With a modest budget and a large imagination, George Lucas transported us to a new galaxy all while filming on Earth. When thinking about all the different planets in Star Wars, from worlds of ice to ones of deserts, it is amazing that most of the places were filmed outside of studios. They are real landscapes that exist on our planet.
If you have a passport and money to burn, you might be able to visit these places for yourself. Although it may not be as fun if there are no Jedi with you. Well, we can all use our imaginations. Let’s go through the iconic shooting locations for the nine core Star Wars films.
Bolivia
Only one location from Bolivia made it into the movies, but it is one that you can’t forget. The epic battle of The Last Jedi took place on a huge salt field of Crait that turned from pristine white to stark red if disturbed. These salt flats actually exist at Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.
China
Portions of limestone mountains in Guilin, China were used as backdrops of Kashyyyk (the home planet of the Wookiees) during Revenge of the Sith.
Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia turned into the tourist/gamblers haven of Canto Bight in The Last Jedi.
Guatemala
Tikal in Guatemala set the stage for the Yavin 4 Rebel Base seen in A New Hope.
Iceland
The ice planet that served as the Starkiller Base in The Force Awakens can be found in Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland.
Ireland
In the sequel trilogy, Rey found Luke Skywalker on a remote island refuge. That island, complete with ancient stone steps and small structures, is Skellig Michael in Ireland.
Italy
The Palace of Caserta became the Royal Palace of Naboo in the prequel trilogy. Anakin and PadmĂ©’s wedding also took place in Italy at Villa del Balbianello (I am very tempted to go to this stunning location). In contrast to those beautiful places, Italy’s Mount Etna served as the volcanic planet of Mustafar in Revenge of the Sith where Anakin and Obi-Wan’s heartbreaking duel happened.
Jordan
Wadi Rum in Jordan has been the backdrop for many desert scenes. Star Wars fans will know it as the planet Pasaana where Rey, Finn, and Poe went looking for a Sith wayfinder in The Rise of Skywalker.
Norway
Hardangerjøkulen Glacier is more famously known as the ice planet, Hoth.
Spain
The Plaza de España in Seville became the city of Theed on Naboo in Attack of the Clones.
Switzerland
The icy mountains of Grindelwald are set as the backdrop of Alderaan in Revenge of the Sith.
Thailand
More limestone karst mountains from Phang Nga Bay were used for the landscape of Kashyyyk.
Tunisia
Basically, when you think of the planet Tatooine, you are actually picturing Tunisia. At least eleven different locations in Tunisia served as locations on Tatooine. From the slave quarters at Mos Epa (Ksar Hadada) in The Phantom Menace to the spaceport of Mos Eisely (Ajim) in A New Hope, they are all found in Tunisia.
United Arab Emirates
Rey’s home planet of Jakku needed to look a little different from the other famous desert planet. So they filmed the desert scenes for The Force Awakens in Rub’ al Khali.
United Kingdom (England)
The forest planet of Takodana, and Maz Kanata’s castle, in The Force Awakens were filmed in Cumbria and Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean. The RAF Greenham Common became the D’Qar Resistance Base in the sequel trilogy. RAF Cardington was used for interior and close-up shots of the Yavin 4 Rebel Base.
United States
Scenes in the desert of Tatooine not filmed in Tunisia were shot in Death Valley, California. Most notably are the sand dunes where C-3PO and R2-D2 fight at the beginning of A New Hope and the road to Jabba’s Palace in Return of the Jedi. Some additional desert work also happened in the Yuma Desert, Arizona. In addition, the huge trees that made up the forest of Endor can be found in Del Norte County, California.
Which place would you like to visit?
(featured image: LucasFilms)
