22 must-see Netflix travel shows, films and documentaries
25
MARCH 2020
Best travel shows on Netflix
Hands up, who here has Netflix? Well, if you’re one of the 167 million subscribers around the world, the answer’s probably yes.
And as the world continues the fight against Coronavirus, the only adventures we can take are those from our sofas.
So, with most of us being told to stay home, put your feet up and switch on Netflix. The streaming service has plenty of travel-bingeing programs to keep your wanderlust at bay.
Choose from films, documentaries or series; there’s plenty travel inspiration to keep you entertained during the lockdown.
Stay connected, safely — travel shows on Netflix
Netflix tip: if you can’t find some of these programs, consider getting a virtual private network (VPN).
In short, having a VPN means you can create a secure connection to another network over the internet. Some of the benefits include being able to access region-restricted websites, such as the UK version of Netflix.
Especially useful while traveling, you can also use your VPN to hide your browsing activity when using public Wi-Fi networks. Services start from as little as $2.75 a month and it’s a sound investment.
Soak up some feelgood travel vibes — travel shows on Netflix
Feel-good Netflix travel shows
1. The Kindness Diaries
A former London broker travels the world, a vintage motorbike his only possession. Leon Logothetis seeks real human connection relying on the kindness of strangers, returning favors in his own inspiring way.
2. Expedition happiness
A filmmaker and his girlfriend take a road trip across North America. Watch the pair’s adventures traveling the land in a refurbished school bus.
3. Tales by light
Indulge in some feelgood storytelling of tales across the globe as told by filmmakers and photographers.
Travel your way around the US, with the help of Netflix
“…the only adventures we can take are those from our sofas.”
Another perspective
4. Dark Tourist
Journalist, David Farrier, visits popular tourism spots around the world, seeking out places associated with the macabre.
5. Jack Whitehall, travels with my father
English comedian, Jack Whitehall, travels, and bonds with his father, around destinations including the USA and south-east Asia.
Adventure and adrenaline
6. Pedal the world
Ever dreamed about biking your way around the world? German director, Felix Starck, decided to take on the challenge, not to 195, but to 22 countries. A fascinating watch, and one that’ll leave you itching to jump on the bike.
7. Conan without borders — travel shows on Netflix
Join late-night funny man, Conan O’Brien, on his travels across the globe. Expect his usual mix of comedy and energy as he experiences destinations such as Cuba, Italy and Israel.
Admire some of the world’s most majestic mountains — travel shows on Netflix
Our beautiful planet
8. National Parks Adventure
Discover the best of nature, by (virtually) visiting the greatest national parks in the USA.
9. Mountain
Climb some of the world’s most incredible summits — vicariously — in this awe-inspiring documentary.
10. Our Planet
Relax to the soothing sounds of renowned conservationist, David Attenborough, as he takes you on a journey around planet Earth.
11. Secrets of great British castles
Brush up on your knowledge of British history and learn a thing or two about its many castles.
Learn about street food around the world in these Netlix travel shows
Food travel shows on Netflix
12. Street food
The clue’s in the title with this show. One for travel-loving foodies, salivate over some of the tastiest street food in some sizzling destinations.
13. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner — travel shows on Netflix
Take 1 chef, add a healthy dose of celebrity friends and finish off with different locations around the world.
Learn, laugh and eat in this entertaining series, and all without having to leave your sofa.
14. Ugly Delicious
Catch Chef David Chang in his latest Netflix culinary series. This time, he’s searching for the best cross-cultural eats, and taking some good friends along for the ride.
15. Somebody feed Phil
Creator and Hollywood producer Phil Rosenthal indulges his inner glutton by eating some of the world’s best local delicacies.
Explore the depths of South America, vicariously, from your sofa — travel shows on Netflix
All about South America
16. Guatemala, heart of the Mayan world
Satisfy your wanderlust with this gorgeous documentary about the culture and geological wealth of Guatemala.
17. Magical Andes
Listen to the stories of 5 local people, and learn about their connection with the magnificent mountains in South America.
18. Peru, Tesoro Escondido — travel shows on Netflix
Learn about Machu Picchu, and more, in this fascinating documentary covering the culturally rich country of Peru.
19. Lorena, light-footed woman
Watch this inspiring tale about a young woman from Mexico’s indigenous Rarámuri community training to be an ultramarathon runner.
Follow in the footsteps of protagonist, Elizabeth Gilbert, in beautiful Bali in Eat, Pray, Love
Travel through movies
20. Eat, Pray, Love
A travel lover must, no list would be complete without Eat, Pray, Love. A classic tale of one woman’s adventure to find love, spirituality and good food.
21. Murder Mystery — travel shows on Netflix
Lighten up with this Netflix comedy starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. Transport yourself to the picturesque Lake Como — one of the settings of this hilarious comedy.
22. The Climb
A story of love, and a young man’s mission to climb Mount Everest, set the premise of this French heartwarming movie.
Have you seen any of these travel movies, shows or documentaries on Netflix? If not, which would you most like to see? Drop me your thoughts in the comments below.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
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Lisa Rivera
Founder
Welcome to my site! I'm Lisa, founder of Following the Rivera. I write primarily for a ‘flashpacker’ audience; a demographic (late 20s onwards) that enjoys glamping over camping, staying at boutique/luxury boutique hotels, sampling the local food and wine, cultural activities, and indulging in a spot of wellness on their travels. Read more here…
I guess I am the only one without a Netflix subscription! I have heard about all the lovely shows on Netflix and now you have given a great list here. All these shows sound interesting. Dark Tourist sounds particularly interesting. I am now tempted to get a subscription. Also, thanks for sharing the tips about VPN.
