Milford Sound, New Zealand one of the fictional places to visit
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13 Fictional Places That Feel Real and Where to Visit Them

ByKasia Chojecki

There are many great travel destinations you can explore. But what if you could travel to your favourite fictional places you’ve seen on screen or read about? This could be fictional cities, fantasy worlds and made-up versions of our own realities. I know I have.

There are many movies, TV shows and books that have laid the groundwork for fictional worlds that we would love to visit. Some offer extraordinary landscapes, others are full of magic and possibilities. While some of them are brought to life with CGI effects, others have been filmed in real places you can actually visit in real life. Curious? Read on.

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Why we dream of visiting fictional destinations

Fictional worlds capture our imagination in ways real places sometimes can’t. They offer adventure without limits where dragons soar, spells work and the rules of reality bend. We fall in love with these places because they connect to something deeper:

  • A sense of wonder we miss in everyday life
  • The comfort of nostalgia or childhood dreams
  • The thrill of exploring the unknown

Fictional destinations also reflect real human emotions of loss, hope, courage and belonging. Whether it’s Hogwarts or Middle Earth, these places feel real because they hold meaning. Travelling to real-world locations that inspired them lets us reconnect with that magic. It’s not just fandom, it’s about finding a bit of that wonder in the world we can actually touch.

My favourite fictional places from books and movies

You can explore real-life filming locations for some of them, while others were created with the magic of CGI. That doesn’t mean you can’t imagine what it would be like to visit. I mean, sure, with a quick trip to Disney, you can experience recreations of many movies, but no matter how close it comes to reality, it’s not the real deal.

I selected the fictional places that appealed to me. Things like magic, interesting characters and epic landscapes are what speak to me. It’s also the creativity that went into creating whole worlds, storylines and quests that intrigues me. Would I want to live in those worlds, even if that were possible? No, but I would love to explore them if there was even a slight possibility of such a thing coming true.

My list of fictional places to visit

Like in the real world, there are many fictional destinations for every type of fantasy traveller. Below is a list of locations that I would love to visit in no particular order. There are many more of them, but not all appeal to me. As these places aren’t real anyway, this is more of a vacation spot wish list with suggestions for real-life substitutions. 

1. Step into the magic of Hogwarts and Harry Potter

The popularity of the Harry Potter series hasn’t diminished since the book came out. There is no denying that this world is a highly desired fictional destination. Who wouldn’t want to go to a school like the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft to learn magic, witchcraft and wizardry while dealing with mythical creatures?

Glenfinnan Viaduct

The fact that the school looks like a castle doesn’t hurt either. JK Rowling created a world filled with magic, complex and relatable characters, and exciting storylines that play to every fantasy-lover, especially if they grew up with the books.

Edinburgh-architecture

The movie adaptations brought the wizarding world to screens and helped fans visualize the places in the books. No matter how you feel about the author, there is no denying the appeal of this imaginary world. Thanks to its popularity, you can visit actual set locations and imagine yourself as part of that world.

Must visit locations: London (UK), Oxford and Scotland

2. Discover the myths and gods of Asgard

The fictional city of Asgard is home to Norse gods. It has towering skyscrapers, dramatic fjords, giant statues and stunning landscapes. Accessible by the rainbow-colored Bifrost Bridge, Asgard comes across as an idyllic destination for an adventure.

Dalsnibba Fjord Mountains, Norway

The Marvel movies did a great job bringing Asgard’s appeal on screen with details only CGI can produce. It doesn’t take away from the spectacular beauty of Asgard’s floating hills, and it’s the reason it makes it on this list.

Must visit locations: Norway and Iceland

  • Explore Norway’s fjords that inspired the look of Asgard on a Zodiac boat tour
  • Go on road trip and visit Skógafoss waterfall and Þingvellir National Park in Iceland
  • Treat yourself to an arctic fjord and landcape tour in Tromso, Norway

3. Discover Wakanda’s futuristic beauty in Africa

The fictional African nation of Wakanda captured the imaginations of moviegoers in MCU’s Black Panther. Wakanda is the most technologically advanced place on earth thanks to an abundance of vibranium (also fictional), a mineral deposit extracted from a crashed meteorite. Wakandans have cool gadgets, advanced weaponry and innovations that we all envy.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Wakanda is led by King T’Challa, who is also the superhero Black Panther, who gets plenty of assistance from his kick-ass warriors (many of them fierce females) and armoured rhinos. It’s also filled with stunning scenery and natural beauty, making it a perfect blend of technology and nature. Here you can mix learning with relaxation and fun. Who wouldn’t want to visit?

