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10 Star Wars Filming Locations To Make Our Inner Nerd Squeal

Star Wars has been my obsession since forever. Episode III has always been my comfort movie ( don’t judge me). Like many fans, I’ve dreamed about walking the same paths as my favorite characters. You know what’s crazy? Those epic movie locations aren’t just CGI magic – they’re actual places we can visit!

My Star Wars bucket list keeps growing every time I watch the movies. From the romantic Lake Como in Italy (hello, Naboo!) to the mind-blowing deserts of Jordan, these aren’t just random pretty spots. They’re pieces of Star Wars history right here on Earth. Sure, I haven’t made it to any of them yet, but a fan can dream, right?

I’ve spent way too many hours researching these incredible places (my browser history is basically a Star Wars travel guide at this point). Get ready for 10 amazing locations that’ll make you feel like you’ve jumped to lightspeed and landed in that galaxy far, far away. Trust me, by the time we’re done here, you’ll be planning your own Star Wars adventure – I know I am!

Villa del Balbianello, Italy

_{Image Source: Lake Como Travel}

Okay, let me geek out for a minute about Villa del Balbianello. This place is literally where Anakin and Padmé’s love story bloomed in Attack of the Clones, and I can’t even handle how perfect it is! Sitting pretty on Lake Como’s peninsula, it’s exactly the kind of spot where you’d expect space royalty to fall in love.

From Monastery to Movie Magic

Here’s something wild – this place started as a tiny monastery back in the 13th century before Cardinal Durini swooped in and turned it into this gorgeous villa in 1785. But what makes my inner Star Wars nerd squeal is that this is THE spot where Anakin and Padmé had their secret wedding! The best part? Most of what you see in the movie is actually real – they barely needed any CGI to make it look like it belonged in a galaxy far, far away.

When to Plan Your Naboo Adventure

The villa’s open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM, from mid-March to January. Between you and me, skip the summer crowds and aim for spring or fall. You’ve got until 5 PM to explore the gardens, but the last villa tour kicks off at 3:30 PM.

Tour Options (No Jedi Mind Tricks Required!)

Two ways to experience this slice of Naboo:

The inside tours run for about 45 minutes in English or Italian, and trust me, seeing the loggia where Anakin brooded after his nightmare is worth every euro.

Here’s a pro tip that would make Obi-Wan proud – book way ahead! These tickets vanish faster than a Jedi using Force speed, sometimes a month in advance. Getting there is part of the adventure – either a 25-minute walk from Lenno (think Jedi training) or a water taxi from Lido di Lenno (more my style).

Royal Palace of Caserta, Italy

_{Image Source: World Heritage Journeys}

You know those places that make you stop and think “Did they build this just for Star Wars?” The Royal Palace of Caserta is totally one of them. This UNESCO site doubled as Naboo’s Royal Palace in both The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, and honestly, I can’t blame George Lucas for picking it.

Star Wars Magic in Real Life

Even George Lucas couldn’t resist this place. He actually said, “When we started to scout for locations we looked in various countries and cities, but Caserta was one of the most beautiful places on the planet and once we saw this, there was no question we wanted to shoot here”. The palace became Theed Royal Palace, and I’m dying to walk down that grand staircase where the senators and their droid buddies made their entrance in The Phantom Menace. The Upper Vestibule from Attack of the Clones is another spot on my must-see list.

This Place is HUGE

Want to hear something crazy? This palace is the biggest royal residence in the world by volume – we’re talking 2 million cubic meters! My mind can’t even process how they fit 1,200 rooms into 47,000 square meters. And get this – there are 34 staircases across five floors with 1,742 windows. That’s more windows than my neighborhood combined!

Planning Your Royal Visit

Here’s when you can channel your inner Queen Amidala:

After spending way too much time researching this (my browser history is basically a Naboo travel guide), I’ve learned that early morning is your best bet to avoid crowds, especially on weekdays. They’ve got these amazing guided tours that focus on the Star Wars spots, but what really gets me excited is exploring those massive gardens – 120 hectares of pure Naboo vibes!

Skellig Michael, Ireland

_{Image Source: Skellig Michael}

Remember when Luke Skywalker went full hermit mode? That wasn’t some fancy CGI location – that was Skellig Michael, and it’s shot straight to the top of my Star Wars travel dreams since watching The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. This UNESCO site off Ireland’s coast looks so otherworldly, I half expect to find a grumpy Luke still hiding out there.

