5 Famous Video Game Locations You Can Actually Visit

If you're looking for your next vacation spot, you might want to consider some places you've already informally visited. That is, locations you may have visited in video games that you can actually visit in real life. Game developers are constantly striving to improve the realism and immersion of their titles, and one method is to incorporate real-world locations, historic sites, and monuments into their video games. Some of which, you may have not even known were based on or replicated from the real thing.

Many of these locations appear in these video games because the game itself is inspired by historical events that occurred there. As a result, the iconic locations are a perfect fit to double-over onto our screens. While other games, which are based on more fictional ideas, include real-world elements and monuments not only to fit the premise but also to bring it to life. Regardless, you'll surely get a kick out of these video game locations, which you can actually visit the next time you travel.

5. Alcatraz – Call of Duty: Warzone (Rebirth Island)

Fans were ecstatic when Call of Duty: Warzone released Rebirth, its new concept for a faster-paced, close-quarters battle royale. What makes it even more intriguing is that the map, dubbed “Rebirth Island,” is modeled after San Francisco's Alcatraz Island. When it was built in the mid-19th century, it was intended to be a maximum-security prison for high-level criminals. Which gained notoriety for being the world's most secure prison, owing to the fact that it is completely surrounded by water.

However, since 1973, Alcatraz is no longer a high-security prison and is now owned by the United States National Park Service as a visitable historic landmark. That's why if you're a fan of Call of Duty: Warzone and have played some Rebirth matches, you'll undoubtedly want to visit Alcatraz. The video game's Cells, Courtyard, surrounding buildings, and even the Water Tower are all identical to the real-life location. Quite literally creating a 1-to-1 model in the video game.

4. The Colosseum – Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

If you're a fan of the Assassin's Creed franchise, you'll know that the game is primarily influenced by the Italian Renaissance. As a result, it's only logical for developers to base their open-world on real-world landmarks and monuments that exist today. One famous location known in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is no other than the Colosseum, which is actually based on the real-life Rome Colosseum – Anfiteatro Flavio.

The Colosseum is a vast amphitheater that was built in A.D. 70, at the height of the Roman Empire, to hold gladiator battles. And shockingly, despite the long timeline, the Colosseum still stands today in Rome as a visitable monument. Meaning, that it stood between 1500-1507, the era that Assassin's Creed Brotherhood is set in. So, you climbing and even being able to own the monument as Ezio in the game may be fictitious, it is entirely historically accurate for it to be included as part of the setting.

3. Santa Monica Pier – Grand Theft Auto V

If you've played GTA V in the past nine years, you're probably aware that it's based in Los Angeles. One distinguishing feature that it is mostly owing to this relation is the map name. Los Angeles derives its name from Spanish roots and translates to “The Angels.” The map “Los Santos” in GTA V is actually Spanish for “The Saints,” a play on the city's name. Thus, creating direct ties to the real-life location and the video games' open world.

One of the most prominent locations in Los Santos is no other than the Del Perro Pier. Which you probably visited to meet up with players, complete a heist, or engage in the usual GTA V shenanigans. All of this has made Del Perro Pier a well-known destination in Los Santos, which is suitable given that it was designed after the famed Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles. This is excellent if you want to get away to some beaches while also getting to visit a famous video game location.

2. Florence – Assassin's Creed 2

We already explored one of the most famous locations in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, that being the Colosseum in Rome. However, because the franchise is largely based on the Italian Renaissance, other games in the series also feature real-life locations. And one game in the franchise that doe's this to the masses throughout Florence, Italy is Assassin's Creed 2.

Most notably in Assassin's Creed 2, which you'll find in Florance Italy, is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Which is widely recognized as Florence's most important historical landmark, and one you've most likely traversed as Ezio. Second to it is the Basilica of Santa Croce. Highly known for being the resting place of the famous Italian sculptor, Michelangelo. And thirdly is the famous Giotto's Bell Tower, which you've surely jumped off of into a haystack as Ezio.

These are three of the most noteworthy sites and monuments in Assasin's Creed 2, however, there are tons more. So, if you're looking to cross off multiple video game locations to visit, Florence Italy is a sure bet.

1. Milan Cathedral – Dark Souls III

One of the most famously known locations in Dark Souls and Dark Souls III is Anor Londo. Which really isn't much of a city and actually one giant epically looking cathedral. Shockingly, most people are unaware that Anor Londo is based on the Duomo di Milano Cathedral in Milan, Italy. However, it makes sense because, in order to envision this, you must first draw inspiration from actual real-world gothic architecture, as FromSoftware did.

Anor Lando in-game is notable for its intricacy, detail, and sheer scale, much like the Milan Cathedral itself. However, this is most likely due to the fact that the actual structure took nearly six centuries to finish. Originally built in 1386 during the peak Gothic-Renaissance architectural era, and ultimately finalized in 1965. As a result, visiting the Milan Cathedral in person creates an epically nostalgic experience. Just don't expect to meet a massive smoke barrier and boss while walking up to the doors.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there other games video game locations you can visit that we should know about? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!