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11 Travel Movies and Shows About Europe to Inspire Your Next Trip

Shannon McMahon

Editor Shannon McMahon is always planning her next trip and often writing in her travel journal. Follow her on Twitter @shanmcmahon_ and on Instagram @shanmcmahon .

Shannon joined SmarterTravel in 2015. A former news reporter, she's lived in the south of Spain, spotted elephants in Sri Lanka, gone spelunking in the Caribbean, hiked Jordan's Petra Basin, interviewed Sao Paulo's Michelin-Star chefs, and explored China via bullet train. Travel trends, news oddities, and her visits to up-and-coming destinations are some of her favorite things to write about.

Her stories have also appeared online on USA Today, The Sun, Huffington Post, Business Insider, blog.TripAdvisor.com, Boston.com, and more. Her educational background is in journalism, art history, gender studies, Spanish, and film. She's been quoted as an expert travel source by CNBC, People.com, MarketWatch, The Washington Post, USA Today, and more.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "Plenty of extra thick hair elastics. They tame my frizzy curls and come in handy in a surprising number of packing and hotel dilemmas."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : "Climbing (yes, climbing, it's steep!) the Great Wall of China before it's gone."

Travel Motto : "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Window, of course."

Email Shannon at [email protected] .

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Vacation inspiration can spring up from anywhere—but when it comes to Europe, travel movies might offer the most vivid dose of wanderlust you can get. There are plenty of classics to consider, but some newer travel movies and TV shows make European cities as much of a character in their scenes as the stars.

Inspiring Europe Travel Movies and Shows

Here are some inspiring travel movies (and shows) to spark your next trip to Europe.

The Before Sunrise Trilogy

A trilogy that’s about a life of travel as much as it is about love and time, Before Sunrise and its two follow-up movies — Before Sunset and Before Midnight —will take you on intimate walking-and-talking journeys through three distinct European destinations, starting with Vienna’s alluring streets by night.

First join strangers Celine and Jesse on a fateful train stopover in the 90s, then follow up with them on an afternoon in Paris nine years later, and finally check in at a family’s summer home in Greece another decade later to see where the two end up. Celine and Jesse’s tumultuous relationship plays out in real time against one dreamy backdrop after another. The final installment of the trilogy was nominated for an Oscar for best screenplay, and director Richard Linklater ( Dazed and Confused , Boyhood ) puts the destinations on display with rich scenery that will having you searching for flights to Austria, France, and Greece.

Master of None , Season 2

Ever wanted to quit your job and move to Europe? Italy is itself a love interest in Master of None ‘s second season. The series heads to Italy so Dev, the character based on and played by Aziz Ansari, can take up pasta-making classes and meander through Modena with his best friend. Chef’s Table -worthy food porn, hilarity involving tiny European cars, and a chaotic wedding in the Italian countryside are just a few of the reasons it’s worth watching.

A film about Spain’s capital by its most famous and beloved director, Volver is a twisted portrait of Madrid told through the lives of three women (and in a much more realistic way than Woody Allen’s well-known Vicky Cristina Barcelona ). The movie has been hailed for painting an accurate image of Spain and explaining its complex culture, from mid-century Francoism to today’s boisterous, modern Spaniards in Madrid. If you’re not already familiar with Pedro Almodovar’s work, you’ll want to be before you head to Spain—and you’ll definitely learn some Spanish in addition to the history.

A love story that isn’t really one at all, Once uses Dublin’s quaint streets and cozy music shops to tell the story of a busker who meets a foreigner with as much talent for music as he has. The two form an unlikely bond to try and achieve their dreams as they struggle to make ends meet, and cloudy Irish scenery sets the mood for the film’s realism and dry humor.

If you’re going to watch a foreign film, it should be French. And if you’re going to watch a French film about Paris, it needs to be Amelie . Shot in dozens of spots across the City of Lights in stunningly colorful detail, the whimsical storyline introduces Paris and its quirky locals through their connections to one curious woman: Amelie. She meddles in the lives of others after she uncovers some peculiar hidden items from one man’s childhood, sewing together a story unlike most Parisian tales. Plus, you might pick up some useful French along the way.

Tired of love stories and action movies? You can get to intimately know Istanbul in its natural state through its street cats, instead. Kedi is a documentary that follows a few distinct felines through this city on the border of Europe and Asia. Istanbul considers its strays an age-old part of the community, with personalities as different as the people they encounter.

Call Me By Your Name

A tender novel turned film, Call Me By Your Name is a coming-of-age story that uses stunning spots in Italy’s Lombardy region to bring you on an emotional roller coaster through a summer of youth. It’ll also make you want to rent a spacious villa for an entire summer spent wining, dining, reading, and relaxing in Italy’s sunny outdoors.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

An incarnation of Iceland’s recent tourism boom, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty follows a daydream many of us have probably have: giving up day-to-day responsibilities to escape for a life of adventure in one of the most extreme places on earth. Follow Walter Mitty to Iceland for an extreme dose of adventure travel and Iceland’s stunning natural scenery.

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

A hefty library of travel resources (readily available on Netflix, no less), Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown episodes vary greatly depending on the destination. But most of the show’s Europe installments will surprise you with their originality, helping you get off the beaten path and find something newer than the tourist-addled spots you see in most Europe travel movies. Spain, Copenhagen, London, Scotland, and the Greek islands are some of my favorite Parts Unknown episodes of all time for getting a new view of some over-traveled locales.

James Bond Movies

Whether you prefer a modern or classic action film, James Bond movies are the perfect way to gear up for a London trip—and they even work as Europe travel movies thanks to filming locations across France, Italy, and Turkey. From the classic 1960s films to the recent Skyfall and Spectre installments, be on the lookout for famous European and U.K. filming locations, and even scenes in hotels you can stay in across Europe and the U.K.

One last romance story—because travelers do tend to be romantics, after all. Anyone who’s ever met a local on their travels or entertained a foreigner at home will appreciate Copenhagen . The city’s namesake movie was a film-festival darling, and tells a story of two strangers meeting and chaos unraveling amidst vivid local scenery. Filming locations include many of the city’s most popular points of interest, from the Thorvaldsen Museum to Frederik’s Church.

More from SmarterTravel:

• Travel Lessons We Learned from Our Favorite Movies
• 4 Travel-Inspiring Movies and the Tours They’ve Spawned
• Games of Thrones Travel: Where the HBO Hit was Filmed

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SmarterTravel Editor Shannon McMahon writes about all things travel, and loves a good Europe travel movie on the plane or at home. Follow her on  Twitter  and  Instagram .

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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The Backpacker Network

21 Incredible Movies Set in Europe

If you’ve watched some of the incredible movies set in Europe already, I completely understand why your feet are itching to make the continent your next backpacking destination. And if you haven’t, why not?! Europe is home to fascinating history, natural beauty, jaw-dropping architecture and of course, a plethora of stories. 

We here at Europe Backpacker know that escapism is massively important, especially when we’re back home reliving our last trip. And if you’re getting ready to set off on the backpacking trip of a lifetime, movies can help build the excitement before you start your journey!

Whether you’re into soppy Parisian romances or prefer your films more fast-paced, you’re bound to find something in this list of European travel movies to inspire you to hit the road. 

Related : (opens in new tab)

• Europe Backpacking Routes: Epic Adventures
• Epic Books Set in Europe
• Romantic Cities in Europe for Couples

Best Movies Set in Europe to Ignite Your Wanderlust!

• Language: English
• Country: Spain 
• Director: Emilio Estevez
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%

Ever dreamed about pulling on your hiking boots and walking off into the sunset? You will after watching The Way. 

When Tom Avery’s son Daniel dies whilst walking the Camino de Santiago, Tom decides to finish the journey that he started. This epic pilgrimage across Spain throws up many challenges for Tom  (played by Martin Sheen) and teaches him all sorts of life lessons. The result is a beautiful story that shows the importance of family, personal growth and adventure. As Daniel once said to his father, “You don’t choose a life, Dad. You live one.”

2. Braveheart

• Country: Scotland  
• Director: Mel Gibson
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

If you’re planning on visiting Scotland, you’ll need to get yourself acquainted with William Wallace and quickly. Along with Robert the Bruce (you’ll get an introduction to him in Braveheart too), Old Willy Wallace is Scotland’s pride and joy. 

Directed by and starring Mel Gibson, this heartbreaking tale tells the story of Scottish hero Wallace as he leads his countrymen in a revolt against King Edward I of England. Historically, it misses the mark on a few things but is still a great movie. It will make you laugh, cry and most of all, want to explore those breathtaking landscapes first-hand. 

3. Eat Pray Love

• Country: Italy , India and Indonesia 
• Director: Ryan Murphy
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 42%

Based on the well-known travel book by Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love tells the tale of its author as she goes on a journey to find herself around the world. Her travels take her through Italy where she delights in delectable cuisine, India where she begins her spiritual journey and finally, Indonesia where she falls in love again. 

Although the film was hounded by critics and didn’t stand up to the book, Julia Roberts is a delight to watch and the film showcases some of Italy’s most wonderful scenery and architecture. Best enjoyed with a large plate of pasta. 

4. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

• Country: Iceland
• Director: Ben Stiller
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%

Walter Mitty has realised that he is unhappy with the boring and dull life that he leads working as a photo processor for Life magazine. After discovering that he and his colleague are about to lose their jobs, he embarks on an adventure that could prevent his company from being downsized. 

As he searches for a missing photo that holds the key to the latest issue of the magazine, he heads off to far-flung places and finds himself in the magical country of Iceland. The movie is wonderfully shot and highlights why Iceland should be on every traveller’s bucket list. 

• Language: French
• Country: France
• Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

For gorgeous cinematography and Parisian charm, look no further than Amélie. In the movie, the protagonist is leading a normal life, working in a Montmartre cafe. But her real adventure starts when she returns a long lost treasure to the previous occupant of her apartment. 

After experiencing the buzz of making another human being happy, Amélie decides to make it her life’s mission to spread joy and positivity, and along the way, even finds a little bit of her own. A feel-good film that reiterates Hepburn’s famous quote: “Paris is always a good idea”. 

6. The Sound of Music

• Country: Austria
• Director: Robert Wise
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

It may be cheesy, but it is a classic! The Sound of Music follows the lives of the Von Trapp family when a failing nun Maria, (played by Dame Julie Andrews) arrives to care for them. Maria inspires a new lease of life in the children which leads them to famously dance through the Austrian hills singing. 

Although the film is a little dated now, it is still a favourite of many which still inspires thousands of visits to Austria ( including this one )! One thing is sure, this country is bound to be one of your favourite things once you make the journey! 

7. Notting Hill 

• Country: England
• Director: Roger Mitchell
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%

Those floppy curtains can only belong to one man… Hugh Grant, the perfect example of an English gentleman. In this romcom, Hugh, who plays William Thacker, runs a modest bookshop in London’s Notting Hill. All was pretty normal, until one day an A-list actress (played by Julia Roberts) walks through the shop doors and into his life. 

Notting Hill’s characters are remarkably well developed and the two protagonists share real chemistry. The film is also surprisingly funny and not just in that cringey rom-com way. This modern-day fairytale inspires a warm feeling in all but the hardest hearts.

8. The Tourist

• Country: Italy
• Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

Starring two of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, The Tourist is a romantic thriller, set largely in Italy. In the film, Elise (Jolie) meets Frank (Depp) onboard a train to Venice. 

Unbeknownst to him, she has selected him as a target, to make the police believe he is her lover who is wanted by the authorities. Although some scenes of Jolie eliciting awe-filled stares from men do reek of a perfume commercial, the result is a fun and entertaining spy romp in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. 

9. Chocolat

• Director: Lasse Hallström

Picture the scene: 1960 in a small town in rural France. A single mother with her six-year-old daughter in tow has just opened up a chocolate shop. Although a seemingly innocent move on the surface, Vianne Rocher has opened her shop across the street from the local church… and it is lent. 

The townspeople greet her with scepticism but through the exquisite taste of her chocolates, she manages to coax the locals into giving into temptation, with spellbinding results. Don’t miss it!

10. Mamma Mia!

• Country: Greece
• Director: Phyllida Lloyd
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66%

If you’re an ABBA fan, you won’t want to miss Mamma Mia. Filmed on the stunning Greek island of Skopelos, Mamma Mia documents the story of bride-to-be Sophie, who is trying to find out who her real father is so that he can walk her down the aisle. 

The movie benefits from an all-star cast, not limited to Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth. If you can remove yourself from how desperately Pierce Brosnan mangles every song he sings, it’s a lighthearted and fun watch.  

11. The Da Vinci Code

• Director: Ron Howard
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 57%

Based on the controversial book by Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code is all about secrets and the danger of unearthing them. The story begins when Professor Robert Langdon (played by Tom Hanks) is summoned to the Louvre after a murder occurs there.

Using the archaic clues left in Da Vinci’s paintings, he discovered a religious mystery that has long been protected by a secret society. Although without doubt a Hollywood blockbuster, this movie has retained a lot of Euro-centric charm which adds to the viewing experience.  The Da Vinci Code is a chilling mystery that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

12. Under the Tuscan Sun

• Director: Audrey Wells
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%

When American writer, Frances, discovers that her husband has cheated on her, her friend encourages her to jump on a plane and explore Italy. Whilst on her trip, she impulsively decides to buy a traditional villa in the charming region of Tuscany and worries that she has made the biggest mistake of her life. 

Luckily for Frances, starting again in Italy ended up being the best decision she ever made. It even acts as the catalyst for her meeting the handsome Marcello. It turns out that both life and love really do flourish under the Tuscan sun.

13. In Bruges

• Country: Belgium
• Director: Martin McDonagh
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%

This dark comedy thriller centres around Irish hitmen Ken and Ray (played by Brendon Gleeson and Colin Farrell respectively) who are sent to the city of Bruges to lie low after their most recent job went awry. 

Ken enjoys exploring the historic city whereas Ray feels stifled in Bruges and misses home. As he searches for excitement, he meets small-time drug-dealer Chloë and the adventure really begins. For visitors to Bruges, the tourist office has created a walking map of locations where the movie was filmed. You can check it out here . 

14. EuroTrip

• Country: Czechia 
• Director: Jeff Schaffer and Alec Berg
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%

For fans of American Pie and Not Another Teen Movie, EuroTrip is a safe go-to travel movie for your European adventure. This cheesy teen comedy begins like many others, with a guy getting dumped. 

And of course, as all of us backpackers know, there is no better way to mend a broken heart than to travel it off, right? As Scott explores Europe, with his hapless buddies in tow, the pattern becomes misadventure after misadventure. If you’re not offended by crappy jokes and gratuitous nudity, you’ll love this wild caper. 

15.  Midnight in Paris

• Country: France 
• Director: Woody Allen

Ever fallen in love with a city? Like head over heels? That is exactly what happens to writer Gil (played by Owen Wilson) when he vacations in Paris with his fiancee Inez (Rachel McAdams). Gil becomes so taken with Paris that he takes to wandering the streets alone, searching for inspiration. 

At midnight, a group of strangers invite him to a party and he discovers that he has been transported back to the roaring 20s’, offering the ultimate muse for his writing. As Gil grows ever enchanted with Paris, he realises that he is becoming more distant from his girlfriend and wife-to-be. 

Also read: Honeymoon Destinations in Europe.

16. Biutiful

• Language: Spanish
• Director: Alejandro G Iñárritu 
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 74%

This Oscar-nominated movie is a harrowing account of those who live on the fringes of society. It follows the story of protagonist Uxbal, a single father of two. He fills his days scraping a living in the underbelly of Barcelona, operating as part of an illegal immigrant labour group. However, when he is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he has to get his affairs in order and fights to leave the world on his own terms. 

If you’re looking for a lighthearted watch, you’ll want to avoid Biutiful. This is not a happy film that spotlights the polished attractions of Barcelona. Nevertheless, it does reveal the dark side of the city and truly reflects the ugly beauty of life.

17. Before Sunrise

• Director: Richard Linklater
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

Before Sunrise is the first instalment of the Before Trilogy, set in Vienna, Austria. After an American tourist (Ethan Hawke) and French student (Julie Delpy) meet on a train, they know instantly that they have a special connection. 

Taking place over just 24 hours, the movie documents their journey as they fall in love and eventually go their separate ways, vowing to meet again in the future. To find out what happens, you’ll need to watch the last two of the trilogy, Before Sunset and Before Midnight (all brilliant). 

18. The Holiday

• Country: United States/England
• Director: Nancy Meyers
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%

This festive flick is a great choice for those who love a good romcom. Starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Jude Law, the story follows two women who decide to house swap for the holiday season, after a stressful few months. 

Iris (played by Winslet) heads to a swanky pad in LA and Amanda (played by Diaz) ends up in a quaint English cottage. Neither is looking for love but a change of scenery proffers all kinds of opportunities. Who says travel can’t fix all your problems?

19. Leap Year

• Country: Ireland
• Director: Anand Tucker
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 47%

Anna Brady counts off another anniversary without a marriage proposal from her boyfriend. Deciding she needs to take drastic action if she is ever going to get him to put a ring on it, she calls on a Celtic tradition that allows women to propose on February 29th. 

To make the occasion truly special, Anna intends to follow Jeremy to Dublin to pop the question but setback after setback threatens to jeopardise the whole trip. The film starts slow but is a lot less try-hard than other romcoms and really hits the humour mark. 

20. Roman Holiday

• Director: William Wyler

This old classic sees Audrey Hepburn in her American debut. Considering it was released in 1953, Roman Holiday has also weathered the test of time extremely well. The story follows a European Princess (played by Hepburn) as she sneaks past her guardians for a night in Rome. 

A sedative she was previously given by her doctor then kicks in and she falls asleep on a park bench. She is discovered by an American reporter who saves her in more ways than one! It’s an oldie but a goodie and really spotlights the splendour of Rome. 

21. Paddington

• Director: Paul King

Paddington is the story of a displaced Peruvian spectacled bear, trying to make a new home for himself in England. Named after the London train station, Paddington meets the Brown family who offers him a temporary home. 