The Last Jedi’s Secret Star

Those ancient beehive huts were practically made for Luke’s exile on Ahch-To. The whole place has 618 stone steps carved right into the rock, and I love how this 6th-century monastery became the birthplace of the Jedi Order in Star Wars. The location scouts fell so hard for this place, they ended up featuring more of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way in the films.

Getting Your Boots on the Ground

Here’s the tricky part – only 180 lucky fans get to land on the island each day. Talk about exclusive! Your options are:

I’m totally saving up for that landing tour – imagine climbing those same steps Luke did! Not feeling that adventurous? The boat tour circles both Skellig Michael and Little Skellig. You might spot dolphins, whales, and those cute puffins that inspired the porgs in The Last Jedi.

Weather Watch (Because Nobody Likes a Wasted Trip)

The visiting season runs from May 15th to October 2nd, but here’s the catch – boats only make it out about 5 days a week thanks to those moody Atlantic waters. I’m eyeing June to August for my visit, but if I want to see those porg-inspiring puffins, it’s got to be before August 1st.

The coolest part? Those monks who built this place 1,400 years ago had no clue their sanctuary would become the birthplace of the Jedi Order. Talk about a plot twist! Sometimes I wonder what they’d think about thousands of Star Wars fans making pilgrimages to their monastery. Maybe they were the original Jedi – who knows?

Death Valley National Park, USA [link_13]

_{Image Source: National Park Service}

You know those moments when you’re watching Star Wars and think “no way that’s Earth”? Well, Death Valley National Park is exactly that kind of place. This isn’t just America’s hottest and driest national park – it’s literally Tatooine! Sprawling across 3.4 million acres, this is where George Lucas turned his desert planet dreams into reality.

Where Star Wars Came to Life

Every time I watch A New Hope or Return of the Jedi, I get goosebumps knowing these scenes were filmed right here. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are where our favorite droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO, had their desert adventure. The crazy part? Spots like Artists Palette, Desolation Canyon, and Golden Canyon look exactly like they did in 1977. Talk about a time capsule!

Beyond the Galaxy Far, Far Away

While my inner nerd is screaming about Star Wars, check out these other mind-blowing spots:

• Badwater Basin: Sitting 282 feet below sea level – lower than my bank account after buying Star Wars merch!
• Artists Palette: Mother Nature’s gone full artist mode here
• Dante’s View: The kind of vista that makes you feel like a Jedi surveying their domain
• Zabriskie Point: Looks more alien than some actual Star Wars planets

Making Your Visit Count

The park never sleeps – it’s open 24/7, 365 days a year. Here’s what you need to know:

Here’s something wild – Death Valley is one of just four UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. And being a certified International Dark Sky Park, the night sky looks exactly like what Luke saw while dreaming of adventure. Just don’t expect to spot any twin suns!

Plaza de España, Spain

_{Image Source: Preferred Hotels}

Okay, fellow Star Wars nerds, let me tell you about the Plaza de España in Seville. This place is absolutely massive – we’re talking 50,000 square meters of pure Naboo vibes! Every time I see pictures, I imagine myself recreating those romantic Anakin and Padmé scenes (though maybe with less whining about sand).

When Naboo Came to Spain

Back in September 2000, this place got the Star Wars treatment for Attack of the Clones. Here’s a fun fact that makes my inner film geek happy – it took them 48 whole hours to film just two minutes! That’s longer than my last Star Wars movie marathon (and trust me, those run long). I’m dying to walk those same paths where Anakin and Padmé strolled with R2-D2 rolling behind them.

This Place is Seriously Epic

Check out these stats that make my head spin:

Want to hear the coolest part? They call it the Venice of Seville because you can rent boats for 35 minutes at just 6 euros! Plus, there are 48 alcoves with gorgeous ceramic tiles, each showing off a different Spanish province. Talk about attention to detail!

Making Your Visit Count

The plaza never closes – it’s like the Coruscant of Spain! For maximum Star Wars vibes, I’ve got these spots marked on my map:

• That iconic bridge by the South Tower where our star-crossed lovers first crossed
• The upper arcade gallery near the North Tower – prime spot for dramatic Star Wars-style walks

Boat rentals run from 10 AM to 8 PM in winter and 10 AM to 10 PM in summer. And get this – unlike trying to get into the Jedi Temple, entry to the plaza is totally free!

The detail that really gets my Star Wars heart racing? Over 7,000 colorful tiles covering the walls! Mix that with the Renaissance and Moorish Revival architecture, and you’ve got yourself a slice of Naboo right here on Earth. No wonder George Lucas picked this place – it already looked like it belonged in a galaxy far, far away!

