Film & TV Filming Locations Map for 2026: Where Your Favorite Shows Are Being Shot in EMEA

Stop wasting research hours — here’s the 2026 filming-locations map and micro-guide that gets you to the exact frames producers want

Travelers, creators, and outdoor adventurers: if you’re tired of fuzzy Pinterest coordinates, half-true “secret” vantage points, and photo ops that don’t match the show — this guide is for you. We mapped current Disney+ EMEA/Hulu commissions and the most-talked-about indie shoots across EMEA and the Americas for 2026, and turned each into a micro-guide: exact coordinates and vantage ideas, permitted visits and studio tours, legal drone rules, and the best times to shoot the content that performs on socials.

What’s inside (quick skim — inverted pyramid)

• Interactive map strategy: how to use it, export to Google Maps/KML, and plan day routes.
• Top 12 filming locations (EMEA + Americas): exact photo spots, angles, and peak visiting windows for 2026.
• Permitted tours & studio access: what’s open for visitors, private set tours, and how to apply for access.
• Creator shot list & kit checklist: mobile-first setups, frame recipes, and editing notes.
• Rules, safety, and etiquette: drone rules, protected sites, and how to avoid being shutdown by production.
• Trends & predictions for 2026: why Disney+ EMEA’s commissioning shifts and indie slates matter to travelers.

2026 Context: Why this map matters now

Late 2025 and early 2026 saw a surge in European and Americas productions — both big streamers and nimble indie studios. Executives at Disney+ EMEA reorganized commissioning teams (see promotions tied to shows like Rivals), signaling more UK/EMEA originals in development and more location shoots across Britain and continental Europe. Meanwhile indie sales slates pushed at markets like Berlinale and Cannes emphasize regional shoots — EO Media’s 2026 Americas slate, for example, leans on Miami and Latin America partners.

“We’re setting the team up for long-term success in EMEA,” Angela Jain told staff as Disney+ reshaped its strategy in late 2025 — a move that directly increases location-based shoots in 2026 (Deadline, Dec 2025–Jan 2026).

Translation for travelers: more authentic on-location filming (not just studio backlots) and frequent short-term shoots make 2026 a great year for location hunting — if you know where and when to go.

How to use the map — pro workflow

1. Open our interactive EMEA + Americas filming-locations map (viral.vacations/filming-map-2026). Export the KML for offline work.
2. Filter by production type: Disney+/Hulu, indie, or studio. Toggle “Permitted Tours” to see places with official visitor access.
3. Plan routes by “peak visiting window” (we list low-congestion weeks). Build a 24–72 hour itinerary around golden/blue hour for best capture.
4. Book studio tours and local film-commission visits at least 2–6 weeks ahead — some require production-clearance checks.

Top EMEA filming locations to visit in 2026 (micro-guides)

1) London & Greater London — “Rivals” (Hulu/Disney+ EMEA) and assorted studio shoots

Why go: With Disney+ promoting commissioning talent for shows like Rivals, London remains a hub for both location and studio shoots in 2026.

• Exact photo spot: South Bank vantage facing Hungerford Bridge — ideal for wide establishing shots of riverfront sequences.
• Best on-set angle: walk east toward Gabriel’s Wharf for a low-angle foreground frame with the Thames and modern architecture layered behind.
• Peak visiting window: mid-week early spring (March–April) — lower tourist density and cool, diffused light.
• Permitted tours: Pinewood and Shepperton offer public tours (book via their official sites). Contact Film London for location-specific tour operators and permit queries.

2) Manchester / Northern England — gritty cityscapes used for drama and sport narratives

• Exact photo spot: Cathedral Gardens terrace facing St. Peter’s Square for cinematic symmetric shots used as stand-ins for “any major UK city.”
• Best times: blue hour (20–40 minutes after sunset) for neon-lit street scenes.
• Tours & access: Northern film commissions frequently run location walks during festival weeks — check Manchester International Film Festival calendars.

3) Dublin & Wicklow, Ireland — period drama & moody landscapes

• Exact photo spot: Bray Head coastal path for cliffside establishing shots.
• Angles: 50–70mm handheld for compressed coastline shots; use a wide aperture to separate subject from heavy skies.
• Visiting window: late spring (May–Jun) for longer golden hours and fewer storms.

