Croatia takes the spotlight in the busiest “set-jetting” season to date

Andrea Thompson

ByAndrea Thompson

August 30, 2024

One of the biggest travel trends of the year, ‘set-jetting’, is expected to power Croatia’s continued ascent to destination stardom.

The trend is set to continue with the latest mix of films and series gracing cities of Zagreb and Rijeka, island of Pag, Istrian towns of Rabac and Labin to iconic Trsteno and village of Kupari in the southernmost Dubrovnik riviera.

According to Expedia Group, and to delight of 1 in 4 travellers, inspired and influenced by TV shows more than ever before, Croatia’s breath taking backdrop, expects to gain and garner new and loyal following of film fans in favour of authentic and less-crowded options. Spy-thrillers and period dramas headlined by A-listers, Eddie Redmayne, Kate Winslet, and Kate Beckinsale are set to unveil a string of Croatian seascapes, age-old villages, bustling towns, and paradisiacal beaches, beyond the tourism hotspots.

Zagreb

Pocket-sized Croatian capital charmed Kate Beckinsale in a spy-thriller, Canary Black, ready to be released on Amazon streaming service, Prime Video on October 24. Upper town’s atmospheric allure alongside the Stone Gate combined with vibrant downtown and Jurišićeva Street will also feature, and capture neighbourhoods favoured by the locals.

KvarnerIstria, and Pag island

Kvarner region is a prime example of world-class set-jetting, whose opulent charm and elegant splendour stole the show in all three seasons of the Hotel Portofino. This year, Kvarner is one of many captivating sceneries, represented in the iconic 1970s remake, The Day of the Jackal, exclusively launching on Sky Atlantic and NOW on November 7. Rijeka, and one-of-a-kind towns, Labin and Rabac in the neighbouring Istria, form a bucket-list adventure, alongside the fascinating yet under-the-radar, island of Pag, and moon-like beaches, Vrsi and Metajna.

Dubrovnik Riviera

Dubrovnik, celebrated as the Game of Thrones, and renowned as the King’s Landing is set to expand the ‘set effect’ beyond its city walls. In the much-anticipated film, Lee, set to premiere in the UK & Irish cinemas from 13 September, will see Kate Winslet exploring a horseshoed Kupari village and the oldest arboretum in Europe, Trsteno

Croatia’s versatile landscapes captivated adventure-seekers with numerous films and series over the years including Hotel Portofino – 3 seasons, Ipcress File, Game of Thrones, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, McMafia, Succession, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, The Playlist, The Witcher, The Weekend Away, Infinity Pool, and most recently the Union starring Mark Wahlberg, and Halle Berry streaming on Netflix since 17 August,  showcasing Istria.