10 stunning UNESCO sites that were immortalized on screen

National Geographic

09-06-2025

In 1989, the appearance of Petra's ancient tomb known as the Treasury [Al-Khazneh] in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade electrified moviegoers. Following the film's release, annual attendance at Jordan's formerly obscure UNESCO World Heritage Site skyrocketed—reaching nearly a million visitors by 2010. Today, the link between the haunting, rock-faced tombs and the Hollywood blockbuster continues to capture the attention of set-jetters.
"In the movie, Petra is a prop, a backdrop to Indiana Jones," says Las Vegas resident Andy Hines who visited last April and was struck by the remnants of the vanished Nabatean Kingdom. "But see it in person, and Petra becomes the star, allowing you to appreciate the site's full, rich historical context "
Petra isn't the only UNESCO site to enjoy celluloid celebrity. Hollywood has scouted and used dozens of designated cultural wonders as dramatic backdrops, transforming these locales into must-see and must-do destinations—part of a growing trend called set-jetting, that draws travelers to places appearing in hit movies and TV shows. The following list blends cultural significance with cinematic nostalgia—an irresistible draw for travelers seeking meaningful summer vacations. Lesser flamingos—a species found in sub-Saharan Africa and western India—are seen here at Lake Bogoria, that lies in a volcanic region south of Lake Baringo in Kenya's Great Rift Valley. Photograph by Avalon.red / Alamy Stock Photo 1. Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley
Sydney Pollack's Out of Africa forever linked Kenya's dramatic landscapes with epic romance. The UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site of the Kenya Lake System, designated in 2011, features prominently in the film's sweeping aerial shots of the Great Rift Valley, Ngong Hills, and most famously, Robert Redford and Meryl Streep's biplane buzzing Lake Nakuru with its iconic, if terrified, pink flamingos. The three alkaline lakes (Elementaita, Nakuru, and Bogoria) support exceptional populations of lesser flamingos and other migratory birds. Based on Karen Blixen's memoir of running a coffee plantation in colonial Kenya, the 1985 film's panoramic vistas helped define the visual language of the romantic African safari. Today, visitors can experience scenic viewpoints along the Great Rift Valley escarpment and flamingo-flocking at Lake Nakuru National Park. The region's luxury lodges will deliver an Out of Africa experience for a price.
(19 of the most romantic destinations in the world.) 2. Tongariro National Park, New Zealand
Few film franchises have transformed a country's global image more completely than The Lord of the Rings did for New Zealand. Tongariro National Park, with its dual World Heritage status (natural and cultural), was the dramatic landscape of Mordor in Peter Jackson's epic trilogy released between 2001 and 2003. Mount Ngauruhoe served as the infamous Mount Doom (filming at the summit was forbidden as the Māori people consider these volcanic peaks sacred.) Tawahi Falls created the perfect setting for Gollum's forbidden pool. The region's profound significance to New Zealand's first people adds cultural depth, not just a cinematic connection. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a rewarding day hike past sulfurous steam vents and snow-dusted volcanic peaks, though winter in the Southern Hemisphere (June to August) makes it challenging. New Zealand's summer months—from December to February—provide better weather for travelers.
(How to explore Lord of the Rings filming locations in New Zealand.) 3. Historic Center of Rome, Italy
When Audrey Hepburn's Princess Ann flees her royal duties in 1953's "Roman Holiday,' she embarks on a Vespa-powered romance with journalist Gregory Peck, scooting past landmarks such as the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Colosseum located in the heart of the Eternal City and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. 'It's not only a movie,' says art historian Isabella Calidonna, whose Archeorunning tours showcase the city's heart while avoiding the crowds just as Hepburn and Peck tried to do. 'The film captures the moment visitors discover Rome in all her alluring simplicity,' she says. 'And in a time when over-tourism rules Rome, we need more of it.' Travelers can retrace the lovers' locales, though Calidonna advises doing so in the early morning hours to avoid the crushing summertime throngs.
(How to dine like a local in Italy.) Machu Picchu, the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site in Peru, has been a filming location for The Motorcycle Diaries and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Photograph by Jonathan Irish, Nat Geo Image Collection 4. Machu Picchu, Peru
Another two-wheeled adventurer, Gael Garcia Bernal as Ernesto "Che" Guevara, stands contemplating the 15th-century Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in The Motorcycle Diaries (2004). The scene captures a pivotal moment in the revolutionary's formative journey across South America and his awakening to social inequalities. Designated a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in 1983, the Peruvian wonder serves as more than just a stunning set—it functions as a silent, brooding character. However, today's travelers face more stringent regulations than Che did. Advance visitor permits are essential, with options ranging from the classic four-day Inca Trail hike to day trips via train from Cusco. Conservation concerns have led authorities to implement visitor caps, making early planning crucial for travelers interested in seeing the capital of the Incas.
(Go on a luxury rail journey through Peruvian mountains.) 5. Historic Center of Salzburg, Austria
Few musical moments rival Julie Andrews spinning like a gyroscope atop an Austrian Alp in The Sound of Music (1965). The Von Trapp family's journey through Salzburg's baroque cityscape and surrounding mountains showcases why its historic center earned its UNESCO Cultural World Heritage status in 1996. The city's Mirabell Palace Gardens, Nonnberg Abbey, and Residenzplatz became instantly recognizable to generations of viewers. Beyond the film's landmarks, visitors will discover Mozart's birthplace and other examples of the city's rich musical heritage. Dedicated Sound of Music tours remain popular, though classical music enthusiasts can opt to attend the Salzburg Festival held every summer (the Von Trapps appeared in 1936). The festival typically begins the last two weeks of July and runs through the end of August.
