Map of European Studios That Offer Visitor Experiences and Tours

Beat the guesswork: where to book film‑studio tours, when they run and how to reach them

If you’ve ever tried to find a reliable list of European studios that welcome visitors you know the pain: scattered event pages, seasonal open days and confusing booking rules. This guide cuts through the noise with a practical map and mini‑guide to studios, production houses and filmparks across Europe that run studio tours, production visits, workshops or open days in 2026 — plus clear advice on how to book, typical schedules and the best travel connections to get you there.

Why studios are opening their doors in 2026 (short version)

Two trends make this year important for production tourism:

• Industry consolidation and studio expansion: major deals and restructurings across 2025–2026 (a wave of mergers and studios bulking up) mean production hubs are diversifying revenue — tours, branded experiences and workshops are now viable, recurring offers.
• Experience‑first travel is mainstream: visitors want behind‑the‑scenes access, not just a photo in front of a soundstage. Studios have responded with curated workshops, set‑walks and paid masterclasses aimed at tourists and creators alike.

Tip: if a studio has recently hosted a major franchise or international shoot it’s more likely to open visitor experiences — studios capitalise on those titles to attract guests.

How this mini‑map works (use it as a checklist)

We group studios by type of visitor experience and give practical booking + travel details. Use this as your planning checklist:

1. Studio name and city
2. Type of visit (regular public tour, seasonal open day, professional/group visit, workshop)
3. How to book (official site, partner operator, email/phone)
4. When tours typically run (daily, weekends, seasonal)
5. Best travel connections (nearest train station, typical transfer times from major airports)

Core map: European studios and production hubs that host visitors in 2026

1. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – Leavesden (Watford), UK

Type: Regular, ticketed public tour (The Making of Harry Potter) with timed entries; occasional special events and workshops and masterclasses.

How to book: Official ticketing only — prebook time slots and special events online well in advance (popular in school holidays).

When tours run: Year‑round; busiest in summer and December. Special evening events and seasonal exhibits (October–January popular for holiday features).

Travel connections: Fast trains from London Euston to Watford Junction (~20 mins), then the official shuttle bus (10–15 mins) to the Studio. From Heathrow allow 45–60 mins by taxi or car; from central London expect 45–75 mins depending on traffic.

2. Cinecittà (Cinecittà Studios & "Cinecittà si Mostra"), Rome, Italy

Type: Guided studio tours, museum exhibitions and organised workshops (film production, set design, costume). Also seasonal industry open days.

How to book: Book guided tours and workshops via the Cinecittà official booking portal or through Rome cultural event platforms. Reservations recommended for Italian‑language workshops with English options limited.

When tours run: Regular guided tours most days, workshops scheduled across the year (check summer schedules carefully for staff holidays).

Travel connections: Metro Line A (Cinecittà station) from Roma Termini ~20–30 mins. From Fiumicino airport allow 45–70 mins depending on transport choice (Leonardo Express + metro or taxi).

3. Studio Babelsberg & Filmpark Babelsberg, Potsdam (Berlin area), Germany

Type: Guided studio tours for public and professional visitors; Filmpark is an adjacent visitor attraction with behind‑the‑scenes shows and workshops.

How to book: Book studio tours and Filmpark tickets via the Studio Babelsberg/Filmpark websites. Group bookings can be arranged with production office via email.

When tours run: Filmpark has a seasonal calendar (spring–autumn main season). Studio tours run year‑round but check production schedules; expect shorter availability during major shoots.

Travel connections: Regional trains or S‑Bahn from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Potsdam Hauptbahnhof (~30–40 mins). Local buses/trams run from Potsdam to the studio (20 mins). From Berlin Brandenburg Airport add ~40–60 mins.

4. Barrandov Studios, Prague, Czechia

Type: Guided tours and occasional open days; small workshops and industry masterclasses when scheduled.

How to book: Book public tours through Barrandov’s official visitor page; for professional visits email their production office to request a studio visit (for creator groups, see guidance on group bookings and pop‑up strategies).

When tours run: Public tours on set dates (weekends and selected weekdays). Check the calendar—late spring and early autumn usually have extra slots for film festivals.

Travel connections: Tram from Prague city center (approx 20–30 mins). Václav Havel Airport Prague to center 30–40 mins; add 15–25 mins to Barrandov by tram/taxi.

