STAR WARS
FILMING LOCATIONS
The First Jedi Temple, Ahch-To
Skellig Michael, County Kerry, The Republic of Ireland
The First Jedi Temple, Ahch-To
Sybil Head, Ballyferriter, Co. Kerry, The Republic of Ireland
As film crews only had 2 days to film on Skellig Michael, much of the filming for The First Jedi Temple occurred off of the island on the southwest and northern shores of Ireland. These shots are from near Sybil Head.
The First Jedi Temple, Ahch-To
Loop Head Lighthouse, Co. Clare, The Republic of Ireland
As film crews only had 2 days to film on Skellig Michael, much of the filming for The First Jedi Temple occurred off of the island on the southwest and northern shores of Ireland. These shots are from Loop Head.
The First Jedi Temple, Ahch-To
Malin Head, Co. Donegal, The Republic of Ireland
As film crews only had 2 days to film on Skellig Michael, much of the filming for The First Jedi Temple occurred off of the island on the southwest and northern shores of Ireland. These shots along a westward heading trail near the Malin Head Signal Station.
Other Star Wars Filming Locations
These locations helped bring the Star Wars universe to life, providing unique and visually stunning backdrops for the films.
Star Wars Filming Locations in the Americas
Death Valley National Park, California, USA - Desolate landscapes between the Mojave Desert and the Sierra Nevada were used to depict the Dune Sea backdrop for Tatooine in "A New Hope.” However, many shots of Tatooine are a combination of Tunisia locations and these locations in Death Valley. The Artist’s Pallet, Golden Canyon, and Desolation Canyon areas were used for scenes of Jawas attacking R2-D2 and of Sand People, Twenty-Mule Team Canyon was used for when the droids arrive at Jabba’s Place in “Return of the Jedi”, Dante's View provided a panoramic vista used as the approach to Mos Eisley in "A New Hope,” Artist's Drive for a scene involving a Sandcrawler, and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes were featured as Rey’s outpost on Jakku in "The Phantom Menace" and “The Force Awakens.”
Redwood National and State Parks, California, USA - The majestic redwood forests, towering trees, and dense fern filled forests of these parks were used to depict forest moon of Endor, the home of the Ewoks, in "Return of the Jedi." Many scenes were filmed in Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park and Del Norte County, while the speeder chase is noted to have been filmed at “Avenue of the Giants” in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and the Ewok ambush is noted to have been filmed in Marin County. Check out this Redwoods Endor article for more precise locations.
Buttercup Valley, California, USA - On the border of the Yuma Desert, in Arizona, the vast sand dunes in this location were used for the Sarlacc Pit scenes on Tatooine in “Return of the Jedi,” including The Great Pit of Carkoon - which swallowed Boba Fett - and the massive sail barge.
Tikal National Park, Guatemala - These ancient Mayan ruins, located in a rainforest, were used for the Rebel Base and the Massassi Outpost on Yavin 4 in "A New Hope." You get a great view of this area in the movie when a Rebel Trooper scans the Millennium Falcon upon landing at the base, and a few shots from the ground near the entrance to the base.
Guatemalan Highlands, Guatemala - The picturesque landscape of this region was featured as the volcano planet Mustafar in "Revenge of the Sith" while the highland regions were used to represent the volcanic planet of Kessel in "Solo: A Star Wars Story."
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia - This salt flat, the largest in the world, was used for the final battle in “The Last Jedi” on the planet Crait. That battle was suppose to be the final defeating attack against the Resistance by the First Order. You’ll remember it as the planet with the white surface that had the blood-red soil, where the force projection of Luke Skywalker fought Kylo Ren to give Rey and the last remaining Resistance members time to escape.
Star Wars Filming Locations in the United Kingdom
Studio Locations in England - The final awards ceremony at the end of “A New Hope” was filmed at Shepperton Studios. Many interior scenes and sets, including the Millennium Falcon and Death Star, were filmed at Elstree Studios for the original trilogy. Various scenes, including the Starkiller Base and Resistance Base, were filmed at Pinewood Studios for the sequel trilogy. Some interior sets and scenes for the original trilogy, including the Mos Eisley Cantina scene, were filmed at Ealing Studios. Other scenes were filmed at Leavesden Studios.
Whippendell Woods, England - This woodland location was used to film the scenes where Rey meets Kylo Ren in "The Force Awakens." It was also used as the forest of Naboo, where Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon meet Jar Jar in “The Phantom Menace.”
Ivinghoe Beacon, Buckinghamshire, England - This area was used as Kef Bir, an ocean moon in the Endor System, in “The Rise of Skywalker,” where the Millennium Falcon crash lands. However, for use in the film, this area was highly altered using digital effects.
