10 Travel Documentaries to Inspire Your Next Adventure

Introduction

Whether you’re dreaming of your next big trip or just love discovering the world from your couch, travel documentaries have a unique way of opening your eyes to new places, people, and perspectives.

We’ve spent years traveling — and when we’re not on the road, we’re usually watching something that makes us want to pack our bags again. Between adventures, we’ve come across some incredible documentaries that made us dream, think, and even question how we see the world.

You don’t have to agree with everything in them — that’s part of their beauty. They’ll challenge you, move you, and remind you why exploring the planet is so special.

Here are 10 travel documentaries that will inspire your next adventure — and maybe even change the way you see the world.

Where to Watch

Most of these amazing travel documentaries are available on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime Video — so chances are, you already have access to some of them.

If not, don’t worry — many are also available on YouTube or other free streaming sites, sometimes even directly from the creators. You can rent or buy them for just a few euros or dollars, which is a small price to pay for the inspiration they’ll give you.

So, grab your favorite snacks, make yourself comfortable, and let’s explore the world — one documentary at a time.

10 Travel Documentaries to Inspire Your Next Adventure

Planet Earth

Let’s start with our favorite travel documentaries. If you haven’t seen Planet Earth yet, it’s time. This groundbreaking 11-episode documentary series by BBC, narrated by the legendary David Attenborough, takes you on a breathtaking journey across every corner of our planet. From the highest mountains and deepest oceans to lush rainforests and arid deserts, each episode focuses on a different ecosystem, revealing the beauty and fragility of our world.

The cinematography is simply mind-blowing — it set a new standard for nature documentaries when it was released back in 2006. Whether it’s a snow leopard in the Himalayas or a bird-of-paradise dancing in New Guinea, every scene feels like pure magic.

If you need a reminder of just how extraordinary our planet is, Planet Earth is the perfect place to start.

Planet Earth II

Second-best of the travel documentaries is obviously the next part of Planet Earth. A decade after the original, BBC returned with Planet Earth II in 2016, and it’s even more stunning. Once again narrated by David Attenborough, this sequel takes advantage of the latest filming technology — including 4K cameras and drones — to capture our planet from breathtaking new perspectives.

Each episode focuses on a specific environment — islands, mountains, jungles, deserts, grasslands, and cities — showing how animals adapt and thrive in each of these incredible landscapes. The “Cities” episode, in particular, offers a fascinating glimpse into how wildlife is learning to live alongside humans.

With its jaw-dropping visuals, moving storytelling, and powerful message about coexistence, Planet Earth II is not just a follow-up — it’s a masterpiece in its own right.

David Attenborough: A Life on Our Plane

Released in 2020, this powerful film is not just a documentary — it’s David Attenborough’s witness statement for the planet. After spending nearly a century exploring every corner of the Earth, Attenborough reflects on the changes he’s seen in his lifetime — from lush biodiversity to the alarming decline caused by human activity.

The film beautifully combines his personal journey with stunning footage of nature, showing both the wonders we still have and what we stand to lose if we don’t act. It’s emotional, honest, and eye-opening.

More than anything, A Life on Our Planet leaves you with hope — reminding us that it’s not too late to restore balance if we start making changes now.

Our Planet

Produced by Netflix and narrated by the legendary David Attenborough, Our Planet is an eight-part series that showcases the breathtaking beauty of Earth while also highlighting the urgent environmental issues threatening it.

What makes this series stand out is its cinematic storytelling — combining stunning footage of wildlife, ecosystems, and landscapes with a strong message about conservation. From the frozen Arctic to lush rainforests and deep oceans, each episode reveals how all life on Earth is connected.

It’s not just about nature’s beauty; it’s about understanding our role in protecting it. So if you have time at home, this is one of the most inspiring and thought-provoking travel documentaries you can watch.

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey

Released in 2014 and hosted by the brilliant Neil deGrasse Tyson, Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey is a 13-episode series that takes you on an extraordinary journey through space and time.

This documentary explores everything — from the origins of life on Earth to the formation of galaxies and even the evolution of species. It connects science, history, and storytelling in a way that makes complex ideas both understandable and fascinating.

What we love about it is how it sparks curiosity. You’ll find yourself questioning our place in the universe and realizing just how incredible our world (and beyond) really is. Truly a melting pot of knowledge and one of the best documentaries to expand your perspective.

Chasing Ice

Released in 2012, Chasing Ice is a powerful 1h30min documentary that follows James Balog, a National Geographic photographer, on his mission to capture undeniable evidence of climate change.

Armed with time-lapse cameras, he and his team travel to some of the coldest places on Earth — Greenland, Iceland, and Alaska — to document the world’s disappearing glaciers over several years.

What makes this film unforgettable isn’t just the stunning visuals, but the emotional impact of watching entire landscapes transform before your eyes. It’s both beautiful and heartbreaking, a must-watch for anyone who wants to truly understand the scale and urgency of our changing planet.

The Blue Planet

Released in 2001 by the BBC, The Blue Planet is often considered the ultimate ocean documentary. Covering more than three-quarters of Earth’s surface, this groundbreaking series was described as “the first ever comprehensive look at the natural history of the world’s oceans.”

Narrated by David Attenborough, it dives deep into every corner of the marine world — from the shallow coral reefs to the darkest depths of the abyss. Many of the creatures and behaviors filmed had never been captured on camera before, making it as educational as it is mesmerizing.

Whether you love the sea or simply want to be amazed by the hidden life beneath the waves, The Blue Planet is one of the most stunning documentaries ever made.

Before the flood

Released in 2016, Before the Flood follows Leonardo DiCaprio in his role as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, as he travels across the world to witness firsthand the devastating effects of climate change.

From melting glaciers in the Arctic to deforestation in Indonesia and rising sea levels threatening island nations, the film paints a powerful and urgent picture of the planet’s future. It also explores how political and economic systems contribute to the crisis — and what can still be done to reverse it.

It may not be the most comforting documentary, but it’s one of the most eye-opening and necessary ones to watch if you care about the planet’s future.

The game changers

Switching gears from nature to nutrition, The Game Changers is a must-watch documentary if you’ve ever wondered how your diet impacts both your health and the planet. Featuring elite athletes, special forces soldiers, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and leading scientists, the film explores the power of a plant-based diet and how it challenges everything we’ve been told about protein, strength, and performance.

It’s not just about food — it’s about changing perspectives. If you’ve seen David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet, this one takes it a step further by showing how personal choices, like what we eat, can make a real difference for our bodies and for Earth.

What the Health

What the Health (2017) is another eye-opening documentary that dives deep into the connection between diet, health, and the healthcare industry. Focusing on the United States, it exposes how food choices contribute to chronic diseases — and questions why major health organizations often stay silent about it.

The film challenges the traditional medical narrative and encourages viewers to rethink what they eat, showing how a plant-based diet can prevent and even reverse many common health issues. Whether you agree with all of its claims or not, it’s a documentary that will definitely make you look at your plate — and the food industry — in a whole new way.