Star Wars Locations to Visit Today
The best day of the year for many Star Wars fans is fast approaching. It is of course, May 4th. Most scenes were filmed in a studio with a green screen, but some of their larger than life and smaller emotional scenes were filmed all around the World. What makes this incredibly exciting is that you can visit those famous destinations. Here are more than 20 to make your movie dreams come true.
Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
Much of the 1977 movie was filmed in Tunisia, its landscape was perfect for the desert land of Tatooine. To have a Star Wars adventure in Tunisia visit:
- Ajim, Jerba – Mos Eisley, Tatooine
- Chott el Djerid, Nefta and Sidi Driss Hotel, Matmata – make up the Lars family homestead, Tatooine
- Sidi Bouhlel, Tozeur – Star Wars Canyon where R2D2 is captured
More of Tatooine was also filmed in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. Another location featured in A New Hope, worth a travel trip is Tikal National Park, Guatemala, to see the Fourth moon of Yavin.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Episode 5 was the sequel to the hugely successful A New Hope and it was largely filmed in Elstree Studios, in England. During the 4 months of filming, 64 sets were built and 250 scenes were filmed.
This most noteworthy location to visit from The Empire Strikes Back is the Hardangerjøkulen Glacier, Norway as it is representing the ice planet, Hoth. Also, nearby Finse, is where Luke Skywalker escaped from the Wampa cave and interacted with the spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
In addition, you can visit Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, USA because they recorded sounds for the movie here. Listen carefully!
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)
If Return of the Jedi is your favourite film of the Star Wars Saga, then plan your adventure to the USA.
- Redwood National Park, Crescent City, USA – (forest)
- Death Valley National Park, California – The most notable scene filmed here is when Obi-Wan Kenobi meets Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, and R2-D2 for the first time.
- Yuma Desert, Arizona – Buttercup Valley is where Jabba’s Sail Barge and the Sarlacc Pit was built.
Before you take your awesome Star Wars Trip read ‘How to Be An Eco-Traveller‘ so that you can reduce your carbon footprint as you go on Jedi pilgrimage.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)
Once again Tunisia plays a large role in a Star Wars film. Perhaps it is a favourite of George Lucas. Check out our favourite locations to visit:
- Royal Palace, Caserta, Campania, Italy – Naboo Royal Palace
- Ksar Hadada, Tataouine and Ksar Medenine, Tunisia were filmed for the Slave Quarters of Tatooine
- Sidi Bouhlel, Tozeur, Tunisia – Podrace, Tatooine
- Whippendell Woods, Watford, England – Naboo forest
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002)
One of the highlights of episode II is Naboo. To get your royal fill visit Italy:
- Villa Arconati, Dosso del Balbianello, Lenno, Lake Como, Lombardia, site of hiding/wedding, Naboo
- Royal Palace, Caserta, Campania, Italy – Naboo Royal Palace
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
The final instalment of the prequel series has a variety of epic shots that include Europes natural beauty:
- Mount Etna, Catania, Sicily, Italy – Remember the lava Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker were fighting with their lightsabers? This was all due to Mount Etna erupting.
- Grindelwald, Kanton Bern, Switzerland – When you see Planet Alderaan, it is actually Switzerland.
The Preparture App is available for both Android and iOS users. Download it today to start planning your Jedi pilgrimage.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Perhaps the most famous scene from The Force Awakens is the final scene when we finally see Luke Skywalker. This was filmed in Skellig Michael, Country Kerry, Ireland. Other filming locations you can visit today are:
- Iceland – Mývatn, Krafla volcano
- Derwentwater, Lake District, England – Approach to Maz Kanata’s Castle, Takodana
- Puzzle Wood, Perrygrove Road, Coleford, England – Forest on Takodana
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Nominated for 4 Oscars, this movie was largely filmed in Pinewood Studios in London, with a green screen. But some destinations that you can visit include:
- Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia – Ending Battle exterior scenes
- Dubrovnik, Croatia – City of Canto Bright
- Skellig Michael, County Kerry and Brow Head, County Cork, Ireland – Planet Ahch-To
