Your Dream ‘White Lotus’ Vacation: How to Visit Every Filming Location on a Budget

If you’ve ever watched The White Lotus and thought, “I need to go there,” you’re far from alone. The broader travel trend is called “set jetting”—booking trips to real-world filming locations—and no show drives it quite like The White Lotus.

Each season drops its cast into a different luxury resort destination, and the good news? You don’t need a luxury budget to experience these places yourself.

“White Lotus” travel searches surged over 300%

Every time a new season of “White Lotus” premieres, travel search data for the featured destination spikes. The pattern has held across all three seasons, from Hawaii to Sicily to Thailand. Viewers don’t just want to watch these locations—they want to visit. “In the 90 days following the launches of the show’s first two seasons, set in Hawaii and Sicily, respectively, Expedia saw searches for those destinations explode by more than 300% due to the ‘White Lotus’ effect,” per Forbes.

Season 3 followed the same pattern. “After Thailand was announced as the setting of Season 3 […], searches for flights increased for Chiang Mai (up 65% year over year), Phuket (up 45%) and Koh Samui (up 30%), according to data from Expedia,” Forbes also found.

Season 1 of The White Lotus was filmed in Maui, Hawaii

The debut season brought viewers to Maui’s gorgeous south shore, and nearly every scene was filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. The resort sits on Wailea Beach, where the characters enjoy the sun and sand. Maui’s south shore is a strong match for honeymooners, luxury travelers and whale watching—humpbacks migrate from November to May.

Budget tip: Stay in nearby Kihei and visit the Wailea beaches, which are public access per Hawaii beach access law.

Season 2 of The White Lotus was set in Sicily, Italy

Season 2 filmed primarily at the San Domenico Palace in Taormina, a clifftop five-star hotel with views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Taormina is a hilltop town on Sicily’s east coast known for its ancient Greek theater and dramatic coastline. Additional scenes were filmed in Noto, Siracusa and Palermo—all worth adding to your Sicily itinerary.

For a double set-jetting moment, visit Castello degli Schiavi, which the White Lotus characters themselves mention as the backdrop for Italy-based scenes in “The Godfather.” This destination is best for history lovers, food-focused travelers and couples wanting beach towns with serious culture. Visit May through June or September through October to avoid peak crowds and heat.

Season 3 of The White Lotus heads to Koh Samui, Thailand

The third season is set at the Four Seasons Koh Samui, a remote, jungle-cliffside resort on Thailand’s Gulf coast, with additional scenes filmed in Phuket. The setting goes well beyond a typical beach vacation, with everything from traditional Thai boxing to world-class wellness experiences.

Want to watch some Muay Thai like Laurie, Gaitok and Mook? Get tickets for a fight at the Bangla Boxing Stadium where they filmed the fight scenes. For something more relaxing, fans of spa manager Belinda can book a treatment at the real-life setting of her wellness spa at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket.

This destination is best for adventure travelers, wellness seekers and couples wanting a mix of beach and culture. The best time to visit is November through April, the dry season per Conde Nast Traveler.

How to visit The White Lotus destinations without the resort price tag

Each season films at a Four Seasons property, but you don’t have to stay at the filming hotel to enjoy these destinations. Nearby alternatives are usually significantly cheaper with access to the same beaches and towns. Visit during shoulder season to get the scenery without surging post-White Lotus demand, and use a flight price tracker like Google Flights’ price calendar to spot the cheapest travel windows.

Plan at least five to seven nights—each destination rewards slower travel. These places are every bit as spectacular as they look on screen.