Angelina Jolie’s 7 Favorite Cities — And the Stories That Made Them Special

As an Academy Award-winning actress, director, and humanitarian, Angelina Jolie has traveled the globe not just for red carpets and film sets, but for deeply personal and purpose-driven reasons. While she’s never published an official list of her favorite cities, her travels and interviews reveal seven places that have left lasting impressions on her heart—and on her life.

1. Siem Reap, Cambodia: A Second Home of the Heart

Few places hold as deep a connection for Jolie as Cambodia. It’s the birthplace of her son Maddox, the country where she launched the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, and the setting for her powerful directorial work First They Killed My Father. Siem Reap, with its breathtaking Angkor Wat temples, has become a place of healing, purpose, and maternal roots. “Cambodia changed my life,” Jolie has said—and it’s clear the connection remains profound.

2. Paris, France: Chic Comfort and Family Moments

Whether shopping along the Champs-Élysées or dining quietly with her children, Jolie’s love affair with Paris is both personal and elegant. Her children have studied under the French curriculum, and she’s often seen enjoying the cultural richness of the city. Paris is where work and family blend seamlessly—a place of both fashion and familiarity.

3. Venice, Italy: A Romantic Film Memory

During the filming of The Tourist with Johnny Depp, Jolie and her family temporarily relocated to a villa on Venice’s Grand Canal. She’s described the experience as “blissful,” immersing herself in the city’s timeless beauty. With its art, canals, and cinematic grandeur, Venice became not just a backdrop for a film, but a cherished chapter in her life.

4. New York City, USA: A Creative and Family Base

New York has long been one of Jolie’s anchor cities. With an apartment in Manhattan and her growing involvement in fashion and theater—including her creative venture Atelier Jolie—NYC represents both artistic ambition and maternal grounding. “New York has always felt like home,” she’s said, citing the city’s energy and anonymity as part of its allure.

5. Provence, France: Retreat and Reflection

Far from the flashbulbs, Jolie’s former home at Château Miraval in Provence offered serenity and space to raise her children. The picturesque estate, nestled in vineyards and lavender fields, became a symbol of peace, privacy, and family life. It’s not just a place she lived—it’s one she helped bring to life through farming, wine production, and memory-making.

6. Chiang Mai, Thailand: A Love for Nature and Solitude

Jolie has often praised Northern Thailand’s natural beauty. In Chiang Mai, she’s found refuge in jungle resorts and quiet landscapes. A frequent traveler to Southeast Asia, she’s spoken of her admiration for Thailand’s culture and her appreciation for spaces that reconnect her to the Earth and to herself.

7. Istanbul, Turkey: A Cultural Crossroads

Jolie’s humanitarian work has taken her to many global cities, but Istanbul stands out for its layered history and cultural vibrance. With its stunning mosques, bustling bazaars, and views over the Bosphorus, the city embodies the intersection of East and West—much like Jolie’s own journey as a global citizen and advocate.

A World Traveler with a Global Heart

Angelina Jolie’s favorite cities aren’t just glamorous settings—they’re chapters in her life story. From places of adoption and advocacy to moments of family and film, these seven destinations reflect the complexities and passions of a woman who has made the world not just her stage, but her home.