Valued at over $65 billion, the 12-strong Star Wars movie franchise has captured peoples’ interest all over the world since 1977. Crossing galaxies and planets, some of these ethereal locations are found closer than you think! Here are four Star Wars filming locations that you can visit.
Mount Etna, Sicily
With annual eruptions, Mount Etna in Sicily made for the perfect filming location for a fiery battle scene. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was featured as the planet of Mustafar in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan fought amongst (real!) molten lava and geysers. Fittingly, the name Etna translates to ‘I burn’ and the Roman God of Fire is believed to have lived atop this mountain.
Death Valley National Park, USA
Between the Sierra Nevada mountains and Mojave Desert in California’s Death Valley National Park is where you’ll find Tatooine. This planet played a major part in the first movie, Episode IV – A New Hope, with R2D2, C3PO and Anakin Skywalker calling it home. Death Valley National Park was also used as a filming location for the lush scenery around Jabba the Hut’s Palace in Return of the Jedi.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi is the Arabic word for ‘valley’, and this rural, desert landscape turned into Planet Pasaana (in Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker) and the moon of Jedha (in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story). Wadi Rum is found 90 minutes from Petra, attracting travellers from around the world. It was previously underwater, with the sea forming the sandstone formations you see today.
Seville, Spain
Seville’s Plaza de España is an icon of the city. Featuring impressive architecture, towers, colourful tile mosaics, a moat and an expansive square, the plaza was initially built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. It proved to be the perfect backdrop as the exterior of Theed Royal Palace on the planet of Naboo in Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
If you’re a Star Wars fan, join us on a Globus or Cosmos tour to one of these Star Wars filming locations. It’s a fun way to plan your dream holiday!