Must visit locations: South Africa, Zambia, Uganda and South America

4. Journey to Pandora’s floating mountains

Avatar introduced us to the fascinating world of Pandora. This tropical moon, filled with lush vegetation, floating planets, alien wildlife and bioluminescent plants, is an experience for the senses. Here you’ll find the blue-skinned Na’vi inhabitants, the six-legged Direhorses and the Mountain Banshees. This makes Pandora one of the most unusual and fascinating fictional places on this list.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park china

The fictional world of Pandora captured many imaginations, and it still reigns high on many people’s wish lists. If you’re after the landscapes of Avatar, head to the Hunan Province of China where you can hike the Tianzi Mountain in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park that inspired the film. There was even a theme park based around the Avatar experience built in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Must visit locations: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China

5. Wander the wild lands of the Witcher

Netflix megahit The Witcher brought to life the fantasy world that came from a series of fantasy novels and video games. While it centers on the monster-hunter Geralt of Rivia, one of a handful of Witchers left in this world, there is a solid cast of characters that includes powerful sorceresses, elves, warriors, monsters and mythical creatures.

Ogrodzieniec Castle in Poland

The fictional Cintra, Nilfgard, Aretuza and others came to life with some help from the CGI geniuses in the studios. The show was filmed across Europe, so if you’re a Witcher fan, you can can make it a theme of your next European adventure.

Must visit locations: United Kingdom, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Spain

6. Get lost in the jungle of Jumanji

One of the best things about playing video games is becoming someone else, like a character with a particular set of skills and abilities. Jumanji takes that idea to another level by transporting players directly inside the game. No consoles, just your own skills. I don’t know about you, but that’s pretty cool.

hawaii hilo waterfall

Jumanji is fake, but it feels real. With lush jungles, snow-covered mountains, wild animals and plenty of bad guys to keep you on your toes, it’s an adventure like no other. In the game, you are on a quest to save Jumanji and have to rely on your game-designed abilities to complete it. Well, you have to stay alive, but as it’s your fantasy, until you run out of lives.

Must visit locations: Oahu in Hawaii, California, Georgia, New Mexico and Alberta (Canada)

7. Walk through the heart of Middle Earth

When it comes to fictional places, you can’t dismiss the imaginary world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Middle Earth offers something for everyone. From the elegant Rivendell, home to the elves, to the Hobbiton in the lush pastures of the Shire that is home to the Hobbits. If you’re looking for something to match your cold, evil heart, then Mordor is where you’ll feel at home.

Is Middle-earth on your list of fictional places to explore?

This movie trilogy was filmed entirely in New Zealand. The country’s natural beauty and stunning landscapes made Middle Earth come vividly to life. So, if you love the outdoors and want to live out your best Lord of the Rings life, head over to New Zealand and check out the real film locations that stood in for the fictional places.

8. Descend into the depths of Jules Verne’s Earth

The science-fiction writer Jules Verne was so good at creating fictional places many believed his works were actual scientific manuals. Whether you believe some mysterious powers inspired Verne or not, you have to admit that he was a master at creating adventures in the most amazing places. His books inspired adventurous travellers and moviegoers thanks to numerous movie adaptations.

One of the fascinating fictional places I would love to visit.

In Journey to the Centre of the Earth (2008), a professor and his nephew descend a volcano in Iceland with their guide. The further down they go, the more ancient and fascinating the world around them becomes. The idea that there is a land untouched by time somewhere under our feet is intriguing and captivating. Who wouldn’t want to explore that?

Must visit locations: Snæfellsjökull National Park, Iceland

9. Search for the lost city of Atlantis

Of all the fictional places on my list, the fabled underwater city of Atlantis has been here the longest. A mythical city that sank to the bottom of the ocean has fascinated many since Plato first wrote about it around 360 BC. Was it real or did it come from Plato’s imagination as a morality tale for audiences?

