Have you ever wanted to feel the force and travel the universe to Tatooine, Endor, or Naboo? Like you all, we’re massive Star Wars fans here at Travel The Unexpected. The franchise has been massively successful for decades. As a result, there are so many Star Wars locations you can visit to experience these “planets” for yourself.
Nothing beats putting on a show or movie and feeling a deeper connection to what you see on screen after visiting the filming locations. These spots will transport you right into the heart of your favorite universe. Whether you want to visit authentic filming locations or Star Wars-inspired spots, we’ve got you covered. Even if you’re not a Star Wars fan, you’ll still want to check out many of these locations. They are truly out of this world!
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Star Wars Filming Locations
Travel the universe to the actual filming locations of the Star Wars franchise. Whether you’re a fan of the original trilogy, or some of the more recent films, you’ll find some travel inspiration here.
Africa
The desert landscapes of Tunisia were the real-life filming locations of the major Tatooine scenes. Tatooine is the childhood home of both Anakin and Luke Skywalker.
Ajim (Djerba, Tunisia): Calling all A New Hope fans! Filmmakers shot the exterior scenes for the cantina, where Luke meets Han Solo for the first time, in Ajim, Djerba. This is also where stormtroopers stopped Luke’s Landspeeder! Since these are mostly exterior shots, they may be more underwhelming to visit than others on this list. Many of the nearby structures have undergone changes since filming. Pro Tip: Take note that these locations can be a bit remote. Pack lots of water and sun protection, and bring a backup phone charger.
Chott-el-Jerid (Nefta, Tunisia): Here you’ll find the exterior of Luke Skywalker’s childhood home on Tatooine. This location was featured in A New Hope and Attack of the Clones. The dome-shaped home was built as a temporary set in 1976 and was restored in 2012 by Star Wars fans. Pro Tip: The exact location of Luke’s home can be difficult to find. There may be little to no signage, so we recommend plugging in the exact coordinates (33.8423°N, 7.7828°E).
Hotel Sidi Driss (Matmata, Tunisia): You may want to sit down for this one because we have exciting news to share. You can actually stay in the childhood home of our favorite hero, Luke Skywalker. The interior of Luke’s childhood home was filmed at Hotel Sidi Driss, a real, functional hotel where you can stay today! Many of the set decorations remain, so be on the lookout during your visit. This location is in both A New Hope and Attack of the Clones. Pro Tip: Visit during spring or autumn to experience more moderate temperatures since the Tunisian climate can be extreme.
La Grande Dune (Nefta, Tunisia): This was another filming location for the desert shots of Tatooine. You might remember it as the area where our favorite droids, C-3PO and R2-D2, traverse the desert in A New Hope. Pro Tip: You can take a guided tour of this area to see the exact spots.
Mos Espa (Tozeur, Tunisia): Like father, like son. Anakin’s childhood home, seen in The Phantom Menace, was also filmed in Tunisia. Mos Espa was the filming location for his hometown, and you’ll feel instantly transported when you step through the marketplaces and streets that still exist today! The sand dunes have affected some of the site, but most of the set still stands. They filmed the pod-racing scenes there too!
Asia
Phang Nga Bay (Phuket, Thailand): On your next trip to Thailand, be sure to check out the home of our furry friend, Chewbacca. This is the fictional land of Kashyyyk, otherwise known as the Wookiee home planet seen in Revenge of the Sith. Pro Tip: We highly recommend visiting during Thailand’s dry season from November to April. You can boat or kayak around this marine park. And don’t miss Khao Phing Kan (a.k.a. James Bond Island), one of the area’s most iconic landmarks.
Europe
Krafla (Iceland): Krafla provides the backdrop of Eadu in the Rogue One movies. It’s here that the Rebels search for Galen Erso.
Mount Etna (Belpasso, Italy): One of the most heart-wrenching scenes in Star Wars takes place when Anakin and Obi-Wan face off on the volcanic planet Mustafar in Revenge of the Sith. You can visit this fiery battleground on Mount Etna, the highest and most active volcano in all of Europe. While the battle scene was not actually filmed here, some of the lava flow footage was from a real Mount Etna eruption. Pro Tip: We recommend this guided tour of Mount Etna.
Skellig Michael (Ireland): When Luke trained Rey, he did so in Skellig Michael, Ireland, known in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi as Ahch-To. This is an actual ancient monastic site that you can visit, but this isn’t the easiest trip to make. Due to unruly weather and conservation efforts, this site requires some advanced planning. Pro Tip: We recommend visiting from May to September, when you may be able to take a boat tour to the filming locations.
