Live your Insta-worthy escape at these iconic music video shooting locations

Music videos are the perfect escape, transporting us to magical worlds through catchy tunes and stunning visuals. While many music videos are picturised in studios, there are many shooting locations you can visit in real life.

Calling all fans of Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Coldplay, and other pop icons – we have tracked down the shooting locations of some of their most popular music videos! From the romantic streets of Paris to the vibrant Budapest cityscape, these locations offer the chance to recreate your favourite music video moments in real life.

Explore the world through music video shooting locations

Ibiza, Spain

The infectious melody of “We’re Going To Ibiza!” by Vengaboys perfectly captures the island’s reputation as a global party capital. World-famous DJs spin the hottest tracks in buzzing clubs, attracting partygoers year-round. But Ibiza offers far more than just nightlife, it’s served as the shooting location for several iconic music videos.

This stunning island in Spain is blessed with Spanish-Mediterranean beauty and its pristine beaches with crystal-clear waters beckon sunbathers and swimmers. Our guide will help you uncover Ibiza’s rich history, legends, and myths.

Music videos filmed in Ibiza:

• ‘(It Goes Like) Nanana’ by Peggy Gou
• ‘I’m Good’ by Bebe Rexha & David Guetta
• ‘Tempted’ by Markus Schulz
• ‘Glad You Came’ by The Wanted
• ‘Instagram’ by Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, David Guetta, Daddy Yankee, Afro Bros & Natti Natasha
• ‘Club Tropicana’ by Wham!

Things to do in Ibiza:

• Partake in Ibiza’s vibrant nightlife at Nikki Beach Club, Nassau Beach Club, Sa Trinxa, Casa Jondal, Amnesia, Pacha and Ushuaïa.
• Explore the cultural side of the island at Dalt Vila and the Castle of Ibiza.
• Relax at Cala D’Hort, Berrinas, Cala Saladeta, Sa Caleta, Talamanca and Salinas Beach.
• Go snorkelling or scuba diving in the ocean.

How to reach Ibiza: Ibiza Airport is the main airport on the island.

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Paris, France

The City of Lights has caught the attention of audiences for centuries, finding its way not only onto the silver screen – with numerous movies shot in Paris – but also into music videos. Beyoncé and Jay-Z famously rented the entire Louvre Museum for their shoot, while Taylor Swift immortalised the city’s love culture with a Love Lock Bridge in one of her songs.

Experience the quintessential Parisian lifestyle as you wander down charming rues (French for streets) and indulge in delectable gourmet cuisine. Immerse yourself in France’s rich history by exploring iconic monuments like the Eiffel Tower, a timeless symbol of romance.

Music videos filmed in Paris:

• ‘Begin Again’ by Taylor Swift
• ‘Apes**t’ by The Carters
• ‘Born To Die’ by Lana Del Ray
• ‘Capital Letters’ by Hailee Steinfeld & BloobPop
• ‘The Chamber’ by Lenny Kravitz
• ‘Come Back To Me’ by Janet Jackson
• ‘Goodnight Gotham’ by Rihanna
• ‘Nice & Slow’ by Usher
• ‘Run Away With Me’ by Carly Rae Jepsen
• ‘Say Somethin’ by Mariah Carey featuring Snoop Dogg

Things to do in Paris:

• Tour iconic museums like the Musée du Louvre, Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris, Musée Picasso Paris and Musée Rodin.
• Explore the iconic Jardin du Luxembourg, Sacré-Coeur, Palais Garnier, Arc de Triomphe, Palais-Royal, Panthéon, Grand Palais, Eiffel Tower, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Jardin des Tuileries and Versailles Palace.
• Shop at Le Bon Marché, Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, Shakespeare and Company, Latin Quarters, Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen and Champs-Élysées.
• Catch a classic film at the open-air theatre of Parc de la Villette.
• Cruise the Seine River.
• Or, you can follow our Paris Itinerary/ best things to do in Paris, according to locals for more inspiration.

How to reach Paris: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is the main airport in the city.

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Budapest, Hungary

Hungary’s capital has a treasure trove of monuments and cultural experiences that have caught the attention of several pop stars and served as music video shooting locations. The biggest names in the industry have flown to Budapest to capture iconic sights like the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, the Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes Square, and Buda Castle in their music videos.

A major destination in Eastern Europe, Budapest’s rich history and vibrant energy beckon tourists worldwide. Budapest, bisected by the Danube River, seamlessly blends the Buda and Pest districts, each contributing to the city’s unique charm and architectural grandeur.

Music videos filmed in Budapest:

• ‘Fireworks’ by Katy Perry.
• ‘HIStory’ By Michael Jackson.
• ‘Early Winter’ By Gwen Stefani.
• ‘Round & Round’ By Selena Gomez.

Things to do in Budapest:

• Enjoy a boat ride along the Danube.
• Explore the architectural wonders of Buda Castle, the Hungarian Parliament Building, Fishermen’s Bastion, St Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes Square, Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Memento Park and Hungarian State Opera.
• Soak in the thermal waters of Széchenyi Bath, the largest medicinal bath in Europe.
• Spot the iconic murals along the city streets by artists like Neopaint, Luke Embden and Színes Város.
• Experience the local culture at Szimpla Kert.
• Get lost in the lush greenery of Margaret Island.
• Grab a coffee at historical coffeehouses like New York Café, Gerbeaud Café, Hadik or Centrál.

