15 Best Travel Shows on Netflix and Must-Watch Movies to Watch Right Now

Start with Katla on Netflix to set your travel mood right away. As youre watching, the series katla reveals Icelandic skies, volcanic valleys, and coastal towns that reveal customs you can map to real-life trips. The hook is simple: light spills across lost lava fields, cities feel walkable, and the scenery invites you to explore again.

Beyond Katla, this guide curates 15 picks that matter for planning. Each entry shows a go-to mood, a πολιτισμός hook, and practical services you can book via expedia. You will see how neighborhoods in cities unfold, what customs you should note, and how light shapes the day across climates. The aim is to help you explore with confidence, never just watch.

For a broader palette, mix in a few movies and shows set in places you wish to visit. Look for material that highlights πολιτισμός, light, and local rhythms, from zulu-tinged histories to street-food snippets in cities worldwide. A title that feels like a real map helps you build a practical itinerary and decide which neighborhoods to go-to options to anchor your days, and where you might want to return to again.

As the author notes, rosenthal, these picks matter for travelers who want to learn something new. They keep πολιτισμός at the center, reveal customs you can notice on the ground, and offer light that guides evening strolls. You will never drift into passive watching: each episode becomes a hook στο explore, and each film a memory you can call up again on your next plan. Use these to craft a go-to list that feels last and personal.

Collect a few key episodes from Katla and a couple of movie nights: set a schedule, map a route to cities you want to visit, and save a short list of services and expedia links. This approach turns viewing into a practical plan that matters for your next trip, and keeps the work light, focused, and only on what you want to see again.

Netflix Travel Shows and Movies Plan

Grab a two-evening plan: watch a documentary that travels through cities across europe and africa, then follow with a light feature film designed to offer warm moments with strangers and celebrate kindness.

Season after season, titles released on Netflix guide you to discovering new corners, from morocco markets to serene views over roma, with episodes that often emphasize culture over spectacle.

Choose an expedition-themed entry that focuses on a single location and contrasts with others exploring locations worldwide, then switch to a documentary about community kitchens and recipes, giving you authentic flavors and human stories without pretension.

Respect guides your viewing: you’ll notice light moments, cultural contrasts, and compassionate exchanges with locals that deepen your understanding deeply.

Last, map a flexible plan across europe, africa, and nearby locations, with a two-week rhythm: europe season, africa expedition, morocco flavors, roma streets, and a final wrap that leaves you ready to discover more.

Filter Netflix Picks by Travel Mood: Adventure, Culture, Food, and Nature

Begin with Adventure to ignite momentum, then explore Culture, Food, and Nature for a balanced lineup you can drop into anytime.

1. Adventure
   • Katla – filmed across Iceland, these natural landscapes provide a strong hook for fans of outdoor quests; these journeys offer dramatic scenery where everybody looks for the next turn in the road.
   • Down to Earth with Zac Efron – a cross‑continent ride that pairs adrenaline with sustainable living; the third episode spotlights Iceland’s geothermal sites and the kindness of locals, bringing enthusiasm to every stop.
2. Culture
   • Street Food: Asia – a vibrant tour of recipes and flavors from bustling markets; these episodes show locals cooking with pride, where strangers become friends over shared tables.
   • Ugly Delicious – chefs reinterpret tradition through bold stories and crowd‑pleasing flavors; these journeys illuminate how culture and food connect everybody at the table.
   • London city segments – quick dives into museums, neighborhoods, and street life, offering a culturally rich snapshot of how history and modern life collide.
3. Food
   • Salt Fat Acid Heat – a masterclass in recipes and flavors across diverse kitchens; the show shares how ingredients transform dishes, with friends guiding you through each technique and its origins.
   • Street Food: Asia (seasoned focus) – these episodes emphasize regional flavors and cooking rituals, from stalls to home kitchens, turning markets into full‑flavored classrooms.
4. Nature
   • Our Planet – breathtaking natural vistas filmed across continents; the imagery looks natural and immersive, inviting you to pause, reflect, and reevaluate how you travel.
   • Night on Earth – close‑up sequences of wildlife and landscapes; these visuals offer a calm counterpoint to faster moods and underscore the beauty of the planet.

