Originally loved back in May 2015, zest added in 2017…
As we reach Star Wars Day (May the 4th be With You!), we thought we’d take a look at some of the best Star Wars film locations. Star Wars tourism has become big business over the years, increasingly with each new film released. Not only do the original films continue to attract new fans, but more are always in the pipeline ensuring one of the biggest franchises in cinematic history stays alive.
Whilst the original films were usually filmed on location, the modern ones involve a lot of time in the studio in front of a green screen. This has restricted the majority of Star Wars tourism to North Africa and Tunisia in particular but there’s still plenty of places to visit around the world. Here, we take a look at some of the biggest as well as some unknown Star Wars locations. You’ll be pleased to know they’re all less than 12 parsecs away.
Tataouine. Photo by: mrks_v/Adobe Stock
Tataouine, Tunisia
Whilst it wasn’t used as one of the Star Wars film locations, this town inspired the name of Tatooine. Once an attraction for the cave-dwellings found underground, created by the native Berbers, tourism here has dwindled in recent years.
Most Famous For: Lending its name to Tatooine.
Sidi Driss Hotel, Matmâta, Tunisia
Nicknamed the Star Wars Hotel, the Sidi Driss Hotel has become one of the most famous Star Wars film locations, recognisable as Luke’s home on Tatooine. A converted underground Berber home, the building was unknown to the outside world until heavy rains in 1967 caused some of it to collapse and the inhabitants had to seek help.
Falling into disrepair after the first round of filming, a Star Wars fan brought it back to life, with Star Wars decorations and made the accommodation suitable. The hotel is now open all year round and offers affordable underground accommodation for up to 145 guests in 20 rooms. There’s an on-site restaurant.
Most Famous For: Luke’s home in A New Hope and Attack of the Clones. Here, Leia’s message to Obi-Wan Kenobi played through R2-D2; “Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.”
Chott el Djerid, Tunisia
The exterior shots of the family home were filmed just south-east of Nefta in Chott el Djerid. It’s a dry salt lake and the largest salt pan in the Sahara covering 7,000km². At the co-ordinates 33°50’34.42″N, 7°46’44.48″E, you’ll find the small igloo that provided entrance to the underground homestead. You’ll definitely need a hire car to get there.
As interior scenes were shot in Matmâta, craters were dug next to the igloo to indicate the underground living quarters. After filming for the first trilogy concluded, the igloo was initially taken apart. It was rebuilt for Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Visit as the sun sets for an incredible view as the igloo is the only thing disrupting the skyline.
Most Famous For: The double sunset scene, Luke and Beru’s conversation, Luke returning to the charred remains of his uncle and aunt.
Nefta, Tunisia
Head out the north road from Nefta to Mos Espa. From props from the Pod-racing arena, Sebulba’s Café, and Watto’s shop all left at co-ordinates 33°59’39.5″N, 7°50’33.6″E. The set here was built from scratch and the majority stills stands as homage to the film.
Most Famous For: Anakin’s pod race, and the first Jedi duel between Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul.
Nefta. Photo by: Lukasz Janyst/Adobe Stock
Tik’al, Guatemala
The Rebel-held Massassi Outpost on Yavin 4, as seen in A New Hope, can be found at the huge Mayan temple complex at Tik’al in Guatemala.
These amazing ruins are over 2,500 years old and set in 222 square miles of rainforest in the Tik’al National Park. One of the largest archaeological sites and urban centres of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
Most Famous For: Planning the assault on the first Death Star. “It’s not impossible. I used to bull’s-eye womp rats in my T-16 back home. They’re not much bigger than 2 meters.”
Finse, Norway
The legendary battle scenes on the ice planet of Hoth (The Empire Strikes Back) were actually filmed on the Hardangerjøkulen glacier near Finse in Norway. Whilst the AT-AT Walkers weren’t real, the cold and isolation was. Finse is located 1,222m above sea level and has no road access. Due to snowstorms, the crew shot the scenes with Luke escaping from the wampa and reaching out to the spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi from the back door of the hotel.
The Finse 1222 Hotel retains behind-the-scenes photos on display and a prop of a Rebel trooper hat in the lobby. A guide from the hotel will be able to take you to further locations around the area where scenes were filmed. Visit between December-May while there’s snow for the best Hoth experience. There’s also an annual “Visit Hoth” event which is a must for fans.