(Fans of 'The Sound of Music' can follow in the footsteps of the famous von Trapp family.) Local artisans buy leather in bulk at a souk in Marrakech, Morocco. Photograph by Erika Skogg, Nat Geo Image Collection Marrakesh is known for its intricate and vibrant tile work, a hallmark of Moroccan architecture, as seen here at the Ben Youssef Madrasa in the city. Photograph by Erika Skogg, Nat Geo Image Collection Ornate lanterns, teapots, and mirrors are just a few items for sale at this souk in Marrakesh. Photograph by Erika Skogg, Nat Geo Image Collection 6. Medina of Marrakesh, Morocco
Alfred Hitchcock brought the colorful chaos of Marrakesh's ancient walled city to audiences through his thriller The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956). The Medina, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site in 1985, provides a labyrinthine backdrop for James Stewart and Doris Day's search for their kidnapped son. Locations such as Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, La Mamounia Hotel, and the twisting souks create a sensory overload perfect for Hitchcock, the master of suspense. Today, the 11th-century neighborhood with its distinctive red architecture perfumed by the competing aromas of saffron, leather, mint, and motorcycle exhaust, offers visitors an immersive and vibrant experience. Early morning and evening explorations help avoid summer's midday heat.
(Everything families should know for the ultimate trip to Marrakech.) 7. Hanseatic City of Lübeck, Germany
F.W. Murnau's expressionist vampire film Nosferatu (1922) utilized the medieval atmosphere of Lübeck, founded in 1143 to create its haunting mood. This UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site (designated 1987) showcases the brick Gothic buildings and narrow streets of a once-powerful Hanseatic League trading center located on Germany's Baltic coast. The Salzspeicher (salt storehouses) featured prominently in the film remain largely unchanged a century later. Still weathered by sea mists, they cast the same eerie silhouettes that gave Murnau's vampire tale its horror.
'It looks idyllic during the day and then the light changes and these narrow little lanes become creepy crawly,' says Christel Obenaus who leads walks around Lübeck including one about the film. Self-guided tours also allow visitors to explore Gothic churches and city streets while discovering the maritime history that made it prosperous. Film fans flock to the area in November for the festival Nordic Film Days Lübeck.
(Germany's Camino trek rivals Spain's famous pilgrimage—and is a lot less crowded.) 8. Wadi Rum, Jordan
The vast, otherworldly landscape of Jordan's Wadi Rum served as a location for films like Dune and The Martian but it first captivated global audiences in Lawrence of Arabia (1962). In one memorable scene, Lawrence (Peter O'Toole) takes up the invitation of tribal leader Auda Abu Tayi (Anthony Quinn) to 'dine with me in Wadi Rum,' the next cut reveals the UNESCO Mixed Cultural and Natural Site's spectacular rocky scenery. There's authentic history behind the David Lean masterpiece, as the real Lawrence passed through the region during the Arab Revolt of World War One. Today, the country's Bedouin communities maintain ancient relationships with this challenging landscape, offering visitors authentic cultural encounters alongside natural beauty. Desert camping in front of a crackling fire beneath star-filled skies offers the most immersive experience. Tours by 4x4 provide access to a host of film locations.
(Here's what it's like to visit Jordan's Wadi Rum for the first time.) The North Gate at the Angkor Thom Temple.Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Photograph by Diane Cook, Len Jenshel, Nat Geo Image Collection 9. Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia
When Angelina Jolie's Lara Croft vaulted through the temple ruins of Ta Prohm in Tomb Raider (2001), she introduced millions to the atmospheric wonders of Cambodia's Angkor Archaeological Park. This 1992-designated UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site showcases the vast religious complexes of the Khmer Empire that ruled here between the Ninth and 15th centuries. The 'Tomb Raider Temple' with its famous tree roots strangling the ancient stones like thick, gnarled tentacles, became one of the park's most photographed locations. Visit early mornings to duck both the crowds and the intense midday heat. A multi-day pass allows visitors to go beyond the action film's locations, discovering Angkor's lesser-known temples. They are as compelling, but without the superstar status. In Siem Reap, an evening drink in the Elephant Bar at Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor offers an elegant way to beat the heat.
(These hidden temples in Cambodia will take you off the beaten path.) 10. Historic Center of Mexico City, Mexico
Lastly, perhaps the most fascinating relationship between Hollywood and UNESCO unfolded in Mexico City's Historic Center, a UNESECO Cultural Site since 1987. The opening scenes of Spectre follow Daniel Craig's James Bond through an elaborate Day of the Dead celebration featuring giant skeleton figures and costumed crowds. The 2015 sequence showcases iconic landmarks, including the Zócalo (the city's main square), the Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico (Room 327 to be exact), and the Torre Latinoamericana, the city's iconic 1956 skyscraper. What makes it unique is the film's cultural impact—before Spectre, Mexico City didn't have a large-scale Day of the Dead parade like the one depicted. In a remarkable case of art influencing life, Mexican tourism authorities established an inaugural Day of the Dead parade in 2016, directly inspired by the fictional celebration created for the film. They even used some of the props and costumes from the production and referred to it as a "Spectre-style" parade. The event has since become an annual tradition attracting thousands of visitors.
(Love spy movies? These iconic London locations play a starring role.) Andrew Nelson is the author of National Geographic's recently published travel book Here Not There. Follow him on Instagram.