Santorini Greece

Atlantis could have been a utopian society or one that indulged in many vices and was punished for them. One thing is certain, it was home to a highly advanced civilization whose technology, power and wealth were unmatched by anyone else in the world. I think I’m not alone in wanting to see what that actually looks like.

There are many speculations about where Atlantis could have been located. Some of the most popular theories include Santorini, the Azores and Antarctica. It doesn’t matter which one you choose, a journey to a place like Atlantis would be the ultimate adventure.

Must visit locations: Santorini, Greece, the Azores, Portugal or Antarctica

10. Roam the prehistoric lands of Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park plays into the “what-if” part of our brains. It’s an adventure into the realm of the extraordinary. A world where dinosaurs once again roam the earth. How cool would that be? This island-based amusement park captures our imaginations with the awe-inspiring possibility of coming face-to-face with extinct creatures.

hawaii kauai

The sheer thrill and suspense that permeate every corner of this dinosaur-inhabited island make it an irresistible fictional destination. It offers a perfect blend of adventure, danger and scientific wonderment that would make any visit (albeit fictional) an unforgettable experience.

Must visit locations: Kauai, Hawaii

11. Travel to galaxies far, far away (or a film studio)

The expansive universe of Star Wars has captured the hearts and minds of millions worldwide. It offers all the elements of adventure, fantasy and mythology. This universe, with its array of distinctive planets like Tatooine, Hoth and Endor, is teeming with diverse alien species, futuristic technologies, and the age-old eternal struggle between good and evil.

camels outside Tatooine Tunisia

What appeals to me about this particular fantasy world is that it seamlessly mixes the impossible with the ordinary. Each planet has its unique ecosystem, culture and inhabitants, creating a universe that feels real and tangible. The series’ iconic elements – from lightsabers to the Force, from droids to iconic characters like Darth Vader and Yoda – make it a richly textured world that continually fuels imaginations.

Must visit locations: Tunisia, Jordan, Ireland, Italy

12. Uncover ancient secrets with Indiana Jones

The world of Indiana Jones, filled with temples, tombs and mythical artifacts, has always appealed to me. The idea of uncovering ancient relics and embarking on edge-of-your-seat adventures is what makes this fictional universe such a thrilling escape.

Petra rock temple

From the Lost Ark to the Temple of Doom and the Last Crusade, each adventure is a nod to the mysteries and wonders that history holds. The intrigue of lost civilizations, the charm of hidden treasures and the adrenaline rush of daring escapades is a dream for history and travel nerds like me.

museums in venice

Even though it takes inspiration from real-life archaeological feats and historical timelines, it’s purely a fictional universe. The blend of real-world historical events, coupled with the excitement of adventure and danger, is a no-brainer.

Must visit locations: Petra, Jordan, Venice, Italy, Sri Lanka, England, Hawaii, USA

13. Find your kingdom with the Game of Thrones

The Game of Thrones was as fascinating as it was gory. It created different worlds and characters that felt very real. The GOT filming locations have made great destinations for the fans to explore. No matter which of the seven kingdoms you prefer, there is a location with your name on it.

Dubrovnik city break

Personally, I would love to visit the austere beauty of Winterfell, the bustling streets of King’s Landing, and the mystical Isle of Faces in God’s Eye Lake. These places that have been pivotal in the series’ storyline. However, it’s also worth noting that I would only visit any fictional town here as an observer.

Must visit locations: Dubrovnik, Croatia, Northern Ireland and Iceland

Final thoughts

The fictional places on this list centre around epic stories, great adventures and often improbable quests. They came from someone’s imagination and were brought to life with the magic of cinema. I have a deep appreciation for the level of creativity and attention to detail that went into putting them together.

Even though you can explore many of the real-life locations used to bring these fictional places to life, they are only substitues for the real thing. The main appeal of fictional locations is that they are imaginary and therefore have no limits. What makes them appealing is that they offer a temporary escape (even if its through the screen or pages of a book) from the ordinary. If we could really travel to a fictional place, I’d be the first in line.

Avatar of Kasia Chojecki

Travel writer

I'm an avid traveller, a self-professed castle, architecture and art lover, and an outdoor enthusiast. I am passionate about uncovering the world’s hidden stories and inspiring others to travel. Join me as I adventure, explore and discover unique experiences around the globe.

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