4) Lisbon & Sintra, Portugal — sun-soaked period and contemporary mixes

• Exact photo spot: Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for cinematic city sweeps at sunrise.
• Permitted set tours: Cinecittà-style studio options aren’t local, but Lisbon’s film commission runs location walks when international productions are in town.
• Best times: sunrise for softer light and fewer tourists; golden-hour backlighting for character-driven street frames.

5) Barcelona & Catalonia — indie rom-coms and festival shoots

• Exact photo spot: Bunkers del Carmel for panoramic skyline shots at sunrise.
• Angles & tips: include leading lines (railings) into frame for that emotional hero-shot look. Use ND filters if shooting midday.
• Peak window: October festival season — but expect crowds; plan dawn visits.

Top Americas filming locations to visit in 2026 (micro-guides)

6) Miami & South Florida — EO Media partnerships and indie slates

Why go: EO Media’s 2026 Americas roster leans on Miami-based partners; expect glossy rom-coms, holiday films, and crime dramas shooting in early 2026.

• Exact photo spot: South Pointe Park Pier for cinematic shoreline frames with Art Deco in the midground.
• Best times: sunrise for pastel skies; golden hour for backlit palms.
• Permitted tours: look out for open-location filming notifications posted by Miami Film & TV; private location managers sometimes sell guided walks.

7) New York City — continuing streamer shoots and indie features

• Exact photo spot: DUMBO waterfront (Washington Street) for the iconic cobblestone-to-bridge frame used in many New York-based series.
• Angles: use a 35mm–50mm for street portraits with bridge compression in the background. Blue hour yields cinematic city lights.
• Set tours & rules: many productions in NYC are street-legal with permits; keep distance and don’t cross cordons. Join location-aware walking tours in Lower Manhattan.

8) Vancouver (BC) — North American stand-in for multiple cities

• Exact photo spot: Stanley Park seawall at English Bay for forest-to-city juxtaposition shots commonly used in TV.
• Visiting window: late spring and early autumn for stable weather and fewer tourists.
• Studio access: visit local studios like Vancouver Film Studios; public tours are limited but film-commission listings show open days.

9) Mexico City & Tulum — increasing indie production hubs

• Exact photo spot: Tulum ruins with early-morning light and sparse crowds for that high-production-value coastline look.
• Best times: dawn for ruins; golden hour for beachfront personality shots.
• Permits: national archaeology zones require advance permits for professional shoots.

How to book permitted set tours & what to expect

Not every filming location is open. Studios and local film commissions run structured tours, while private productions sometimes sell tickets or offer branded experiences. Here’s the workflow to increase your odds of access:

1. Find the location on the film commission site (e.g., Film London, Screen Scotland, Spain’s ICAA, Miami Film & TV).
2. Check listed public tour dates; book 2–6 weeks ahead for popular studios (Pinewood, Cinecittà, Korda, Babelsberg).
3. If a production is actively filming, contact the production’s publicist or location manager for “visitor day” options — producers sometimes invite influencers on limited supervised visits.
4. For indie shoots, local film schools and production houses sometimes sell “set visits” as part of festival programming.

Creator-ready shot list & kit (shareable video and photo recipes)

These are the exact frames that perform for social-first travel creators in 2026.

• Establishing hero (15–20s): 24–35mm wide, slow slider or gimbal push, golden-hour backlight. Add diegetic sound from location (street hum, waves).
• Character portrait (5–8s): 50–85mm shallow DOF, eye-level, subject walking toward camera, slow 1/3 pace movement.
• Micro B-cam details (3–6s each): props, signage, close-ups of set dressing with 50–100% speed ramp to add drama.
• Transition idea: whip-pan or doorframe match cut between interior set and exterior location for cinematic continuity.

Kit checklist (mobile-first):

• Phone with log profile + manual exposure app
• Light gimbal (DJI Osmo Mobile or equivalent)
• Compact ND filters
• Small reflector & clip microphone
• Tripod with ballhead (for long exposures and blue-hour tripod shots)

On-set angles & exact framing tips

For every marquee spot we give an angle widget in the map. Use these framing rules on the ground:

• Foreground framing: include architecture or vegetation in the near plane to create depth for telephoto compression.
• Symmetry & center-framed establishing shots: find architectural symmetry (bridges, gates) and place the subject dead center for poster-style thumbnails.
• Motion & parallax: move perpendicular to background lines to maximize depth in short Reels/TikToks.

