Warrior Nun (Spain)
Fans of the Warrior Nun series—a Netflix show based on comics created by Ben Dunn featuring freewheeling, ass-kicking nuns fighting evil—entranced by the series’ Baroque architecture should look to Spain.
The entirety of season 1 was shot in Andalusia, where cities such as Marbella, Ronda, Antequera, Málaga, and Seville—southern Spain road trip anyone?—helped bring the secret nun order to life. It’s set against a stunning backdrop of hilltop citadels and sand-washed mediaeval monuments.
On the other hand, season 2 was shot on location in Madrid, a well-connected city from which to start a Spanish sojourn. Amble down Paseo del Prado and learn more about Spanish seafaring at the Naval Museum, or pop by the Museo Nacional del Prado to peruse priceless works of Spanish art. After checking out the artefacts, walk towards Calle Cava Baja, a long narrow street where you’ll find the best tapas.
Squid Game (South Korea)
Probably the most popular Asian Netflix show produced to date, the dystopian drama’s main filming locations were purpose-built sets in the city of Daejeon, along the streets and neighbourhoods of Seoul, and the uninhabited Seongapdo Island off Incheon.
The fifth largest city in the country, Daejeon’s attractions include an observatory where the public can view celestial bodies and constellations, Yuseong Hot Springs where they can dip their feet into healing waters, and children-friendly O-World, a three-in-one theme park comprising Flower Land, Zoo Land and Joy Land.
Meanwhile, K-pop crazed capital Seoul brings on the buzz with tourist attractions such as Namdaemum Market and its 10,000 stalls and the trendy Insa-dong and its art galleries.
Bridgerton (United Kingdom)
Opulent countryside abodes and stately mansions, accentuated by manicured gardens, is the backdrop for this swoon-worthy and scintillating drama set during England’s Regency era.
Filming locations were spread across the UK such as Castle Howard in York; Hatfield House in Hertfordshire; Wilton House in Salisbury; Halton House in Buckinghamshire; while most of the street scenes were shot in the UNESCO-listed city of Bath.
Step away from the city and breathe in fresh country air by paying a visit to these historic houses and its sprawling gardens, or take a leisurely stroll down UNESCO-listed Bath’s Royal Crescent street before heading to the Pump Room Restaurant for a sumptuous afternoon tea overlooking the Roman Baths.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (New Zealand)
Towering rock cliffs, shimmering lakes, snow-capped peaks, and dramatic coastlines were fundamental to creating Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) and The Hobbit trilogies, so it is no surprise that Amazon Prime Video’s Rings of Power made a pilgrimage back to Middle Earth.
Although the timeline in the fantasy series has changed, New Zealand’s natural landscapes continue to draw in Tolkien fans and film buffs. Season 1 was entirely filmed in the North and South Islands, across more than 38 diverse locations. The island kingdom of Númenor was set in Coromandel Peninsula and Piha Karekare on the North Island’s West Coast; The Denize Bluffs in Mangaotaki Valley formed part of Harfoot’s Territory; while Mount Kidd in Fjordland National Park was where Bronwyn finds her voice as leader of the Southland forces.
Many of the filming locations are accessible via hikes or helicopter tours, and several companies run LOTR-dedicated tours.
The 100 (Canada)
This series follows the story of 100 juvenile detainees sent to a post-apocalyptic earth to find out if it can be inhabited again, due to dwindling supplies aboard their space station.
To depict the wildness of nature and rugged, sparsely-populated areas, producers used Vancouver, British Columbia, as the central filming location throughout the show’s seven seasons. Filming took place in verdant settings such as Lynn Canyon Park, Coquitlam River Park, Widgeon Valley National Wildlife Area, Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, and Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. While no tours are available, most of these parks brim with soaring trees and lush greenery accessible by well-maintained hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts needing a getaway from the city.
As for The 100’s water-based scenes, the natural surroundings of Widgeon Slough North Dock, Minaty Bay, and Stave Falls Dam, and beaches such as Britannia, Watts Point, and Lighthouse were featured throughout the series.
