Table of Contents:
- Famous Music Videos Introduction
- Harry Styles – Lights Up
- Coldplay – Hymn for the Weekend
- Madonna – La Isla Bonita
- Enrique Iglesias – Hero
- Avicii – Wake Me Up
- OMI – Cheerleader
- Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence
- Duran Duran – Rio
- Adele – Someone Like You
- Damon Albarn – Heavy Seas of Love
- Why We Travel for Famous Music Videos
- Plan Your Own Music Video Pilgrimage
- Music Video Travel Checklist
- Conclusion: Why Music Video Travel Hits Different
Famous Music Videos Introduction
From sun-soaked deserts to incredible city streets and lush tropical spots, the places in famous music videos aren’t just pretty backgrounds. They feel like part of the story. It doesn’t matter if you’re all about pop, rock, or just looking back at the good old days of MTV, there’s something really exciting about checking out a real place you’ve only seen on screen. How cool would it be not only visiting them, but also recreate a scene from one of the best music videos ever?
Get ready for your dream itinerary! This isn’t just a simple list; it’s a fun journey through the awesome and famous music videos from the 1980s, the unforgettable vibes of the 1990s, and the modern hits that are shaping pop culture today.
So, let’s press “play” on this adventure and check out ten iconic filming spots from legendary music videos that you can actually visit!
🎤 Harry Styles – Lights Up
Location: Quintana Roo, Mexico
Set against the sultry, surreal beauty of Quintana Roo, Lights Up by Harry Styles glows with emotion, rhythm, and sensual movement. Filmed along the Riviera Maya coastline and deeper into the jungles and streets of Quintana Roo, this video is more than just visually stunning, it’s magnetic.
Thinking about following in Harry’s footsteps? Just hop on a flight to Cancún International Airport, and then make your way down to Tulum or Playa del Carmen. A bunch of those cool scenes, like that magical nighttime dance bit, were filmed along some quiet beach roads and cenotes nearby. This video exemplifies the evocative power of famous music videos: a vibe, a place, and a feeling all rolled into one. Enjoy the adventure!
💡 Travel Tip: Rent a bike or scooter to explore the lesser-known trails where the video was filmed. Go at dusk to catch the magical golden light. You’re so golden, da da da da…🎵
🌸 Coldplay – Hymn for the Weekend
Location: Mumbai, India
Coldplay teamed up with Beyoncé to deliver a kaleidoscopic tribute to India in Hymn for the Weekend. Featuring everything from Holi powder explosions to ornate temples and chaotic city streets, the video paints Mumbai in mythic colors.
Fly into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and book a guided tour of Bandra Fort, Worli Village, and Vasai Fort, all of which appear in the video. The scenes of celebration, dance, and street life are iconic.
💡 Travel Tip: Visit during Holi (March) to get the real-life version of this vibrant festival.
This music video is definitely one of the best out there! It’s got amazing artistry, blends different cultures perfectly, and the cinematography is just powerful.
💃 Madonna – La Isla Bonita
Location: Los Angeles, California
While the title sings of a tropical island, Madonna’s La Isla Bonita was actually filmed in Los Angeles, giving viewers a warm, Latin-flavored visual journey that feels like San Pedro, Belize, but is entirely Californian.
The main location? Echo Park, with its Spanish-style houses and palm-lined streets. Fly into LAX, rent a car, and take a drive up to Echo Park Avenue. The religious iconography, candle-lit altars, and earthy neighborhood scenes capture an intimate vision of urban Latin America through a pop lens.
💡 Travel Tip: Stroll through the local markets and churches in Echo Park. You’ll feel like you’ve walked straight into the video.
It’s no surprise this classic remains a standout among the best music videos 1980s.
🏜️ Enrique Iglesias – Hero
Location: Mojave Desert, California
Do you like road trips? Then this destination is perfect for you. The drama. The wind. The outlaw romance. Enrique Iglesias’ Hero, with the beautiful Jennifer Love Hewitt, was filmed in the Mojave Desert, outside Los Angeles. Think endless horizons, dust-kicked roads, and the raw vibe of a Western.
Start your trip in Barstow or Lancaster, and drive toward Red Rock Canyon State Park. The gritty textures of the land are still intact, and many fans have tracked down the exact dusty trail seen in the video.
💡 Travel Tip: Go at sunrise or sunset for breathtaking light, and bring a bandana. It gets dusty fast.
A love letter to danger and devotion, Hero is a must-see entry in the pantheon of best music videos all time.
