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Star Wars Travel: Real Filming Locations and Themed Stops to Add to Your 2026 Itinerary

ddiscovers

2026-02-01

10 min read

Curated map of real Star Wars filming locations, studio stops, themed bars and exhibits—plus 2026 tips for planning set-hopping itineraries.

Start Here: Why a Star Wars set-hopping itinerary solves your travel overwhelm

If you love Star Wars but hate scrolling through endless, generic listings, this guide is for you. I’ve curated a practical, 2026-ready map of real filming locations, studio stops, themed bars and museums so you can turn fandom into a seamless trip. Think fewer unreliable pins and more vetted routes, local operators, and timing tips that respect conservation rules and local communities.

The state of Star Wars travel in 2026 — what’s changed and why it matters

Two trends shape fan itineraries this year. First, the franchise’s creative leadership change in January 2026 — with Dave Filoni taking a leading role at Lucasfilm — has accelerated announcements and renewed fan interest in visiting physical touchpoints tied to upcoming projects. Travel demand spikes after casting and production announcements: plan early.

“Dave Filoni will be handling the creative/production side of Star Wars…,” (Forbes, Jan 16, 2026)

Second, post‑2024 travel patterns favor micro‑road trips, sustainable site access, and AR-enhanced tours. Governments and film commissions have developed clearer permitting for set tourism, and local guides offer low‑impact access—especially for fragile sites like Skellig Michael (Ireland) or Tunisia’s desert sets.

How to use this guide

This guide is organized by region and experience type: filming locations to walk where scenes were shot, studio and archive stops for behind‑the‑scenes context, and themed bars & exhibitions for immersive downtime. Each entry includes practical travel tips, best times to visit, and trusted operator suggestions so you can build a multi-day fan itinerary without the research black hole.

Top real filming locations to add to your 2026 itinerary

Tunisia — Tatooine and Mos Espa (best for desert set-hopping)

Why go: Tunisia remains the definitive Tatooine pilgrimage. Scenes from the original trilogy and the prequels were shot around Tataouine, Tozeur, Matmata and the salt flats of Chott el Jerid.

Matmata: Visit the troglodyte homes and the Hotel Sidi Driss, long associated with Luke’s family home. The hotel still features Star Wars memorabilia and local guides who narrate the site history.
Ksar Ouled Soltane & Ong Jemel: Stone granary ksars and rocky outcrops used for Mos Espa backdrops; great for sunrise photography.
Chott el Jerid: Salt flats that became otherworldly vistas; best visited in the cooler months (Oct–Apr) to avoid extreme heat.

Practical tips: Travel with a certified local operator; many spots are remote and require 4x4 access. Respect local regulations and avoid trampling archaeology. If you’re combining with a cultural tour of southern Tunisia, add 2–4 days.

Skellig Michael, Ireland — Ahch‑To (authentic island pilgrimage)

Why go: The dramatic monastic island of Skellig Michael doubled as Luke Skywalker’s remote retreat in the recent sequels. The climb and the isolation are part of the experience.

How to visit: Boat access from Portmagee or Valentia; landing restrictions apply and daily visitor caps protect the UNESCO site.
Timing: Boat trips run spring to autumn. Avoid peak summer weekends and always book certified operators in advance.

Practical tips: The landing is weather dependent—build flexibility into your schedule. Wear sturdy shoes; the ancient stone steps are steep and slippery.

Lake Como & Plaza de España — Naboo’s palaces and promenades (Italy & Spain)

Why go: For elegant Naboo backdrops, combine a stop at Villa del Balbianello on Italy’s Lake Como and Plaza de España in Seville.

Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como: The villa’s terraces were used in Attack of the Clones for Naboo’s lake palace scenes. Book guided visits—tickets often sell out—tickets often sell out in summer.
Plaza de España, Seville: The sweeping semicircular plaza and tiled bridges appear in Attack of the Clones’ Theed city sequences. It’s an easy, photogenic stop on an Andalusia route.

Practical tips: Combine these with local cultural highlights (Como’s villas, Seville’s Alcázar) for a balanced trip. Both sites are popular with tourists—visit early morning for quiet photos.

Northern California redwoods — Endor (forested classics)

Why go: The forest moon of Endor (Return of the Jedi) was filmed in Northern California redwood groves. These ancient trees give you the tangible sense of standing in Endor’s canopy.

Top areas: Redwood National and State Parks (Humboldt County) and selected state parks that preserve the dramatic groves.
Combine with: A scenic drive up Highway 101 and coastal viewpoints for a full Northern California film‑land road trip.

Practical tips: Stay on designated trails; many parks operate through a permit or entrance fee system. Book campsites or lodges well in advance in summer.

Studios, archives and official stops — behind the scenes

Elstree & Pinewood (UK) — production hubs

Why go: The original Star Wars and many sequels used studio space in and around London. Elstree Studios (Borehamwood) and Pinewood Studios have historical ties to key scenes and effects work.

Elstree/Borehamwood: Local museums and community tours highlight the town’s film heritage. Check studio event calendars for open days.
Pinewood: Pinewood has hosted Star Wars production work; they occasionally run public events and open studio experiences.

Practical tips: Studio tours are intermittent—book months ahead and monitor studio social channels for pop-up open days or tie-in exhibitions.

Letterman Digital Arts Center & Yoda Fountain (San Francisco)

Why go: Lucasfilm’s public exterior in San Francisco offers a chance for a quick fan photo beside iconic artwork and installations. It’s a low‑effort, high‑return stop if you’re building a multi‑city U.S. itinerary.

