Embark on a Cinematic Adventure: Discovering Forgotten Film Locations
From sprawling western towns to futuristic landscapes, these movie set locations are scattered across the globe, waiting to be rediscovered. Prepare to venture off the beaten path and immerse yourself in the magic of cinema, long after the cameras have stopped rolling.
Here's a curated list of 17 abandoned movie sets you can actually visit:
Movie Set Movie Location Status Why Visit? Popeye Village Popeye (1980) Anchor Bay, Malta Theme Park Whimsical, colorful village built for the film. Offers interactive experiences. Potemkin Steps Battleship Potemkin (1925) Odessa, Ukraine Historical Landmark Iconic staircase famous for a pivotal scene in silent film history. Mos Espa Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) Tozeur, Tunisia Partially Abandoned An entire Tatooine town remains, slowly being reclaimed by the desert. "Western Town" Set Various Westerns Tabernas Desert, Almería, Spain Active & Abandoned Several western movie sets still exist in various states of preservation. Some are active studios, others are ghostly reminders of the Spaghetti Western era. Game of Thrones Sets (Partial) Game of Thrones Various locations in Northern Ireland, Croatia, Spain, Iceland Partially Preserved / Transformed While not fully abandoned, some key sets and locations are open to tours, offering insights into the show's production. Film City Various Bollywood Films Mumbai, India Active & Accessible While primarily an active studio, parts of Film City are accessible, offering a glimpse into the vibrant world of Bollywood. Skellig Michael Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi County Kerry, Ireland Preserved UNESCO Site Ancient monastic settlement used as Luke Skywalker's island retreat. Requires booking and is weather-dependent. Villa del Balbianello Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Casino Royale Lake Como, Italy Active & Accessible Stunning villa featured in multiple films. Offers tours of its exquisite gardens and interior. Al Khazneh (The Treasury) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Petra, Jordan Historical Site Magnificent facade carved into sandstone cliffs, instantly recognizable from the film. Ait Benhaddou Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy Ouarzazate, Morocco Partially Inhabited / Tourist Site Fortified city used as a filming location for numerous historical epics. Matamata Hobbiton Movie Set The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies Matamata, New Zealand Theme Park The Shire comes to life! Fully recreated Hobbiton village open for tours. The Wave 2015 Norwegian Film "The Wave" (Bølgen) Geirangerfjord, Norway Natural Location While not a built set, the dramatic landscapes of the fjord were central to the film. Experience the scenery where the tsunami hit. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Planet of the Apes (original) Arizona, USA Natural Location The dramatic landscapes of the region served as the alien world in the original movie. Hatley Castle X-Men movies, Smallville Colwood, British Columbia, Canada Active Educational Institution Served as Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Can be visited for tours. Bodega Bay The Birds Bodega Bay, California, USA Active Town The town where Alfred Hitchcock filmed "The Birds" still retains its charm and eerie beauty. Sidi Driss Hotel Star Wars: A New Hope Matmata, Tunisia Active Hotel Experience staying in the underground troglodyte hotel used as Luke Skywalker's childhood home. Savoca and Forza d'Agrò The Godfather Sicily, Italy Active Towns These picturesque Sicilian towns served as locations for key scenes in "The Godfather."