5. Korda Studios, Etyek (near Budapest), Hungary

Type: Studio tours, set visits and themed events (frequent location shoots for international productions). Occasional open days and industry workshops.

How to book: Contact Korda Studios directly for tour dates and group bookings; local tour operators in Budapest often include Korda in full‑day film‑set excursions.

When tours run: On request and during announced open‑set events. Weekends in spring/summer are most common for public access.

Travel connections: Approximately 40–60 mins by road from Budapest (Liszt Ferenc Airport). Public transport requires regional train + short taxi/bus from Etyek.

6. Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, UK

Type: Occasional public open days, corporate and group studio visits; local operators sometimes run official walking tours around filming sites.

How to book: For public open days buy tickets when the studio announces events; for group/corporate visits contact the studio’s events team well in advance. If you’re planning a creator visit and need commissioning or broadcast permissions, see tips on pitching and permissions.

When tours run: Mainly event‑based — think film anniversaries and local festivals. Not a daily public tour operation.

Travel connections: Thameslink trains to Elstree & Borehamwood from London St Pancras (20–25 mins). From Heathrow expect 45–70 mins by taxi.

7. Pinewood Group sites (Pinewood, Shepperton, UK) — note on availability

Type: Mostly professional and group visits; Pinewood runs member events and occasional public open days through partner events.

How to book: Pinewood’s public access is limited — email their publicity/events team or check the Pinewood Group events page. Third‑party tour operators sometimes have approved access during special events.

When tours run: Rare and often announced months ahead as one‑off or charity open days.

Travel connections: From London Paddington to Slough (~20 mins), then taxi; Pinewood near Iver/Beaconsfield — allow 45–75 mins from central London.

8. Studios de la Victorine (Nice), France

Type: Studio guest visits and occasional film market events; local film schools sometimes run workshops on site.

How to book: Check the Victorine events calendar or contact the studio administration for group visits. Local Nice tourist offices list scheduled open days during festival weeks.

When tours run: Intermittent — often tied to festival schedules or educational programs.

Travel connections: Nice Ville train station is 10–20 mins away by tram/taxi; Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is 10–25 mins by taxi depending on traffic.

Types of visits explained — pick the right one

• Public, ticketed studio tours: Fixed times, set routes, ideal for general visitors (e.g., Warner Bros. Leavesden).
• Seasonal open days & filmpark experiences: Larger, festival‑style days with multiple activities — book early and think about portable power and logistics if the event is offsite.
• By‑appointment production visits: For creators, film students and groups; require proof of intent and can include deeper access. See guidance on creator communities and micro‑events for how studios structure these offers: creator co‑op visits.
• Workshops & masterclasses: Short courses run by studios or affiliated schools. Great for hands‑on learning and networking.

Booking playbook: how to secure the best studio visit

1. Book early — especially for themed tours: High‑profile exhibits and franchise‑led tours sell out weeks to months in advance.
2. Check language options: Many workshops run in the local language; ask about English sessions if you don’t speak the host language.
3. Prefer official channels: Book via the studio’s official ticket portal or directly by email. Third‑party marketplaces (Viator, GetYourGuide) are useful but watch cancellation policies — and consider an SEO/lead capture check if you’re operating tours and want to capture enquiries properly.
4. Group vs solo bookings: If you’re a creator seeking filming permission or content access, contact the production office with a clear scope and credits — this often means submitting an application and insurance details.
5. Flexible tickets in 2026: Since 2020 studios have kept flexible rebooking options; check the cancellation policy before you pay.

On the ground: what to expect during a studio tour or workshop

• Security checks and ID — many studios require photo ID for entry.
• Restricted photography — active sets are off‑limits; public tour areas are photo‑friendly but read signage. If you plan to film a creator piece, portable capture kits like the NovaStream Clip are a compact option for on‑the‑go footage.
• Duration varies — 60–150 minutes for standard tours; workshops can be half‑day or multi‑day.
• Accessibility — most modern studios provide step‑free access but verify in advance for mobility requirements.

Sample day itineraries (ready to use)

London day: Harry Potter + Elstree highlights

• Morning: Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Leavesden (prebook a morning slot).
• Afternoon: Return to London, take Thameslink to Elstree & Borehamwood for a nearby film‑location walk (confirm any studio open days before travel).
• Travel tip: Use Watford Junction shuttle + Thameslink; total transit ~2–3 hours round trip from central London.

