Star Wars (1977) filming locations

Tunisia

Desert gorge near Tozeur, Tunisia, nicknamed "Star Wars Canyon" for the many scenes from the saga that were filmed there.

The scene : 12 min — The desert expanse of Jundland (Jundland Wastes): R2-D2 is captured there by the Jawas and Luke is attacked by the Sand People before being rescued by Obi-Wan.

Matmata, Tunisia

Troglodyte hotel of Matmata, in southern Tunisia, whose underground courtyards served as the set for the interior of the Lars' farm; it still operates as a hotel and welcomes visitors coming to see the décor.

The scene : 16 min — The interior of the Lars' farm, where Luke Skywalker lives with his uncle Owen and aunt Beru: the troglodyte courtyard and the hollowed-out rooms where the family dinner takes place.

Nefta, Tunisia

Great dried salt lake in southern Tunisia, near Nefta; the outer dome of the Lars farm remains planted there and was restored by fans in 2012.

The scene : 16 min — The exterior of the Lars' farm on Tatooine: the white dome from which Luke emerges to gaze at the double sunset.

Ajim, Tunisia

Small port of the island of Djerba, in southeastern Tunisia, whose white architecture served as the setting for the city of Mos Eisley.

The scene : 42 min — The Mos Eisley spaceport: Luke and Obi-Wan are looking for a pilot and discover the cantina, whose exterior is an old ruined bakery from the village; the whitewashed alleys serve as the street scenes.

Flores, Guatemala

Mayan city in ruins in the heart of the Petén jungle, in northern Guatemala, one of the largest archaeological sites in Central America.

The scene : 1 hr 34 min — The forest moon of Yavin 4, where the rebel base is hidden: the Mayan pyramids emerging from the jungle serve as the backdrop for the arrival of the Millennium Falcon and for the wide shots before the assault on the Death Star.

United States

Death Valley National Park, in California, is one of the hottest and driest places in North America.

The scene : The desert landscapes of Tatooine: R2-D2 and C-3PO, separated after their landing, wander through the canyons and dunes just before being captured.

Yuma, United States

City in the southwestern Arizona, bordered by the sand dunes of the Sonoran Desert, often used to depict desert landscapes.

The scene : Tatooine scenes added in the 1997 Special Edition: the dunes around Yuma serve as an expanded backdrop for the outskirts of Mos Eisley.

Bedford, United Kingdom

Immense airship hangars of Cardington, in Bedfordshire, built in the 1920s for British aircraft; their gigantic volume allowed for the installation of the rebel hangar set. This is a military airbase of the Royal Air Force.

The scene : The interior of the rebel base hangar on Yavin 4: the X-wing and Y-wing fighters are lined up before takeoff for the final assault.

Shepperton, United Kingdom

Filming plateau (soundstage) of the Shepperton Studios complex, in Surrey.

The scene : The interior of the Rebel base on Yavin 4: the control room where the rebels monitor the attack on the Death Star and the final medal ceremony.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

One of the four large stages measuring 146 × 96 feet of the block built in 1948 facing the road. Cut in half at the end of the 1950s to create a first Stage 6, then restored in one piece, it was demolished along with six other stages after the sale of half the site in 1989, where a Tesco supermarket now stands. Number 1 now refers to one of the two stages of the George Lucas Stage, opened in 1999.

The scene : The conference room of the Death Star, where Imperial officers and Darth Vader discuss the power of the station.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

One of the four large stages measuring 146 × 96 feet of the block built in 1948 facing the road, demolished with six other stages after the sale of half of the site in 1989, where today a Tesco supermarket is located. Number 2 now refers to the second stage of the George Lucas Stage, which opened in 1999.

The scene : The corridors of the Death Star: passages, airlocks, the trash compactor, and the long corridor above the central shaft.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

One of the four large stages measuring 146 × 96 feet from the block built in 1948. Ravaged by a fire in 1979 at the end of the shooting of Shining, it was rebuilt with a higher flat roof, then demolished after the sale of half of the site in 1989. Number 3 now designates one of the Platinum Stages, opened in 2022 at the other end of the lot.

The scene : The hangar 94 of Mos Eisley where the Millennium Falcon awaits, docking bay 327 of the Death Star, the main hangar of Yavin, and the interiors of the X-wing, Y-wing, and TIE fighters.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

One of the four large stages measuring 146 × 96 feet from the block built in 1948, demolished after the sale of half the site in 1989; its location is now part of the Tesco supermarket parking lot. Number 4 now designates one of the Platinum Stages, opened in 2022.

The scene : The control room and detention block of the Death Star, with the row of cells from which Luke, Han, and Chewbacca free Princess Leia.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

A giant plateau measuring 250 × 122 feet and 45 feet high, built in 1978-1979 for The Empire Strikes Back and nicknamed the 'Star Wars Stage'. Lost with the sale of half the site in 1989 and dismantled in 1991, it made way for the Tesco supermarket; its steel was used to build stages R and S at Shepperton. Number 6 now designates a workshop converted into a stage in the late 1990s.

The scene : The Cantina of Chalmun in Mos Eisley, the notorious bar where Luke and Obi-Wan meet Han Solo and Chewbacca amidst a crowd of extraterrestrials.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

Platform measuring 77 × 64 feet built in 1966 with Stages 8 and 9, originally equipped with a telescopic lighting grid. Closed in 2022 following the discovery of asbestos and RAAC concrete, it reopened in September 2025.

The scene : The kitchen of the Lars' farm, the interior of Ben Kenobi's hermitage, the Anchorhead station, and shots of the final duel between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

A plateau measuring 97 × 77 feet built in 1966 with Stages 7 and 9, featuring a tank and a television control room that it shared with Stage 9. Closed in 2022 after the discovery of asbestos and RAAC concrete, it reopened in September 2025 and has been hosting the filming of EastEnders since.

The scene : The alleys of Mos Eisley and its landspeeder park, as well as the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

A plateau measuring 97 × 77 feet built in 1966 with Stages 7 and 8, featuring a basin. Closed in 2022 after the discovery of asbestos and RAAC concrete, it reopened in September 2025 and has since hosted the filming of EastEnders.

The scene : The corridors and the common room of the Millennium Falcon, where Luke trains with a lightsaber under the watchful eye of Han Solo during the journey to Alderaan.

Ajim, Tunisia

A dome-shaped building located in the suburbs of Ajim, on the island of Djerba, which has become a pilgrimage site for fans coming to see the home of Ben Kenobi.

The scene : The exterior of Obi-Wan Kenobi's hermitage, the small dome-shaped hut lost on the edge of the desert where old Ben takes in Luke after the attack by the Sand People.