Link Each Show to a Destination on Your Bucket List

Kick off with Somebody Feed Phil in Rome as your anchor and map the rest around its energy.

Rome, Italy – wander from the Pantheon to Trastevere for a dinner powered by carbonara, supplì, and cacio e pepe; photograph the city’s textures at sunset, then post a quick reel on instagram to test ideas. Note which recipes you’d pin for a future kitchen and which dish details you want to chase on your own stove, based on the show’s playful energy and reviews from local chefs.

Bangkok, Thailand – chase sizzling pad thai, green curry, and som tam along a riverfront stroll; ride a night market circuit and sample street-done favorites. Capture neon scenes for photography, collect recipe ideas for home, and save every dish moment to compare notes with friends whether you’re traveling solo or with a group.

México City, Mexico – dive into tacos al pastor, mole poblano, and street corn; map a dinner plan around the mercados, and photograph vibrant stalls for a future food journal. Build a short list of recipes to try at home, and use reviews from local cooks to refine your own dish pairings while you chase the cultural pulse of the city.

Tokyo, Japan – savor sushi, ramen, and kaiseki, then roam inventive neighborhoods for food photography that pops on social feeds; collect ideas for a dinner party and sketch a handful of go-to recipes to try at home. The show’s precision-based energy translates into a disciplined travel plan you can actually execute, with resources from local chefs and guides.

Cape Town, South Africa – ride along the Atlantic coast, hike to cliff overlooks, and dine on seafood with braai influences; photograph the city’s dramatic light and pair the images with a few simple recipes you can replicate, keeping a globe-trotting mindset even when you’re apart from your map.

Reykjavík, Iceland – embrace stark landscapes and a little drama, then visit the Katla region for volcanic backdrops that feel cinematic. Use photography to capture ice and lava textures, share progress on instagram, and build a list of dishes and hot drinks to try in a cold-weather kitchen; this pairing keeps your identity as a traveler sharp, whether you’re chasing glittering ice fields or cozy evenings indoors.

Oahu, Hawaii – ride along lush coastlines, snorkel a turquoise reef, and dine on poke bowls and tropical fare. Photograph sun-kissed scenes, assemble a small set of recipes to recreate island flavors at home, and note how the meal rituals shift from beach picnics to ceiling-high waves of sound and color.

Paris, France – savor pastries, boulangerie bread, and refined dinners that turn every corner into a photo opportunity. Use the city’s pace to build ideas for a dinner party, capture elegant plating in photography, and compare recipes that translate from cafe to kitchen with a discerning eye for technique and tradition.

Los Angeles, USA – explore a chef’s circle from studio kitchens to pop-up eats; map food-forward itineraries that blend street bites with chef-driven plates. Tag moments on instagram, collect reviews from local restaurateurs, and assemble resources that help you recreate a signature dish while highlighting your own culinary identity.

Indiana, USA – add a Midwest contrast by pinning a road-trip stop that pairs with small-town diner dinners and farm-to-table dinners. Use this as a practical counterpoint to the luxe city tastings, and keep a notebook of dish ideas you’d like to test during a long weekend with friends or family.

Julie and Leon, as you scroll through instagram, showcase compact, real-world tips that distill the best parts of each destination into doable acts–whether it’s a simple dinner plan, a single photography shot, or a short ride through a new neighborhood. Use their reviews and resources to decide which city to chase next, then adapt the plan to your own taste and pace, keeping your globe-trotting identity focused on tangible, delicious outcomes.

Pair Shows with Must-Watch Movies to Build Themed Night Remixes

Pair Our Planet with Life of Pi for a nature-night remix that blends photo-ready coral hues with moonlit sea light, delivering a steady beat that hooks you from the opening shot.