The movie shows Paddington’s awe as he tries to adapt to urban London living, illustrating the chaos of the city wonderfully. Although this is predominantly a family film, it can be enjoyed by everyone. A great option if you are doing some last-minute babysitting to save for your trip!

And one final European movie which will make you cancel your flight…

• Country: Slovakia
• Director: Eli Roth
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 53%

The splatter movie follows best friends Paxton and Josh as they backpack their way across Europe. After a heavy night in Amsterdam (we’ve all been there), they meet a guy who tells them about a Slovak hostel, filled with beautiful women. Unluckily for them, what awaits them is not hot nymphos but a rather more terrifying prospect. 

If you plan to backpack Europe and especially if you plan to stay in a hostel, don’t watch it. Seriously. 

What is your favourite movie set in Europe? Let us know in the comments or our Europe Backpacker Facebook Community !

Sheree Hooker

Sheree is the awkward British wanderluster behind wingingtheworld.com, a travel blog designed to show that even the most useless of us can travel. Follow Sheree’s adventures as she blunders around the globe, falling into squat toilets, getting into cars with machete men and running away from angry peacocks.

• Sheree Hooker https://europebackpacker.com/author/sheree-hooker/ Three Bonny Edinburgh Itineraries - 1 to 3 Days in the Scottish Capital
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• Sheree Hooker https://europebackpacker.com/author/sheree-hooker/ Top 13 Traditional European Foods
• Sheree Hooker https://europebackpacker.com/author/sheree-hooker/ Books Set in Europe – Reads To Inspire Wanderlust

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The Best Movies to Watch For Your European Travels

By Helene Sula

I love movies. There's nothing like watching a great movie and eating popcorn. It's one of my favorite things to do. Whenever I travel, I like to seek out movies that might relate to the place I'm going. I'm compiling a list of the best movies to watch before you travel to Europe. Or after you travel. If you want a good movie based in Europe, this list has you covered! I've put together a list of 74 movies based on country to watch when you travel to Europe. From my favorites set in Paris and London, to the movies that will make you fall in love in Italy, to the true stories set in Germany and Austria.

Paris gets its own category because there are just so many set here.

Midnight in Paris * – Owen Wilson is smitten with Paris and the 1920s. The movie takes place in modern times but somehow Owen is transported back to his favorite decade where the likes of Hemingway and Fitzgerald. If you love Paris or traveling, this is for you. So good. Bonus, Rachel McAdams plays his irritated fiance. P.S. this is on Netflix and if you haven't seen it, it's one of my all time faves! I'm so obsessed with this movie I wrote a whole blog post about my favorite quotes and where you can see the shooting locations !

An American in Paris * – starring Gene Kelly (swoon) struggling between a wealthy American woman or a french dancer.

Amélie – this movie takes place in Paris and Amélie, a very shy waitress, is working in a cafe and wants to help the world around her. Her life is drastically changed when she makes a surprising discovery.

Moulin Rouge – We all know about the Moulin Rouge, but this love story is over the top and colorful and just worth the watch.

Hugo – Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.

La Vie en Rose -Marion Cotillard plays the famed French singer, Edith Piaf, who famously regretted nothing.

The Da Vinci Code – Tom Hanks is a symbologist trying to uncover the truth about The Holy Grail, and the truth could shake modern society.

The Thomas Crown Affair – A millionaire steals art for a hobby until he meets his match! Set and filmed on location in Martinique, a villa located in the charming French town of Le Vauclin.

Outside of Paris:

Magic in the Moonlight * – This movie takes place on the French Riviera with Emma Stone as a masterful swindle who is pretending to have contact with the outside world and Colin Firth as the one who is trying to unearth her lies. The backdrop of the Cõte d'Azur is a beautiful setting for this adorable romantic comedy.

Chocolat – Vianne owns a chocolate shop and is new to the small town in France. She inspires the whole village to do whatever it takes to be happy. But the chocolate shop owner is trying to find her own desires.

A Good Year – This movie is with Russell Crowe and is set in Provence. Its lovely scenery and tells the story of an investment banker who travels here to look after a wine estate he invested.

Marie Antoinette – Like most women, I have a fascination with Marie Antoinette. I can tell you, now that I live in Europe that fascination runs deeper. She's so interesting.

Beauty and the Beast * Live or Animated – It's a tale as old as time, set in 19th century France, this classic tale is still one of my favorites.

The Intouchables – A really heart warming, true story of a quadriplegic aristocrat whose world is turned upside down when he hires a young, good-humored ex-con as his caretaker.

Les Misérables – A Frenchman trying to escape his criminal past becomes wrapped up in Revolutionary intrigues, overall extremely depressing. But had to include it.

Saving Private Ryan –  This intense and brilliant story of the D-Day landings and their aftermath.

Cabaret * – With Hitler on the rise and anti-Semitism growing, the only refuge in Berlin during the 1930s is in the Cabaret.

Inglorious Basterds – Not necessarily putting Germany in a good light, this focuses on Nazi occupied France and a plan to assassinate Nazi leaders by a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers coincides with a theatre owner's vengeful plans for the same.

Flightplan – A bereaved woman and her daughter are flying home from Berlin to America. At 30,000 feet, the child vanishes, and nobody will admit she was ever on the plane.

Beerfest – In case you can't guess from the title, this movie is ridiculous. Two brothers travel to Germany for Oktoberfest, only to stumble upon a secret.

Schindler's List *- One of the best depictions of World War II concentration camps and one man's strength to help free his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazi Germans.

The Pianist – Roman Polanski's biopic about the struggle for survival of Władysław Szpilman (played by Adrien Brody, in an Oscar-winning role), a Jewish concert pianist in Holocaust-era Warsaw.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona – Two girlfriends who spend a summer in Barcelona and fall in love with the same guy. Starring Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson.

Volver – Another Penelope Cruz flick, the story of three generations of women help each other through the most difficult of times with compassion and humor.

The Passenger – Beautiful cinematography, starring Jack Nicholson, as a television reporter on location in Africa swaps identities with a dead man, hoping that his new life will be more interesting than his old one was.

Pan's Labyrinth – Amidst a civil war, armed with only her imagination, young Ofelia discovers a mysterious labyrinth and meets a faun who sets her on a path to saving herself and her ailing mother.

The Sound of Music * – We all know and love this one. But really can you get better than nuns in the Austrian alps singing their hearts out?

A Dangerous Method – Based on a true story,  the driven Dr. Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) takes the unbalanced yet beautiful Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightly) as his patient. Jung's weapon is the method of his master, the renowned Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen). Both men fall under Sabina's spell.

Amadeus – Mozart is a big deal, so it's no surprise they made a movie about him and the urban legend this movie follows his downfall orchestrated by his nemesis Antonin Salieri.

Before Sunrise – This is a beautifully written and composed film that will leave you wanting more. It's set in Vienna and is just such a delight. There are two more after this, Before Midnight, set in Paris and Before Midnight which is set in Greece.

Life is Beautiful * – A comedic yet touching story set during the Holocaust. So moving and really just an incredible film.

Under the Tuscan Sun * – Diane Lane travels to Tuscany and falls in love with the town. She buys a run down villa and decides to stay. This story hits close to home for me!

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – set in Venice this follows the story of beloved Indiana Jones as he follows in his father's footsteps to stop the Nazis. Very action packed and lovely scenery of beautiful Venice.

To Rome With Love – With an awesome cast of actors, this movie is about a father meeting his daughter's Italian in-laws all set in Rome.

Eat Pray Love – Julia Roberts plays a married woman who realizes how unhappy her marriage and life and decides to lose herself in travel. She takes off on a journey to find herself and travels to Italy, India, and Bali.

Letters to Juliet – This rom-com is the somewhat predictable story of Amanda Seyfried, Sophie, an aspiring writer engaged to a man that doesn't love her, and falls for another on their trip to Italy.

Gladiator – An enslaved Roman general (Russell Crowe) fights his way back to freedom in Ridley Scott's Oscar winner.

The Godfather * – Italian mobs, Marlon Brando AND Al Pacino? Yes. Francis Ford Coppola's famous film and its two sequels portray the multi-generational saga of a Sicilian family at the center of organized crime.

The Italian Job – Comic caper movie about a plan to steal a gold shipment from the streets of Turin by creating a traffic jam. There are two versions of this film, the newer version is actually set in LA.

Roman Holiday * – Audrey Hepburn plays a princess who escapes her royal minders, falls for an American newspaperman (Gregory Peck), and discovers Rome on the back of his scooter.

My Life in Ruins – A travel guide rediscovers her romantic side on a trip around Greece.

Troy – The classic tale with a good looking Brad Pitt set in Ancient Greece.

300 – Based on a graphic novel, this is a highly fictional and stylized account of the Battle of Thermopylae.

Mamma Mia! * – This play turned movies is one of my faves of all time. A romantic comedy set to ALL Abba songs on the Greek Islands.

In Bruges – Colin Farrel and Ralph Finnes star in this outrageous and over the top action film, located… in Bruges.

The Monuments Men – In the midst of WWII a small group of art experts are commissioned by Roosevelt as soldiers and sent to the European theater to protect historically important buildings and monuments, and to locate vast troves of priceless art looted by the Nazis.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – A man who works developing photos for Life magazine gets the chance to go out and have his own adventure when his job is threatened and he is sent on a mission.

In The Land of Blood and Honey – A Muslim woman and a Serb policeman find themselves trapped in a complex relationship during the Bosnian War.

United Kingdom

James Bond – All of the James Bond movies are set in England. Shaken not stirred.

The Holiday – Two women troubled with guy-problems swap homes in each others countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love.

Sense and Sensibility , Emma , Pride and Prejudice * – I love Jane Austen SO much. I can't get enough. All of these movies (and books) are delightful. Pride and Prejudice (the Kiera Knightly/ Colin Firth version) is my fave!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang   – Eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts creates an extraordinary car. It not only drives but flies and floats as it leads him, his two children and his lady friend, Truly Scrumptious, into a magical world of pirates, castles and endless adventure.

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery – Mike Myers stars in this ridiculous send-up of mid-century English culture, the first film in a three-part series.

Bend It Like Beckham – A teenage girl of Punjabi descent plays soccer against her traditional parents' wishes in this comedy-drama.

Billy Elliot – A young boy pursues his dream to dance ballet amid a coal miners' strike in working-class northern England.

Elizabeth – Cate Blanchett portrays Queen Elizabeth I as she learns the royal ropes during the early years of her reign.

The Imitation Game *- Cryptanalyst Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) is recruited by British intelligence agency MI6 to help crack the Nazis' Enigma code during World War II. One of the most powerful true stories that you won't believe is real.

Sweeney Todd –  Johnny Depp stars as a wrongfully imprisoned barber who seeks revenge in this gritty Victorian-era musical.

Like Paris, London also gets its own categories.

Shakespeare in Love – A young Shakespeare, out of ideas and short of cash, meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays.

A Hard Day's Night – The Beatles star in their debut film, a comedy depicting several days in the life of the band.

Sherlock Holmes – Robert Downey Jr. tackles the role of the world's most famous detective.

Alfie – Set in 1960s London, a womanizer (Michael Caine) eventually must face up to his boorish behavior (also a 2004 remake with Jude Law).

The King's Speech* – Colin Firth stars as the stuttering King George VI on the eve of World War II.

My Fair Lady *- Audrey Hepburn stars as a poor, Cockney flower seller who is transformed into a lady of high society by an arrogant professor.

Notting Hill * – Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts star in this romantic comedy set in the London neighborhood of…you guessed it. It's a musical. It's magical.

Bridget Jones's Diary * – Bridget Jones is trying to find a man and also fit in a dress. Every woman can relate to this diary-esque romantic comedy.

Love Actually * – An incredible cast of characters who's love lives seem to intersect. So good.

Leap Year – Amy Adams plays Anna Brady who plans to travel to Dublin, Ireland to propose marriage to her boyfriend Jeremy on Leap Day, because, according to Irish tradition, a man who receives a marriage proposal on a leap day must accept it.

P.S. I Love You – Cue the tears. A young widow discovers that her late husband has left her 10 messages intended to help ease her pain and start a new life.

Far and Away – Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman star as penniless Irish immigrants seeking their fortune in late 19th century America.

The Netherlands

The Diary of Anne Frank – A moving version of Anne's story.

Girl with a Pearl Earring – A fictionalized Vermeer paints — and falls in love with — his servant in Delft.

Ocean's Twelve – Heist sequel to Ocean's Eleven, with scenes set in Amsterdam's Jordaan neighborhood.

Trainspotting – While this movie is centered around drug use, it's still really interesting and you get to see the beautiful, lush, green countryside of Edinburgh.

Braveheart – Mel Gibson stars in this adventure about the Scots overthrowing English rule in the 13th century.

General European Travel Movies:

National Lampoon's European Vacation  – I love the Griswolds. I think Chevy Chase is hilarious and will watch all of the National Lampoon movies. This one is no different. It follows the same formula of slapstick family comedy taking a trip with your family, this one, set in Europe.

Euro Trip – I have to admit I've never seen this all the way through, but I know it's very crass and over the top, but still a fun movie talking about people taking a trip to Europe.

Anything with a * is one of my favorites.

Save this post for later! Pin it so you won't forget it!

I know, this list is extensive, and yes, it took me a long time to put together, but I didn't want to miss anything! But I'm SURE I did.

Did I miss any? Leave your favorites in the comments below.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Helene Sula

I believe that one trip can change your life. It did for me. I'm a self proclaimed home body that quit her job, moved abroad, and more often than not, lives out of a carry-on bag. If I'm not traveling, I'm most likely re-reading Harry Potter or watching "Midnight in Paris" while snuggling my dogs. I'm a digital marketing expert who turned my love of travel into a full-time career. And I help others do it too.

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34 Movies That Will Make You Want to Get Off the Couch and See the World

From "The Holiday" to "Romancing the Stone" to "Eat Pray Love," these travel movies will inspire some serious wanderlust.

There's nothing like an epic on-screen adventure to get you acquainted with some place new and dreaming up an enviable vacation itinerary. For me (and basically all my childhood friends), this first happened following a viewing of Disney's "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" back in 2003, when Hilary Duff's character traveled to Rome to live out every teen's parent-free European fantasy. Though I've graduated to more mature travel movies over the last 18 years, one thing hasn't changed: films with gorgeous backdrops give me an unruly case of wanderlust.

From classics like "Around the World in 80 Days" and "Roman Holiday" to modern masterpieces such as "Wild" and "Crazy Rich Asians," travel films tend to ignite a longing for freedom and excitement. Maybe it's the sight of beaches on your screen triggering a phenomenon known as Blue Mind , or maybe watching a couple of pals take to the open road for a life changing road trip just makes you want to feel unconfined. Whatever it is, sometimes a travel film is all you need to provoke that feeling. That's why we've rounded up, in no particular order, 34 of the best travel movies that inspire wanderlust. Maybe they'll be cause for a change of scenery — or maybe they'll incite the adventure of a lifetime.

'Thelma & Louise' (1991)

Widely regarded as one of the best road trip movies of all time, this buddy film follows best friends Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) as they drive through the American Southwest after Louise kills a man in Arkansas.

'The Holiday' (2006)

A Hollywood movie trailer producer (Cameron Diaz) and a London reporter (Kate Winslet) decide to switch homes for a few weeks after finding out their respective boyfriends have been cheating on them. The results offer enough glamor shots of Los Angeles and cozy footage of England's countryside to make you want to pack up and head to either city immediately.

'Crazy Rich Asians' (2018)

Though this movie revolves around the conflict between New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) and her boyfriend's wealthy family, "Crazy Rich Asians" could pass as a tourism film for Singapore . If the Southeast Asian country wasn't on your bucket list before, this film's dazzling shots of Singapore, specifically the acclaimed Marina Bay Sands Hotel , may convince you.

'Wild' (2014)

Based on a true story, "Wild" sees Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) hike more than a thousand miles from California to Washington on the Pacific Crest Trail following her divorce and the death of her mother. On her journey, Cheryl treks through the Mojave Desert , the Sierra Nevada, and Mount Hood National Forest while reflecting on her life.

'Eat Pray Love' (2010)

After her divorce, Elizabeth (Julia Roberts) sets off to explore the world with hopes of finding herself in the process. Elizabeth's inspiring and uplifting journey takes her — and viewers — to Italy , India , and Indonesia where she discovers the pleasure of nourishment, prayer, and romance.

'La La Land' (2016)

Admittedly, this musical doesn't feature much traveling (save for a brief road trip to Mia's hometown in Nevada), but the dreamy, oversaturated shots of Los Angeles in nearly every scene are enough to make anyone want to book a flight to the City of Angels.

'Before Sunrise' (1995)

Two strangers meet aboard a train from Budapest. Jesse (Ethan Hawke) is hoping to catch a flight home to the United States while Céline (Julie Delpy) is en route to Paris . Instead of sticking to their plans, the two disembark in Vienna and spend the entire night exploring the city and falling in love. A viewing of this movie will leave you longing for an epic adventure in the picturesque Austrian capital .

'National Lampoon’s Vacation' (1983)

National Lampoon 's classic comedy series is now six films strong, but it was 1983's "Vacation" that started it all. Unlike the franchise's most famous film, "Christmas Vacation," the original movie sees the Griswolds actually hit the road for a trip to Walley World, an amusement park several states away. After you watch Chevy Chase's hilarious hijinks unfold in this film, let sequels "European Vacation" and "Vegas Vacation" inspire further travels.

'The Darjeeling Limited' (2007)

After the death of their father, three estranged brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman) decide to hop aboard a train in India called The Darjeeling Limited to reconnect and experience spiritual self-discovery. Viewers catch glimpses of the Indian countryside, Hindu temples, and eventually the Himalayas — but not without a few jokes along the way.

'Up' (2009)

Arguably the most heart-wrenching animated film of all time, "Up" earns a spot on our list thanks to adorably grumpy widower Carl Fredricksen's determination to fulfill his own wanderlust. With the help of thousands of balloons and a young sidekick named Russell, Carl and his house soar across the world on an incredible journey that culminates at Paradise Falls (based on Angel Falls in Venezuela).

