Spain is emerging as a leading destination for film and television tourism, with the country’s iconic landscapes and cities increasingly attracting travellers eager to visit the settings of their favorite movies and series. Driven by the global reach of streaming platforms like Netflix, this niche tourism sector is rapidly growing—and Spanish companies are stepping up to meet demand.

Popular international productions such as Game of Thrones, La Casa de Papel, Elite, Black Mirror, and Pedro Almodóvar’s films have been shot in Spain, transforming the country into a hotspot for fans seeking immersive experiences at filming locations.

“Before, it was mostly superfans visiting old western sets or Star Wars locations in Seville,” said Diego Santos, a tourism professor at EAE Business School in Madrid. “Now, movie tourism is becoming mainstream and growing very fast.”

The first national study on the trend, Spain of Film: Trends in Cinematographic Tourism, confirms the rising popularity of this travel style. It found that four in ten Spaniards see culture as a major travel motivator, while one in ten have planned trips specifically to filming sites.

Ana Alonso, founder of The Travelling Set, Spain’s first consultancy dedicated to screen tourism, sees huge potential. “Streaming platforms stir global curiosity about landscapes and cultures. That’s where film tourism steps in,” she said.

Madrid emerged as the most frequently mentioned destination for visitors associating their trip with a film or TV production, followed by Almería and Seville. However, Alonso believes Spain still has work to do. “Compared to the UK, Spain is just getting started. It’s like where wine tourism was in its early days.”

To meet growing demand, companies are teaming up with tour operators to craft experiences that go beyond visiting filming sites. Aubry Minotti, founder of Lorens consultancy, explained, “These aren’t just location tours—they’re immersive experiences combining cinema with local history, culture, and gastronomy.”

Experiences range from night screenings and themed dinners to costume viewings, sewing workshops, and film-inspired team-building activities. Alonso adds that screen tourism opens the door to sustainable travel. “It’s not seasonal like beach holidays and can redirect tourists to lesser-known areas.”

Spain’s appeal as a filming destination is long-standing, thanks to its mild climate, diverse landscapes, and cinematic history—from Spaghetti Westerns in Almería to recent global hits. Today, film productions are further incentivized by government tax credits and simplified filming permits. According to the Spain Film Commission, these efforts are generating an economic impact of €1.32 billion.

In a significant milestone, Spain will host Europe’s first film tourism congress next month, marking its emergence as a hub in this growing sector.

As the country grapples with the backlash against mass tourism, screen tourism may offer a more sustainable path forward. “It’s a way to decongest tourist hotspots and bring life to new regions,” said Alonso. “It’s tourism with a story—and a purpose.”