Have you ever settled down to watch a movie or a TV show and found yourself getting a little distracted by the background locations? Perhaps you begin idly searching for where the filming took place, and before you know it, you are looking at flights and hotels, paying a little more attention to your holiday planning than to the plot unfolding on screen. You are not alone.
According to Expedia, who claim to have popularised the term ‘set-jetting’ back in 2022, the film tourism trend is very much on the rise. In their Unpack ’25 report, 66% of travellers surveyed said their holiday choices have been influenced by the movies and TV shows they have watched.
What is Set-jetting and Why is it Popular?
Set-jetting, sometimes called film tourism, refers to travelling to destinations that have appeared in beloved films and TV shows. Although the term itself has only been around since early 2007, having been coined by the New York Post, the phenomenon has roots stretching back decades. The real global wave began with the Lord of the Rings trilogy, when New Zealand’s dramatic landscapes enchanted audiences, drawing millions of visitors keen to experience Middle-earth for themselves. This marked the shift of film tourism from a niche passion into a mainstream travel trend.
Today, set-jetting is more popular than ever. With every blockbuster or must-watch series, more people add new destinations to their wish lists. Who hasn’t watched White Lotus and immediately wondered exactly where the beautiful backdrops to the show’s stories of murder and mayhem are? After the series’ beautifully shot seasons in Maui, Taormina, and Koh Samui, tourist numbers rose sharply as fans rushed to recreate the on-screen experience. Streaming services make the world’s most stunning film locations just a click away, and social media helps fans share their movie-inspired travels far and wide.
While it is easy to see the attraction of visiting a single iconic filming location—especially if it means staying in a Four Seasons—wouldn’t it be even more fun to come somewhere you can spot locations from dozens of films and shows from around the world? All while enjoying the many other attractions that Gozo has to offer, from over five thousand years of history to beautiful beaches and jaw-dropping scenery.
Gozo: The Film Set of the Mediterranean
Gozo, with its striking coastal scenery, villages steeped in history, and friendly, film-savvy community, is the perfect location for a set-jetting holiday. Since the 1950s, the island has played host to an array of productions, from Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters to popular TV shows such as Brideshead Revisited and The Madame Blanc Mysteries. Its unspoiled landscapes are able to stand in for almost anywhere in the world. For those who want to plan their own film-themed visit, our Gozo Film Locations Guide is packed with insider tips and maps.
Unforgettable Films and TV Shows Shot on Gozo
Gozo’s incredible range of filming locations has made it shimmer on screen, playing everywhere from mythic ancient worlds to modern Mediterranean escapes. For fantasy fans, Game of Thrones famously filmed Daenerys and Khal Drogo’s wedding at Dwejra Bay’s Azure Window. The Madame Blanc Mysteries transforms the squares and alleys of villages like Sannat, Għarb, and Victoria, standing in for the fictional Sainte Victoire in the South of France.
Classic and cult films abound. The Count of Monte Cristo used the dramatic Santa Marija Tower on Comino, while the sweeping sands of Ramla Bay have been the backdrop for several notable productions. Clash of the Titans, Troy, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and Swept Away have all showcased Gozo’s versatile landscape.
For TV lovers, series from Coronation Street to Birds of a Feather have filmed here, while culinary shows like Ainsley’s Taste of Malta introduce new audiences to the island’s charm in every episode.
Our Madame Blanc Filming Locations Guide gives fans the perfect route to follow in the stars’ footsteps. To step through every major shoot, explore our Gozo Film Trail or our interactive location maps.
Famous Actors Who Have Filmed on Gozo
Over the years, Gozo has welcomed some truly legendary stars. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie spent months filming By the Sea at Mġarr ix-Xini, a tranquil cove as stunning in life as on screen. Michael Caine, Joan Collins, and Madonna have all worked here on films such as Pulp, Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? and Swept Away. Other stars to have been spotted on the island include John Thaw and Dennis Waterman during the filming of Sweeney 2, as well as international talents like Guy Pearce during the blockbuster The Count of Monte Cristo. Scenes from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen brought Sean Connery to Gozo’s dramatic coastline.
Many well-known television faces have also walked Gozo’s streets. Robin Askwith, star of The Madame Blanc Mysteries, calls Gozo home, and Billy Connolly owned a house in Sannat for many years.
Explore Gozo’s Filming Locations
One of the joys of set-jetting on Gozo is its accessibility. The island is compact, making it easy to visit multiple sets in a single day. From the salt pans of Żebbuġ, featured in the UK version of The Apprentice, to Dwejra Bay—seen in films ranging from The Sailor of the King (shot back in the 1950s) all the way up to Shame on Dry Land, a 2023 Swedish drama—there is something for every film enthusiast.
Plan visits to Sannat’s lovely square, which first appeared as Sainte Victoire in The Madame Blanc Mysteries, or make your way through scenic Nadur, Marsalforn, and the dramatic locations of San Lawrenz and Dwejra Bay.
Find more detail and inspiration in our dedicated Gozo filming location guides.
Gozo is Set-jetting Heaven
A wealth of filming heritage, iconic spots, famous names, and a truly warm welcome make Gozo the perfect choice for set-jetters. Discover where your favourite scenes were filmed, walk through locations soaked in movie history, and see for yourself why so many stars and directors have fallen in love with our island. If you are dreaming of a unique film-inspired escape, start planning your Gozo adventure with us—your next cinematic journey is waiting.