'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)

"Raiders" kicks off the iconic Indiana Jones series with a quest to find the fabled Ark of the Covenant. On his journey, Indy (Harrison Ford) makes stops in Nepal , Egypt , and the Aegean Sea , and, of course, famously runs from a giant rolling boulder in a temple in Peru . Follow up this film with its sequels, "Temple of Doom" (1984), "Last Crusade" (1989), and "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (2008), to see Indy travel to Jordan , the Amazon jungle, and beyond.

'Mamma Mia!' (2008)

Few movies offer the kind of gorgeously colorful beach imagery "Mamma Mia!" and its 2018 sequel, "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" provide. If you haven't seen the films, you likely know them as "the movies with all the ABBA songs." But if you have seen them, you know they're actually about three men who travel to the impossibly beautiful, albeit fictional, Greek island of Kalokairi, each believing they're the father of a young bride-to-be.

'Nomadland' (2020)

After losing her job in the town of Empire, Nevada, Fern (Frances McDormand) decides to sell her belongings, buy a van, and drive across the country working odd jobs. Fern travels through deserts, small towns, and nomad communes where she works, makes new friends, and learns about life. If you've ever fantasized about dropping everything and taking to the open road, "Nomadland" will probably either convince or deter you.

'Romancing the Stone' (1984)

When New York City-based romance novelist Joan Wilder's sister is kidnapped in Cartagena , Joan (Kathleen Turner) ends up on a rescue-mission-turned-treasure-hunt with adventure-seeking Jack T. Colton (Michael Douglas). Don't be surprised if a viewing of this movie makes you want to trade in your annual beach vacation for a wild ride through the Colombian jungle .

'Paris, Je T’aime' (2006)

Paris, Je T'aime is different from the other films on this list in that it's not one film — it's 18 short films that all feature Paris as a central theme. Because the project is made up of 18 different stories in 18 different arrondissements around the city, viewers get a true, unfiltered sense of Paris, and may even find themselves inspired to visit lesser-known locales in the City of Light.

'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' (1994)

If you've ever longed to take a laughter-fueled road trip with your best friends, this film is worth a watch. In the flick, pals Tick (Hugo Weaving), Adam (Guy Pearce), and Bernadette (Terence Stamp) head out on a cross-country road trip through the Australian outback to perform their successful drag act in a new town. The trio takes up residence in an oversized tour bus called Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in this fun, ahead-of-its-time dramedy.

'RV' (2006)

While plenty of road trip movies have been made over the years, "RV" might be the only one that takes place in, well, an RV . Though the main characters in this movie face more bad luck than fun, family bonding, the film does feature generous desert , mountain , and wilderness scenery, as well as an all-star cast (Robin Williams, Kristin Chenoweth, Cheryl Hines, and Josh Hutcherson are just a few that appear).

'Point Break' (2015)

Yes, we're talking about the "Point Break" remake rather than the original film from 1991, but hear us out: the imagery in this movie inspires some serious wanderlust. The story takes viewers to several of the wildest places on Earth (Mexico's Cave of Swallows, Venezuela's Angel Falls, etc.) and though the plot is slightly different from the original (think eco-terrorism rather than bank robberies), it is quiet possibly the most visually stimulating travel movie ever made.

'Girls Trip' (2017)

When was the last time you took a trip with just your core group of girlfriends? A quick watch of this comedy will have you planning your next gal pal getaway faster than you can say "PTO." In the film, a group of friends (Queen Latifah, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, and Jada Pinkett Smith) head to New Orleans , but you'll be ready to travel anywhere with your best buds after watching "Girls Trip" — even if it's just to the next town over.

'The Way' (2010)

After his son is killed walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route to Galicia, Spain, Tom Avery (Martin Sheen) sets out on the trail himself to retrieve his son's body. Along the way, Tom meets several other travelers who are walking the trail in hopes of changing their own lives for one reason or another. This inspiring film may just persuade you to make the famed pilgrimage yourself, or to book a similarly reflective trip.

'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' (2005)

If you were a teen or pre-teen in 2005, you have likely seen this movie and its 2008 sequel, and can attest that both inspire major wanderlust. The first film follows best friends Carmen, Lena, Bridget, and Tibby (who share a magical pair of jeans that fits them all perfectly) as they spend a summer in different parts of the world. Lena (Alexis Bledel) travels to Santorini, Greece , which makes for some seriously dreamy backdrops. In the sequel, the whole gang heads to Greece, but not before Bridget (Blake Lively) spends some time in Turkey .

'Up in the Air' (2009)

This George Clooney-led comedy-drama makes business travel and airports look glamorous — hospitable, even. Boasting just as many cityscape shots as it does plane scenes, "Up in the Air" will have you longing to be in the skies, jet setting off to some place new. Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga also star in this critically-acclaimed film about a man who lives out of a suitcase.

'Around the World in 80 Days' (1956)

If this classic adventure film doesn't inspire daydreams of traveling somewhere new, we're not sure what will. In 1872, Englishman Phileas Fogg makes a bet with several members of his gentleman's club that he can travel around the globe in just 80 days. On his journey, he and sidekick Jean Passepartout bring viewers along as they travel by gas balloon to France , Spain , Italy , India, Hong Kong , the United States , and more.

'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York' (1992)

The Home Alone movies usually fall under the comedy or holiday categories, but if you think about it, the second installment in the series is totally a travel movie. The film does a fantastic job of showing off the glamorous side of New York City , the place young Kevin McCallister accidentally ends up while the rest of his family vacations in Florida. From shots of the Rockefeller Christmas tree to the Manhattan skyline , this film is sure to inspire a trip to the Big Apple.

'Under the Tuscan Sun' (2003)

You won't find shots of northern Italy as serene as the ones in this feel-good film about independence, love, and friendship. After losing everything in her divorce, American writer Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) suddenly finds herself beginning a new life in the small Tuscan town of Cortona. And if you're anything like us, Googling "Tuscan villas for sale" will become a regular part of your life after watching this film.

'Angels & Demons' (2009)

Though "Angels & Demons" is classified as a thriller, it'll definitely make you want to head to Rome and dig up some history, both figuratively and literally. Based on the Dan Brown novel of the same name, the story follows Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) as he discovers secrets of the Vatican and faces off against the supposed Illuminati. If you're a fan, check out other Dan Brown adventure travel films, "The Da Vinci Code" (2006) and "Inferno" (2016).

'Easy Rider' (1969)

Our list features travel by plane, train , RV, and even hot air balloon , but "Easy Rider" is the only movie that follows a journey via motorcycle. In the film, drug smugglers Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) ride from Los Angeles to New Orleans in hopes of reveling at Mardi Gras to celebrate their latest score. On their journey, they stop in several small towns, make a few friends, and unsuccessfully try to evade trouble.

'Out of Africa' (1985)

If Africa doesn't currently have a spot on your bucket list, this film might make you rethink that. Meryl Streep and Robert Redford star in this true story about Karen Blixen, a Danish woman who moves to Nairobi with her new husband, and builds a life there despite their many marital issues. "Out of Africa" features sweeping panoramic shots of Nairobi in nearly every scene, leaving it no wonder the drama won seven Academy Awards, including one for Best Cinematography.

'Johnson Family Vacation' (2004)

This family comedy starring Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa Williams, and Solange Knowles follows the mildly dysfunctional Johnsons as they road trip to their family reunion in Missouri. On the drive, the family hilariously encounters just about every road trip cliché, from picking up a problematic hitchhiker to running out of gas, before making it to the reunion and performing a musical number to nab the coveted Family of the Year trophy.

'Midnight in Paris' (2011)

Set in present-day Paris , this Oscar-winning film is typically a favorite among art and literature lovers. At midnight each night, screenwriter Gil (Owen Wilson) is transported back in time through different eras of Paris, where he befriends Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Pablo Picasso, and even strikes up a romance with a 1920s woman named Adriana. The film offers plenty of inspiration for a culturally rich trip to France.

'The Parent Trap' (1998)

"The Parent Trap" is another film that may not immediately stand out as a travel flick, but once you take into account the film's many settings ( London , San Francisco, Napa Valley , and the northeastern U.S.), it's easy to see that this family classic has been a travel film all along. Plus, the main characters spend lots of time on planes, boats, and camping trips throughout the movie.

'The Talented Mr. Ripley' (1999)

Carefully spliced between disturbing revelations and suspenseful plot twists are luxurious shots of Italian beaches in this Matt Damon-led film. When Tom Ripley (Damon) is paid to travel to Italy and bring Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) back to the States by Dickie's father, Tom ends up befriending — and later becoming obsessed with — Dickie. Despite the plot quickly darkening, viewers are treated to bright, colorful scenes in Rome and glamorous seaside villages .

'Roman Holiday' (1953)

Romance? Check. Stunning visuals of Rome ? Check. Audrey Hepburn? Check. This classic travel comedy lands at the top of many movie buffs' all-time favorite lists, and for good reason. Bored with her mundane life as a European princess while on a trip to Rome, Ann (Hepburn) ditches her duties and hits the town with journalist Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck). The two take viewers on a tour of the Eternal City and fall in love in the process.

'Pee-wee’s Big Adventure' (1985)

Before you roll your eyes, take a moment to acknowledge that this film essentially sends happy-go-lucky Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens) on the great American road trip in search of his stolen bicycle. In this comedy for adults and children alike, Pee-wee stops at the Alamo, the Cabazon Dinosaur park in California , and Hollywood . Traveling by car, truck, and train, Pee-wee befriends a biker gang, competes in a rodeo, and of course, famously dances to "Tequila" before his journey is through.

Hillary Maglin is a digital editor who splits most of her time between New York City and Pittsburgh. You can find her on Instagram @hillarymaglin , where her DMs are always open to discuss travel gear, wine bars, and Taylor Swift's latest record.

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55 Movies Set in Europe to Watch Before You Travel

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There are countless movies filmed in Europe, but this list encapsulates wanderlust for the countries across the pond. Movies set in Europe that paint a picture of the cities and towns across a magnificent continent. Films that make you want to buy a plane ticket and fly across the Atlantic! Alright, I’ll stop yabbering on about movies set in European cities!

I leave for Europe in two short weeks, so I hope this list inspires you as much as it does me! I’ve pulled these film descriptions from IMDB . A note: I could have added some beloved films like Mary Poppins; however, it was filmed on a sound stage in Los Angeles. I stuck to movies filmed in Europe instead of replicated elsewhere. I also only listed movies that had characters traveling in Europe. Else I’d be listing every movie made it Europe!

Movies Set in Austria

Austria, a German-speaking country located in Central Europe, is characterized by mountain villages, baroque architecture, Imperial Hofburg history , and Alpine terrain. Having now been to Vienna, its Danube River capital, which plays host to several beautiful palaces and Salzburg, home to Mozart and fantastic views of the Alps, I can say yes, the hills are really alive with music! It is an excellent place to film movies that take place in Europe!

The Sound of Music (1965)

A woman leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the children of a Naval officer widower.

Head to Salzburg, and there are tours built around this the Sound of Music ! It’s been one of my favorite movies set in Europe since childhood.

Movies Set in Belgium

Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a Western European country. Bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and France. Though I haven’t been there, I look forward to it one day!

In Bruges (2008)

Guilt-stricken after a job gone wrong, hitman Ray and his partner await orders from their ruthless boss in Bruges, Belgium, the last place in the world Ray wants to be.

Movies Set in the Czech Republic

Another place I’ve yet to travel to! Though if you can guarantee one Matthew Goode, I’m sure I can find a plane ticket in the next two minutes! The Czech Republic includes the historical territories of Bohemia, Moravia, and Czech Silesia.

Chasing Liberty (2004)

Anna wants to be like other eighteen-year-old girls her age. But she’s the President of the United States’s daughter and always guarded. In Prague, he breaks a promise to her, which leads her to run away with a stranger to see Europe.

If you haven’t already guessed, Chasing Liberty is a favorite of mine. It’s a must on my list not only because I’m nostalgic for it but also because it covers several beautiful locations and is a classic European road trip movie!

Rated: PG-13

Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019)

Following the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019), Spider-Man must step up to take on new threats in a world that has changed forever.

Filming also occurred in England, Italy, and New York.

Last Holiday (2006)

Upon learning of a terminal illness, a shy woman decides to sell off all her possessions and live it up at a posh European hotel.

Movies Set in Denmark

Denmark is a Scandinavian country consisting of the Jutland Peninsula and numerous islands. Copenhagen, the capital, is home to royal palaces and the colorful Nyhavn harbor. It is also home to the Tivoli amusement park, which inspired Walt Disney, and the iconic “Little Mermaid” statue. The writer Hans Christian Andersen’s hometown is also in Denmark. Denmark is another one to add to the bucket list, as it’s a fantastic place for movies in Europe!

Copenhagen (2014)

While trying to track down his grandfather in Denmark, a surly Canadian strikes up a friendship with a teenage waitress who agrees to serve as his translator and guide.

Rated: Not Rated

Movies Set in England

England, the birthplace of Shakespeare and Stonehenge , is a country in the British Isles bordering Scotland and Wales. The capital, London, is the home of Parliament, Big Ben, and the 11th-century Tower of London . It features other large cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Bristol, as well as the university centers of Oxford and Cambridge.

The Parent Trap (1998)

Identical twins Annie and Hallie, separated at birth and each raised by one of their biological parents, later discover each other for the first time at summer camp and make a plan to bring their wayward parents back together.

While this occurs in the USA and England, it’s a great travel movie!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001 + the sequels, but I won’t count those)

An orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world.

Notting Hill (1999)

The life of a simple bookshop owner changes when he meets the most famous film star in the world.

Oh, you’re wonderful, Julia Roberts, in every film I see you in!

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Sparks fly when spirited Elizabeth Bennet meets single, rich, and proud Mr. Darcy. But Mr. Darcy reluctantly finds himself falling in love with a woman beneath his class. Can each overcome his or her own pride and prejudice?

How can I not add at least one Jane Austen to my list of movies that take place in Europe list?

The Holiday (2006)

Two women troubled with guy-problems swap homes in each other’s countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love.

Paddington (2014)

A young Peruvian bear travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he meets the kindly Brown family, who offer him a temporary haven.

Paddington 2 (2017)

Paddington (Ben Whishaw), now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy’s (Imelda Staunton’s) 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.

National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985)

The Griswolds win a vacation tour across Europe, where the usual havoc ensues.

If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969)

A tour guide is taking a busload of American tourists across Europe. The group of travelers includes a World War II veteran, a wife, and her cynical husband, young lovers, an Italian-American meeting his relatives for the  first time, and Samantha Perkins, the beautiful but old-fashioned department store buyer traveling on her own.  (The film also covers  Belgium, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands)

Best Movies Set in France

There is a LOAD of movies set in France! With its medieval cities, alpine villages, and Mediterranean beaches, what’s not to love? Paris, its capital, houses art museums, including the Louvre, monuments like the Eiffel Tower , and royal palaces like Versailles . Renowned for its wines, Parisian cuisine, and chateaus alike!

Monte Carlo (2011)

Three young women vacationing in Paris find themselves whisked away to Monte Carlo after one of the girls is mistaken for a British heiress.

This is one of my guilty pleasure movies. It reminds me of all the slightly cheesy Mary Kate and Ashley adventure movies I used to watch growing up, but this time, it stars Selena Gomez and Leighton Meester. Making it a European road trip movie you need to watch ASAP!

Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

The Brothers Grimm arrive at the home of a wealthy Grande Dame who speaks of the many legends surrounding the fable of the cinder girl before telling the “true” story of her ancestor.

Chocolat (2000)

A woman and her daughter open a chocolate shop in a small French village that shakes up the rigid morality of the community.

Funny Face (1957)

An impromptu fashion shoot at a book store brings about a new fashion model discovery in the shop clerk.

A Good Year (2006)

A British investment broker inherits his uncle’s chateau and vineyard in Provence, where he spent much of his childhood. He discovers a new laid-back lifestyle as he tries to renovate the estate to be sold.

Julie & Julia (2009)

Julia Child’s story of her start in the cooking profession is intertwined with blogger Julie Powell’s 2002 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child’s first book.

Ratatouille (2007)

A rat who can cook makes an unusual alliance with a young kitchen worker at a famous restaurant.

Though an animation, it’s a lovely and family-friendly movie set in Europe!

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

A murder inside the Louvre, and clues in Da Vinci paintings, lead to the discovery of a religious mystery protected by a secret society for two thousand years, which could shake the foundations of Christianity.

The Da Vinci Code movie is one I can watch again and again, and I still love its fast-paced thriller narrative!

French Kiss (1995)

A woman flies to France to confront her straying fiancé but gets into trouble when the charming crook seated next to her uses her for smuggling.

Midnight in Paris (2011)

While on a trip to Paris with his fiancée’s family, a nostalgic screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s every day at midnight.

It’s so steeped in classic Parisian life that it’s one of the best movies set in France, in my opinion!

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

Two con men try to settle their rivalry by betting on who can swindle a young American heiress out of fifty thousand dollars first.

I didn’t know about this film until recently, and it has become one of my favorite movies set in Europe! They recently had a remake of it called The Hustle , but I wasn’t much of a fan, so make sure to watch the original.

Movies Set in Germany

Germany is a Western European country with a landscape of forests, rivers, mountain ranges, and North Sea beaches. Berlin, its capital, is home to art and nightlife, the Brandenburg Gate, and many WWII-related sites. Munich is known for its Oktoberfest and beer halls, including the 16th-century Hofbräuhaus . Frankfurt, with its skyscrapers, houses the European Central Bank.

The Monuments Men (2014)

An unlikely World War II platoon is tasked to rescue art masterpieces from German thieves and return them to their owners.

Some scenes, including flights and American war base footage, were filmed at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, England, as well as in Kent and East Sussex.

Movies Set in Greece

Greece is a country composed of thousands of islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas. Influential in ancient times, it is often called the cradle of Western civilization. Its capital, Athens, retains incredible landmarks like the Acropolis Citadel and the Parthenon Temple. Picturesque beaches, such as the black sands of Santorini, offer colorful places to relax to visitors.

