The Star Wars films captured the imaginations of fans all over the world who fell in love with the film’s quirky characters and remote planets. But, did you know you can visit some of the filming locations right here on Earth?
From forests to grand villas and glaciers, it’s hard to believe that so many of the fictional planets of Star Wars are real places that you can easily visit. Some of the planets were even named after actual towns.
It seems that the events of Star Wars didn’t happen in a place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away after all!
7. Villa Balbianello, Lake Como, Italy
The grand Villa Balbianello on the edge of Lake Como in Italy appeared in scenes from ‘Attack of the Clones’. It is famously the place where Anakin and Padme got married.
Curiously, the villa was built in 1787 and was originally a monastery. Over time, the building was extended and glamorized, becoming the home of rich noble families and cardinals.
Did you know Star Wars isn’t the only famous film it has appeared in? The villa also appeared in ‘James Bond Casino Royale’. If you’re a Bond fan too then this is a real two-birds-with-one-stone destination!
6. Hardangerjøkulen, Norway
This epic glacier in Norway was used as the battlefield for scenes on the fictional ice planet Hoth. The planet appeared in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’, and where better to film an alleged ice planet than Norway’s sixth-largest glacier!
Because the glacier is so icy and covered in deep layers of snow, you can only really experience Hardagerjokulen on skis. But don’t worry, there aren’t any hungry wampas or Imperial AT-AT walkers lurking on the misty horizon.
5. Tikal, Guatemala
Tucked deep in the rainforest in Guatemala’s Tikal National Park, you’ll find the breathtaking ruins of the ancient TIkal city. Built by the Mayans, the city was inhabited from the 6th century BC right up to the 10th century AD.
Given the ruins’ mystical atmosphere, remote location, and historical importance, it’s no wonder it was chosen as a filming location for Star Wars.
The site appeared in ‘A New Hope’ as the fictional rebel base on the planet Yavin 4. Specifically, the ancient Mayan ruins were used as the exterior of the Massassi Outpost headquarters.
4. Plaza de España, Seville, Spain
This iconic plaza in southern Spain was designed by Anibal Gonzalez for the Ibero American Exposition of 1929. The colorful plaza appeared as the exterior for Theed on Naboo.
If you visit, you’ll recognize it from the scene where Anaki and Padme walk through the square in ‘Attack of the Clones’.
In real life, the plaza doesn’t have any marks left behind by the Star Wars series. The sound of flamenco performers fills the square and as you walk over the little bridges you’ll spot people rowing boats along the artificial river.
3. Redwood National Park, California
California’s Redwood forests are home to some of the world’s tallest trees. The park stretches across a vast array of landscapes. From open prairies and oak woodlands to trickling rivers and rugged coastline.
Because of this it was the perfect backdrop for the forest moon of Endor in ‘Return of the Jedi’. It was here that scenes from the battle of Endor and Luke and Leia’s speeder chase were filmed.
Look for the ‘Avenue of the Giants’ in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park for the coolest filming locations.
2. Skellig Michael, Ireland
The rocky and remote Skellig Michael is a little island off the coast of Kerry in Ireland. In the Star Wars series, it was where Rey and Chewbacca tracked Luke Skywalker too after endless searching at the end of ‘The Force Awakens’.
In the film, the island was called Ahch-To and it also featured a fair bit in ‘The Last Jedi’. Of course, in real life the island isn’t home to the Jedi temple where Rey received her Jedi training. But there is an awesome network of hiking trails around the island.
Towards the top of the island’s sharp cliffs and up a winding trail of stone steps, you’ll find an ancient 6th-century monastery that’s worth visiting.
1. Hotel Sidi Driss, Matmata, Tunisia
Tunisia’s desert landscapes made it the perfect filming destination. Because of this, the country appeared in several Star Wars films. The name of the planet Tatooine was even borrowed from a real Tunisian town of the same name!
If you want the ultimate Star Wars experience, then book a stay at the Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata. In the films, the now hotel featured as the Lars Homestead where the young Skywalker grew up in ‘The Phantom Menace’ and ‘Attack of the Clones’.
Few places bring the films so vividly to life, and incredibly a lot of the original set dressing is still in place in the hotel’s main courtyard.
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