More than mere movie sets, many of the worlds of Star Wars were brought to life by dazzling real‑world landscapes. From desert dunes and glacial peaks to royal palaces and mist‑shrouded islets, these locations span the globe—and invite fans to walk in the footsteps of iconic heroes and villains.
1. Tatooine’s Sands: Tunisia & California
The desert planet of Tatooine, home to Luke Skywalker, was inspired by and filmed in multiple locations. Remote Berber granaries near Tataouine in southern Tunisia provided the namesake and aesthetic trailblazers, while the interiors of Luke’s home were shot in the troglodyte dwellings at Matmata. Additional site shooting around Sidi Bouhlel and other desert vistas enhanced the authenticity (source: Condé Nast Traveler; Smithsonian). In the United States, Death Valley National Park—including Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Golden Canyon, Artists Palette, and Dante’s View—was used to film essential Tatooine scenes in A New Hope and Return of the Jedi.
2. The Forest Moon of Endor: California Redwoods
For the lush, towering forests of Endor in Return of the Jedi, filmmakers turned to the ancient groves of Del Norte County, California. Iconic locations such as the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park provided the perfect setting for the Ewok village and Rebel battles.
3. Naboo’s Splendor: Italy and Spain
The regal capital city of Naboo—theed—was brought to life using the Renaissance grandeur of the Plaza de España in Seville, Spain. Meanwhile, the wedding scene on Naboo’s shores was filmed at the elegant Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como, Italy. Further, the Royal Palace of Caserta, near Naples, doubled as Naboo’s royal residence in The Phantom Menace.
4. Icy Worlds: Hoth, Lah’mu, Crait, Starkiller Base
For the icy rebel battleground planet Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back, crews journeyed to Norway’s Hardangerjøkulen Glacier—its jagged icy landscape providing dramatic authenticity. Similarly, Reynisfjara Beach in Iceland portrayed the prison planet Lah’mu (Rogue One). In The Last Jedi, the red mineral planet Crait was based on Bolivia’s vast Uyuni Salt Flats—earning recognition among fans for its distinctive cinematic appearance. Additionally, the eruption of Mount Etna in Italy was captured on film and integrated into the fiery landscape of Mustafar during the climactic battle scenes in Episode III.
5. Ahch-To and Alderaan: Remote Islands and Alpine Backdrops
Luke Skywalker’s remote exile refuge on Ahch-To—featured in the Sequel Trilogy—was set on the striking and rugged slopes of Skellig Michael, Ireland.
Alderaan’s tragic backdrop was filmed in the Swiss village of Grindelwald, its dramatic alpine terrain lending visual weight to the destroyed planet’s memory.
6. Scarif, Kashyyyk, Coruscant, Andor
The tropical atoll of Scarif in Rogue One was filmed at Laamu Atoll in the Maldives, an idyllic locale transformed into a battlefield of neon-blue seas and palm forests.
The lush home planet of the Wookiees, Kashyyyk, drew aerial inspiration from China’s Guilin limestone formations and Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay—later composited into the film for immersive authenticity.
In London and Spain, modern cityscapes doubled for the galactic capital Coruscant—with spots like Canary Wharf, the Barbican, and Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences standing in for imperial corridors and towering streets.
Additional locations for the series Andor continued this use of striking real-world settings, from Puzzlewood in England to parts of urban centers doubling as galactic districts.
Summary
From deserts and glaciers to palaces and remote islands, the Star Wars saga has drawn upon real-world locations from Tunisia to New Zealand to shape its galactic landscapes. These remarkable places not only grounded the films in tangible realism but also inspired countless fans to explore the worlds behind the galaxy. Whether visiting the dunes of Tatooine or the cliffs of Ahch-To, these real-life locations remain testaments to cinema’s power to blend imagination with reality—and to transport us far, far away without leaving our planet.