My Life in Ruins (2009)

A travel guide rediscovers her romantic side on a trip around Greece.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)

Four best girlfriends hatch a plan to stay connected with one another as their lives start off in different directions: they pass around a pair of secondhand jeans that fits each of their bodies perfectly.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)

Following freshman year at college, best friends find it increasingly difficult to stay in to uch. As their lives take different paths, it may take more than a shared pair of well-worn blue jeans to keep their bonds from completely unraveling.

I love both of these films so much. They are some of the best movies set in Greece, and they are the perfect coming-of-age stories for girls and young women!

Mamma Mia! (2008)

The story of a bride-to-be trying to find her birth father told using hit songs by the popular 1970s group ABBA.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)

Five years after the events of Mamma Mia! Sophie prepares for the grand reopening of the Hotel Bella Donna as she learns more about her mother’s past.

Mamma Mia! and its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again  are two of my favorite movies set in Greece!

Movies Set in Ireland

Ireland, an island in the North Atlantic, is the second-largest island of the British Isles, the third-largest in Europe, and the twentieth-largest on Earth. While it may not be as big as some of the other countries on this list, it is no less important. It is full of lush green fields and awe-inspiring sights such as the Cliffs of Mohr . Grab a  Guinness  and tour some castles! You’ll be hard-pressed not to love the Emerald Isle and these movies set in Ireland!

Leap Year (2010)

Anna Brady plans to travel to Dublin, Ireland to propose marriage to her boyfriend Jeremy on Leap Day, because, according to Irish tradition, a man who receives a marriage proposal on a leap day must accept it.

Matthew Goode AGAIN!?!? Clearly, there’s a correlation here on my movies set in European cities list!

P.S. I Love You (2007)

A young widow discovers that her late husband has left her ten messages intended to help ease her pain and start a new life.

Irish Wish (2024)

When the love of Maddie’s life gets engaged to her best friend, she puts her feelings aside to be a bridesmaid at their wedding in Ireland.

Available on Netflix

Rated: TV-G

Best Movies Set in Italy

Italy, located along the Mediterranean coastline, has been the seat of incredible empires. Its capital, Rome, is home to the Vatican and landmark art and ancient ruins like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum . Other major cities include Florence, Venice, the city of canals , and Milan, Italy’s fashion capital. It’s hard not to see why there are so many movies set in Italy!

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

When Dr. Henry Jones Sr. suddenly goes missing while pursuing the Holy Grail, eminent archaeologist Indiana Jones must follow in his father’s footsteps and stop the Nazis.

Eat Pray Love (2010)

A married woman realizes how unhappy her marriage really is, and that her life needs to go in a different direction. After a painful divorce, she takes off on a round-the-world journey to “find herself.”

It is the quintessential movie set in Europe.

Letters to Juliet (2010)

Sophie dreams of becoming a writer and travels to Verona, Italy where she meets the “Secretaries of Juliet.”

I’ve dreamed of traveling to Verona, and if you have to, check out these amazing things to do in Verona, Italy .

The Italian Job (2003)

After being betrayed and left for dead in Italy, Charlie Croker and his team plan an elaborate gold heist against their former ally.

When in Rome (2010)

Beth is a young, ambitious New Yorker who is completely unlucky in love. However, on a whirlwind trip to Rome , she impulsively steals some coins from a reputed fountain of love and is then aggressively pursued by a band of suitors.

Ocean’s Twelve (2004)

Daniel Ocean recruits one more team member so he can pull off three major European heists in this sequel to Ocean’s Eleven (2001).

The film was also shot in the United States, The Netherlands, France, Monaco, and Sicily.

Gladiator (2000)

A former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.

Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

A writer impulsively buys a villa in Tuscany in order to change her life.

The Tourist (2010)

Frank, an American tourist visiting Italy to mend a broken heart. Elise is an extraordinary woman who deliberately crosses his path.

To Rome with Love (2012)

The lives of some visitors and residents of Rome and the romances, adventures, and predicaments they get into.

Summertime (1955)

A lonely American woman unexpectedly finds romance in Venice, Italy.

I haven’t heard many people mention this film so I highly recommend it on this movies set in European cities list!

Roman Holiday (1953)

A bored and sheltered princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome. A classic when it comes to movies set in Europe.

It’s one of my favorite classic movies set in Europe! And clearly another theme here with Audrey Hepburn.

Angels and Demons (2009)

Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon works with a nuclear physicist to solve a murder and prevent a terrorist act against the Vatican during one of the significant events within the church.

Inferno (2016)

When Robert Langdon wakes up in an Italian hospital with amnesia, he teams up with Dr. Sienna Brooks and they race across Europe together against the clock to foil a deadly global plot.

Murder Mystery (2019)

A New York cop and his wife go on a European vacation to reinvigorate the spark in their marriage, but end up getting framed and on the run for the death of an elderly billionaire.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

In late 1950s New York, Tom Ripley, a young underachiever, is sent to Italy to retrieve a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy, named Dickie Greenleaf.

It’s one of the creepier movies that take place in Europe!

Movies Set in the Netherlands

The Netherlands, a country in northwestern Europe, is known for its landscape of canals, tulip fields, windmills, and cycling routes. Amsterdam, the capital, is home to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and the house where Jewish diarist Anne Frank hid during WWII. Canalside mansions and a trove of works from artists including Rembrandt and Vermeer remain from the city’s 17th-century “Golden Age.”

The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)

Best friends Audrey and Morgan unwittingly become entangled in an international conspiracy when one of them discovers that the boyfriend who dumped her was actually a spy.

The Spy Who Dumped Me is one of my favorite girl’s trip movies! The pairing of Kate McKinnon and Mila Kunis was genius, as they have incredible friendship chemistry! It’s a must on my list of movies set in European cities!

The movie was also filmed in Budapest, Hungary.

Queen (2013)

A Delhi girl from a traditional family sets out on a solo honeymoon after her marriage gets canceled.

The film was also shot in Paris and Delhi. It’s one of my favorite movies about a woman traveling solo and thriving!

Rated: Not rated

Movies Set in Spain

Spain, a country on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, is full of fantastic food and music. The capital city, Madrid, is home to the Royal Palace and museums, which house works by European masters. Catalonia’s capital, Barcelona, is defined by Antoni Gaudí’s whimsical modernist landmarks, such as the Sagrada Família church.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Two girlfriends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture.

I’m looking forward to my trip so I can check out Barcelona! It’s one of my favorites on this list of movies filmed in Europe!

Knight and Day (2010)

A young woman gets mixed up with a disgraced spy who is trying to clear his name.

Movies Set in Europe

And that’s it! My list of 55 Movies set in Europe and movies filmed in Europe!

What’s your favorite Europe trip movie? Did I miss yours? Let me know in the comments below.

*Please note, at no additional cost to you, I may get a commission off links in this post. They help fund this blog.*

Want to remember this? Pin this 55 Movies Set in Europe to Watch Before You Travel  article to your favorite Pinterest board!

Michelle is a nerdy wanderluster with a love of history. A thirty-something occasional female solo traveler who you’ll find road-tripping across the United States or hostel-hopping in Europe. Currently residing in Southern California with a day job in marketing.

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Lovely list. One detail missing: “Under the Tuscan Sun” was set in Cortona and Positano, not France.

Oops! Good catch, updated!

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The 50 Best Travel Films of All Time

By CNT Editors

It's arguable that, more than any other piece of pop-culture ephemera, movies have the power to transport—to sweep you away on a European adventure ( Before Sunrise ), cross an African desert ( Out of Africa ), even send you to the never-before-seen Paradise Falls ( Up ). These 50 films are especially captivating, with well-told stories that evoke the magic (or harsh reality) of travel, and beautiful scenery that overwhelms the senses. Read on for the favorite travel movies of editors past and present—and get your Netflix queue ready.

This gallery was originally published in 2015 and has been updated.

Roman Holiday (1953)

What’s not to love about this black-and-white classic? It’s got Audrey Hepburn, it’s got Gregory Peck, it’s set in Rome ; there’s a quirky, comical love story. Hepburn plays a princess in town for a goodwill tour, Peck a journalist for an American news bureau who misses his big interview with HRH. When he helps a young, seemingly drunk woman one night and lets her sleep it off in his apartment, he realizes he may have the scoop of his career as the next day’s news reports say the princess has canceled her engagements due to illness. And then he pieces the two together. What follows is a grand romp, with Peck playing the regular joe and local guide to the princess, who just wants to shed the royal obligations and enjoy a little freedom for a change. Their tour of Rome proves the perfect catalyst for their budding romance, and it’s impossible not to have the same effect on the audience. –Corina Quinn

To Catch a Thief (1955)

Cary Grant as a cat burglar, Grace Kelly as a rich debutante, falling in love under the guidance of Alfred Hitchcock? Sold. This stunning thriller was filmed in Cannes and Nice and perfectly captures the Golden Age of travel we always wax poetic about, that time when bringing a gold lamé gown to the beach was a no-brainer. – Meredith Carey

Doctor Zhivago (1965)

Russia during the Soviet Revolution doesn't exactly sound like a prime tourist destination, but director David Lean makes a big argument for the country's haunting beauty in this romantic epic (even thought it was actually shot in Spain). From the opulence of Imperial Moscow to the flowering countryside of the Urals to the windswept Siberian tundra, Lean's camera is as much as in love with the landscape as it is with Julie Christie's doe-eyed Lara. – Jenna Scherer

The Endless Summer (1966)

“Catch a wave and you’re sitting on top of the world,” sang the Beach Boys; and if ever a film embodied that mindset, it’s Bruce Brown’s 1966 surfer documentary. Brown shadowed buddies Robert August and Mike Hynson on a round-the-world surfing trip, filming their travels to places like Hawaii , New Zealand, and South Africa as they crested waves and met like-minded surf obsessives. The film’s impact on surf culture and tourism was huge, thanks in no small part to Brown’s cinematography, as well as the subjects’ ability to make riding those impossibly large waves seem effortless. – Amy Plitt

Alexandra Hall

CNT Editors

Jessica Puckett

Adrienne Jordan

Two For the Road (1967)

Travel is a constant theme in this romantic dramedy about a married couple, played by Albert Finney and Aubrey Hepburn. The movie starts off with a road trip to Saint-Tropez, and as they drive through France, the audience is treated to flashbacks of previous trips that have affected their relationship. - Jenni Miller

Easy Rider (1969)

Released the year of the Woodstock festival—perhaps the biggest event of the ’60s counterculture movement— Easy Rider couldn’t have come out at a better time in history. The film plays out like a motorcycle travelogue, following Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) on their sojourn from Mexico to Los Angeles to New Orleans . Shot on a shoestring budget, the film is flush with desert landscapes and towns that the pair of nogoodniks (and co-stars, like a young Jack Nicholson) pass through on their drug-and-booze-fueled hippie adventure. – Will Levith

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

While the 2017 remake of Murder on the Orient Express was pretty to look at , you simply can't beat the 1974 original. The mystery boasts an excellent ensemble cast led by Albert Finney as Agatha Christie's iconic Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. He’s minding his own business on the long-distance train when a fellow passenger is murdered in the middle of the night. Poirot agrees to investigate the murder, along with the train's first-class compartment full of characters, ranging from a Russian princess to a gorgeous young countess. Throw in the snowy Yugoslavian countryside, and train travel has never looked so glamorous. (Minus the murder, of course.) – J.M.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Raiders of the Lost Ark was a giant-sized collaboration between two of the world's biggest blockbuster directors at the time: Steven Spielberg ( Jaws ), who directed, and George Lucas ( Star Wars ), who executive produced. The film follows hunky explorer Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) as he circles the globe on a quest to track down the legendary Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis do. With filming locations in France and Tunisia (which stood in for Egypt ), Raiders is travel porn at its mega-blockbuster best. – W.L.

National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

Vacation was the world’s introduction to the Griswold family, led by accident-prone dad-in-chief Clark (Chevy Chase). The film spoofs the tried-and-true American tradition of the family road trip , taking the Griswold car through at least two real-life national parks—Death Valley and Grand Canyon—on their way to the fictional amusement park, Walley World. Add in an unforgettable cameo from Christie Brinkley and a hit theme song in “Holiday Road,” and you have a movie every vacationer should watch once in their lifetime. – W.L.

Romancing the Stone (1984)

The ’80s were the era of the action movie, but Romancing the Stone took that concept and blew it out, mixing in pinches of Indiana Jones and pulpy romance novel. Co-starring Reagan Era sex-symbols Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, the adventure begins when novelist Joan Wilder (Turner) travels to Colombia in search of her kidnapped sister. – W.L.

Out of Africa (1985)

Meryl Streep and Robert Redford star in this tragic love story about a married baroness who falls for a big-game hunter, based on the autobiographical novel by Isak Dinesen. Filmed on location in the U.K. and Kenya, including the Shaba National Game Reserve , Out of Africa feels about as epic as the doomed love affair between two very different people. – J.M.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Set around Thanksgiving, Planes uses the travel rush in the days leading up to the holiday as a more-than-worthy comedic vehicle. Steve Martin goofs as Neal Page, who faces a series of travel nightmares on his trip from New York City to Chicago in advance of Turkey Day. After his flight is canceled due to inclement weather, Page ends up sharing his trip home with salesman Del Griffith, played by the late, great John Candy. The actors' chemistry is hard to deny… especially when they’re sleeping in the same bed together on the road. –W.L.

Withnail & I (1987)

“We’ve gone on holiday by mistake!” Withnail’s (Richard E. Grant) desperate moan is the centerpiece of this British cult comedy, which sees two hard-drinking, unemployed actors escaping the horrors of their impoverished London flat with a trip to the countryside. Naturally, the countryside turns out to be even worse. But the desolate, windswept beauty of Cumbria, in Northern England, is the perfect setting for their self-created drama and melancholy. – J.S.

Thelma & Louise (1991)

Thelma & Louise reinvented the concept of the buddy movie by putting two women on the road, escaping good-for-nothing men and setting off on an adventure of their own making. For the first time, women were at the center of the picaresque. Ultimately, Thelma and Louise don't get their happy ending, but the best coda is knowing their movie paved the way for countless other women to hit the road on their own. – Lilit Marcus

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

Guy Pearce, Hugo Weaving, and Terence Stamp star as two drag performers and a transwoman who travel to Alice Springs, Australia , in a lavender-hued school bus they've named Priscilla. A road trip across the Outback serves as a dusty backdrop for personal revelations and general awesomeness, like a fireside lip-sync performance of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." – J.M.

Before Sunrise (1995)

Richard Linklater turned the stroll-and-talk into an art form in his slow-cinema trilogy. It all began with this quiet, lovely indie, which features a baby-faced Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy flirting and philosophizing as they wander the cobblestone streets of Vienna after hours. The city becomes the third character in the romance, just as Paris would nine years later in Before Sunset, and Messenia, Greece, nine years after that in Before Midnight. All three movies are a testament to travel's power to realign your perception of your own life. – J.S.

The English Patient (1996)

From its star-crossed love story to its sweeping cinematic shots, few movies of the modern era are as lavishly romantic as this adaption of Michael Ondaatje's Booker Prize–winning novel. With a storyline split between pre-war Egypt and post-war Italy, director Anthony Minghella gives us artfully crafted glimpses of both locations: a bombed-out villa in Tuscany and Lawrence of Arabia -esque sweeps of the Egyptian desert (actually filmed in Tunisia). – J.S.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

It may be creepy as hell, but The Talented Mr. Ripley also happens to be one of the most beautiful depictions of Italy ever captured on film. Set in the 1950s, the movie follows a group of pretty young things (including Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Matt Damon as the titular sociopath) on their luxurious-slash-murderous holiday, from the pristine beaches in Lazio to the opulent hotels in Venice . – Caitlin Morton

The Beach (2000)

Richard (played by a boyish Leonardo DiCaprio) finds himself tramping from one Thai hostel to the next, desperately searching for something meaningful. A tip from a fellow traveler in Bangkok sends him on a journey to a hard-to-reach island, described as the ultimate paradise—white sands, clear water, and only a handful of other travelers who’ve sworn to keep its location a secret. But, of course, paradise isn't exactly what it seems—and the same goes for real life too, as fans have since trashed the filming location , Maya Beach, forcing its closure. – Megan Spurrell

Y Tu Mamá También (2001)

Y Tu Mamá También follows two best friends and a sexy older woman as they road trip through Mexico, searching for a magical (and fictional) beach called Heaven’s Mouth. Director Alfonso Cuarón shows the beautiful nature of Oaxaca , but also gives a no-holds-bar glimpse into the poverty that exists in Mexico—an aspect that most films set there simply gloss over. – C.M.

Amélie (2001)

Paris is one big shiny confection in this sun-drenched modern fairy tale. Jean-Pierre Jeunet's camera looks at the city through candy-colored lenses, primarily following his quirky-loner heroine (Audrey Tautou) through the winding streets of Montmartre. Everything seems to be lit from within, from the green water of the Canal Saint-Martin to the lurid red lights of a Pigalle sex shop. The city has never looked so dreamy. – J.S.

L’Auberge Espagnole (2002)

For anyone who’s ever studied or lived abroad, discovering L’Auberge Espagnole (i.e. “the Spanish Inn”) is like finding the Rosetta Stone. The film follows a French student, Xavier, who travels to Barcelona in search of himself. Cooped up in a giant apartment with six other contemporaries—all from different countries—Xavier wades through the muddy waters of cohabitation with men and women who don’t share his customs or language. Look out for a fantastic post- Amélie cameo by Audrey Tautou. – W.L.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Steven Spielberg's stylish caper tells the real-life story of Frank Abagnale (Leonardo DiCaprio), a teenage con artist who manages to avoid the feds while pulling off elaborate schemes. Abagnale famously impersonated a Pan Am pilot, and the film plays this up with plenty of vintage air travel eye candy. – A.P.

Catch a glimpse of Eero Saarinen's space-age TWA terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport, in a conversation between Abagnale and Carl Hanratty, played by Tom Hanks. The terminal has been turned into a hotel , which just officially opened in May 2019. – M.C.