Puzzlewood, Coleford, England - The mystical Forest of Dean, which sits on the border of Wales, was used as the backdrop for the forest moon of Endor in "Return of the Jedi." It was also used as the forest location outside of Maz Kanata’s Castle, where Rey and BB-8 try to run from Kylo Ren through the forests of Takodana in “The Force Awakens.”
Derwentwater and Thirlmere, Cumbria, England - Derwentwater was used for the scenes of Maz Kanata’s Castle, including the scene where the Millenium Falcon landed on that planet. Thirlmere, just east of there, was used for scenes involving the X-Wing battle that occurred at Maz Kanata’s Castle.
Canary Wharf, London, England - The underground tube station in Canary Wharf was used as the Imperial Security Complex on Scarif in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." Learn more about what there is to do in London:
Royal Air Force Bases, England - The Royal Air Force base in Cardington was used for the Rebel Base on Yavin 4 in “A New Hope,” and also as a Resistance Base in “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi”. However, the Royal Air Force Greenham Common in Berkshire was used for X-Wing Fighter scenes in the D’Qar Rebel Base. The former Royal Air Force base in Bovingdon was used for the Scarif battle scenes in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”.
Cleveleys, Lancashire, England - The seafront of this coastal town was used for scenes in “Andor” for the location where Cassian was arrested for doing nothing wrong.
Winspit Quarry, Dorset, England - This old quarry on the Jurassic Coast was used in “Andor.”
Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England - A large set was built on the seaside of this small village for all of the Ferrix scenes in “Andor.” The lakeside views may be familiar to visitors as the background of Ferrix, but the set was deconstructed and removed after filming was completed.
Cruachan Dam, Dalmally, Scotland - This dam was used for the scenes of the Imperial Base on the planet of Al-Dhani in “Andor,” and perhaps the most pivotal scene in Season 1 of that series.
Star Wars Filming Locations in Europe
For the first three listed here, you’ll have noticed a number of photos that we took while visiting Ireland at the top of this page. Feel free to reach out to us for more details on those spots.
Skellig Michael, Ireland - The breathtaking island was used as the remote Ahch-To, the isolated Jedi temple where Luke Skywalker exiled himself, and where Rey visited him and did her Jedi training, in “The Force Awakens,” “The Last Jedi,” and “The Rise of Skywalker.” We discuss how to get out to Skellig Michael here:
Malin Head, Ireland - Some of the Ahch-To scenes from “The Last Jedi,” like where Luke catches a fish, were filmed here, the northernmost point of Ireland.
Sybil Head, County Kerry, Ireland - The scene where Luke sits on a rock on Ahch-To, overlooking the ocean, while force projecting himself into battle with Kylo Ren, was filmed at Sybil Head.
Eyjafjallajökull and Krafla, Iceland - These areas, with snow-capped mountains, are used as the main settings for Starkiller Base on Ilum. Both were used for the final battle sequence between the Resistance and the First Order in “The Force Awakens.”
Near Gígjagjá, Myrdalssandur Beach, Iceland - This is the gorgeous opening scene of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” where Galen Erso’s farm is located on Eadu. It is where Krennic lands and ends up killing Galen’s wife, Lyra, while forcing Galen to work for the Empire.
Reynisfjara, Iceland - The area near the black sand beach located near Vik was used for the stormy scenes of Eadu. Jyn Erso briefly reunites with her mortally wounded father.
Finse, Norway - The snowy landscapes of Finse served as the ice planet Hoth in "The Empire Strikes Back." Interestingly, the filming crew simply shot the snowstorm scenes from the back door of the Finse 1222 Hotel, including the scene where Luke escapes the Wampa!
Hardangerjøkulen Glacier, Norway - The icy landscape here was used for the opening scenes, and battle, at the Rebel base on Hoth in "The Empire Strikes Back." This is where we first see the iconic AT-ATs as they march towards, and destroy, the Rebel Base.
Grindelwald, Switzerland - Some areas in this location were also used for the planet Alderaan in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. The alpine village was also used again as a filming location for the snow-covered planet of Eadu in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."
Plaza de España, Seville, Spain - This Spanish location was transformed into the Royal Palace of Theed on Naboo in "Attack of the Clones." It is where Anakin and Padmé walk through the royal palace and discuss politics.
Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain - This location was used as the planet of Savareen in the Outer Rim in Solo: A Star Wars Story. While many scenes were filmed here, visit Jandía Natural Park to see the the location where the Refinery in Corellia shot - near the sand dunes of Cañada de la Barca. Learn more about the Canary Islands:
Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como, Italy - Situated on the shores of Lake Como, this villa was used as the exterior of Padmé Amidala's residence on Naboo in "Attack of the Clones." This is where Padmé and Anakin hide in “Attack of the Clones,” where they had their first kiss and fall in love, and also where they have their secret wedding.
Royal Palace of Caserta, Italy - The grandiose palace was used as the interior of the Theed Royal Palace on Naboo in "The Phantom Menace" and “Attack of the Clones.”
Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy - George Lucas used authentic lava that was erupting at this volcano during the filming of “Revenge of the Sith” for the lightsaber battle between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar.
Misurina, Italy - The Italian Dolomites, around Monte Piana and Cortina d’Ampezzo, were used as the backdrop for the planet of Vandor, in “Solo: A Star Wars Story.”
Dubrovnik, Croatia - The lavish, high-spender, Canto Bight scene in “The Last Jedi” where Finn, Rose, and BB-8 attempt to find the master codebreaker, is filmed here as the casino city on the planet Cantonica.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia - A few scenes on the planet of Naboo, with Anakin and Padmé, were filmed near the waterfalls and lakes in this region.
Star Wars Filming Locations in Africa and the Middle East
If you’re serious about exploring the filming locations in Tunisia, check out Galaxy Tours.
Matmata al-Qadimal, Gabès Governorate, Tunisia - A real-life underground hotel in this Berber village was used for the interior scenes at the iconic Lars Homestead on Tatooine in “A New Hope,” where Luke Skywalker was raised, and again in the prequel trilogy. The second of five pit dwellings there is where the underground area of the Lars homestead was filmed, with the dining room at cave 9 inside that second pit.
Chott el-Djerid, Tozeur Governorate, Tunisia - The exterior scenes for the Lars Homestead were filmed in the salt flats between the Kebili and Tozeur governorates. The main film site is located just west of Naftah.
Ajim, Tunisia - This town, on Djerba Island, was used as the site of the Mos Eisley Spaceport in “A New Hope”. You may also notice the Mos Eisley main plaza, the stormtrooper checkpoint where Obi-Wan says “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for…,” and the alley for Docking Bay 94 - where the Millennium Falcon is parked. The old Amghar Mosque, now used by fishermen as a storeroom, here was also used for Obi-Wan Kenobi’s home. You can also find the original Mos Eisley Cantina, albeit out of use, where Luke and Obi-Wan meet Han Solo.
Sidi Bouhlel, Tunisia - Known as "Star Wars Canyon," this rocky desert landscape served as the backdrop for various Tatooine scenes. It is where Obi-Wan Kenobi meets Luke Skywalker and the droids for the first time and, in the Gour Beni Mzab dunes, where stormtroopers looked for evidence of survivors from an escape pod in the dune sea - “Look, sir, droids!”
Avenue 7 Novembre, Medenine, Tunisia - This Tunisian street was used as the block that Anakin Skywalker grew up on in “The Phantom Menace.”
Wadi Rum, Jordan - The desert here was used as the backdrop for scenes in the holy Jedi site of Jedha in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and as the planet of Pasaana in “The Rise of Skywalker.”
Rub’ al Khali, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - While the deserts of Tunisia and Death Valley, California, were used for Tatooine in earlier films, the ‘Empty Quarter’ section of Rub’ al Khali desert, just a few hours away from Abu Dhabi, was used for the planet of Jakku in “The Force Awakens.” It’s also where we are first introduced to Rey, and where Finn and Poe crash land.
Star Wars Filming Locations in Asia
Guilin and Zhangjiajie, China - The stunning landscapes of these locations served as the inspiration for the planet Kashyyyk, the Wookiee homeworld, in the prequel trilogy. Combined with footage taken in Thailand, these magical mountains are visible in the background of scenes on Kashyyyk.
Phang Nga Bay, Ao Phang Nga National Park, Thailand - The distinctive limestone cliffs and islands here were featured in "Attack of the Clones" as the planet Naboo. Additionally, and likely more memorably, it was used as Chewbacca’s birthplace of Kashyyyk in “Revenge of the Sith.” Combined with footage taken in China, the limestone mountains here are used as background scenery for battle scenes on Kashyyk.
Laamu Atoll, Maldives - Two of the larger islands, Gan and Berasdhoo, were used for filming the ocean moon of Kef Bir in "The Rise of Skywalker” and Scarif in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” This is the Imperial island-base where the Death Star blueprints are stored, and where the Jyn Erso leads rebels in to steal those plans and beam them up to the Rebel Alliance waiting in orbit.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and many scenes were created using a combination of practical effects, sets, and CGI.