Star Wars was filmed in deserts, islands, old towns, and glaciers across our own planet. Many of these places are open to visitors, and you can walk exactly where the scenes were shot. Below are the real locations, what to see, when to go, and how to get there.
Tatooine
The deserts around Matmata, Tozeur and Nefta provided the landscape for Luke Skywalker's home planet. Many of the original sets are still standing — including the underground rooms of the Lars Homestead (now Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata) and the Mos Espa film set in the dunes near Nefta.
Naboo — Theed Royal Palace
Seville's Plaza de España, built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, became the city of Theed on Naboo in Attack of the Clones. Its curved bridges, tiled alcoves and grand colonnade make it one of the most photogenic squares in Europe — and entry is free.
Naboo Lake Retreat
Villa del Balbianello sits on a small wooded peninsula on Lake Como. Its loggia and stone terraces stood in for the Naboo lake house where Padmé and Anakin married. The villa is open to the public most of the year and is run by Italy's national trust.
Ahch-To — Luke's Island
Skellig Michael is a jagged UNESCO-listed rock 12 km off Ireland's southwest coast, with a 6th-century monastery clinging to its summit. It became Luke's exile in the sequel trilogy. Visitor numbers are strictly capped and weather often cancels boats.
Hoth — Rebel Base
The opening ice-planet scenes of The Empire Strikes Back were filmed on the Hardangerjøkulen glacier near the tiny railway village of Finse, 1,222 m up in the Norwegian mountains. The Rallarvegen cycling route passes right through.
Walk the Galaxy
From Tunisian deserts to Irish cliffs — we can shape a 10–14 day Star Wars itinerary across the real shooting locations.
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