Lost in Translation (2003)

Lost in Translation chronicles the budding friendship of two Americans in Tokyo (played with the perfect amount of resignation by Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson), shot in typically beautiful Sofia Coppola fashion. From the upmarket Park Hyatt hotel to the neon-filled karaoke bars and streets, the movie is like a tourism ad for Tokyo. But more importantly, it’s a melancholy portrayal of loneliness—even in a city filled with millions of people. – C.M.

Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

Before there was Eat, Pray, Love , there was Under the Tuscan Sun —the story of a woman who buys a villa in Italy after her marriage falls apart. As we watch Frances (Diane Lane) renovate her gorgeous new house and take day trips to the Amalfi Coast, the thought of dropping everything to move to Tuscany suddenly doesn’t seem so ridiculous. – C.M.

Sideways (2004)

The allure of California’s fantastic vineyards is well known (and documented), but wine culture still has a sniff of exclusivity. That’s what makes Sideways, whose wine-touring protagonist is actually a middle-aged slob, so relatable—and hilarious. Aside from telling a great story with great characters, the movie also happens to showcase some of the most beautiful vineyards and tasting rooms in Santa Barbara. Have a glass while you watch—just not merlot. – C.M.

The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

This is where it all began for Ernesto "Che" Guevara (Gael García Bernal), whose road trip across Latin America with his pal Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna) opened Che's eyes to political injustice. Director Walter Salles filmed their travels through major landmarks in South America, as per Che's memoir, from the Andes mountain range to Machu Picchu and even a leper colony in San Pablo. – J.M.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

And you thought your family road trips were dysfunctional. How about cramming your elderly father-in-law, voluntarily mute son, suicidal brother, overworked husband, and quirky daughter with beauty queen aspirations into a lemon of a VW bus? Toni Collette manages just fine (sort of). I'm stressed just thinking about it, but somehow Little Miss Sunshine manages to find that perfect intersection of humor and nostalgia that makes you feel warm and fuzzy by the time the movie ends. – M.C.

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

Wes Anderson reimagines the all-American family road trip as a rail journey across India. Set on a cramped train rattling across the subcontinent, Darjeeling juxtaposes the claustrophobia of travel against the backdrop of Rajasthan's vast open spaces . Anderson's love of strange and beautiful objects is very much at home in the colorful, busy aesthetic of India; but the movie's most arresting visuals come in the form of barren desert and mountain landscapes. – J.S.

Into the Wild (2007)

The true story of Christopher "Alexander Supertramp" McCandless's disappearance and demise in the Alaskan wilderness can be viewed as poetic or moronic, depending who you talk to. But there's no denying the essential sense of beauty and desolation in Sean Penn's filmic take on the story. As McCandless, Emile Hirsch rides the rails, kayaks the Colorado River, summits snowy peaks, races into the Pacific, and embodies a classically American vision of unchecked wanderlust—exuberant, unstoppable, and foolish. – J.S.

In Bruges (2008)

"Maybe that's what hell is: The entire rest of eternity spent in effin' Bruges ." Cinema has given us few vacationers as reluctant as Ray (Colin Farrell), an Irish hit man lying low in Belgium's most picturesque city. With its gentle, touristy beauty, the medieval town makes an unlikely setting for Martin McDonagh's darkly comic tale of mob justice—which, of course, only makes it funnier. – J.S.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Woody Allen movies usually pay homage to New York City, but he switched geographical gears for 2008’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona . The film shows the adventures and subsequent love affairs of two young women visiting Barcelona , and the city ends up becoming a character itself. As you see all of the gorgeous architecture and landscapes through these tourists’ eyes, you’ll want to hop on a plane and listen to acoustic Spanish guitar immediately. – C.M.

Up might have been rendered as a digital “cartoon” in the vein of Toy Story , but it’s anything but a kid's film. A heart-wrenching tale of love and loss, the film follows septuagenarian Carl (voiced to crotchety perfection by Ed Asner) and his young friend, Russell, as they travel to South America together in Carl’s house-turned-dirigible (we’ll leave it up to your imagination). Up is one of those rare travel films that makes you realize that you’re just floating on like everybody else is on this giant, blue orb called Earth, with nothing holding you down except maybe a little gravity. Have a box of tissues handy. – W.L.

Up in the Air (2009)

George Clooney stars as Ryan, a “downsizing expert” (i.e., companies hire him to fly all across the country to inform strangers they’ve lost their job) who loves life on the road. An obsessive frequent flyer, he’s also about to reach his goal of getting a million miles. The arrival of a young upstart Natalie (Anna Kendrick) who wants to downsize via video conferencing—possibly eliminating their need to travel—sets the two on the road, for him to mentor her. He also meets Alex (Vera Farmiga), a woman equally in love with her transient life, and the two begin meeting up when their schedules overlap. Natalie’s growing disillusionment with the business they’re in, along with Ryan’s deepening relationship with Alex, begin to challenge his cherished way of life, and make him question what that collection of miles is really worth. – C.Q.

Away We Go (2009)

A few months before their baby is due, Verona (Maya Rudolph) and Burt (John Krasinski) decide to take a road trip to find the perfect location to raise their family. Their journey takes them from Phoenix and Tucson to Madison and Montreal , a city that has never seemed more friendly or inviting. The movie is a wonderful tour of North America’s cities, as well as a touching tribute to love and family. – C.M.

The Trip (2010)

Not quite a buddy comedy—you get the sense that the characters played by British comedians Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan may not even like each other very much—this meandering 2010 film is hilarious nevertheless. Brydon and Coogan road-trip through England to dine in fancy restaurants, all the while one-upping each other’s jokes and pondering the meaning of life, death, and relationships. Come for the beautiful shots of the English countryside , but stay for the goofy jokes—particularly the brilliant bit riffing on Michael Caine and Sean Connery impressions. – A.P.

Midnight in Paris (2011)

Gil Pender, played by Owen Wilson, is a wide-eyed screenwriter and aspiring novelist on a trip to Paris with his fiancée (Rachel McAdams). Like many tourists in the City of Light, he retraces the steps of Parisian creatives past, drinking coffee (and absinthe) in the same places they once did—until, late one night, a car of these very icons appears, sweeping him back in time to an evening of revelry among the literati of the 1920s. Sure it's time travel, but past or present, Paris always enchants. – M.S.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

Facing widowhood, and the realities of aging, a handful of Brits decide to flip retirement on its head. Rather than succumb to creaking stairlifts and hospital-grade linens that come with retirement at home, they follow advertisements for the Marigold Hotel in Jaipur, India , which promises grandiose accommodations at a bargain—and an exhilarating second act. Cue tangled love stories, easy laughs, and endearing fish-out-of-water moments delivered by a crowd-pleasing ensemble cast (including Judi Dench, Celia Imrie, and Bill Nighy), who prove how deeply travel can stir us, at any age. – M.S.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Walter Mitty is the visual embodiment of "wanderlust," following a daydreaming, work-laden Life magazine employee (played by Ben Stiller) as he embarks on a journey his own imagination couldn't have conjured. Looking for one lost, cover-worthy photo slide from renowned photojournalist Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn), Mitty heads from the streets of Manhattan to Greenland to Iceland and even to the Himalayas. It's a stunning, fantastical movie that'll get even an armchair traveler up to the passport office. – M.C.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Of all the fictional hotels in the cinematic world, none come close to rivaling the top-notch service of the Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson's hyper-stylized confection. Complete with a world-class dining room and pink façade, the hotel owes much of its success to Monsieur Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), the most dedicated concierge of all time. Whether he’s fighting off murderous armies or providing, er, "company" to the older female guests, it becomes immediately clear that Gustave would truly do anything for his beloved GBH. – C.M.

Tracks (2014)

Standing in for real-life writer Robyn Davidson, Mia Wasikowska travels across the breathtaking landscape of Western Australia with only four camels and a beloved dog for company. Her occasional human visitors include a photographer for National Geographic (Adam Driver), an indigenous Australian elder named Mr. Eddy who guides her through sacred lands, and various tourists who come to gawk at the so-called Camel Lady. Davidson’s solo trip was beyond the pale for a woman in the '70s, but it's still incredibly inspiring today. We'll just leave the camel-training to someone else. – J.M.

Wild (2014)

Reese Witherspoon donned a pair of ill-fitting hiking boots and a giant backpack for her role as Cheryl Strayed , a writer who trekked 1,100 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail after the devastating loss of her mother. (The film is based on Strayed’s best-selling 2012 book of the same name.) Strayed crosses the dusty Mojave, crazy forests, snowy fields, and muddy trails, losing toenails but gaining mental clarity—or at least self-acceptance—along the way. – J.M.

Spectre (2015)

Art imitates life, but this time it was the other way around. The 26th James Bond movie's intro scene follows Daniel Craig through a Mexico City Dia de los Muertos parade that didn't actually exist until enough tourists showed up that the city decided to create one in the movie's image . As in most Bond movies, the plot crosses a multitude of borders, from Austria to Italy to Morocco, as the MI6 agent fights the global criminal organization Spectre and a perfectly villainous Christoph Waltz. – M.C.

Carol (2015)

A forbidden 1950s love affair between shop girl and photographer Therese (Rooney Mara) and soon-to-be divorcee Carol (Cate Blanchett) grows stronger on a winding road trip, that takes the couple from New York City through Ohio, Illinois, and Iowa, before reality catches up. The Oscar and Golden Globe nominee is a great period piece as well as a love letter to road trips. – M.C.

Call Me By Your Name (2017)

Consider Luca Guadagnino's Call Be By Your Name a starter guide to the Italian countryside life (specifically in Bergamo, and greater Lombardy) you've always wanted: Riding bikes through hundred-year-old piazzas, fossil-diving in Lake Garda, and waking up to a breakfast of soft-boiled eggs and freshly picked peaches. – Rachel Coleman

Roma (2018)

Another Mexico-based film directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Netflix’s Roma follows the story of Cleo, an indigenous woman working as a maid in 1970s Mexico City (Cuarón hometown). The sweeping black-and-white masterpiece provides glimpses of CMDX's Colonia Roma neighborhood, complete with shuttered house-fronts and laundry fluttering on clothes lines across the rooftops. While Colonia Roma is a tad more gentrified today (think lots of coffee shops and Airbnb properties ), Cuarón's film perfectly captures the neighborhood he grew up in some 50 years ago. – C.M.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Crazy Rich Asians tells the story of Rachel Chu, a Chinese-American professor who travels to Singapore to meet her fiancé's wealthy family. The world of Singapore's old-money elite is filled with yacht parties and royal weddings, but between all that extravagance, Rachel—and viewers—get glimpses of the city's greatest hits: Gardens by the Bay , the infinity pool of Marina Bay Sands , Chinatown's pastel-colored shophouses, and allll the hawker center street food . If you saw the movie and immediately started researching your next trip to Singapore, you're not alone: Orbitz reportedly saw a 20% spike in inquiries to the city in the week following the movie's premiere. Now if only we could figure out how to spend the night in the Young family mansion... – C.M.

Midsommar (2019)

Midsommar was easily one of the most discomforting movies of 2019. But two things shone beautifully through all the creepy cult rituals: Florence Pugh’s performance, and the sunny countryside of Sweden. (Most scenes of the Hårga village were actually filmed just outside of Budapest, but the filmmakers definitely tricked us into wanting to visit Sweden in June.) Scandinavia’s famous midnight sun was used as a tool to warp time and unsettle viewers, but it sure did shed some serious light on northern Sweden’s decorated farmhouses, verdant meadows, and coniferous forests. Just stay away from the mushroom tea, and you’ll be fine. – C.M.

The Farewell (2019)

Golden Globe award–winning Awkwafina stars in this movie about the Chinese-American experience, the power of family, and the importance of levity in the face of grief. The movie follows Billi (played by Awkwafina) as she heads from her home in New York City to visit her grandmother and extended family in Changchun, in northeast China. Visiting under the guise of a wedding—and the reality of a secret cancer diagnosis for her grandmother, Nai Nai—Billi struggles to adjust to mainland Chinese life, and the reality that her grandmother may not always be around. It's absolutely a tear jerker. But it's also funny, sweet, and ultimately heart-warming, with the lives of first-generation Americans and daily life in China taking center stage. –M.C.  

Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood (2019)

Quentin Tarantino’s films tend to focus more on plot and character development than setting, but the director still knows how to incorporate location into his complex storylines. (I’d lie if I said the Kill Bill movies didn’t make me want to visit Japan even more than I already did.) The best example of this technique can be seen in his latest movie, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood . Rather than relying on mood and language alone, Tarantino uses slow pans across Hollywood Boulevard and backdrops of recognizable sites like Westwood Village to give us a (slightly fantastical) sense of Los Angeles in the late 1960s. Many scenes were filmed in still-standing bars in restaurants , in case you want to recreate some of the less murder-y storylines for yourself. – C.M.

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14 movies that made me fall in love with Europe

Re-publishing an old favourite post of mine that was gathering dust on a previous blog that died a death a few years ago. This is my list of my favourite 14 movies that inspired me to travel across Europe. I hope you like my recommendations. Please feel free to add your tips and a few movies to the list. 

1.) Room with a View  Florence

A Room with a View   is a great book but for me the movie surpasses the book. A Room With A View the movie is a real visual treat- I fell in love with Italy and Florence after seeing the movie, especially the last scene of the lovers- Lucy Honeychurch and George Emerson kissing passionately on the window of their pensione with the breathtaking view of the Arno in the distance.

Room with a View

2.) The Girl on the Bridge  Paris, Italy, Monaco and Istanbul

Watch the movie before you jump..

3.) Local Hero  Scotland

Local Hero   is the film that inspired me to move to Scotland where I lived for 13 years. The film is a reminder of the variety and beauty of the Scottish landscape. From the white sand beaches of Morar (where Mac goes sea shell hunting) to the quaint village pub –The Ship Inn in Banff where Mac is accepted into the bosom of the small community drinking a 40 year old malt …then how could anyone forget the iconic red telephone box (in the village of Bannan) from where Mac reports all his sightings of Northern Light. It’s a beautifully written film, well acted, great characters and stunning backdrop of Scotland- everything works…not to to forget Mark Knopfler’s haunting soundtrack.

4.) Sound of Music  Salzburg

Despite being the home of Mozart, Salzburg is synonymous with the Oscar winning, epic musical: The Sound of Music. In fact, recent research revealed that almost 70% of people visit the city because of the film. There are themed tours, Sound of Music Dinner shows, there is a Sound of Music museum now plus several Salzburg hotels have a dedicated channel that shows the film around the clock!

It’s a beautiful city that translates well from the big screen into real life- It was the first city I visited on my travels in Europe and remains one of my most memorable trips.

5.) L Auberge Espagnole  Barcelona

I was never lucky enough to go on an Erasmus programme. The idea of living in an amazing city like Barcelona with people of all nationalities, from all over the world is a dream I think for anyone…The city’s energy and vibe is captured in the movie-memorable scenes shot on location that will be familiar to many include Gaudi’s Parc Guell and the  Sagrada Familia.

I love this quote of Xavier (played by Romain Duris) about Barcelona which echoes my feelings about any city you have visited, studied and intimately lived in

‘..When you first arrive in a new city, nothing makes sense. Everythings unknown, virgin… After you’ve lived here, walked these streets, you’ll know them inside out. You’ll know these people. Once you’ve lived here, crossed this street 10, 20, 1000 times… it’ll belong to you because you’ve lived there. That was about to happen to me, but I didn’t know it yet.’

If you wanted to see the follow-up to the movie Russian Dolls..

6.) Before Sunrise  Vienna

Before Sunrise  : This romantic movie of two strangers who meet on the train-Jesse and Celine who decide to spend a night in Vienna (fitting a lifetimes romance into a night..) has to one of the greatest movies to capture a city’s pulse. It’s a film that explores the city plus takes you off the beaten track in Vienna. The cemetery of nameless souls on the outskirts of Vienna is an example, rarely known, only to locals before the movie. The nameless souls buried here had drowned in the Danube and were buried in the cemetery from 1840 to 1940.

Vienna is portrayed in its full serene glory in Before Sunrise  , a city full of character and culture with its museums, classical music and grand architecture. Its probably for me the most romantic movie of all time and I loved the follow up Before Sunset (shot beautifully on location in Paris.

If you wanted to see the sequel, Before Sunset ( my favourite of the trilogy )

7. Dr Zhivago  Russia

I saw Doctor Zhivago  , David Lean’s sweeping epic adaptation of Pasternak’s masterpiece when I was 6 years old and the film left quite a memorable impression of Russia’s beautiful landscape ( as did Julie Christie) on me. Amongst the standout scenes of the film is Zhivago’s journey on the train from Moscow to the Urals and visiting his family’s dachau. The stark beautiful expanse of Russia’s natural beauty has never been captured so beautifully on film.

8. La Dolce Vita     Rome

The stunning Anita Ekberg in her strapless black dress emerging from the Trevi Fountain remains for me the definitive image of Rome when the city’s name is mentioned to me.

The emptiness and often absurd nature of modern human existence is masterfully explored in this movie. Many like will relate to the haunting character of Marcelo Mastroianni – someone at the crossroads of life, confused and disconnected from the real world around, trying to finding its true meaning.

9. Roman Holiday  Rome

You can’t mention Rome and movies without talking about Roman Holiday . 24 hours of freedom.Beautiful princess on the run played by the stunning Audrey Hepburn.Suave, slick and cynical American Reporter played by Gregory Peck helps Hepburn’s character embrace life and come of age.The beauty of Rome and its stunning ageless locales bring out the romance of this story. Also the charm of zipping around Rome in a Vespa –everyone’s gotta a dream of jumping on a vespa with their future ‘princess’ and exploring the Eternal city, no?

10. Breathless  Paris

Breathless  Shot entirely on location in Paris with a handheld camera and a shoestring budget, Paris has rarely looked more beautiful in Jean Luc Godard’s masterpiece whose revolutionary film techniques, storytelling methods ushered in what is known as the ‘New Wave’ in French cinema.

The image of the mesmerizingly beautiful Jean Seburg  walking down the Champs –Elysees selling the New York Herald Tribune is one of the most enduring images of Paris on film. Sexy, stylish and visually stunning this is the daddy of post modern cinema.