Most Famous For: Battle of Hoth, AT-AT Walkers, Han keeping Luke warm in the entrails of a tauntaun.
Lenno, Lake Como, Italy
The Villa del Balbianello at Lake Como is the scene of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Naberrie’s wedding on Padmé’s home planet of Naboo (Attack of the Clones). The Villa was also used for the scene of Anakin in a Jedi trance looking out across the lake early in the morning following his nightmare. Whilst the Villa is beautiful, CGI was used to completely alter the exterior for the film.
The villa is open to visitors from March until November, and also featured in the 2006 Casino Royale, starring Daniel Craig.
Most Famous For: Anakin and Padmé’s wedding.
Villa del Balbianello. Photo by: Circumnavigation/Adobe Stock
Guilin, China
Revenge of the Sith saw Star Wars film crews head to Asia for the first time. Here, they used the stunning limestone karst mountains around the city of Guilin to portray the Wookiee planet of Kashyyyk.
Most Famous For: Battle of Kashyyyk, Yoda decapitating his would-be assassins.
Phang Nga Bay, Thailand
Near Phuket lay the famous limestone peaks of Phang Nga Bay. These were combined with the shots from Guilin to create Kashyyyk for Revenge of the Sith. James Bond fans will recognise the landscapes as they appear in both The Man with the Golden Gun and Tomorrow Never Dies.
Most Famous For: Battle of Kashyyyk, Yoda decapitating his would-be assassins.
Redwoods State Park, California, USA
If you want to explore the forest moon of Endor and discover the location of the second Death Star’s shield generator in Return of the Jedi, then head to this gorgeous State Park in northern California. The Battle of Endor led to the decline of the Empire with the deaths of Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader, as well as many major Imperial leaders, and the destruction of the second Death Star. Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park and the Humboldt Redwoods State Park were also used for some chase scenes. Keep an eye out for Ewoks.
Most Famous For: Ewoks, AT-ST chicken walker, 74-Z speeder bike scene.
Thirlmere & Derwentwater, Cumbria
Derwentwater, popular with water sports enthusiasts was used as a backdrop to many battle scenes from The Force Awakens. The house on Derwent Island is owned by the National Trust and is open to the public just a handful of times a year. Travel by canoe is advisable. You’re sure in for a relaxing trip in the Lake District.
Most Famous For: X-wing fighters aerial attack, Rey stating on arrival; “I didn’t know there was so much green in the whole galaxy.”
Redwoods State Park. Photo by: Krzyztof Wiktor/Adobe Stock
Reynisfjara, Iceland
You’ll spot the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, near Vik, in Rogue One when it becomes Eadu. The beach is an incredibly popular location among tourists due to its unusual colour. Visiting in summer means you’ll be able to explore whenever you like under the midnight sun, but October-March you’ll be more likely to see the Northern Lights.
Most Famous For: Imperial forces taking Jyn’s father, Galen Erso, played by Mads Mikkelsen.
Canary Wharf Station, London
Perhaps a little less exotic, the station had its suited bankers replaced with Stormtroopers for a scene in Rogue One as it served as an Imperial base.
Most Famous For: Being part of the Death Star.
Wadi Rum desert, Jordan
This ‘Valley of the Moon’ doubles as Rogue One’s key spiritual home and centre for Jedi’s, desert moon Jedha. The fictional area is home to some of the film’s key characters. The desert was also heavily used in The Martian. Will you join many others making the Jedi pilgrimage to Jordan to feel the Force?
Most Famous For: Blind Jedi warrior Chirrut fighting a raft of Stormtroopers.
Did you know?
- The term “May the fourth be with you” was first used on May 4, 1979, the day Margaret Thatcher became PM. The Tories’ placed a congratulatory ad in the papers that stated “May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie. Congratulations.”
- May 5th is referred to as Revenge of the Fifth due to the popularity of Star Wars day. On May 5th, fans celebrate the Dark Side.
- Mark Hamill’s youthful exuberance annoyed Sir Alec Guinness so much on set that he paid Hamill a dollar to go away. (Incidentally, Guinness thought Star Wars was “fairytale rubbish”).
- Yoda was originally going to be played by a monkey carrying a cane and wearing a mask.
- While filming their lightsaber fight scenes, both Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christiansen kept getting carried away and made the sounds themselves. These had to be removed in post-production.
The end you have reached
Well there you have it, some of the most famous Star Wars film locations you can visit. If you know of any others that you feel should be on here, leave a comment below.
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