hotel lives up to the tropical-paradise cliches with ease - its 15 acres house three pools, three restaurants, three golf courses, a spa and an art museum. Amazingly, the crew were given almost free rein, from the entrance and lobby to the restaurants, the spa and even the neighbouring Wailea Beach, Season 2 heads to Europe, and was filmed at San Domenico Palace, Taormina. The hotel sits on the rocks a little inland, overlooking the Lonian Sea with views of Mount Etna. Scenes were filmed in Noto on the islands south-east and the coastal town of Cefalu, near Palermo.
Game of Thrones
HBO’s fantasy blockbuster might set a fire in a world of magic, dragons and evil zombies—but the majority of the series was shot close to home, in Northern Ireland. Magheramorne Quarry made appearances as Castle Black and The Wall, while the Dark Hedges, lined with beech trees, appeared as Kingsroad in series two. Further afield, Croatia’s seaside city Dubrovnik can be seen as King’s Landing, and filming also took place in Iceland across snowy peaky including Kirkjufell
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Big Little Lies
The Big Little Lies—based on the eponymous book set in a fictional Australian town, but HBO moved the story to the California coast, giving Monterey and the dramatic Pacific shoreline a lead part. Four-acre park Lovers Point has been used for many of the characters’ showdowns and is home to the fictional Blissful Drip Cafe, the women’s main meeting point. Rugged seafronts such as Carmel River State Beach and Del Monte Beach appear throughout, while Big Sur’s Bixby Creek Bridge is one of the landmarks of the series.
White Lines
This is a tale of drugs and debauchery from Money Heist’s Alex Pina is a love letter to the unique mix of glamour and wilderness found on Spain’s Balearic Islands. There are beaches and opulent villas, but look out for the Nineties Flashback, with its blissful sunset shot of Es Vedra, the islet off Ibiza’s southwest coast.
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Succession
The absolute best film location in Norway, season 4. Succession is most most-watched series on HBO. A dissection of America’s most ruthless, this show also gives us a peek into billionaires’ holiday habits, as the Roy family gather in an upstate New York retreat and in the Hamptons’ 175-million-dollar Henry Ford Estate at Jule Pond. The most fascinating part is their luxury-yacht trip to the Aegean and Cratia, particularly the island of Korcula — worth enduring a family conference for.
Normal People
The first big hit during lockdown was set in Dublin but, like I May Destroy You, its most memorable location was on holiday, when Connell (Paul Mescal) and Marianne(Daisy Edgar-Jones) are reunited at her family villa in Italy (which you can actually rent on Airbnb). Supposedly set in Trieste, this is Il Casale in Tenuta di Verzano near Sant’Oreste, about 25 miles north of Rome. Just as redolent of the perfect Italian tour is the pair’s bike trip to nearby Stimigliano for ice cream and an unspoken desire.
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