May the Fourth is almost upon us. And while we may not be able to travel to galaxies far away, we can take you to the ends of the Earth to get you as close to the Star Wars experience as humanly possible.
Read on to discover Star Wars filming locations and otherworldly stargazing destinations to visit in celebration of this universal phenomenon of a day. May the fourth be with you!
Visit Star Wars Filming Locations
“Set-jetting” is a popular travel trend that’s flying high in 2023, centered around jet-setting to your favorite TV or movie sets. While White Lotus fans can flock to Sicily, Star Wars enthusiasts have a whole world of possibilities to explore. The film franchise’s many diverse destinations range from the Scottish Highlands to the sunny terrains of Tunisia. Set that space fighter to high gear as we explore the global destinations that served as the places in Star Wars!
Wadi Rum in Jordan
The wild Jordanian desert of Wadi Rum plays a key role in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The famous desert location is the setting for the fictional planet Pasaana, which sets up the film’s plot line. To get to Wadi Rum, fly into Amman International Airport, aka Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) — it’s well-connected to major airports in many different countries. Although there is no direct bus from Amman to Wadi Rum, you can still get to the desert location via Aqaba, a port city that is lauded as a popular destination for scuba divers. From here, you would head south on the Desert Highway for a direct, four-hour journey.
If scenic views are what you’re after, then take the glorious Kings Highway — a 5,000-year-old road that will stop at Madaba, aka the “City of Mosaics,” as well as Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set in a narrow gorge. Petra is acclaimed as Jordan’s most popular tourist destination.
You can stay at Memories Aicha Luxury Camp, a lovely rental property made up of 25 geodesic domes that host mountain views, a garden, and a terrace surrounded by the Wadi Rum desert.
Or make yourself comfortable at Wadi Rum Meteorite Camp, an exceptionally affordable bed and breakfast set in the South District. Here you can lounge in the gardens, on the terrace, or at the restaurant — depending on what mood you happen to be in at the moment. No need to worry: Wadi Rum Meteorite also offers free Wi-Fi. Who says outer space can’t be cozy?
Death Valley National Park in the United States
Forget a galaxy far away — some space scenes in Star Wars were actually shot a lot closer to home than you might imagine. Take Death Valley National Park, for one. The park, situated on the California-Nevada border, was the location for Episode 4: A New Hope and Episode 6: Return of the Jedi. Death Valley was one of the few locations where Tatooine was filmed, a horribly harsh desert world that orbits twin suns in the galaxy’s Outer Rim. The lawless Tatooine is ruled by crime lords such as the Hutt gangsters.
The closest airport lies on the Nevada side at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), about two hours away from Death Valley’s main visitor center at Furnace Creek. Nearby cities include Parhump, Beatty, and Amargosa in Nevada. Here you’ll have easy access to the park with all sorts of amenities and lower price points!
We’re pretty sure Darth Vader would approve a trip to Death Valley!
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in Iceland
Iceland’s Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach was the shooting location for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. For the 2016 film, the Rogue One beach location was transformed into the planet Eadu, where the Empire sent assassins to search for Jyn’s father, Galen Erso. The world-famous beach is situated on the South Coast of Iceland. With Atlantic waves and glorious panoramic views, it’s no wonder that National Geographic voted Reynisfjara as one of the top 10 non-tropical beaches to see in the world.
Keflavik Airport (KEF) — Iceland’s only international airport — will get you to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Vik is the nearest city, a mere 15 minutes away.
Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia
The filming location for the remote mining planet of Crait — a rebel outpost in The Last Jedi — can be credited to the Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia. The stunning salt flat is made all the more striking in a battle scene between the Resistance and the First Order. You can see the deserted terrain’s white-hot salt surface cover deep-red minerals, which make the scenes come alive with penetrating sparks of color.
To get here, fly into Salar de Uyuni from Uyuni Airport (UYU) — also called Joya Andina Airport. Uyuni is the closest city, and the airport itself sits at an extremely high elevation just northwest of the city in the southwestern Potosí Department of Bolivia. San Pedro de Atacama also offers tours from Chile.
