11 Legendary Destinations That Are Better in Movies Than Reality

Movies have a way of magnifying things, taking the mundane and less-thought about places and making them something big and dreamy to escape. The magic behind a film can be just lighting, camera angles, and the right amount of storytelling flair. Crowded streets don’t hold the glamour, and places that just don’t have the appeal of their on-screen counterparts.

You can enjoy the real thing without disappointment if you know what you’re getting into. Let’s explore some iconic locations that movies turned into unforgettable destinations, only for reality to reveal a less glamorous side.

Paris

Paris is the ultimate movie set for romance. Did you see “Midnight in Paris” when the streets were lit like gold and the cafés were from “Amélie”? The city is charming, of course, but if you fancy a coffee in a picturesque café without the hordes of tourists, there’s a queue. It’s magic, but then you throw in the occasional grumpy waiter, the magic might not be quite as good.

Middle-Earth, New Zealand

As New Zealand became a new dream destination thanks to the sweeping vistas of ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ the tandem of poets visiting New Zealand is only growing. The film’s mountains and valleys are gorgeous, but much of the film was shot with computer effects. The real-life locations aren’t quite as ethereal as the ones you see on screen and visitors find that they don’t quite match up to the ones in the film.

Hollywood

Hollywood is synonymous with fame and fortune because its glittering streets have starred in countless films. It’s not a cultural epicenter; it’s a carnival with tacky souvenir shops, costumed street performers, and not a bit of glamor.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall often appears majestic in movies like The Great Wall or in documentaries that showcase its grandeur. In reality, however, popular sections are packed with visitors, selfie sticks, and snack vendors. The wall can be as hard to climb as it is to find a moment to soak in its history.

The Sahara Desert

Filmmakers have used endless golden dunes of the Sahara for generations, including in “The English Patient.” It’s beautiful, but it’s hard to visit. A Hollywood blockbuster without a stunning beach scene where characters dive into the sea feels incomplete: blistering sandstorms, extreme heat, and no infrastructure to test the human spirit.

Venice

Nothing is more romantic than Venice in movies like “The Tourist.” You can’t beat the gondola rides and the winding canals… However, for example, the streets are narrow enough to be crowded at peak times, and the canals are more like a water traffic jam than a peaceful retreat.

Tuscany

The idyllic paradise of vineyards, rustic villas, and quiet living from the movies ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ and ‘More Tuscany’ is popularly known. The reality includes tourists cramming those quaint villages, crazy high rental prices, and your Tuscan villa being out of budget.

Santorini

Santorini is postcard perfection, with its whitewashed buildings and blue-domed churches, as seen in movies like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pant. The downside is that you have to elbow your way through a crowd to nab the iconic sunset view and pay top dollar for the privilege.

Times Square

In movies like Spider-Man and The Devil Wears Prada, Times Square is depicted as the vibrant heartbeat of New York City. In reality, more daunting than glamorous, it’s a mess of flashing billboards, street performers, and hordes of tourists.

Hawaii’s Beaches

Hawaii’s beaches, as seen in films like Blue Crush and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, are often portrayed as secluded slices of paradise. Many beaches are filled with throngs of visitors making the tranquility of the scenes in the movies hard to experience, even on the beautiful islands.

The Pyramids of Giza

In films, the Pyramids are often portrayed as rising majestically above endless, empty deserts. In reality, their proximity to bustling Cairo brings modernity right to their doorstep, with souvenir vendors, camel ride offers, and the city’s hustle and bustle surrounding these ancient wonders.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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