For a culinary city tour, pair Street Food with Chef; start with the north america season to set urban energy, then watch Chef for a comforting, bite-by-bite arc that covers neon markets and smoky grills, with photographers catching the glow and america flavor in every frame.

For a thrills-forward pairing, combine Dark Tourist with The Mummy; whether you crave risk or a dash of mystery, the hook comes from the tension, while the mummy vibe adds temple ruins and chase beats that keep the pace tense yet fun.

Bridge global flavors with Somebody Feed Phil and The Hundred-Foot Journey; phils fans will note the japan episode and the philippines clips, offering adventures across food stalls and family kitchens, while the movie delivers a warm, cross-cultural feast.

Night on Earth pairs well with The Beach to fuse wildlife-night visuals with a sunlit island escape; the contrast refreshes the mood and gives you photo-ready moments, from coral shadows at dusk to white-sand mornings, and even a farrier working by the pier adds local color.

author michael suggests a simple guide for timing: pair a 25–40 minute episode (from north america to japan) with a 90–110 minute movie, then take a lighter title to reset, ensuring watch sessions feel cohesive and comfortable, and gently acknowledge tragedy when it appears on screen.

Assess Episode Lengths and Release Dates for Smart Binge-Watching

Target shows with episodes in the 30–45 minute range to fit two in a session, or 40–60 minutes if you want a longer block. This pattern demonstrates how pacing shapes what you feed your memory and how you stay engaged during travels.

Build a unique go-to list of titles that emphasize cultures, cuisine, and locals; these angles deliver richer context in shorter blocks and help you compare a destination experience without sprinting.

Use the show page to confirm release dates and episode counts, and rely on your feed for updates. If a new batch drops, plan a watch window in your calendar before distractions creep in. Region-specific releases can vary; a title may open in your country days after the US release, so watch for regional notes.

When a title covers a destination, the open segments often feature locals, photography that captures street scenes, and a cultural lens that reveals how people live during travels in africa. If you’ve already visited these places, the episodes may feel like a quick reawakening and a chance to compare notes with your own feed.

To balance depth and levity, mix a cultural deep-dive with a light-wellness or comedian-led piece; for family viewing, look for episodes with childs-friendly moments. After watching, log what you learned and decide if it’s worth revisiting since it demonstrates a unique approach.

Organize a Practical Viewing Schedule: Week-by-Week Plan with Subtitles

Start with a six-week plan: allocate eight half-hour blocks per week and watch each with subtitles in your chosen language; a one-page notes template keeps ideas accessible and makes it easy to track what inspires you.

Week 1 focuses on setup and baseline. Choose two favorite Netflix travel shows and enable English subtitles plus target-language captions when available. Schedule four nights with two episodes per night (eight episodes total) and log quick impressions in a template labeled by episode, scene, and a one-sentence takeaway.

Week 2 adds a third night and begins to diversify: include a behind-the-scenes episode or a cultural feature. Use searches to find related clips and producers’ notes. Note humor and tone; at the end of each night, write a 60-second recap before bed.

Week 3 centers on culture: pick titles that cover particular regions and compare how different producers present food, music, and daily life. Use a small light to highlight a scene you loved and write a concise recap in your own words.

Week 4 introduces unconventional picks: balance big-budget production with indie pieces; mix in shorter clips and even a travelogue filmed by a local friend. A scene with a farrier in a village forge can illustrate rural craft and adds texture to your notes, or a tacos stall moment offers local flavor.

Week 5 deepens with technique study: focus on production choices, lighting, camera moves, and sound; analyze how a shot captures mood over miles of footage and try to imitate one technique in a personal edit.

Week 6 delivers synthesis: assemble a short list of ideas for future watches, including favorite lighter pieces and deeper cultural explorations; use the data to create a flexible ongoing plan that keeps your schedule unique and enjoyable.

Bonus tips: keep an ideas bank, save quotes on instagram, and note how humor and behind-the-scenes context shape your impressions; if youve got a tight schedule, skip a night and reuse the template. Write a one-sentence takeaway for each episode, and track miles covered through visuals and stories.