11. A Good Year  Provence

The Provencial countryside in its sun soaked glory is the main star pulling quality of A Good Year  . This film is an eternal vacation to the south of France- romantic walks, beautiful women ( Marion Cottillard ) complex enigmatic soul nourishing wines, passionate people plus Russell Crowe gives a great performance as the jovial Max: this is a film I never tire of watching. Great soundtrack too. Perfect date movie.

12. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants  Santorini and Mexico

The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants  is a beautifully filmed with stunning scenery of Greece (Santorini) and Mexico. I really enjoyed this film which is not the teen chick flick that many might dread it to be but a rather touching coming of age story is about life and friendships that explores the fears and insecurities that all young people feel as they enter adulthood.

13. Cinema Paradiso  Sicily

Cinema Paradiso a loving tribute to cinema, this film offers ultimate escapism , whisking you away to the the dreamworld of young boy Toto and his life growing up in a colourful, small Sicilian village .

Accompanied by Ennio Morricone’s emotive music, this is a beautiful movie that connects us to basic emotions and themes that define our human existence:  love, fear, grief and regret, nostalgia for childhood and youth, memories of places and times that will not come back, memories of loved ones.

A film to fall in love with cinema again and again.

14. To Catch a Thief

To Catch a Thief is a classic heist movie starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. The film follows the story of a retired jewel thief who must clear his name when someone else begins to commit crimes using his methods. This thrilling caper has been considered one of Hitchcock’s best films and has won several awards.

The film captures the classic beauty of the French Riviera with the film locations that include Nice, Cannes, Monaco and lots of picturesque villages in between.

Classic scenes you may recognise include Bertani arranging Robie’s meetup with an insurance man at the  flower market in Nice which is still going strong today, the Hotel Carlton in Cannes where the character of Grace Kelly, Frances stays with her mother and then the most memorable scene of the movie where Frances has a picnic with John Robie is the Avenue des Combattants , located right on the edge of the town of Beausoleil which looks right onto the principality of Monaco and the Meditteranean Sea.

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20 comments.

I’ve been to Vienna, Rome and Florence in the last few years and haven’t seen any of these movies!! I think I’m going to have to do things in reverse ie. the places have inspired me to see the films! 🙂

Always great to revisit your favourite cities….movies are great for that..especially cities like Paris, Rome and Vienna where they have been a bunch of great movies filmed.

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Sound Of Music my all time favorite but we saw The Book Thief. So so good. You have to see it!

The Book Thief sounds great-going to check it out this weekend…know to find a place to rent or download it…

#12 YES!! I’m going to Greece in April as part of a study abroad program and we had a meet and greet session for prep for the trip and we went around the circle and said why we went to go to Greece and I mentioned the Sisterhood of the Traveling pants books/movies and everyone laughed at me! But it’s true! I can’t wait to go to Santorini after reading about it in the books and seeing the movie 🙂

The 2004 Summer Olympics in 2004 also spiked my interest in Greece 🙂

It’s a very nice movie indeed. Santorini’s also figured heavily in a few bollywood movies…so it’s popular jet setting destination

Definitely agree on the Sound of Music! I can’t wait to get to Europe as well and enjoy the architecture.

Did you there is a Sound of Music Festival Hannah? Definitely worth checking out on your next trip to Europe 🙂

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After reading this post several months ago I wrote my own version of the post 🙂 http://bethannesbest.com/5-favorites-travel-movies/

“Love With a Perfect Stranger” Marylou Henner and Daniel Massey. Wonderful Harlequein Romance movie. Scenery of Europe is breathtaking.

Cheers for these tips Rod- great to meet another person who travels through their movies. Added these to my movie watchlist!

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I liked the article. I decided to watch Before Sunrise 🙂 Loved it. I will suggest to add Copenhagen to watch list.

Great tip Hardik. Adding that to our list of films to watch. Watched the sequels Before Sunset and Before Midnight too?

On my list. Haven’t got time off. Europe Tour planning almost kills me 🙁

“Death in Venice” by Luchino Visconti.Gorgeous.

Love the soundtrack and music from Mahler but never till date have watched the movie…needs to be remedied!

So many beautiful films! I’ve seen a few of these, but a few I hadn’t even heard of. Can’t wait to watch them.

Kate | http://www.petiteadventures.org/

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"EuroTrip" Revisited: The Real Arthur Frommer Reveals the Story Behind the Sex Comedy Classic

By Zac Thompson

Frommer’s guidebooks have been praised for being trustworthy plenty of times—after all, being trustworthy is kind of our thing. But only in the 2004 movie EuroTrip are we given credit for knowing where Europe’s best coed nude beaches are. 

“So. Many. Penises,” one character says in a tone of benumbed shell shock when he doesn’t read our (fictional) advice closely and winds up at a seaside spot full of naked men. 

“Frommer’s tried to tell you,” his friend replies, “but you just didn’t listen.”

We’ll probably leave that one off the highlight reel. 

As a matter of fact, our  2004 edition of Frommer’s Europe serves as an essential prop in EuroTrip , a teen sex comedy in the tradition of Animal House and American Pie that some now consider a cult classic.

Frommer's editorial director Pauline Frommer is not one of those admirers.

“I think I saw [the movie] years ago and thought it was amusing,” she commented after a recent rewatch, “but it hasn’t aged well.”

Despite “some moments of surprisingly good physical comedy,” she thinks the film “manages to be both homophobic and homoerotic,” referring to a glut of gags hinging on gay panic.

Pauline also objects to the movie’s “parade of clichés about Europe." Those include British soccer hooligans, Amsterdam sex workers, and Hitler-sympathizing Germans. One bit with a handsy Italian manages to contain gay panic and clichés about Europe at the same time.

The movie’s plot centers on four hormone-addled young Ohioans set loose on the continent during the summer after their high school graduation. Mostly, they’re in Europe so that Scotty (Scott Mechlowicz) can track down his German pen pal (Jessica Boehrs), whom Scotty has only recently discovered is female and therefore his ideal mate.

While Scotty and his three friends travel through London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, and other cities—though nearly everything was shot in Prague—one member of the quartet, Jamie (Travis Wester), is determined to do some sightseeing.

That’s where Frommer’s comes in.

Often seen clutching our guidebook with its distinctive red cover, Jamie habitually cites Frommer’s as an authority on everything from drinking absinthe to thwarting pickpockets by wearing a money belt, which the screenwriters describe as a “currency colostomy bag.”

The trip ends with Jamie accepting a job offer from Arthur Frommer himself.

Only that’s not Arthur Frommer himself in the movie.

Now it can be told: The filmmakers did ask our company founder and namesake to appear in  EuroTrip. But as Pauline, Arthur's daughter, remembers it, when he read the script, he decided it was too raunchy and declined to participate.

"He thought it was soft porn," Pauline says.

But Arthur tells a different story. According to him, it wasn't the raunchiness he objected to—it was the time commitment.

“When they were filming,” the real Arthur Frommer says today, “[the producers] made a phone call to me to ask whether I would appear in the movie, playing myself. They wanted me to fly to Europe and stay there for at least three weeks.” 

During all that time, Arthur would need to remain “on call”—that is, ready to show up on set whenever necessary—for a scene that lasts less than a minute in the movie’s finished version. 

“I said, ‘I can’t do that,’” Arthur recalls. “I had a very busy schedule at that time. I am not able to go [to Prague] and wait for three weeks to elapse. So they went out and chose a British actor to impersonate me.”

That would be Patrick Malahide, who is probably best-known to American audiences for playing Theon Greyjoy’s ruthless father, Balon, in HBO’s Game of Thrones . 

As an English Arthur Frommer in EuroTrip , Malahide wears a bowtie, a supercilious expression, and, naturally, a money belt, none of which the actual travel-writing figure, who was born in Missouri, usually has on.

Of his silver-screen doppelganger, Arthur says: “I don’t think he made much of his appearance in the movie. It was never a major moment.”

Take that, Lord of the Iron Islands. 

Despite what may have been a forgettable cameo, Arthur says that many people still think he actually appeared in EuroTrip . 

“It continues to happen about once a year,” he says. “Someone will say they saw me in that movie”—an all the more remarkable occurrence when someone says this to him face-to-face, considering that the true Arthur Frommer and the movie version look nothing alike. 

Arthur's assessment of the film as a whole echoes his analysis of Malahide's performance. "I never made too much of EuroTrip ," Arthur says. "I saw it once and never went back to it. I thought it was a nothing film."

In other words, not worth even a single star on the Frommer's rating system. 

When asked why he thinks the EuroTrip filmmakers made Frommer’s their guidebook of choice, Arthur says simply, “The books always captured the public’s imagination.”

How else do you think we’ve stuck around for six decades and counting ?

As for the many claims attributed to Frommer’s throughout the movie, allow us to make a few belated corrections:

Constantine ruled Rome in the 4th century , not the 5th. The beaches of southern France often permit toplessness , but rarely full nudity. Money belts really do stymie thieves. And Bratislava is neither featured in our Europe guidebook nor recommended as a place to make out with your sister.

EuroTrip is rentable on several streaming services, including Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Google Play. 

For a list of travel movies we love: S ee our editors' roundup of recommendations .

For another case of pop-culture mistaken identity involving Arthur Frommer: S ee his 1963 appearance on the game show To Tell the Truth .  

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My (Current) Ultimate List of Travel Movies

Way back in 2008, I created a list of ten of the best travel movies ever. It was a great list. But 2008 was a long time ago. Since I watch a lot of movies on flights and there have been many wonderful and breathtaking travel movies made since then, watching The Way a few days ago made me realize that we’re long overdue for a list of my all-time favorite best travel movies that will inspire you to get off the couch, pack your bag, and head to unknown lands:  

1. Lost in Translation

2. Whale Rider

3. Lord of the Rings

4. Into the Wild

5. In Bruges

6. Under the Tuscan Sun

7. Nowhere in Africa

8. Crocodile Dundee

9. Up in the Air

10. The Beach

11. The Motorcycle Diaries

12. Any Indiana Jones

13. Thelma and Louise

14. Lawrence of Arabia

15. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

16. A Good Year

17. Eurotrip

18. Seven Years in Tibet

19. The Darjeeling Limited

20. Midnight in Paris

21. Monsoon Wedding

22. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

23. The Way

24. Vicky Cristina Barcelona

25. Y Tu Mama También

27. Before Sunrise

28. A Map for Saturday

30. Roman Holiday

31. Queen of Katwe

32. Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.  

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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The 18 Best European Movies on Netflix Right Now

April 1, 2024

Europe has a long history with film – the French New Wave, Italian Neorealism, and the great Swedish movies of Ingmar Bergman. And what’s happening today is equally as exciting: French thrillers, Scandinavian dramas, Irish comedies… there is just so much to discover. 

This list has past Oscar nominees like I Lost My Body, a past winner of the Berlin Film Festival (On Body and Soul), and other award-sweepers. But you might be asking yourself why you haven’t heard of some or all of them. The answer depends on each movie but it’s often either bad marketing or that fear of subtitles. Both have nothing to do with the quality of the movies themselves. 

So, friends, let’s try something new. Below are the best European movies on Netflix right now.

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1. The Intouchables (2012)

A wealthy paraplegic needs a new caretaker. His choice is surprising — an ex-con down on his luck. Both of their lives are changed forever. Based on a true story, it is funny, touching, and very surprising.  It will have you rolling on the floor laughing one minute and reaching for your hankie the next. Intouchables is one of those perfect movies, that will easily and instantly make anyone’s all-time top 10 list.

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2. On Body and Soul (2017)

On Body and Soul is the impeccably crafted winner of the 2017 Berlin Film Festival and an Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film. Is it possible that two people dream the same dream? And meet each other in that same dream? This unique drama directed by Hungarian filmmaker Ildikó Enyedi studies this possibility against the unlikely backdrop of a slaughterhouse. Middle-aged, inconspicuous manager Endre (Géza Morcsányi) can’t help but noticing a new girl at work, Maria (Alexandra Borbély), the abattoir’s new hygiene manager. They fall in love, but not, as you might suspect, during a fateful mandatory hygiene inspection, but in their dreams—in the shape of two deer in a mysterious, snow-covered forest. The Hungarian director had taken an 18-year break from making movies, which was probably the prerequisite for making something as striking and unconventional as On Body and Soul.

3. Divines (2016)

Winner of a Camera d’Or, the debutant’s prize at the Cannes Film Festival, Director Houda Benyamina’s first feature film is fast-paced and full of energy. Deep in the impoverished suburbs of Paris, the infamous banlieues, it tells the story of Dounia (played by Oulaya Amamra), a mouthy teenager who is not content with what society is prepared to hand out to her. She’s angry; she wants more. And so, together with her best friend Maimouna (Déborah Lukumuena), she decides to finally make some cash as a runner for a drug dealer. While there’s obviously some feminism in there somewhere, that’s not at the heart of what this film is about. It’s about the economic reality in a world of poverty and about two friends and their desire for freedom—no matter what the cost. An exhilarating and thought-provoking debut helped along by Amamra’s amazing acting.

4. System Crasher (2019)

While quite testing for viewers, this is one of the craziest, most high-energy movies you’ll ever watch. In this incredible German drama, child actor Helena Zengel plays Bernadette aka Benni, a traumatized 9-year-old child who tends to lash out and has been repeatedly suspended from every school she went to. Benni is a so-called “Systemsprenger” (which is the original German title). A system crasher is a child so uncontrollable and aggressive that, over time, she falls through the grid of special schools, foster care, and social work facilities. Despite the best efforts of her designated social worker, Frau Bafané, played by Gabriela Maria Schmeide, she is turned down by everyone, testing the patience of her surroundings, wherever she goes. A trip with Micha (Albrecht Schuch), a tough boxer and anger-management trainer, turns out to be the last resort. Directed by Nora Fingscheidt, System Crasher is intense, punky, and wild with an almost eerie sense of authenticity. Its devastating effect is helped along by its unique, hyperactive camerawork. Much like the social workers themselves, you might have a hard time keeping professional distance to all this. This intense drama will stay with you for a long time.

5. Philomena (2013)

An inspired by true events tale about an elderly Irish woman trying to find the child she was forced to give up many years earlier. Steve Coogan co-wrote the script and, though the base story is a tragic one, his special brand of very subtle, wry wit is apparent in the dialogue throughout. Judi Dench plays the mother who had kept her “sinful” past a secret for fifty years and, being Judi Dench, I don’t need to bother going on about her exemplary talent, suffice to say she’s charming beyond measure in the role. Steven Frears directs, as usual, deftly, and keeps the story compelling scene after scene, intensifying the emotions inherent to each, whether they be heart-warming, comedic, or outright enraging. Whoever decided to let Steve Coogan have his way with the script, it was a brave and wise choice and together this cast and crew have produced a wonderful and important piece of cinema.

6. Shéhérazade (2018)

A gritty and realistic thriller set in France’s notorious capital city of crime – Marseille. 

Zachary is released from Juvenile prison to learn that his mother has abandoned him. He finds kinship in an underage sex worker by the name of Shéhérazade. 

This seems like the set-up for a tough watch, but Shéhérazade plays like a romance when it’s slow, and a crime thriller when it’s fast (it’s mostly fast). Everything about the story and two leads’ relationship rings true. Added to the fact that it has no interest in emotionally manipulating you, the movie is more gripping and thought-provoking than sad.

A great story, fantastic acting from the cast of first-timers, and outstanding direction give the feeling that Shéhérazade is bound to become a modern classic. If you liked City of God, you will love this. 

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7. Layer Cake (2004)

Featuring a Pre-Bond Daniel Craig, Layer cake can be described as a mix between Lock Stock, Two Smoking Barrels and Scarface—a darkly funny and incredibly violent film. It features great acting from Craig and the rest of the cast, action that will keep you on the edge of your seat once it gets moving and a complex and deep theme that can make you reconsider your worldview. This is a true action movie for the thinking man (or woman).

8. 303 (2018)

A sweet and romantic German movie about two Berliners who meet randomly and go on a road trip to the south of Europe. It might seem like a silly premise but it’s actually a philosophical movie, one that feels very realistic. The two characters debate human nature, politics, relationships, etc; almost throughout their trip. And they’re played by excellent newcomers who ooze charisma and make the question of what will happen between them incredibly thrilling.

9. I Lost My Body (2019)

Two storylines take place in this Parisian animation: one of a Moroccan immigrant who works as a pizza delivery guy, and the other of his hand, somehow no longer part of his body, but also going on a trip around Paris.

The hand storyline is not gory by the way, except for one or two very quick scenes. Mostly, this is a film about loneliness and not being able to find your way back, both as an immigrant who misses how they were raised and as a hand who misses its body.

Sporting some of the most beautiful animation work this year, this movie premiered at Cannes where it became the first-ever animated film (and Netflix film) to win the Nespresso Grand Prize.

10. Like Crazy (2011)

See, low budget films do work! Like Crazy schools other romantic films on what they should all be: cute and sweet but also frustrating and nerve-wracking. Felicity Jones is absolutely fantastic here, she stars as a British girl who falls in love with an American, Jacob, while in college. On a whim, she overstays her visa to be with him, and then return to England to face the consequences. The intimacy this film explores really distinguishes it from others and makes for an authentic experience, as it is based on its writer/director’s own 8-year long-distance relationship. A great option if you’re in the mood for the type of suspense that pulls at your heartstrings.

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Bollywood Travel Movies: Top 30 for Wanderlust

Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links to the products we earnestly love and recommend, meaning at no extra cost to you, we might make a teeny-weeny commission if you click on the link and decide to buy something. The money will be used to sustain this little cozy blog we call our virtual home.

Are you looking for some good Bollywood travel movies to fuel your wanderlust? You are in the right place. This post has some amazing suggestions for epic Bollywood movies about travel.

Do you feel inspired to travel to any country or city or location after seeing it in a movie? It happens to me all the time. Travel movies fuel my wanderlust like nothing.

More often than not, I fall in love with the picture-perfect locales and gorgeous destinations shown in the movies more than the storyline or actors. Well, travel movies satiate a traveler in me.