Redwood National Park, USA

_{Image Source: MD Vaden}

Remember those epic speeder bike chases through the Forest Moon of Endor? Well, those massive trees aren’t from some distant moon – they’re right here in Northern California! Every time I watch Return of the Jedi, I catch myself daydreaming about wandering through these giants, half-expecting to bump into an Ewok village (though my luck, I’d probably just find some regular squirrels).

Where Star Wars Magic Happened

Here’s the thing that makes my inner nerd do backflips – those awesome speeder bike scenes were filmed right here! Sure, some of the original spots were on private land and got logged (total bummer, right?), but we can still visit Owen Cheatham Grove in Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park where they filmed that incredible chase sequence. They also shot along the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and just the name makes me feel like I’m in a Star Wars title crawl!

Trails That’ll Blow Your Mind

With over 200 miles of trails, this place is bigger than my Star Wars DVD collection (and that’s saying something!). Here are the spots I’m most excited about:

• Lady Bird Johnson Grove: A super chill one-mile loop that’ll make you feel like you’re on patrol with the Rebel Alliance
• Fern Canyon: The walls are covered in ferns! Even Spielberg couldn’t resist using it for Jurassic Park
• Cathedral Trees Trail: 1.4 miles of trees so big, they make AT-ATs look tiny

Making Your Visit Count

The park’s got five visitor centers, and here’s what each one’s got going on:

The parks never close for the season, and the weather’s usually pretty chill year-round. Just check the forecast before you go – nobody wants to get caught in a storm like it’s Kamino. The best part? On misty mornings, these forests look exactly like Endor. Just try not to make speeder bike noises while you’re walking the trails (who am I kidding, I totally will).

Dubrovnik, Croatia

_{Image Source: Star Wars Dubrovnik}

Let me geek out about Dubrovnik for a minute. This medieval wonderland became Canto Bight in The Last Jedi, and even though it’s only 50 seconds of screen time, every second is pure magic. It’s like they took this UNESCO city and sprinkled some Star Wars fairy dust all over it!

When Star Wars Came to Town

Back in March 2016, something incredible happened. The crew went full-on sci-fi makeover mode – we’re talking cosmic portholes on baroque buildings and turning the Stradun into something straight out of Coruscant. They even gave the Great Onofrio Fountain a space-age glow-up! Check out where the magic happened:

• Rector’s Palace: Where high-rollers lost their credits in the casino scenes
• Dominican Monastery: Got the full Star Wars treatment
• Banje Beach: Became part of that fancy galactic skyline

Following BB-8’s Tracks

You know what’s cool? They’ve got these 90-minute Star Wars tours that’ll make your inner nerd squeal with joy. Starting at Orlando’s Column, here’s what you get:

Making the Most of Your Visit

The best part? These guides are total history buffs too. They’ll show you photos of how everything looked during filming, which is perfect for imagining those fancy space cars zooming around corners.

Rian Johnson picked this spot for Finn and Rose’s casino adventure, and honestly, I can’t blame him. Sure, the city doesn’t have all those flashy Star Wars additions anymore, but walking these streets, knowing BB-8 rolled right here… that’s the kind of stuff that makes my Star Wars-loving heart skip a beat!

Wadi Rum, Jordan

_{Image Source: Engaging Cultures}

The moment I saw those rust-colored dunes of Wadi Rum, I knew exactly why they picked it for both Planet Pasaana and Jedha. This UNESCO site spans 720 km², and honestly, it looks more like a Star Wars planet than Earth!

Where Star Wars Left Its Footprints

The Rise of Skywalker crew hung out here for three weeks, and can you blame them? Those natural formations like the Seven Pillars of Wisdom were perfect for the Festival of the Ancestors scenes. I keep watching those Pasaana scenes from Rise of Skywalker and the Jedha moments from Rogue One, mapping out exactly where I want to take my totally-not-dorky Star Wars photos.

Adventures That’d Make Han Solo Jealous

Check out these epic ways to explore:

• 4×4 Jeep Adventures: 2-6 hours of zooming through desert plains like you’re in a landspeeder
• Camel Treks: The closest thing to riding a dewback
• Rock Climbing: No Force powers required
• Sunset Watching: Better views than twin suns!

A 2-hour sunset jeep tour runs about 33 JD – perfect for catching that golden-hour glow that made the movies so magical.

Sleep Like You’re Really in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Want the full space experience? Check these out:

I’m totally eyeing the Memories Aicha Luxury Camp – imagine falling asleep stargazing just like the Star Wars cast did! These camps are so far from city lights, you’ll swear you’re actually on Pasaana. Just don’t expect to find any droids for sale at the local market!

