I’ve loved travel since I was young. Before I ventured across the world, I found myself immersed in travel TV, books, and movies. I was the ultimate armchair traveler! I’ve never been one to watch many movies, yet when it came to travel-themed movies, I couldn’t get enough of them. I would binge-watch my favorite travel movies over and over again. These movies allowed me to virtually escape to the destination. I found myself dreaming about the destinations in the movies, inspired to visit one day. While I still have countless travel movies I have yet to see, I have compiled a list of my all-time favorites. Keep in mind, this is not a list of “the best travel movies”. These are my favorite travel movies. These moves have fueled my wanderlust and have served as a great way to tide me over when I can’t travel.
Table of Contents
Travel Movies You Need to Watch
The Way
An American father sets off on a pilgrimage to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela after his son dies making the trek. “The Way” has everything you want in a great travel movie. It is inspiring, full of depth, and showcases a unique destination. After watching this movie, I started researching all the towns and cities mentioned determined to one day make this trek myself. When I do walk the Camino de Santiago one day, hopefully, it is less eventful than what happened to the characters in this movie.
Where to watch: Watch The Way here!
Beauty and the Beast
While “Beauty and the Beast” may be a fairytale, the town is based on a real-life place. Yes, the “provincial town” in Beauty and the Beast is based on the adorable village of Riquewihr. This Beauty and the Beast town in the Alsace region of France truly feels like you are stepping into a fairytale. Until you can visit the real-life place, watching “Beauty and the Beast” is the next best thing. (PS I found it impossible to walk around Riquewihr without singing “Little Town”).
Where to watch: Watch Beauty and the Beast here or on Disney Plus!
Eat, Pray, Love
“Eat, Pray, Love” is hands down one of the best travel memoirs and movies of all time. While this may be a cliche choice for my favorite travel movies, it is on my list because it is truly that good! Watching Elizabeth Gilbert’s path to self-discovery through travel is inspiring. I think deep down, we all want to have some of the experiences Elizebeth Gilbert had through her travels. Well, at least the eat and love part. “Eat, Pray, Love” may inspire you to want to jump on the next flight to Rome. But watching this movie on repeat with a heaping bowl of pasta may do the trick to keep your wanderlust in check.
Where to watch: Watch Eat, Pray, Love here or on Netflix!
Wild
If hiking and nature travel is your forte, then you must watch “Wild”. In “Wild” Cheryl Strayed hiked 1,100-miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. Her journey to self-discovery is raw and compelling. Cheryl Strayed’s journey from the Mojave Desert to Washington State is the armchair adventure you didn’t know you were craving. I have both watched this movie and read the book, and Strayed story has inspired me to push myself further and harder when it comes to adventure.
Where to watch: Watch Wild here!
The Sound of Music
The hills are alive! “The Sound of Music” was one of the first travel movies that I obsessed over. This classic musical set in the Austrian Alps features the beautiful natural landscape and the charming city of Salzburg.
Where to watch: Watch The Sound of Music here or on Disney Plus!
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Four high school best friends set off on their separate summer vacations. One goes to Greece, one to Mexico, and the others stay close to home. Yet, they share a special bond and the same pair of pants Its a cute, slightly cheesy, coming of age movie that showcases some beautiful locations. And if you like the first movie, there is a second “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”.
Where to watch: Watch Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants here or on Hulu!
Crazy Rich Asians
After watching this movie countless times, I have decided that I need to visit Singapore. “Crazy Rich Asians” is a dramatic and entertaining movie set in Singapore. Not only will you be entertained by the antics in this movie you will also be dazzled by this ultra-modern city.
Where to watch: Watch Crazy Rich Asians here or on Hulu!
Letters to Juliet
“Letters to Juliet” is one of my all-time favorite movies. While on a trip to Verona, Italy, Sophie visits the wall where the heartbroken leave letters to Juliet (from Romeo and Juliet). She then joins the “Secretaries of Juliet” in answering these letters. This is the perfect romance movie for travel lovers. While enjoying the adorable plot of “Letters to Juliet”, you also have the chance to escape to Verona and Tuscany.
Where to watch: Watch Letters to Juliet here or on Hulu!
Mamma Mia
There is singing, dancing, a love story, and the Greek Islands in this classic musical turned movie. Not only is this a charming and entertaining movie, “Mamma Mia” does a fantastic job showcasing the beauty and ambiance of the Greek Islands. Every time I watch this movie, I find myself dreaming of spending a Summer island hopping through Greece.
Where to watch: Watch Mamma Mia here or on Hulu!
P.S. I Love You
“P.S. I Love You” is pure romance and heartbreak, the kind of movie that’s reserved for when you need a good cry. No spoiler alerts, I promise! But, part of this movie is set in the beautiful Irish countryside. Nowhere seems like a better setting for a romance movie like the rolling hills of Ireland.
Where to watch: Watch P.S. I Love You here!
Midnight in Paris
I must admit that I didn’t watch “Midnight in Paris” until this year. I don’t know how I waited so long to watch such a great travel movie. This movie showcases the Paris of today and yesteryear. The lead character, played by Owen Wilson, goes back and forth from modern-day to 1920’s Paris. Yet, it isn’t cheesy at all. “Midnight in Paris” is great for those who have a romanticized view of Paris. It paints the city of lights in such a beautiful way while telling a compelling story.
Where to watch: Watch Midnight in Paris here!
The Lizzy McGuire Movie
I watched “The Lizzy McGuire Movie” so many times, that when I visited Rome, I sang “hey now, hey now, this is what dreams are made of” over and over again. This movie came out following the Lizzy McGuire series, yet you don’t need to watch the series to enjoy this movie. It follows Lizzy and her classmates on a school trip to Rome, where she meets a guy and pretends to be an Italian singer. The storyline is a bit out there, but it is such a nostalgic and feel-good movie.
Where to watch: Watch The Lizzie McGuire Movie here or on Disney Plus!
Winning London
I couldn’t write a list of my favorite travel movies without including a Mary-Kate and Ashley movie. In “Winning London” two American students visit London and have a bit of adventure and romance. They see the top sights in London and even play some polo. I must admit, I have not seen this movie in almost 20 years. However, this movie definitely inspired me from a young age to visit London.
Where to watch: Watch Winning London here!
Good list of movies. I have watched most of them and they are good. If you haven’t watched the movie Leap Year, it is filmed in Ireland and you may like it.