Villa del Balbianello (Lake Como, Italy): My personal favorite filming location is where Padme and Anakin fell in love during Attack of the Clones. Villa del Balbianello is positively stunning and is open to the public. Pro Tip: We recommend visiting during spring or fall for the most beautiful and less touristy experience.
Whippendell Woods (Hertfordshire, England): Whippendell Woods, known in the films as Naboo, is where the lovable (yet controversial) Jar Jar Binks first meets Qui-Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace. There are delightful walking trails in the woods that you can follow to immerse yourself in the forests of Naboo. Just keep an eye out for the Gungans!
North America
Death Valley National Park (California & Nevada, USA): Part of the desert landscape of Tatooine in A New Hope was filmed in Death Valley National Park. We specifically recommend checking out Golden Canyon, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Artist’s Palette. Pro Tip: The National Park Service app offers a Death Valley guided audio tour.
Koke’e State Park & Manawaiopuna Falls (Hawaii, USA): Few scenes in Star Wars are as iconic as the training between Luke and Yoda on the swampy planet Dagobah. These scenes were filmed on the lush island of Kauai, Hawaii. Manawaiopuna Falls are also known as Jurassic Falls, where the opening scene of Jurassic Park was filmed. Pro Tip: If you’d like to get a glimpse of this area without having to hike, we recommend the Jurassic Falls helicopter tour. You’ll get to land at the falls and walk around!
Mojave Desert (California): One of the most iconic scenes from any of the Star Wars movies is when Luke first crosses paths with Obi-Wan in A New Hope. The desert area where they met was filmed near Alabama Hills in the Eastern Sierra region. There’s not necessarily one specific spot to check out here, but you’ll definitely recognize the landscape! Pro Tip: If you’re planning to visit here, be sure to stay hydrated. Our favorite products are Liquid IV and this purifying water bottle.
Redwood National Park (California, USA): Endor was brought to life in Return of the Jedi thanks to Redwood National Park in California. Drive through The Avenue of the Giants to take in the forests.
Star Wars Inspired Locations
If only we could travel the universe at light speed in the Millennium Falcon to see all of these filming locations. Luckily, there are many inspired-locations that can still transport us into the Star Wars world.
Immersive Experiences
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (California & Florida, USA): If you’re a Star Wars fan, you probably already know about this experience at Disney in both California and Florida. But it’s too good not to include! Here, you can have a truly immersive experience as you pilot the Millennium Falcon, spend time with your favorite characters, and make your own lightsaber! This is our pick for a family-friendly Star Wars experience.
Lodging
Outpost X (Utah, USA): This is our absolute favorite inspired location on this list. You will truly feel like you’re in the movies here in Utah as you explore this Star Wars-themed glamping spot in the desert. Here, the buildings resemble those from Tatooine, giving you the feeling that you could be sleeping in Luke Skywalker’s childhood home. You can also sleep in bubbles under the stars. We highly recommend going on a desert adventure in their Sand Cruisers!
Monuments
Darth Vader Grotesque (Washington, D.C., USA): At the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., you’ll find a carving of Darth Vader—a striking juxtaposition against the Gothic architecture. This carving was part of a children’s design competition in the 1980s.
Zweibrucken R2-D2 Observatory (Zweibrücken, Germany): If you’re ever in Germany, you must see this massive observatory meant to look like our favorite droid. A Star Wars-obsessed lecturer helped transform the observatory to look like R2-D2. This observatory belongs to the University of Kaiserslautern but is open to the public.
Museums / Exhibits
Rancho Obi-Wan (California, USA): If seeing filming locations isn’t enough for you, what about seeing some of the memorabilia from the actual movies? If that sounds up your alley, check out this exhibition in Petaluma, California. They have the largest private collection of Star Wars memorabilia anywhere in the world.
Restaurants
Scum & Villainy Cantina (California, USA): This restaurant right in the heart of Hollywood is a top-tier experience for any fans of the iconic Mos Eisley Cantina from A New Hope. Whenever the theme song plays in the bar, you’ll feel like you landed next to your favorite Star Wars characters. Just look out for Greedo!
Immersing yourself in the real-life landscapes of your favorite films and TV shows is such a great way to boost tourism and gain an even deeper appreciation for the work. We hope you travel the universe and experience these Star Wars locations in real life. Which of these Star Wars settings are you most eager to check out? Share this guide with a fellow Star Wars enthusiast to start planning your intergalactic journey today!
If you’re looking for more TV and Film-inspired activities, check out our Mamma Mia! dinner post!