Laamu Atoll, Maldives

_{Image Source: Dreaming of Maldives}

You know those places that look too perfect to be real? Laamu Atoll in the Maldives is exactly that kind of spot. The first time I saw those crystal-clear waters in Rogue One, I couldn’t believe it wasn’t CGI. But nope – those stunning beaches where the Empire decided to stash their Death Star plans are totally real!

A Slice of Scarif on Earth

Gareth Edwards (smart guy) picked the islands of Gan and Beresdhoo for Planet Scarif. Here’s something cool – this was our first proper tropical planet that wasn’t buried in jungle. Remember those Stormtroopers marching through the crystal-clear water? That actually happened right here! I’m already practicing my best Imperial march for when I visit (though maybe I’ll skip carrying stolen Death Star plans).

Living Your Best Rebel Life

The atoll’s got some seriously amazing stuff to do:

Making Your Scarif Dreams Real

Get this – Laamu Atoll only started welcoming visitors in 2011! Out of 82 islands, there’s just one resort – Six Senses Laamu. Talk about exclusive!

I’m totally planning my visit during dry season because, let’s be honest, those Stormtrooper beach photos aren’t going to take themselves! While the cast got to stay in fancy 5-star spots during filming, I’m actually more excited about Six Senses’ eco-friendly vibe.

Between swimming with tropical fish, watching dolphins jump through the waves, and pretending I’m part of the Rebel Alliance, I totally get why Edwards called this place “paradise”. Sure, they added the Imperial base with computers, but those incredible beaches? All real, baby! Just try not to hum the Imperial March too loudly while walking on the beach – you might scare the fish!

Mount Etna, Italy

_{Image Source: Travel Blog}

Remember that epic lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin? The one where they’re jumping around on floating platforms over rivers of lava? That’s Mount Etna – Europe’s biggest active volcano and the real-world Mustafar from Revenge of the Sith!

When the Force (of Nature) Was with Them

Talk about perfect timing – in 2002, Mount Etna decided to put on a show right when the crew was scouting locations! They grabbed their cameras and captured all that spectacular lava action, which later became the backdrop for one of the most intense battles in Star Wars history. The way they mixed real volcanic footage with CGI is just chef’s kiss.

Getting Your Mustafar Experience

Want to channel your inner Jedi (or Sith)? Check out these tours:

The guides are like walking encyclopedias about both the volcano and its Star Wars connection. Just don’t try any high-ground moves while you’re up there!

Don’t Pull an Anakin

Before you go charging up the volcano, here’s what you need to know:

• No going above 2,750 meters without an authorized guide (they’re like the Jedi Masters of the mountain)
• The yellow zone needs special volcanological guides (think restricted Jedi Archives)
• They monitor volcanic activity daily (no surprise eruptions, hopefully!)

Here’s something wild – the volcano had another eruption in August 2024, sending ash clouds 9.5km high! Instead of scaring me off, it makes me want to visit even more. I mean, how often do you get to see the power that convinced George Lucas “Yep, this is where Anakin becomes Darth Vader”?

Conclusion

You know what’s crazy? After diving deep into these 10 Star Wars locations (and probably spending way too much time watching behind-the-scenes footage), I’ve realized something amazing – that galaxy far, far away is actually right in our backyard!

Every time I research these places, my inner nerd does a happy dance. Like, Villa del Balbianello isn’t just some fancy Italian villa – it’s where Anakin and Padmé fell in love! Death Valley isn’t just a desert – it’s literally Tatooine! And don’t even get me started on Mount Etna. That volcano didn’t just play Mustafar; it actually erupted during filming like it was auditioning for the role!

Sure, these spots are still on my bucket list (my bank account gives me a sad beep-boop like R2-D2 every time I check flight prices), but just knowing I could walk the same steps as Luke Skywalker on Skellig Michael or pretend I’m dodging Stormtroopers in Dubrovnik’s streets makes me feel like a kid watching Star Wars for the first time.

Here’s the thing that really blows my mind – George Lucas and his team didn’t need to build elaborate sets or rely completely on CGI. They found places so incredible, so otherworldly, that they already looked like they belonged in Star Wars. From the Ewok-sheltering redwoods to Wadi Rum’s Rey-worthy dunes, these locations prove that sometimes reality is better than science fiction.

Maybe we don’t need to travel to a galaxy far, far away for epic adventures after all. They’re right here, waiting for us fellow nerds to explore. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go practice my lightsaber moves for when I finally visit Mount Etna. May the Force (and a decent travel budget) be with us all!