Travelers Admit They Only Visited This European Country Because Of Famous Movies & Shows

There are quite a few interesting ways in which pop culture intertwines with travel. Popular television shows and movies can turn previously under-the-radar places into must-see destinations. For example, "The White Lotus" brought larger crowds to the stunning Thai island of Koh Samui. Going to a place that served as a filming location for a television show or movie is called set-jetting, and many travelers are trying it. One country that has experienced this type of travel for decades is the United Kingdom. For a relatively small place on the map, this sovereign state has provided the backdrop for everything from rom-coms to fantasy dramas that are well-loved all over the world.

In London alone, you can take filming location tours for the "Harry Potter" franchise, Netflix's "The Crown," "Notting Hill," and many more. It's no surprise that an iconic city like London would feature plenty of filming locations turned tourist attractions, but more remote places around the U.K. have experienced set-jetting too. In the subreddit r/travel, Redditors mentioned Doune Castle, Highclere Castle (aka "Downton Abbey"), Port Isaac, Shetland, and more, all because of their filming locations.

U.K. residents have chimed in to discuss places that they have personally seen become popular due to film and television. "I came across a railway viaduct at Glenfinnan where there was a crowd of people. On asking why, I discovered it was something to do with some bloke called Harry Potter who had a film made about him or something," u/F1sh_Face joked in the r/AskUK subreddit. As "Harry Potter" fans likely know, the famous Hogwarts Express chugs along this Scottish viaduct in multiple "Harry Potter" movies. Trains still use this route and there is even a designated viewing point for tourists.

In addition to "Harry Potter," Scotland's rolling green hills and fairytale-like cities served as prime filming locations for the "Outlander" series. In r/travel, Redditor u/geotraveling was inspired to visit Scotland after watching the show, particularly the Scottish Highlands and Skye. "Outlander" fans frequent Inverness, Loch Ness, and the historic and stunning city of Edinburgh as well. "Monarch of the Glen," "Braveheart," and "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" are just a few other shows and movies that have brought people to Scotland.

Although Northern Ireland is separated from the rest of the United Kingdom by the Irish Sea, it has made a significant mark on global pop culture as well. Fans of the 1997 film "Titanic" should head to Belfast, Northern Ireland's capital. The ship (and countless others) was built here and the Titanic Belfast museum is a major highlight of the city. Then, just a two hour train ride from Belfast is Londonderry. Also known as Derry, this quaint town takes center stage in the sitcom "Derry Girls." Since the show's debut, Derry's tourism numbers have doubled, with many checking out the show's filming locations by booking spots on the Derry Girls Tour through Martin McCrossan City Tours.

There is a downside to providing the backdrops for so many successful films and TV shows, however. In r/AskUK, Redditor u/smg658 quite bluntly revealed, "As someone who lives where a good portion of Outlander is filmed, tourists can be a pain. Parking all Willy nilly and asking people daft questions." The comment highlighted an ongoing issue for multiple places around the world: No matter what brings you to the U.K., make sure you're not contributing to overtourism by following local rules and minimizing your interference with locals' daily lives.