You’re welcome! For us, Netflix is coming in so handy at the moment. And Dark Tourist is an excellent show 🙂
Thank you so much for this comprehensive list of travel shows to watch. Unfortunately, I don’t have Netflix but I think I am missing a lot of good shows here. I would love to watch especially mountains and treks. Maybe I will be able to do that one day.
I really hope so too x
I’m not sure what I would do if it weren’t for all this great content on line and on TV! I just started Ugly Delicious and I absolutely love Conan without Borders; it’s hilarious! Thank you for this comprehensive list, now I have a lot more to add to my must see list!
He’s brilliant! It definitely cheers me up during this period
Great post!! Great way to get the traveling vibe from the safety of your home. I have been binge-watching a lot of travel shows and documentaries I haven’t watched the tales of light, and it seems pretty intriguing and exciting can’t wait to check it out today.
It’s pretty touching and gives a different perspective of travel too 🙂
Excellent post and very much needed for right now! I can vouch for Somebody Feed Phil and Travels with my Father – so funny and really great shows! I wasn’t sure what Ugly Delicious would be about, but I think I’m going to check that one out next!
Perfect! I love the food travel ones; only problem is, I get hungry while watching them 😀
Thank you for sharing these. Since we’re quarantined, Netflix has been my best friend and I am running of shows to watch. I would be happy to check these travel shows you recommended. 🙂
Thanks Clarice! I hope you enjoy them 🙂
I need to watch a few of these that I’ve never heard of. Among them is Dark Tourist.
It’s an excellent series.
In the era of covid-19, we have not many choices. We just returned from interrupted lifetime trips to the USA and Canada, and the only thing we can do is to watch travel documentaries. Here your article comes to help us select the good ones. From your recommendations, we already know Expedition Happiness that is a stunning and well-done movie. And it’s nice to have other choices and recommendations. And titles like Conan without borders or Our Planet sounds interesting. We also love castles, so maybe Secrets of Great British Castles is something for us! We love your recommendations and selection, so now it’s time to switch to our Netflix on the laptop and start watching. Thanks for this post!
Thanks Agnes. We’re all sadly in this, but at least together. At least we can give our world some breathing room during this lockdown and watch it on Netflix instead!
Thanks for putting this together! I hate it when I finish a show and I have to scroll for what seems like hours through Netflix to find something else, lol. Now I can just read your descriptions! I see more than a few that look interesting.
Aw you’re welcome! Hope you get to watch a few during this period
This is brilliant. We should actually join Netflix we have been saying this for ages so maybe now is the time. Eat Pray Love is such a favourite. There are so many great ideas here – my first one would be Breakfast Lunch & Dinner. Thanks for putting the list together and giving us the reminder to get onto Netflix.
Those food series will leave you feeling hungry, so make sure you’ve enough snacks lol!
Our Planet is supposed to be so good! I want to watch it soon.
It’s excellent.
This is my favorite kind of list! Especially since traveling physically right now is not really an option right now, this will help curb that wanderlust until I can travel again.
Thanks Jocelyn, happy to know you enjoyed it! Stay safe until we can all travel again
THANK YOU! I’ve had to cancel travel plans and it really hurts, will have to watch these to help myself out a little bit.
You’re welcome! We’re all in the same boat in this together x
I loved watching murder mystery, its hilarious funny, have not seen everything on this list will try some keep busy and entertained.
It was a good watch, and beautiful backdrop too!
I love the Dark Tourist! I’ll have to add some of the rest of these to my watch list 🙂
It’s brilliant and unique too!
I need to get Netflix as it seems I’m missing on some really good stuff! I can see here some shows, which I’d love to watch for sure! 🙂
Good tip Natalia: add them to your list so you can watch them later!
What a great list! I love “Travel with My Father”. Jack and his dad are hillarious! I’ve been enjoying food travel shows on Netflix as well. The Kindness Diaries is next on my list. Thanks for sharing this!
You’re welcome Ola; yes, he’s hilarious!!
I love anything about travels. Thank you for this list, maybe I can virtually travel with this while staying at home.
You absolutely can, and help keep others safe at the same time 🙂
Netflix is like the lifeline right now when we all are stuck in quarantine with almost nothing to do.
It’s a good form of entertainment!
what a long list! and ive never seen even one of these. i think i should start watching movies!
It’s a good time to get acquainted with these shows 😉
Thank you for sharing this list! I love Netflix! And I enjoy watching planet and nature shows.
Me too! And now’s the best time to catch up
I’ve seen a few of these movies but not everything, the list is great actually especially that I won’t be traveling any time soon.
Same for many of us Chad; get your travel fill here 🙂
I started the one on British castles a while ago but never got past episode 1 (just didn’t have a ton of time). Seeing it on this list again brought back memories—maybe I’ll have to pick it up again!
Brilliant! If you’ve the time, it’s now 😀
I have only heard of a few of these. I would love to see the Dark Tourist and Secrets of British Castles.
Dark Tourist is excellent, and not like any other travel show!
Now is the time for me to get Netflix. Then I would have some good movies to watch
It’s as good a time as any!
I have been wanting to watch Lorena light-footed woman. I didn’t know Conan had a show. I’d be intrigued to check that out as well. Thank you for all these exciting options!
He does, and it’s pretty hilarious too!
I will check out these shows for sure. I love watching Netflix. I have been wanting to see Murder Mystery.
It’s a good one, and with a stunning backdrop too