Berlin + Potsdam: city shoots and studio culture

• Morning: Berlin location walk for landmark filming sites (TV Tower, Mitte).
• Afternoon: Regional train to Potsdam for a Filmpark Babelsberg visit or studio tour.
• Travel tip: Buy a regional day pass (VBB) to cover S‑Bahn and local buses.

Roman holiday for cinephiles

• Morning: Cinecittà guided tour & set‑museum (book workshop if you prefer hands‑on costume or prop sessions).
• Afternoon: Film‑location walk (classic Fellini sites) or visit a local film archive.

Safety, rights and content creation — what creators must know

If you’re a creator planning to livestream or film on a studio visit, follow these rules:

• Ask permission: Even public tour areas may have restrictions on filming. Ask a guide or the PR desk before recording.
• Respect IP: Studios tightly control clips and assets from franchise properties. Commercial reuse usually needs written clearance — and sometimes a formal pitch (see how to approach platform commissioners).
• Professional access takes time: Allow several weeks to secure permissions, provide insurance and negotiate usage licenses.

2026 trends to watch — what’s changing for studio visits

Expect experiences to evolve through 2026 in three key ways:

• More immersive, ticketed workshops — studios diversify by offering high‑margin, small‑group classes (VFX, set dressing, ADR) for tourists and creators.
• Branded studio experiences — with consolidation across companies, expect cross‑studio fan events and pop‑ups tied to big IPs. Keep an eye on calendar announcements tied to franchise launches.
• Professional co‑op visits — studios will increasingly offer short co‑learning residencies for creators and smaller production companies as part of outreach and talent development. See wider future predictions for how local hubs and partnerships are shaping visitor programming.

Cost expectations & budgeting

• Standard studio tour: 15–50 EUR/GBP depending on location and brand tie‑ins.
• Workshops or masterclasses: 50–300+ EUR depending on length and instructors.
• Professional visits or filming access: negotiable; often starts at several hundred EUR plus insurance and staffing fees.

Local logistics checklist — pack this for a smooth visit

• Printed or mobile ticket and booking confirmation
• Photo ID (passport or EU ID)
• Business cards and a short production blurb if you’re requesting professional access
• Comfortable shoes — many studio tours include long walks and outdoor set visits
• Portable battery pack for phones (most guides encourage mobile use in public zones) — and if you’re running a fan event or pop‑up, account for portable power and smart outlets.

How to find openings and last‑minute tours

• Subscribe to studio newsletters and press lists — open days and pop‑ups are often emailed first. See resources on creator communities and micro‑events for best subscription practices.
• Follow local film commissions and city tourism boards — they coordinate festival‑linked open days.
• Check social channels and official studio event pages 48–72 hours before travel for any last‑minute slots or cancellations.

Case study: turning a studio visit into a creator product (real world example)

In late 2025, a London‑based travel vlogger partnered with a local studio to film a 12‑minute behind‑the‑scenes piece that combined tour footage, a short interview with a set designer and a paid online workshop. By packaging the content into a paid livestream plus on‑demand clips, the creator monetised the visit and built an email list for future paid experiences. The key steps that made it work:

1. Early outreach and clear proposal to studio PR
2. Secured written permissions for on‑camera access and short clips
3. Promoted the event through both the studio’s channels and the creator’s audience — and used a compact capture workflow reviewed in field tests like the NovaStream Clip.

Final fast checklist before you go

• Confirm your booking and time slot 48 hours ahead
• Check public transport strikes or holiday closures
• Ask about photography and recording rules before you start
• For creators: prepare a proof‑of‑insurance PDF and a one‑page production plan

Parting advice: make the most of your visit

Go with curiosity. Ask guides about production pipelines, not just the headline set pieces. Join a workshop if you can — hands‑on sessions are where you learn practical tricks and collect usable content. And if you’re a creator, treat the studio like a collaborator: be professional, clear about your intent and offer something of value in return (social reach, credited footage, a short promo edit).

Want our interactive map? We compile dates, direct booking links and public calendar events into a downloadable map that we update weekly. If you want the map PDF and a short itinerary for London, Berlin or Rome, subscribe below or hit the contact link to request a customised route — or check our planning resources on hosting and route design.

Call to action

Ready to plan a studio day trip or a creator visit? Subscribe for the downloadable map (updated weekly in 2026), and get priority alerts for new open days and workshop slots. If you’re a creator or operator looking to host a group, email us — we’ll introduce you to local partners and share negotiation templates that worked for creators in late 2025.

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