🌾 Avicii – Wake Me Up
Location: Rural California, USA
Set in the idyllic countryside of Agoura Hills and Santa Clara River Valley, Wake Me Up by Avicii is more than just a video, it’s a story of self-discovery. With sweeping shots of open fields and dusty roads, it delivers a nostalgic kick that resonates with anyone seeking freedom.
Start from Los Angeles and head northwest on US-101. The video’s standout scene is of two girls riding horseback and escaping into a field of golden light. It was shot near Filmore.
💡 Travel Tip: Visit during spring when California poppies bloom across the countryside. You’ll feel like you’re stepping into a real-life dream sequence.
This track not only broke records but became one of the best music videos all time thanks to its compelling mix of music and modern Americana.
🌴 OMI – Cheerleader
Location: Jamaica
Cheerleader by OMI is all about those good vibes and that Caribbean charm. This catchy tune really brings the beachy feel, and the music video was filmed in the sunny spots of Jamaica. Think steel drums, cliff diving, and those stunning coastlines that make island life so special.
Most of the shots were taken around Ocho Rios and Negril, which you can get to pretty easily from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. Once you land, it’s a beautiful drive through green hills and sparkling blue waters.
💡 Travel Tip: Take a boat to Dunn’s River Falls, a location just a short distance from one of the video’s filming sites. Visit local street food vendors for a real taste of island culture.
Jamaica’s fantastic culture adds real authenticity to one of the best music videos all time, and its warmth is irresistible.
🏔️ Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence
Locations: Scottish Highlands, Algarve (Portugal), and The Alps
In this really stunning visual, Depeche Mode’s lead singer strolls through the beautiful landscapes of Europe, looking like a king and lugging around a deck chair. It’s simple yet really meaningful, and you won’t forget it easily.
📍 Scottish Highlands:
Start in Inverness, then head toward Loch Assynt or Suilven, both feature craggy peaks and empty expanses used in the video.
📍 Algarve, Portugal:
Fly into Faro and explore the limestone cliffs and deserted beaches near Praia da Marinha. The golden hour light and moody skies bring this stretch of coast to cinematic life.
📍 The Alps:
Catch a train to Zermatt or Chamonix. Snow-covered peaks and solitary paths add emotional weight to this iconic video.
💡 Travel Tip: To follow Depeche Mode’s European trail, consider a rail pass. The scenery alone makes this journey worth it.
This genre-defining visual stands tall among the best music videos 1990s and even among the all-time greats.
🛥️ Duran Duran – Rio
Location: Antigua, Caribbean
A yacht slicing through crystalline waters, models in vibrant swimsuits, and the sheer extravagance of 1980s pop—it could only be Rio. Duran Duran turned Antigua into a glamorous playground in what’s arguably the pinnacle of the best music videos 1980s.
Fly into VC Bird International Airport, then head to English Harbour or Falmouth Harbour, where luxury yachts anchor just like in the video. Charter a boat and you can live the Rio fantasy yourself.
💡 Travel Tip: Visit in April for Antigua Sailing Week. You might just recreate the yacht scene in real time.
More than just visual flair, Rio defined a decade and helped launch MTV into the stratosphere of global culture.
🎹 Adele – Someone Like You
Location: Paris, France
Shot entirely in moody black and white, Someone Like You walks us through the quiet elegance of Paris at dawn. It’s just Adele, the empty streets, and heartache.
Most of the video unfolds along the Seine River, near the Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor pedestrian bridge. You can get there easily from Gare Saint-Lazare or by taking Metro Line 1 to Tuileries.
💡 Travel Tip: Arrive early, really early. The emotional weight of the video comes from the serene, nearly empty cityscape at sunrise.
This emotional ballad and its Parisian setting secured its place among the best music videos all time, while giving heartbreak a scenic edge.
🚣♂️ Damon Albarn – Heavy Seas of Love
Locations: Xochimilco & Mexico City, Mexico
Damon Albarn, known for his genre-defying work, created a deeply personal and whimsical video with Heavy Seas of Love. Much of it was shot on a handheld camera as Albarn floated through the Xochimilco canals, absorbing the life and color of Mexico City.
Fly into Mexico City International Airport, then hop on the Metro Line 2 toward Tasqueña Station and transfer to the Tren Ligero. It will take you right to Xochimilco, where you can rent a traditional trajinera boat and drift just like Albarn.
You’ll also spot scenes filmed in La Condesa, Coyoacán, and Roma Norte, neighborhoods filled with bohemian energy, historic homes, and lush parks.