Lately, traveling has become a vital part of our lifestyle. We now understand the importance of investing in experiences over materialistic things. Resultantly, travel has become an important theme for Bollywood filmmakers too.

We already have an ultimate list of the best travel movies of all time . But, this list doesn’t include Bollywood movies. So, I thought of curating a list of the most loved travel movies in Bollywood for all those Bollywood fans.

So, what are we waiting for? Let’s travel virtually with Bollywood. Are you wondering if the language will be a barrier while watching these Hindi movies on travel? But when do emotions and wanderlust need a language?

So just hit play!

Best Bollywood Travel Movies of All Time

#1 zindagi na milegi dobara (2011).

This one’s my all-time favorite. I’ve watched it like 10 times or more (actually I’ve lost count). I never get tired of it. It’s that amazing. So we will have to begin our list of Best Indian travel movies with this film.

3 best friends. 1 EPIC road trip. All things awesome!

ZNMD is about three friends who set on a bachelor’s trip to Spain (which they had planned during their college) to overcome their fears. They inspire the viewers to plan a Spanish vacation as they road-tripped from Barcelona to Costa Brava to Seville to Buñol to Pamplona enjoying the famous La Tomatina Festival and taking on adventures like deep-sea diving, skydiving, and a bull run along the way.

I added the ultimate road trip through Spain to my Europe bucket list before even the movie was finished. The movie has all the ingredients to revive the traveler in you. This is one of the inviting Bollywood road trip movies that will want you to pack your bags and head off.

There are a few movies that make you fall in love with your life, and ZNMD is one of those!

#2 Queen (2013)

Queen inspires all the girls out there to drop their fears, take a call, and travel solo at least once in their lifetime. The movie is about a girl who embarks on a solo trip to Paris which was supposed to be her honeymoon trip.

Rani, the main protagonist falls in love with herself while wandering around the gorgeous streets of Paris and Amsterdam . The movie beautifully redefined the concept of solo travel. The journeys we take by ourselves are the journeys we take into ourselves, indeed.

#3 Dil Chahta Hai (2001)

This is the movie that I watched with my best friends and yes we were living the movie while watching it. This for sure remains one of the best travel movies in Bollywood. Any youngster who watches this movie can’t help but crave to take a road trip to Goa with friends. With a beautiful storyline of how three friends discover the beauty of their friendship and life while on a trip to Goa, the movie set a record.

Dil Chahta Hai features quaint beach towns, golden-sand beaches, palm-fringed coastlines, back-country spice farms, quintessential churches and forts, and mouth-watering Goa Cuisine. This movie has contributed a lot to tourism in Goa. The movie also showcases the iconic city of Sydney, Australia .

#4 Swades (2004)

All the NRI (Non-Resident Indians) would be able to relate to the movie Swades which will make them teary-eyed. It is a movie about an NRI played by Shahrukh Khan, who works in NASA and comes to India to discover his roots. He wants to take his nanny to the US along with him.

He takes on the journey on a luxury caravan that he rides and takes through rustic rural India and shows the warmth of people. It showcases the beautiful and vibrant culture of India and the value system that we believe in.

This movie would surely be nostalgic for many living far away from their homeland and remaining in the dilemma of returning back.

#5 Highway (2014)

Imtiaz Ali never fails to charm his viewers. The Highway is a film about a girl who’s kidnapped and put in a truck that travels to Kashmir via Delhi , Punjab , Haryana , Rajasthan , and Himachal Pradesh . The movie beautifully brings out the beauty of freedom through this Bollywood road trip movie.

The snow-clad mountains, crystal-clear rivers, lush green landscape, tiny hamlets of Pahalgam , Aru Valley , Spiti , and the highways of North India – the movie captures the essence of travel in India.

#6 Tamasha (2015)

Another gem from Imtiaz Ali. Tamasha transports you to the beautiful French island of Corsica .

From Turquoise blue waters and stunning bays, to rugged peaks, gorgeous landscapes, medieval charm, and everything in between, the movie captures Corsica in a way that this breathtaking island becomes your bucket list destination.

#7 Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. (2007)

Six honeymooning couples set on an eventful road trip from Mumbai to Goa on a tourist bus and discover secrets about their significant others along the journey that reshapes and redefines their relationship with each other.

The trip changed their lives forever.

#8 Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

DDLJ, a directorial debut by Aditya Chopra, made me fall in love with the Swiss Alps and has been a dream destination that I wish to visit with my husband.

The story revolves around the love story of a boy and girl, both NRI living in London who meet on a vacation in Europe with their friends. They both travel on the Eurostar with their friends to exotic locations of Zweissimen , Gstaad , Jungfrau , and Interlaken .

This is one film that even lists 1001 movies that you must watch before you die. Can you believe the movie ran in a theater in Maharashtra for more than 20 years?

So how can this movie not be a part of the Best Bollywood travel movies?

#9 Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)

This movie made me fall in love with cruise trips. Ayesha plans a 10-day cruise sailing through Turkey , Tunisia , Egypt , Spain , Italy , and France to celebrate her parent’s anniversary and the trip connects the dysfunctional family through a series of experiences.

It’s so exciting to see the characters exploring a new country every day! Being on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean can be insanely gorgeous and intensely cathartic. The visuals are inspiring and capture the essence of each country – the vibe and the culture.

#10 Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)

The movie charms its viewers with the adorable characters of Naina and Bunny, the breathtaking landscapes of Kashmir , and the royal vibe of Rajasthan .

The first half of the movie showcases the characters enjoying hiking the snow-covered Himalayas and the second half takes you through the magnificent forts and palaces of Rajasthan.

It gives some serious destination wedding goals. They can be so much fun. The movie has that feel-good factor. It beautifully motivates people to take time to travel and spend time with friends.

These Hindi movies on travel are here to give you some serious travel goals.

#11 Jab We Met (2007)

This is another movie I never get tired of watching. With an engaging storyline, incredible actors, and a mind-boggling and life-changing journey through various cities and towns ( Ratlam , Kota , Bhatinda , Manali , and Shimla ) in India by different modes like a train, bus, rickshaw, cycle, jeep, and even truck, Jab We Met is a delight for eyes as well as the soul.

I took a trip to Rohtang Pass after seeing the snowy landscapes and a narrow road with snowy walls on either side of Rohtang Pass in Jab We Met. Such road trip movies in Bollywood do inspire you to add them to your bucket list. The two protagonists, Geet and Aditya look so adorable together that you can’t get enough of them.

I realized that trips that don’t have a plan and are spontaneous can be so much fun(risky though but hey life’s all about taking risks). Sometimes, it’s good to have no plan 🙂

#12 Piku (2015)

With a tale of a complicated yet beautiful father-daughter relationship, Piku touches hearts. The movie is set in the capital city of India. The road trip from Delhi to Kolkata en route to the spiritual city of Varanasi is the soul of the movie.

The trip brings out the differences between the lead actors (father and daughter) eventually bonding them by the end of the journey.

The quaint charm of Varanasi and the old-world charm of Kolkata will tickle the traveler in you.

#13 Anjaana Anjaani (2010)

Anjaana Anjaani is an intriguing tale about two heartbroken people who met just when they were about to end their lives and decided to live life to the fullest before ending their lives. Together, they embark on a road trip from New York to Las Vegas .

#14 Road, Movie (2002)

It’s all about a road trip across India’s royal state of Rajasthan . Road, Movie features Rajasthan in its raw form and attracts backpackers and travelers across the world to embark on a soul-stirring journey across Rajasthan.

Road, Movie is a story of a boy Vishnu who journeys across Rajasthan to deliver an antique truck that belongs to his father to a local museum.

#15 Barfi (2012)

This coming-of-age movie is set in West Bengal’s picturesque hill station of Darjeeling . You are sure to be charmed by the heartfelt story and stunning locations as Barfi, the protagonist cycles through Darjeeling’s charming streets featuring rolling tea estates, lush green forests, and mist-covered peaks.

The Clock Tower, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, and Glenary’s Cafe are some of the most famous landmarks of Darjeeling featured in the movie. In the second half of the movie, the city of Joy – Kolkata and its colonial charm make your heart flutter.

#16 London Paris New York (2012)

It’s a tale of two characters and the world’s three iconic cities – London , Paris , and New York . The movie unfurls a love story between the two of them as they meet, separate, and reunite while traveling through these three cities.

The film didn’t do well but truly captures the beauty of the cities that invariably find a place on every traveler’s list.

#17 Chalo Dilli (2011)

Chalo Dilli is about two contrasting characters who travel together on a road trip from Mumbai to Delhi to explore the colors and cultures of India’s rural and urban towns.

#18 3 Idiots (2009)

3 Idiots played a vital role in making Leh Ladakh a popular destination. The climax of the movie features an unusually beautiful Himalayan lake – Pangong Tso that stretches between India and China. The lake instantly became a hot destination after the release of the movie. Otherwise, the offbeat location turned into one of the most touristy places in India. These are the after-effects of the best Indian travel movies.

The local eateries, restaurants, hotels, camps, and lodges mushroomed along the banks of the lake and amusingly most of them are named after the movie or its characters’ names.

Some of the parts of the movie are shot in Druk White Lotus School in Leh which is now also known as ‘Rancho School.’ Rancho is the name of the main protagonist in the movie.

#19 Chennai Express (2013)

This one’s epic as it takes you on an epic journey from Mumbai to Rameshwaram . The characters travel via train and road from Mumbai to Rameshwaram stopping by stunning places along the way.

Featured in the movie are – the utterly beautiful Dudhsagar Falls in Goa , the rolling tea gardens of Munnar in Kerala , the little town of Pollachi in Coimbatore , Vattamalai Murugan Temple in Tamil Nadu , and the iconic Pamban Bridge (the first sea bridge in India that connects Rameshwaram on Pamban Island to mainland India).

The awe-inspiring landscapes of South India will urge you to travel to this beautiful part of India.

#20 Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017)

It’s the story of a girl who loses her engagement ring on a trip, takes the help of a tour guide to search for the ring, and eventually falls for him.

The movie takes you through multiple locations in Europe – Budapest , Vienna , Amsterdam , Lisbon , Prague , and Frankfurt . You get to experience the culture of Punjab in India at the end of the film as the last few scenes are shot in the ancient town of Noor Mahal, Punjab .

#21 Hum Tum (2004)

In a light-hearted movie, Hum Tum travels to the amazing destinations of Delhi , Amsterdam , USA , Paris , and Mumbai as the two main characters, Karan and Rhea (unknowingly and unwantedly) bump into each other at different intervals in their lives.

I have been dying to visit Amsterdam since the time I watched Hum Tum. Doesn’t this happen to you when you watch Bollywood movies on travel?

#22 Jagga Jasoos (2017)

The film is about a curious boy who embarks on an expedition to search for his lost father and meets the love of his life along the journey.

The movie starts in a beautiful hill station in West Bengal, Darjeeling , and later on, lets you explore some of the most unexplored parts of South Africa and Morocco .

#23 Rang De Basanti (2006)

The movie is based on a rebellious concept that tastefully blends the elements of history, patriotism, sacrifice, and politics. It’s primarily set in Delhi but also features the famous attractions in Jaipur and Punjab .

Remember that song ‘Masti Ki Pathshala’ from the movie? It was shot at the baoli in Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur . The beautiful mustard fields of Punjab make your heart crave to run through those fields of yellow mustard flowers. The famous Golden Temple of Amritsar , the Hola Mohalla Festival of Anandpur Sahib, and the famed Durga Sarai Fort of Ludhiana make RDB a must-watch for the right dose of wanderlust.

#24 PK (2014)

Apart from the unusual tale of an alien stuck on the earth, what caught my attention was the picture book city of Bruges in Belgium which served as a perfect setting for the love story in the first half of the movie.

The gorgeous canals, charming cobbled streets, and medieval buildings made me fall in love with Bruges . Did you know PK is the first Bollywood movie shot in Bruges?

The movie also takes you through some of the most intriguing sites in Delhi like Agrasen ki Baoli , Chandni Chowk , Connaught Place , and the colorful countryside town of Rajasthan , Mandwa . You’ll get a taste of the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan.

#25 Fanaa (2006)

I loved Fanaa. It features the stunning heritage sites in Delhi and the other-worldly beauty of Kashmir . The movie beautifully captures the best of both destinations.

In the first half of the movie, you’ll see the main protagonists exploring the architectural wonders in Delhi – Red Fort, Qutub Minar , Humayun’s Tomb , India Gate , and Purana Qila .

The second half of the movie features the snow-clad Himalayas, chinar trees, and quaint wooden houses in Kashmir .

#26 Kaal (2005)

Kaal is a thriller movie that’s shot in one of the most famous national parks in India or rather the world – Jim Corbett National Park . You explore the exotic wildlife and forests in India from the comfort of your couch as the mystery unfolds.

#27 Love Aaj Kal (2009)

A pinch of romance, a dash of comedy, a sprinkle of drama, and a lot of places – Love Aaj Kal gracefully portrays the complications of long-distance relationships.

The story takes you on a jaunt through London , Delhi , Kolkata , Punjab , and San Francisco . With beautiful visuals from the quaint villages of Punjab , narrow streets of Old Delhi , colorful locales of London , the oldest neighborhoods of Kolkata , and a sight of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Fransisco , Love Aaj Kal pushes you to leave the comforts of home and explore the world.

Its sequel, Love Aaj Kal 2 perfectly showcases the beauty of the untouched and quaint village of Chitkul in Himachal Pradesh at the Indo-Tibetan border aka The Last Village of India .

This is what I love about Imitiaz Ali. His every movie takes you to bucket-list-worthy destinations with his characters and casts a spell of travel on its audience. His movies Breathe, Dream, and Live Travel.

#28 Lootera (2013)

Lootera is a story set in the ’50s. The daughter of an aristocrat falls in love with a visiting archeologist from West Bengal without knowing a secret his life holds. It’s shot in quaint and laid-back locations in India – Khajjiar , Dalhousie , and Manikpur, West Bengal .

The snow-clad mountains, colorful wooden houses, lush meadows, striking deodar forests, and pretty lakes – Khajjiar pulls you as you appreciate the beauty it holds with every scene.

#29 Ek Tha Tiger (2012)

The movie is an absolute treat with some of the world’s most amazing destinations it’s shot in – Istanbul , Mardin , Havana , Bangkok , Phuket , Delhi , and Dublin .

Ek Tha Tiger is a story of a RAW agent, Tiger who travels to Dublin to keep an eye on an Indian scientist suspected of leaking nuclear secrets with ISI where he meets the love of his life, Zoya, a spy from Pakistan.

A traveler in you will also love its sequel, Tiger Zinda Hai which features beautiful locations across five different countries – Abu Dhabi , Austria , Greece , Morocco , and India .

With exotic destinations charming viewers, Bollywood movies about travel are rising.

#30 English Vinglish (2012)

One of the last movies of my all-time favorite actress, Sridevi – English Vinglish is a heartfelt story of a woman named Shashi who’s made to feel insecure and inferior just because she doesn’t speak English by her husband and daughter.

The film touches your soul as Shashi sets on a transformational solo journey to the Big Apple (NYC) to attend the wedding of her sister’s daughter. You can enjoy iconic sights and attractions in New York from Central Park, and Times Square to Brooklyn Bridge, and Fifth Avenue. One of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, New York City makes her feel as if she belongs here.

The song Manhattan is so powerful that you end up planning a trip to New York before even the movie ends.

Well, the list is endless. So shall your trips be…

I’m sure our list of 30 top Bollywood travel movies will inspire you enough to pack your bags and set out for the once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Did we miss your favorite Bollywood travel movie? Would you like us to add it to the list? Share the name of the movie with us in the comments section below.

Save the Best Travel Movies from Bollywood to Pinterest

Anjali Chawla

6 thoughts on “Bollywood Travel Movies: Top 30 for Wanderlust”

It’s a nice list of movies- however, you are missing on the important one and that’s Bombay to Goa. but the post was a decent read.

We are glad that you liked it. Oh yes, we missed the cult Bombay to Goa that probably started the trend of travel movies in Bollywood. Will include it in next update. Thanks for the suggestion.

My favorite is dil chahta hai..and swadesh…

I guess there’ll be no one who doesn’t like Dil Chahta Hai and Swadesh. Such amazing movies

It’s a nice list of movies- however, you missed one more movie and that’s “Karwaan” by Irfan khan.

Thanks Rajat. Glad that you liked the list. Yeah, Karwan is a nice movie. I am sure there would be many more great travel related movies.

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19 must-watch movies for travel enthusiasts

Do you have wanderlust, the strong desire to travel?

Whether you find yourself daydreaming at home, envisioning future adventures or already living out your dream destination, here are the top 22 movies that inspire wanderlust from newest to oldest.

1. ‘The Call of the Wild’ — 2020

“The Call of the Wild” follows the journey of Buck, a domesticated dog who is uprooted from his California home and transported to the Alaskan Yukon during the Gold Rush.

Buck encounters various challenges and forms a bond with John Thornton (Harrison Ford) as he embraces his wild instincts and navigates the rugged wilderness. The film explores themes of survival, friendship and the call of nature.

If you love books, you might find the book better than the movie.

Rating: PG.

Where to watch: Disney+, Hulu, YouTube, Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

2. ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ — 2016

“Hunt for the Wilderpeople” is an adventure comedy about a rebellious city kid named Ricky (Julian Dennison) who is sent to live with his foster aunt and uncle in the New Zealand bush.

When circumstances lead to a misunderstanding about his well-being, Ricky and his cantankerous foster uncle, Hec (Sam Neill), go on the run from the authorities, sparking a nationwide manhunt. As they evade capture, the unlikely pair form a close bond while navigating the wilderness and encountering eccentric characters along the way.

This movie is absolutely hilarious and a great one for all ages.

Rating: PG-13.

Where to watch: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

3. ‘Lion’ — 2016

“Lion” tells the true story of Saroo Brierley (Sunny Pawar and Dev Patel), a young Indian boy who becomes separated from his family and ends up lost on the streets of Calcutta. After being adopted by an Australian couple, Saroo grows up in Tasmania but never forgets his roots.

