Movie filming locations guide: 4 popular itineraries

• King's Cross Station & St. Pancras International: King's Cross is home to the famous Platform 9 ¾ photo spot, complete with a luggage trolley disappearing into the brick wall. Right next door, the grand Gothic facade of St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel served as the exterior of King's Cross where Harry and Ron take off in the flying Ford Anglia in The Chamber of Secrets.
• Leadenhall Market & Bull's Head Passage: This ornate Victorian covered market in the City of London was used for Diagon Alley exterior shots in The Sorcerer’s Stone. The entrance to the Leaky Cauldron pub was filmed at what is now an optician's shop in Bull's Head Passage.
• Borough Market (7 Stoney Street): In The Prisoner of Azkaban, the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron shifted south of the river to Borough Market, where the Triple-Decker Knight Bus drops Harry off.
• Australia House (The Strand): The magnificent marble interior of the High Commission of Australia served as the banking hall for Gringotts Wizarding Bank. While access inside is restricted, you can peer through the glass doors at the chandeliers and grand pillars.
• Millennium Bridge & Great Scotland Yard: Walk across the suspension footbridge that was famously destroyed by Death Eaters in The Half-Blood Prince, then head to Great Scotland Yard to trace the corner used as the visitor's entrance to the Ministry of Magic. 

• Glenfinnan Viaduct (Inverness-shire, Scotland): This 21-arch railway bridge is the real-life stretch of track where the Hogwarts Express travels. You can ride the Jacobite Steam Train across the viaduct between Fort William and Mallaig to experience the view from inside the carriage, or hike to the nearby viewpoint to watch the train cross.
• Alnwick Castle (Northumberland, England): The outer bailey of this medieval castle served as the grounds where Harry had his first broomstick flying lesson in The Sorcerer’s Stone. Today, the castle hosts daily broomstick training sessions on the exact same lawn.
• Oxford University (Oxfordshire, England): Step into the Divinity School at Oxford to see the room that doubled as the Hogwarts infirmary, or walk through Christ Church College to see the grand staircase that inspired the Great Hall.
• Traveller Tip: Book Jacobite Steam Train tickets 3 to 4 months in advance, and visit Platform 9 ¾ early in the morning to skip the long queue for photos.      

Where it was filmed: North and South Islands, New Zealand

New Zealand’s dramatic landscapes brought J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth to life, turning the country into an ultimate road-trip destination for nature lovers and film fans alike.

• Hobbiton Movie Set (Matamata, North Island): Nestled on a private sheep farm, Hobbiton is a permanent, fully detailed movie set featuring 44 rebuilt Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and the Green Dragon Inn. Guided tours end with a complimentary craft beverage served inside the pub.
• Tongariro National Park (Central North Island): The volcanic peaks of Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe provided the harsh, desolate backdrop for Mordor and Mount Doom. The famous 19.4 km Tongariro Alpine Crossing day hike lets you walk directly through this dramatic terrain.
• Fiordland National Park & Glenorchy (South Island): Located near Queenstown, the alpine valleys of Glenorchy and the towering fiords of Milford Sound served as the backdrop for the Misty Mountains, Lothlórien, and Amon Hen.

Traveller Tip: Renting a campervan is the best way to explore both islands, giving you the flexibility to drive between North Island film sets and South Island national parks.

Where it was filmed: Tuscany (Italy), Ouarzazate (Morocco), and Malta

To capture the epic scale of ancient Rome and North Africa, director Ridley Scott utilized striking locations across the Mediterranean.

• Val d'Orcia (Tuscany, Italy): The serene, cypress-lined wheat fields located just below the hilltop village of Pienza served as Maximus’s home in Tuscany and the dreamlike Elysian Fields. A short walk down a gravel track off the SP18 road brings you directly to the iconic field views.
• Aït Benhaddou (Ouarzazate, Morocco): This earthen clay fortress (ksar) along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech served as the red-clay gladiator arena in Numidia. You can cross the riverbed on foot to explore the ancient labyrinth of mud-brick towers.
• Fort Ricasoli (Kalkara, Malta): Perched at the entrance to Grand Harbour, this 17th-century fortress doubled as the outer walls and entrance gates of ancient Rome. While the interior is often closed for active productions, the fort is clearly visible on harbor boat tours from Valletta.

Traveller Tip: Visit Tuscany and Morocco in spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October) for comfortable walking temperatures and ideal lighting for photography.

Setting off to explore real-world film locations—whether you are walking London’s historic markets, hiking across New Zealand's volcanic tracks, taking ferry trips to secluded Sicilian coves, or road-tripping through the Scottish Highlands—brings unique travel logistics. Comprehensive travel insurance can help safeguard your trip against unexpected flight disruptions, lost luggage, and medical emergencies while abroad. Having solid coverage in place allows you to focus on enjoying the scenery and experiencing your favourite cinematic landscapes with complete confidence.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, financial, or other professional advice. Allianz Global Assistance is not responsible for the use of external websites or the content or accuracy of external website information.