Legal essentials, drone rules & etiquette

Always check local rules. Quick cheat sheet:

• UK/EU: drones often require registration and a permission from the CAA/DSAC; urban filming frequently needs local council notice.
• US & Canada: FAA/Transport Canada rules apply; national parks and coastal sites usually prohibit drones without permits.
• Mexico & Latin America: national heritage sites generally ban drones and professional shoots need archaeology department permits.

On-set etiquette:

1. Respect cordons and direction from crew; never cross without permission.
2. Keep a neutral kit — no loud flashes during takes and mute notification sounds.
3. Ask before shooting talent or extras; credit locations and crews in social posts when possible.

Case studies — two real examples from 2025–2026

Case study A: Rivals (Hulu/Disney+ EMEA) — London locations

Production notes from late-2025 commissioning reshuffles predict more UK-centric drama shoots for 2026. We cross-referenced local film commission notices and social posts from background artists to map likely exterior frames. The result: a reliable South Bank + Westminster corridor route optimized for sunrise and mid-week visits.

Case study B: EO Media indie shoots — Miami and Buenos Aires partnerships

Variety’s Jan 2026 report shows EO Media’s emphasis on Miami and Latin America partnerships for its 2026 slate. Indie shoots tend to favor daylight coastal and urban rooftop sequences; we recommend dawn rooftop access in Miami for clean light and Buenos Aires’ San Telmo for moody cobbled-street moments.

2026 Trends & predictions for travelers and creators

• More on-location EMEA shoots: Disney+ EMEA commissioning changes in late 2025 mean a 20–30% year-over-year rise in UK & European on-location filming for 2026 (industry commissioning indicators).
• Indie-global pipeline: sales agents and market picks at Berlinale and Cannes Series are driving location shoots outside studio clusters, benefitting local tourism and micro-tour operators.
• Experience-first tours: expect more official “set-adjacent” experiences sold by film commissions and boutique operators in 2026 — these are low-cost ways to get framed content without disrupting production.

Fast checklist before you go (printable on mobile)

• Map exported & offline: yes/no
• Studio/set tour booked: date & confirmation
• Drone & permit lookup completed
• Shot list downloaded to phone
• Respect & credit plan noted (tag production/commission)

Safety & COVID/health notes for 2026

Most productions have dropped routine testing, but local regulations can vary. Check venue health notices and always pack masks for enclosed studio tours. Production teams often require a short indemnity for visitors — review and accept only via official channels.

Where to find official info & further reading

• Film London, Screen Scotland, ICAA (Spain) — local film commission portals
• Pinewood, Shepperton, Cinecittà, Korda Studios — studio tour & booking pages
• Deadline (reporting on Disney+ EMEA commissioning), Variety (EO Media Americas slate), Hollywood Reporter (industry exec moves) — for industry trend context

Final pro tips: maximize shareability without disruption

1. Arrive 60 minutes before golden hour; scout live and lock a 2–3 minute shooting window to avoid crowding crews.
2. Use a two-shot formula: quick establishing 15s + one hero portrait 8s — both required for feed and short-form formats.
3. Tag production companies and film commissions in posts — it increases reach and builds relationships for future access.

“If you find yourself on an active set, be gracious, keep your distance, and ask where you can stand — producers often reward respectful visitors with brief ‘look-but-don’t-touch’ moments.”

Download the free 2026 filming-locations map & next steps

Get the full interactive map (KML export, shot-angle pins, permit links) and a downloadable 48-hour itinerary for each city at viral.vacations/filming-map-2026. Subscribe for weekly alerts when new Disney+/Hulu and indie production pins are added — we update the map live as film commissions and production posts confirm locations.

Call to action: Want the exact GPS pins and a ready-made shot list for your next trip? Download the map, book a studio tour via our booking portal, and tag @viral.vacations with your best on-location shot to be featured in our 2026 filming-locations roundup.

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