💡 Travel Tip: Bring a vintage camera or Polaroid to echo the grainy, nostalgic aesthetic of the video.
With its dreamy edits and spontaneous energy, this video adds an offbeat charm to the catalog of famous music videos.
🎧 Why We Travel for Famous Music Videos
These music videos aren’t just about the music; they’re like mini travel guides! They make us imagine places we’ve never been, fuel our travel dreams, and get us all excited about exploring the world.
Some of them are super flashy, like Duran Duran’s “Rio,” while others are more on the emotional side, like Adele’s “Someone Like You.” And then there are the ones that are kinda trippy and dreamy, like “Lights Up” or “Heavy Seas of Love.”
But what they all have in common is their ability to pull us in; they tell stories beyond the words and make us feel things deeply. And in a time when travel content is everywhere online, following the trails of these iconic music videos can lead to a really personal and emotional adventure.
🌍 Plan Your Own Music Video Pilgrimage
Just imagine this: walking along the charming cobblestone streets of Paris at sunrise like you’re in an Adele song, drifting through the colorful canals of Xochimilco with a Damon Albarn playlist in your head, or dancing under the stars in Quintana Roo like you’re at a Harry Styles concert. These places aren’t just beautiful; they’ve got a ton of emotion and memories tied to some of the coolest music videos ever.
And the coolest part? You don’t need a VIP pass to experience them. These spots are out there, just waiting for you to explore.
Whether you’re revisiting the flashy vibes of the ‘80s music videos, feeling the raw energy of the ‘90s, or diving into the heartfelt visuals of today, you’re kicking off an adventure that feels both cozy and exciting. Music videos have always blended art, travel, and culture in such a fun way.
These famous music videos mix art, travel, and culture together in such a cool way. And now, your travel plans can be your ticket to the show.
🧳 Music Video Travel Checklist
Here’s a quick, handy guide to help you start planning your own global music video tour:
| 🎵 Music Video | 📍 Location | ✈️ Nearest Airport | 🚗 How to Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights Up – Harry Styles | Quintana Roo, Mexico | Cancun Intl. (CUN) | Rent a scooter, explore coastal roads & cenotes |
| Hymn for the Weekend – Coldplay | Mumbai, India | Chhatrapati Shivaji Intl. (BOM) | Book local tours to Bandra & Vasai |
| La Isla Bonita – Madonna | Los Angeles, USA | LAX | Visit Echo Park & Silver Lake |
| Hero – Enrique Iglesias | Mojave Desert, USA | LAX or Las Vegas | Drive through Red Rock Canyon area |
| Wake Me Up – Avicii | Rural California, USA | Burbank or LAX | Explore Fillmore & Agoura Hills by car |
| Cheerleader – OMI | Jamaica | Montego Bay (MBJ) | Tour Negril & Ocho Rios by bus or car |
| Enjoy the Silence – Depeche Mode | Highlands, Algarve, Alps | Inverness / Faro / Zurich | Rent a car, go off-grid |
| Rio – Duran Duran | Antigua, Caribbean | VC Bird Intl. (ANU) | Book a yacht tour from English Harbour |
| Someone Like You – Adele | Paris, France | Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | Walk from Tuileries to the Seine at dawn |
| Heavy Seas of Love – Damon Albarn | Mexico City, Mexico | CDMX Intl. (MEX) | Ride the light rail to Xochimilco |
🎶 Conclusion: Why Music Video Travel Hits Different
Visiting a place you’ve already seen in a famous music video is something really special. It kind of mixes up reality with those catchy memories we’ve made along the way. Those iconic spots aren’t just cool backdrops; they hold feelings, represent culture, and are perfect places for you to explore yourself.
Next time you’re scrolling through those awesome ’90s music videos and soaking in all that nostalgia with the colorful swimsuits, bold dark lipstick, or that classic grunge look—how about you take a moment to hit pause? Think about planning a trip. Your next adventure could be just waiting for you behind that awesome beat drop or a memorable shot from your go-to videos.
Remember, these locations were picked for a reason.
They have a special story and a real human touch. Following in their footsteps? That’s not just tourism; it’s like stepping back in time. What if your next getaway was more than just pretty sights? Let those classic music videos guide you, and make your journey a part of your own life’s soundtrack.
Whether you’re jamming out to the all-time best music videos or diving into the nostalgic vibes of 1980s and 1990s hits, there’s a whole world out there waiting for you. Just perfectly lit. So, get your bags ready, charge up your phone, and let the music play. Now it’s your turn to shine!