How to reach Budapest: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is the main airport in the city.

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Cape Town, South Africa

The vibrant energy and breathtaking scenery of Cape Town have attracted not just tourists but also music video directors. Artists flock here to capture the city’s dynamism, with its bustling streets contrasting perfectly with the dramatic natural surroundings.

Breathtaking mountain peaks set along the winding Atlantic Coast are the picturesque setting of Cape Town, one of Africa’s southernmost cities. Cape Town is brilliant for adventurers and thrill-seekers, as it is known for whale-watching, paragliding, surfing, hiking, kayaking and much more.

Music videos filmed in Cape Town:

• ‘Perfect Strangers’ by Jonas Blue
• ‘Paradise’ by Coldplay
• ‘Losing You’ by Solange Knowles
• ‘Girls Like’ by Tinie Tempah featuring Zara Larsson
• ‘Man On A Wire’ by The Script

Things to do in Cape Town:

• Hike Table Mountain, Cape Point, or Lion Trail or climb the Lion’s Head.
• Explore Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned.
• Spot penguins at the Boulders Beach.
• Kayal along the Atlantic coast and spot dolphins, even whales.
• Paraglide along Cape Town’s coastline.
• Immerse yourself in the town’s culture at the Bo-Kaap and Khayelitsha neighbourhoods.
• Follow our Cape Town travel guide to navigate the city like a pro.

How to reach Cape Town: Cape Town International Airport is the main airport in the city.

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Mojave in California, USA

Unlike most music video shooting locations on this list, Mojave is not a city but a desert near Los Angeles (LA) and Las Vegas! The exotic, sandy and barren backdrop makes for an interesting background that singers love to take advantage of, and the desert’s close proximity to Hollywood makes it a convenient choice for filming.

Tucked away in California, the Mojave desert is sprawled across 124,000 square kilometres. The landscape is dotted with valleys and peaks, teeming with unique plant and animal life. Visitors can explore the desert’s rich biodiversity through three national parks: the Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Mojave National Preserve.

Music videos filmed in Mojave:

• ‘Amor Prohibido’ by Selena.
• ‘Say You’ll Be There’ by the Spice Girls.
• ‘Diamonds’ by Rihanna.
• ‘Telephone’ by Lady Gaga, featuring Beyoncé.
• ‘Highway To Heaven’ by NCT 127.
• ‘Desert Rose’ by Sting.

Things to do in the Mojave desert:

• Hike the Kelso Dunes, Lava Tube, Rings Lope and Boulders Viewpoint.
• Learn about the history of the desert at Antelope Valley Indian Museum, 20 Mule Team Museum, California Living Museum and Maturango Museum.
• Visit the NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center.

How to reach Mojave: Los Angeles International Airport and Ontario International Airport in LA are the closest airports to the desert.

Gstaad in Switzerland (special mention)

Bollywood’s love affair with Switzerland is a longstanding one. For decades, directors like the late Yash Chopra have filmed countless music videos amidst the stunning scenery of the Swiss Alps. The iconic image of a Bollywood heroine in a flowing chiffon saree, gracefully dancing against the backdrop of snow-capped Swiss mountains, is etched in the minds of every Bollywood fan.

Gstaad is the gateway to the Swiss Alps, making it ideal for music video shooting! The resort town is the playground of royalty and celebrities, where the crème de la crème gather for ski and raclette parties. While Gstaad has a certain element of glitz and glamour, it is an idyllic Swiss Alpine village at its core, offering magnificent views of the breathtaking surroundings.

Music videos filmed in Gstaad:

• ‘Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Main’ from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.
• ‘Akele Akele Kahan Ja Rahe Ho’ from An Evening in Paris.
• ‘Aahista Aahista’ from Bachna Ae Haseeno.
• ‘Chandni O Meri Chandni’ from Chandni.

Things to do in Gstaad:

• Dine at the gourmet restaurants.
• Go on a Bollywood tour of all the popular filming locations.
• Skiing in Rinderberg, Schönreid, Wasserngrat, Wispile, Eggli and Glacier 3000.
• Go shopping at Gstaad Promenade.
• Explore neighbouring villages of Saanenmöser, Zweisimmen, Lauenen, Turbach, Feutersoey, Gsteig, Abländschen and Saanen.

How to reach Gstaad: Gstaad Saanen Airport is the main airport in the village.

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Which of these music video shooting locations do you want to visit the most?

(Feature image credit: @beyonce/YouTube)

This story was first published in Travel+Leisure Singapore. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Where did Beyonce and Jay-Z film the music video for ‘Apes**t’?
Beyonce and Jay-Z rented the Musée du Louvre as a shooting location for the music video.

– Where was Katy Perry’s ‘Fireworks’ filmed? 
Katy Perry’s ‘Fireworks’ was shot in Budapest.

– Which is the international destination where several Bollywood music videos were filmed?
Switzerland, specifically Gstaad, is a major international destination used as a shooting location for several Bollywood music videos, like ‘Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Main’ and ‘Chandni, O Meri Chandni’.

– Which Taylor Swift music video was shot in Paris?
Taylor Swift’s ‘Begin Again’ was shot in Paris.