Happy Star Wars Month! It’s been a while since I’ve done a filming locations blog (it was back in October 2022!) so what better time to bring it back than a Star Wars themed month?! The locations of the Star Wars films and shows are iconic, from the sandy deserts of Tatooine, to the lush greenery of Endor, and the wintery wastelands of Hoth. If you’re a Star Wars fan, being amongst the locations can make you feel like you’re in a galaxy far, far away.
Here are my top 10 filming locations around the world for the Star Wars cinematic films.
1. Hotel Sidi Idriss, South Tunisia
This is number 1 for a reason. Ever wanted to be Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight? Well, you can – at least for a night. Hotel Sidi Idriss in South Tunisia is a unique style of home, dug into the desert land. The hotel is essentially underground, with incredible domed roofs and open courtyards. This amazing location is a working hotel, and you can literally live Star Wars – staying in Luke’s bedroom and eating in the Lars’ dining room. Much of the set dressing is still in place, making it quite the immersive experience. Hotel staff can also organise tours to other local filming locations! For more information on Hotel Sidi Idriss, check out their website. (Please note: the site is in French, so you may need to put it through a translator if your browser isn’t set up to auto-translate)
2. Dubrovnik, Croatia
While the Canto Bight adventure is not everyone’s favourite moment in Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, you can’t deny the place is beautiful. While some of the balconies and terraces were CGI, of course, the cobblestone streets and bridges are all real, and on display when you visit the historic city of Dubrovnik in Croatia. This city has been used for many historical looking cities in many movies and shows, so it’s really a pop culture haven. The Old Town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Visit the Dubrovnik Tourist Board website for more information on things to do and see in this beautiful town.
3. Palace of Caserta, Italy
This opulent and elegant royal palace in Caserta, Italy, approximately an hour north of Naples, has played host to kings, celebrities, and important dignitaries over it’s history. It’s part in the Star Wars universe was no different. The Royal Palace of Caserta became the royal palace in Naboo. Most notably, it’s council room became the setting for a meeting of the Senate with Princess Amidala, and the hallways housed a great battle as they tried to escape the infiltration of the Separatists in Episode I: The Phantom Menace. It’s not a difficult place to get to, especially if you’re already in Naples, and you can view the Royal Palace and its grounds for a small entrance fee. For more information on the incredible palace, visit the website.
4. Villa del Balbianello, Italy
A beautiful setting, overlooking Lake Como – ethereal and romantic. In Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Anakin and Princess Amidala head to the Naboo lake district to keep the princess safe from harm. This is where their romance really blooms, and they share a forbidden kiss. Villa del Balbianello is a picturesque 18th-century retreat overlooking Lake Como in Italy. You unfortunately cannot stay overnight at the Villa but you can visit and view both the Villa and gardens for a small fee. For more information, view their website.
5. Hardangerjøkulen Glacier, Norway
The Battle of Hoth was iconic, with the snowy white backdrop to the scenes of AT-AT walkers advancing on the rebels, Luke flying the Snowspeeder through their legs to distract them from the escaping rebels. This remote but picturesque glacier is located a four-hour train ride west of Oslo, outside a small town by the name of Finse. You should always go on an organised tour when visiting a glacier as the ice and weather can be very unpredictable. Also make sure to check out Finse 1222 Hotel where the crew stayed. They even filmed the scene when Luke escapes the Wampa there when a snowstorm halted production! For more information on the glacier and one of the companies that provides tours, visit the Visit Norway website.
6. Puzzlewood, United Kingdom
You don’t have to worry about running into stormtroopers, or Kylo Ren (*phew*) but you can pretend you’re Rey dodging trees and blaster fire with BB-8 at her heels, in Episode VII: The Force Awakens, as you weave your way through this majestic forest. Puzzlewood is a magical woodland area, located in the Forest of Dean in the United Kingdom. It’s easy to get to if you’re staying somewhere close by, like Gloucester, and is open daily for a small admission fee. To see more about what Puzzlewood has to offer, visit their website.
7. Skellig Michael, Ireland
This ethereal rocky mountain island and Gaelic monastery is the backdrop for the meeting of Rey and Luke Skywalker at the end of Episode VII: The Force Awakens, and their (reluctant) training sessions throughout Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. This incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site is only accessible by boat and takes quite a feat to access the peak – but it’s well worth the effort. Due to over-tourism, you only have a limited time on the island, so it is recommended to make sure you are of decent fitness to be able to make the trek to the peak for the best experience. For more information, check out the Heritage Ireland website.
8. Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park, United States
While you may be upset to know you’re not going to come across any adorable Ewoks, with no possibility of becoming their deity, you can still experience the majestic of Endor, as shown in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Find yourself amongst mammoth Redwoods, that stretch up to the heavens in this Californian State Park, that were showcased during the scooter chase scene. The California Department of Parks and Recreation website, has great information about getting to the Park and things to do.
9. Death Valley National Park, United States
Thankfully the threat of Sand People and Jawas are not something you need to worry about on a visit to the Death Valley National Park in California, USA – but there is a lot of sand… and it really does get everywhere. Death Valley was used primarily in Episode IV: A New Hope, showing when C3PO and R2D2 crash onto the planet of Tatooine, and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, when it was showcased as the land surrounding Jabba the Hut’s palace. Many locations within Death Valley National Park were used for filming, for more information on these specific locations, and the Park itself, visit the National Park Service website.
10. Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia
These expansive salt flats truly look like they belong in a galaxy far, far away but you don’t have to travel to Planet Crait to see this incredible landscape. The Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia are a geological marvel that spread for miles in all directions – half the year the area appears as crusted white salt that looks like snow, the other half it becomes a very large puddle, with incredibly still water that reflects everything around it, making for some amazing photos! For more information on the Salt Flats, how to get there and what to do once you’re there, visit their official website.
