25 Star Wars Filming Locations You Can Visit

by Michael Schottey
Last updated:: 7:00 AM ET, Fri May 3, 2019

Varenna Town, Lake Como, Italy. (photo via bat_sd / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Djerba, Tunisia. (photo via mazzo1982/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Casertavecchia. Ancient Italian medieval village. Caserta province, Campania, Italy. (Photo courtesy of GiorgioMorara/istock/Getty Images Plus) ((Photo courtesy of GiorgioMorara/istock/Getty Images Plus))

Golden tower (Torre del Oro) in Seville, Spain (Photo via MarquesPhotography / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Lake Como, Italy. (photo via Unsplash/Mariya Georgieva)

The view over Kata Noi and Karon Beach in Phuket, Thailand. (Photo via sorincolac / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: An eruption of Italy's Mt. Etna. (photo courtesy of 460256935 / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Grindelwald, Canton of Bern, Switzerland. (photo via bluejayphoto / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Ruins in the Maya City Tikal in Guatemala. (photo via SimonDannhauer/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park (photo by Michelle Rae Uy)

PHOTO: Viking Sun in Eidfjord. (Photo via Reimphoto / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Yuma Lakes, Yuma, Arizona. (photo via Cheri Alguire/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Smith River, Del Norte County California (Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Schwartz/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Desert safari in Dubai, United Arab EmiratesDesert in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (photo via anderm / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: A mountain pass in the English Lake District (Photo by daverhead/istock/Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Sunrise through the Forest of Dean (Photo courtesy of fotoVoyager/E+) ((Photo courtesy of fotoVoyager/E+))

PHOTO: Skellig Michael, Ireland. (photo via Cristina Avincola/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Woman in white walking over a wooden jetty in the Maldives. (Photo via SHansche / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Wadi Rum, Jordan (photo courtesy G Adventures)

(Collette Vacations)

PHOTO: London's Financial District, Tower Bridge and Thames River (Photo via rclassenlayouts/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Sydney, Australia. (photo courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises)

PHOTO: Northwest California's Redwood National Park. (Photo courtesy of Samson1976/iStock/Getty Images Plus) ((Photo courtesy of Samson1976/iStock/Getty Images Plus))

PHOTO: Bolivia Salt Flats (photo courtesy G Adventures)

PHOTO: Karst Mountains in Guilin, Guangxi region of China (Photo courtesy of Media Production/E+) ((Photo courtesy of Media Production/E+))

PHOTO: Airship Sheds at Cardington Field, UK (Photo courtesy of Flickr/Alan Wilson) (Photo courtesy of Flickr/Alan Wilson))

A Galaxy Not So Far Away

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Part of the magic of Star Wars has always been the otherworldly vistas, but would you believe you could visit all of your favorite locations? You don't even need the Millennium Falcon. Just pick your favorites from this list and call up your travel agent.

Tunisia

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Although Tunisia might be unknown to many Americans, Star Wars fans would immediately recognize Tatooine. However, if you feel a desert planet might be too grim for vacation, the real Tunisia has plenty of beauty as well.

Caserta, Italy

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Regardless of how one feels about the Star Wars prequels, the palace on Naboo is infinitely more beautiful in real life with absolutely zero Jar Jar Binks slumming about. The copy of Versailles in Southern Italy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Seville, Spain

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The capital city of Theed in Episode II, Seville is even more noble in real life. A wild night of flamenco dancing might just transport you a galaxy away as well.

Lake Como, Italy

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The scene from Anakin and Padme's wedding looks like the stuff from a fairy tale and few would believe it is actually real. It's actually the Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como in Italy. Destination wedding, anyone?

Phuket, Thailand

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Phuket is only in a few scenes of Episode III, but you'll want to spend a lot longer in the real thing.

Mount Etna, Italy

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Those eruptions during the lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker in Episode III? Those were real. The eruptions continue, but the lightsaber fights aren't quite as regular.

Grindelwald, Switzerland

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Although one might expect to see Maria from Sound of Music bounding across those hills above, this is actually Alderaan in Episode III. Thankfully, you can enjoy these views without worrying about any Death Stars.

Tikal, Guatemala

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Already a fantastic tourist destination in Central America, Tikal is a Mayan monument that stood in for Yavin 4 in "A New Hope."

Death Valley National Park

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Numerous shots of Tatooine throughout "A New Hope" were filmed throughout Death Valley National Park, including our first look at Mos Eisley.

Eidfjord, Norway

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Hoth, a deathly cold planet established in "Empire Strikes Back" is the last place many of us would want to visit. This amazing piece of Norway, however? That Viking ship sailing through the fjords seems a lot more comfortable than a tauntaun.

Yuma, California

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Would you believe the Sarlacc's pit is actually "Buttercup Valley?" Doesn't sound nearly as frightening.

Del Norte, California

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Can you see the Ewok's frolicking around this particular area of northern California? In "Return of the Jedi," this was Endor. You know, there's something perfect about Ewoks coming from the Pacific Northwest.

Rub' al Khali, UAE

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The absolute desolation of Jakku is a huge thematic piece of "The Force Awakens." It shapes Rey as much as anything. Would you believe this is just miles from Dubai, one of the most luxurious places on the planet?

Cumbria, UK

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Maz Kanata's homeworld of Takodana is full of mystery (and eventually full of First Order firepower). The filming location, though, is a beautiful piece of Northwest England. It was the home of Beatrix Potter and the setting for her books like The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Forest of Dean, UK

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The crowded forest of tall trees on the surface of Takodana is a wonderful backdrop for the lightsaber battle between Rey and Kylo Ren. These same forests were the solace of J.R.R. Tolkien and helped solidify the idea of Middle-Earth.

Skellig Michael, Ireland

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In Star Wars lore, this island houses Luke in the big reveal at the end of "The Force Awakens." Before that, it was an ancient Jedi temple and stronghold. In real life, the history is much the same as generations of monks have called Skellig Michael home.

Laamu Atoll, Maldives

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One of the most magical places on Earth, the Maldives might be one of the few places that Lucasfilm can't improve upon. In "Rouge One," this is Scarif where the final battle took place but there will be no such tragedy in this beautiful paradise.

Wadi Rum, Jordan

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"Rouge One" is not even close to the only place to film in this amazing Jordanian location. "Lawrence of Arabia" made it famous for American filmgoers. Matt Damon explored Wadi Rum in "The Martian." It's about time you got there yourself.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

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Croatia is a favorite for fans of "Game of Thrones," but did you know it was also the filming location for Canto Bight, the casino city in Episode VIII? The real Dubrovnik is even better.

London

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Sadly, there are no hidden scenes of R2-D2 and C-3PO bumming around Big Ben. However, London was the location for many of the filming studios that have made Star Wars happen over the years.

Sydney

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Like London, Fox Studios of Sydney was a big piece of making Episodes II and III. Bonus: Here you can get a backlot tour!

Redwood National Park

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Are you really a Star Wars fan if you can't picture a speeder bike wrapped around these trees? This state park in California is well worth the trip.

Salt Flats in Bolivia

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Not only were these salt flats the backdrop for an excellent battle in Episode VIII, but they're also the home of an ancient train graveyard and a very popular tourist destination.

Guangxi, China

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In Episode III, Guangxi was the stand-in for Kashyyyk (home of the Wookies). The cuisine in this area of China isn't roasted Porg, but rice noodles and plenty of spicy chili sauce.

Cardington Airfield, UK

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Want to check out the Rebel base far closer than Darth Vader could have dreamed? Cardington Airfield housed Leia, Luke and company in "A New Hope" and was used once again in "Rouge One."

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