As an adult, he leaves on a journey to trace his biological family using Google Earth, determined to reunite with his loved ones and find closure to his past. The film explores themes of identity, family and the bonds that connect us.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.

4. ‘Everest’ — 2015

“Everest” is an adventure drama based on the true events of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster. The film follows two expedition groups attempting to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

When they encounter a severe blizzard, the climbers are faced with life-threatening challenges as they fight for survival in one of the harshest environments on Earth.

Where to watch: Max, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

5. ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ — 2013

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is an adventure comedy that follows the journey of Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller), a daydreamer who escapes his mundane life through vivid fantasies.

When Walter’s job at Life magazine is threatened and a crucial photograph goes missing, he embarks on a real-life adventure across the globe to track down the elusive photographer.

Along the way, Walter discovers his true courage and finds meaning in the ordinary moments of life.

This movie happens to be my favorite on the list!

Where to watch: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

6. ‘Tracks’ – 2013

“Tracks” is a biographical adventure film based on the true story of Robyn Davidson (Mia Wasikowska), who, along with her dog and four camels, takes a solo trek across the Australian Outback.

Determined to find herself and escape the constraints of society, Robyn navigates the vast and unforgiving desert landscape, facing numerous challenges and encounters along the way.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and Apple TV.

7. ‘Midnight in Paris’ — 2011

“Midnight in Paris” is a romantic comedy that follows Gil (Owen Wilson), a screenwriter visiting Paris with his fiancée (Rachel McAdams) and her family.

One night, while wandering the streets alone, Gil is transported back to the 1920s, where he encounters literary figures like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein.

This movie shows beautiful scenery and monuments in Paris.

Where to watch: YouTube, Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

8. ‘The Big Year’ — 2011

“The Big Year” is a comedy film centered around the competitive world of birdwatching. The story follows three birders, Kenny (Owen Wilson), Brad (Jack Black) and Stu (Steve Martin) as they travel throughout North America for a “big year,” a year-long quest to spot as many bird species as possible.

Even if you’re not a “birder” it is still an entertaining and inspirational movie!

Where to watch: Hulu, YouTube, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

9. ‘The Way’ — 2010

“The Way” follows Tom (Martin Sheen), an American doctor, who travels to France to collect the remains of his son, who died while walking the Camino de Santiago.

Overcome with grief and seeking understanding, Tom decides to embark on the pilgrimage while carrying his son’s ashes. Along the way, he encounters fellow pilgrims and finds healing.

Be careful, you may be inspired to walk the Camino yourself!

10. ‘Up’ — 2009

“Up” is an animated adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios. The story follows Carl Fredricksen (Edward Asner), a widowed elderly man who fulfills his lifelong dream of exploring South America by attaching thousands of balloons to his house and flying away.

However, Carl soon discovers that he has an unexpected stowaway: Russell (Jordan Nagai), a young Wilderness Explorer scout. Together, they go on a journey filled with danger, discovery and unexpected friendships as they encounter exotic landscapes.

Make sure to have some tissues ready.

Where to watch: Disney+, Apple TV, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.

11. ‘Mamma Mia!’ — 2008

“Mamma Mia!” is a musical, romantic comedy film based on the Broadway musical. The story follows Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), a young woman who is about to get married on a Greek island. Eager to discover her true father’s identity, Sophie invites three men from her mother’s past to the wedding, unbeknownst to her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep).

Set to the iconic songs of ABBA, “Mamma Mia!” is set in Greece!

Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.

12. James Bond series (with Daniel Craig) — beginning in 2006

The James Bond movies have been released throughout the years with different actors starring as the British secret agent, 007. The most recent actor of these films is Daniel Craig.

“Skyfall” is one of my favorites where James Bond faces off against a cyberterrorist, threatening his team and past. The film goes to various locations such as Istanbul, Turkey; Shanghai, China; and the Scottish Highlands.

Rating: All are PG-13.

Where to watch: Depending on the movie, you can watch on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and Apple TV.

13. ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ — 2005

“The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” follows the lives of four teenage girls—Lena (Alexis Bledel), Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Bridget (Blake Lively) and Carmen (America Ferrera) — who are best friends and spend their first summer apart.

Before parting ways, they discover a pair of magical jeans that miraculously fit each of them perfectly, despite their different body types. The girls decide to share the pants, mailing them to each other throughout the summer.

14. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy — beginning in 2001

“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy follows Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and his companions as they journey to destroy the One Ring and defeat Sauron.

While Middle-earth is not a real location, this film inspires wanderlust due to its gorgeous landscapes and different cultures seen.

Where to watch: Depending on the movie, you can watch on Max, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

15. ‘Seven Years in Tibet’ — 1997

“Seven Years in Tibet” is a biographical drama based on the true story of Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt). The film follows Harrer’s journey to Tibet in the 1940s, where he becomes friends with the young Dalai Lama (Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk) and experiences the country’s rich culture and spiritual traditions.

As Harrer forms a bond with the Dalai Lama and gains insight into Tibetan Buddhism, he also witnesses the impact of China’s invasion of Tibet and the subsequent political turmoil.

I actually had to watch this film for a world religion class assignment. Besides seeing the diverse landscapes, it was amazing to understand other cultures and the beauty of different religions.

Rating: PG-13

16. ‘Mission Impossible’ — beginning in 1996

The “Mission: Impossible” film series follows the adventures of Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), an operative for the Impossible Missions Force (IMF), as he undertakes daring missions to stop international threats.

One of my favorites, “Ghost Protocol” takes Hunt and his team to international locations like Dubai and Mubai after being renounced by IMF and trying to prevent a nuclear war.

Where to watch: Depending on the movie, you can watch on Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

17. ‘Out of Africa’ — 1985

“Out of Africa” is a romantic drama based on a memoir. The story follows Karen (Meryl Streep) as she moves to Kenya to marry a wealthy coffee plantation owner, Baron Bror Blixen (Klaus Maria Brandauer).

However, their marriage is strained, and Karen finds solace and love in the arms of a big-game hunter, Denys Finch Hatton (Robert Redford).

This film was added due to the beautiful backdrop of Africa and its savanna.

Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

18. ‘Indiana Jones’ — beginning in 1981

The “Indiana Jones” film series follows the adventures of the archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), as he travels the globe in search of ancient artifacts while battling villains and overcoming obstacles.

The first movie, “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” is a great film to start with! Jones is tasked with recovering the Ark of the Covenant before Nazis can use its power for world domination.

This film inspires wanderlust because, besides going on quests to ancient ruins and hidden tombs, viewers can see the jungles of South America or the deserts in Egypt.

Rating: PG to PG-13.

Where to watch: Depending on the movie, you can watch on Disney+, Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video.

19. ‘The Sound of Music’ — 1965

The last movie on this list is “The Sound of Music,” which follows the story of Maria (Julie Andrews), who becomes a governess for the seven children of a widowed Austrian naval captain, Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer).

Maria brings joy to the von Trapp household by teaching the children to sing. However, they soon find themselves facing the looming threat of Nazi occupation in Austria.

As the movie is set in the Austrian Alps, many individuals have traveled to the filming locations in Salzburg.

Where to watch: Hulu, YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.

To watch most movies, you will need a subscription or rent the movies at a low fee.

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Movie listings for the week of May 10

From left: Noa, Freya Allan and Raka in a scene from “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” (20th Century Studios/AP)

Alliance auditorium (Civ 065-44-5600; DSN 423-5600)

FRI May 10: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 5 p.m.; Immaculate, 8 p.m.

SAT May 11: Tarot, 5 p.m.; The Fall Guy, 8 p.m.

SUN May 12: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 2 p.m.

LAKENHEATH (01638-522139)

SAT May 11: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 3 p.m.; Tarot, 7 p.m.

SUN May 12: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 3 p.m.

MILDENHALL (Civ 01638-714955)

FRI May 10: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 7 p.m.

SAT May 11: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 2 p.m..

SUN May 12: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 6 p.m.

Katterbach Sadowski Theater (Civ 09802-831790)

SAT May 11: Tarot, 3 p.m.; Challengers, 7 p.m.

SUN May 12: The Fall Guy, 3 p.m.; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 6 p.m.

BAUMHOLDER (Civ 06783-6-1790; DSN 485-1790)

SAT May 11: Tarot, 7 p.m.

SUN May 12: Despicable Me, 5 p.m.

GRAFENWÖHR (Civ 09641-83-1790)

FRI May 10: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 6 p.m.

SAT May 11: Tarot, 2 p.m.; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 2 p.m.

SUN May 12: Boy Kills World, 2 p.m.; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 5 p.m.

HOHENFELS (Civ 09472-83-1790)

SAT May 11: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 6 p.m.

KMCC Cineplex (Civ 06371-4079853)

FRI May 10: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 3:45, 5, 7, 8:15 p.m.; The Fall Guy, 3, 6, 9 p.m.; The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, 8:45 p.m.; Kung Fu Panda 4, 3:15, 6 p.m.

SAT May 11: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 1:45, 5, 8:15 p.m.; The Fall Guy, 1:15, 4:30, 7:45 p.m.; Boy Kills World, 3:15, 9 p.m.; Tarot, 6 p.m.; The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, 8:45 p.m.; Kung Fu Panda 4, 12:30, 3:15 p.m.; Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, 6 p.m.

SUN May 12: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, noon, 3:15, 6:30 p.m.; The Fall Guy, 1, 4, 7 p.m.; Boy Kills World, 1:15 p.m.; Tarot, 3:45 p.m.; The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, 5:30 p.m.; Kung Fu Panda 4, 12:30, 3 p.m.; Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, 6 p.m.; The First Omen, 6:45 p.m.

MON May 13: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 6 p.m.; The Fall Guy, 6:30 p.m.; Boy Kills World, 6:45 p.m.; Kung Fu Panda 4, 5:30 p.m.

TUE May 14: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 6 p.m.; The Fall Guy, 6:30 p.m.; Boy Kills World, 6:45 p.m.; Kung Fu Panda 4, 5:30 p.m.

WED May 15: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 6 p.m.; The Fall Guy, 6:30 p.m. p.m.; Boy Kills World, 6:45 p.m.; Kung Fu Panda 4, 5:30 p.m.

SPANGDAHLEM (Civ 06565-61-7469)

SAT May 11: Tarot, 4 p.m.; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 7 p.m.

SUN May 12: The Fall Guy, 4 p.m.; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 7 p.m.

Patch Barracks (Civ 0711-120-8222)

SAT May 11: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 3 p.m.; Tarot, 6 p.m.

SUN May 12: Arthur the King, 3 p.m.

VILSECK (Civ 09662-83-1790)

SUN May 12: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, 2 p.m.; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 6 p.m.

WIESBADEN (Civ 0611-732-8953; DSN 732-8953)

SAT MAY 11: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 3 p.m.; Immaculate, 7 p.m.

SUN May 12: Tarot, 3 p.m.; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 6 p.m.

Liberty Center (0030-282-102-1354)

Movies by request. First come, first served. Check with theater for list of choices.

AVIANO (Civ 0434-30-7232; DSN 632-7232)

FRI May 10: Cabrini, 6 p.m.

SAT May 11: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 2 p.m.; Tarot, 5 p.m.

Naples (DSN 629-4359)

FRI May 10: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 5:30 p.m.

SAT May 11: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, 3 p.m.; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 5:30 p.m.; Civil War, 5:10 p.m.

Midtown 2 Theaters (095-56-4248)

FRI May 10: Trolls, 5 p.m.; Civil War, 6 p.m.; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 7 p.m.

SAT May 11: Trolls 2: World Tour, 2 p.m.; The Fall Guy, 4 p.m.; Civil War, 5 p.m.; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 6:30 p.m.

SUN May 12: Civil War, 2 p.m.; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 3 p.m.; The Blue Angels, 6 p.m.

VICENZA (0444-51-7016)

FRI May 10: Tarot, 5 p.m.

SAT May 11: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 1 p.m.; The Fall Guy, 4 p.m.

The Netherlands

Alliance Theatre (Civ 045-526-2110)

Movie listings announced via private “JFC Brunssum Morale & Welfare” Facebook group only.

Lajes TORC Theater (23302)

WED: May 8: Asteroid City, 6 p.m.

Flix Theater (956-82-3709)

FRI May 10: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, 5 p.m.; The Fall Guy, 5 p.m.; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 8 p.m.; Civil War, 9 p.m.

SAT May 11: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 3:30 p.m.; Civil War, 6 p.m.

SUN May 12: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 1 p.m.; The Fall Guy, 2 p.m.; Civil War, 4 p.m.

Incirlik (Civ 322-316)

SAT May 11: Immaculate, 7 p.m.

SUN May 12: Tarot, 4 p.m.

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Ukraine-Russia war: Latest updates

Ask our military analysts or international correspondents a question on the Ukraine war in the box below.

Thursday 9 May 2024 09:18, UK

• Putin: We want to avoid global confrontation, but nuclear forces ready if needed  
• Home Office expels Russian diplomat who was 'undeclared military intelligence officer'
• Dominic Waghorn: Russia may have crossed the line - but UK move to expel attache increases risk of dangerous escalation
• Ed Conway : Russian oil still seeping into UK - the reasons why sanctions are not working

Ask a question or make a comment

Vladimir Putin used his Victory Day speech this morning to warn that Russia's combat forces were "always ready".

But he admitted the country was going through a "difficult period".

You can watch a segment from his speech here:

We aren't bringing you live updates today, but here is the main story this morning.

Vladimir Putin has just finished speaking at Russia's annual Second World War victory parade.

The president, now in his fifth term, said that Russia will do all it could to avoid a global confrontation, amid rising rhetoric about a face-off with NATO.

Mr Putin, however, said it would not allow any nation or alliance to threaten Russia.

As he's said multiple times since he invaded Ukraine, the Russian leader warned the West that his nuclear forces were always at a state of combat readiness. 

He was addressing scores of troops in Moscow's Red Square - here are the best images from the Russian capital... 

Thanks for following our live coverage, we'll be back soon with more live updates. 

Kosovo's foreign minister has said her country is convinced Russia must lose the war in Ukraine for conflict not to spread further in Europe.

Donika Gervalla-Schwarz said her young nation's support for Ukraine was unconditional - despite Kyiv not having recognised Kosovo's independence.

Ms Gervalla-Schwarzd her small Balkan nation, which declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, is repeatedly reminded of the aggressive intentions of both Serbia and its ally Russia.

"Ukraine hasn't recognised the Republic of Kosovo as a state, but we really believe that we know exactly what Ukraine is going through," she told The Associated Press in an interview.

"And we know that there is only one solution, not only for Ukraine, but for Europe," she said.

"It can only be Russia to lose the war and Ukraine to win this war. Otherwise, Europe should prepare for other conflicts in our continent."

The people of Kosovo were the targets of war crimes and other atrocities by Serbia's security forces in the 1990s, an experience that led Kosovo to seek independence.

"While Kosovo is a small state with very modest possibilities to help, we have tried to be very helpful with Ukraine and have not hesitated to show our unconditional support and sympathy to the people and to the state of Ukraine," Ms Gervalla-Schwarz said.

Lord Cameron has called the UK's measures on a Russian defence attache "an unequivocal message" to Moscow. 

The foreign secretary was replying to James Cleverly's post on X in which he said the Home Office expelled a Russian defence attache as part of a series of measures against the country.

Other measures in the package include removing the diplomatic premises status from several Russian owned properties in the UK and capping the amount of time Russian diplomats can spend in the UK.

Budapest is once again raising eyebrows across the world's biggest military alliance as it pledges to defy a NATO initiative. 

The alliance's long-term plan to support Ukraine militarily was agreed in April, but was dubbed a "crazy mission" by Hungary's foreign minister today. 

Under the plans, NATO would take over some coordination work from a US-led coalition known as the Ramstein group.

Discussing the plans today, Peter Szijjarto said: "Hungary will stay out of NATO's crazy mission despite all the pressure."

Relations between Budapest and NATO have soured because of Hungary's foot-dragging over the ratification of Sweden's NATO accession - finally passed by Budapest in March - and also over nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban's close ties with Moscow. 

The Russian embassy in London has said there will be "an appropriate response" after Britain expelled a Russian defence attache.

The embassy said the restrictions that had been imposed were done under a "groundless and ridiculous pretext", according to Russian state news agency TASS.

It comes after Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was reported as telling journalists that the Kremlin will respond appropriately following the expulsion.

Dominic Waghorn, international affairs editor

It's always assumed defence attaches play some kind of role gatherling intelligence and that is generally tolerated by their host countries. 

They could be gathering data about weapons production for instance or ship building but there is a line they are expected not to cross. 

The assumption here is that the Russians have broken the rules of the game.

But the British government will have thought long and hard before expelling the Russian. It doesn't come without cost.

In their day jobs defence attaches play a crucial role in liaising with their hosts.  That can be very important in terms of avoiding misunderstandings that could lead to unnecessary and dangerous escalation. 

Losing Russia’s defence attache in London deprives the UK of one more line of liaison at a time when clear understanding and clarification could be essential to avoiding deepening conflict.

That is not ideal at a time of war. 

What is not clear is how much these moves are connected specifically to the conduct of the Russians involved or should they actually be seen more as another chapter in the diplomatic war underway between Russia and the UK.

The UK has undoubtedly weakened Russia's ability to spy in the UK and gather intelligence but these measures will also affect Britain's ability to predict and avoid potential escalation. 

That will be made even worse if Russia, as may be expected, responds with like-for-like retaliation

Seven people have been injured by Russian shelling in eastern Kharkiv, according to the region's governor.

Oleg Synegubov said among those wounded was an eight-year-old girl and three boys, two aged 14 and the other 15. 

"Two [of the] boys are in serious condition, [the other] boy and [the] girl are in average condition," he said. 

One 55-year-old civilian of unspecified gender was also hospitalised. 

Two women had minor injuries. 

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has offered his thoughts on the expulsion of a Russian defence attache the government has accused of being an undeclared military intelligence officer. 

"Today we've expelled Russia's defence attache who has been working as an intelligence officer for Putin in the UK," he said on X. 

"We will not tolerate Putin’s efforts to undermine our nation and democracy and will continue to stand up for freedom here and in Ukraine."

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