Cliffs of Moher in Ireland
Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher were featured in Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, where the heroes look out over the cliffs at the wreckage of a Death Star. The Cliffs of Moher are famous for their flora and fauna, and you can also spot more than 20 different species of birds! Set-jetting bonus: these cliffs are also the setting of other movies such as the Harry Potter series and The Princess Bride.
The closest airport to the Cliffs of Moher is Shannon International Airport (SNN), about an hour away. Shannon International has direct connections from the United States and mainland Europe. Set up your digs in the city of Doolin, which is about a 15-minute drive away.
If you want to keep the Star Wars momentum going, you can travel to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Skellig Michael, in the south of Ireland, known as the Planet Ahch-To, where the Jedi order was founded. It’s also the site of the first Jedi Temple, where Luke Skywalker exiled himself at the end of Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. The stone beehive huts seen in the film are part of an ancient monastery dating back to the sixth century that sits atop the island. While Skellig Michael is more tricky to get to than the Cliffs of Moher, if there’s anyone that can find a way, it’s a true-blue Star Wars fan.
Plaza de España in Spain
Have you ever wondered where Naboo was filmed? If so, head on over to the Plaza de España in Seville, Spain, as it was the setting for an Attack of the Clones sequence where Anakin and Padmé arrive on Naboo. The Plaza consists of a semicircle with government buildings all around. You can also see two towers on the flanks of the square.
The closest airport to Plaza de España would be Barajas Adolfo Suarez Airport (MAD) in Madrid, about 45 minutes away, or you can also fly directly into Seville Airport (SVQ). Seville is, of course, the nearest city to stay.
Redwoods State Parks in the United States
California has had a recurring role in the Star Wars franchise — this time with the Redwoods State Parks. Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park in Humboldt County takes credit for the legendary speeder bike race in the Return of the Jedi. California’s redwoods were also the setting for the Endor filming location and the Ewok forest location! As the fictional home of the Ewoks, this exact location can be found just off Highway 36 in Grizzly State Park along the Cheatham Grove Path. Eagle-eyed Star Wars fans will recognize some of the fallen trees close to the trailhead.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the closest major airport to the Redwood State Parks in northern California. Eureka is the best nearby city to stay in, as it’s only a 45-minute drive from both state parks.
Stargaze at Other Star Wars-Like Destinations
If you happen to be star-crazy about the cosmos, then visiting remote, off-the-grid locations with clear skies is another great option for your next adventure. Here are a couple of Star Wars-worthy locales where you can stargaze far from civilization.
Namibia in South Africa
The expansive Namibian desert certainly boasts a barren post-apocalyptic destruction kind of vibe. It also looks a lot like Tatooine! Khomas Hochland and Gamsberg — both west of Windhoek — are lauded as ideal locations for stargazing because they have the third-clearest and some of the least polluted skies in the world. There is also Gamsberg Mountain, Namibia’s largest table mountain, which appears as tall as the sky itself.
Shipwreck Lodge in Möwebaai is an accommodation that looks a lot like a Sandcrawler on Tatooine, also known as a Jawa transport.
Here you can bask in sea views, a terrace, a shared lounge, and a restaurant and bar. The closest airport would be Eros Airport (ERS) which is a mere three kilometers away. Who knows, the Namibian desert might be a future Star Wars film location!
Lake Powell in the United States
Lake Powell is also shortlisted as a Star Wars-esque destination for its otherworldly Mars-like quality. Not that we’ve been to Mars, but we can say that Lake Powell has a jaw-dropping uncanny atmosphere that resembles the distinctly red planet. Lake Powell is situated away from the major pollution of big cities, and you can see as many as 15,000 stars in this area. Lake Powell is also hailed as an ideal location to catch a meteor shower!
The two nearest major airports to Lake Powell are in Phoenix (PHX) or Las Vegas (LAS), and the nearest city to lay low happens to be Page, Arizona.
Plan Your Otherworldly Getaway
Let VacationRenter be your guide to exploring the “galaxy” of your choosing! Whichever Star Wars places you choose, we promise it will be the adventure of a lifetime. There’s really only one thing left to say: May the force be with you.