Practical tips: This is an exterior/photograph stop only. Respect private property signs—do not attempt to enter office areas.

Lucas Museum & rotating exhibitions (Los Angeles & touring shows)

Why go: The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and other traveling exhibitions (e.g., Star Wars: Identities, Star Wars: The Exhibition) regularly rotate props and costumes. These curated displays are invaluable for understanding design and production lineage.

Practical tips: Check exhibition schedules and buy timed-entry tickets. Museums often curate VR/AR experiences—perfect for fans who want context without studio access.

Themed bars, immersive spaces and fan-run experiences

Galaxy’s Edge & Oga’s Cantina (Disneyland Anaheim & Walt Disney World)

Why go: Official immersive worlds with rides, character encounters and Oga’s Cantina—the closest thing to stepping into the screen. Although not a filming location, these parks are essential stops for travelers who want in-universe immersion.

Booking tip: Oga’s Cantina requires reservations; plan at least 30–60 days ahead for peak seasons in 2026.
Inside tip: Use park early entry or Lightning Lane options for efficiency if you’re short on time.

Fan-run events, pop-ups and local cantinas

Why go: Independent theme bars, local cosplay meetups, and fan film screenings create community energy. In 2026, more cities host pop-up cantinas and themed nights tied to streaming releases and festival schedules.

Practical tips: Follow local fan groups (501st Legion, Rebel Legion) on social media to find vetted meetups and charity appearances. These groups often announce official public events and parades.

Practical planning: safety, permits, and sustainable practices

These sites are real places with conservation rules and local communities. Respect them.

Permits and guides: For fragile locales (Skellig Michael, Tunisian desert sites), use licensed operators who pay landing fees and follow access limits.
Seasonality: Desert heat and island weather determine when visits are feasible. Plan outside extreme temperatures or storm seasons.
Local economies: Support local guides and accommodations. Many small towns near filming sites rely on tourism—choose experiences that pay into the local economy.
Leave no trace: Stay on trails, take photos responsibly and don’t remove or disturb props, flora or archeological artifacts.

Sample itineraries — plug in days and transport

7‑Day European Star Wars Loop (Italy → Spain → UK)

Day 1–2: Lake Como (Villa del Balbianello) — relaxed photography, villa tour.
Day 3–4: Fly to Seville — Plaza de España, Alcázar and local film history walk.
Day 5: Fly to London — studio-side stops near Elstree; evening at a themed pop-up if available.
Day 6–7: London/Pinewood or Elstree open days; museum visits (British Film Institute, special exhibitions).

10‑Day Tunisia & Ireland combo (Desert → Island pilgrimage)

Day 1–4: Southern Tunisia — Matmata, Ksar Ouled Soltane, Tozeur and Chott el Jerid. Use a vetted 4x4 operator and stay in locally owned desert lodgings.
Day 5–7: Transit to Dublin, transfer to southwest Ireland — Dingle Peninsula base.
Day 8–10: Portmagee/Valentia boat trip to Skellig Michael (weather dependent), cultural time in Dingle and Kerry.

Booking checklist & tech tools for 2026 travelers

Custom map: Create a Google My Maps layer with confirmed coordinates, operator contacts, and ticket links.
Local operator vetting: Request proof of licensing, group size limits, and conservation fees before booking.
AR & audio guides: Many sites now offer AR overlays and downloadable audio walks that sync with GPS—search Play Store/App Store for the site name plus “AR tour.”
Insurance: Check travel insurance covers activity cancellations for weather-dependent boat landings and remote 4x4 travel.

Budget vs. luxury planning — how to stretch or splurge

Budget options: prioritize a single region (Tunisia or California) and use group tours. Save on accommodations by choosing guesthouses and local inns.

Luxury upgrades: charter private boats to Skellig (when available), hire a private film historian guide in London, or book a lakeside villa on Como for a private Naboo‑style stay.

2026 trends & future predictions for Star Wars travel

Expect these patterns in the near term:

Faster announcement‑to‑tourism cycles: With the new creative leadership and an accelerated slate of projects, filming announcements spark immediate travel interest. If a location is announced for principal photography, local tour operators will create offerings within months.
More official pop-up exhibits: Lucasfilm and partner museums are testing shorter, high-impact exhibitions instead of long tours—ideal for city stopovers.
XR-enabled site interpretation: Augmented reality overlays at historic locations will become common, letting you view behind‑the‑camera layers from your phone.
Responsible access frameworks: Fragile sites will continue to limit visitors and require certified guides. Plan earlier and accept capacity-based booking.

Experience examples — real travelers who turned film tourism into lasting memories

Case study 1: A four-person group combined a Tunisia 4x4 circuit with a week in Andalusia. They used a local Tunisian operator recommended by Tunisia’s film commission and booked Skellig Michael via a conservation-approved operator on the second leg. Their lessons: buffer days for weather and hire local experts for desert navigation.

Case study 2: A solo traveler paired a London studio day with Oga’s Cantina booking in Anaheim. They timed their trip around a local fan convention and used a rideshare pass to cut transit time. Their lessons: mix studio stops with immersive experiences to avoid burnout.

Quick reference: trusted operator & resource list

National park and UNESCO pages for access rules (Skellig Michael bookings via local boat operators)
Local film commissions (Tunisian Film Commission, BFI in the UK) for verified site info
Lucasfilm and museum exhibition calendars for rotating artifact shows
Fan groups (501st Legion, Rebel Legion) for event schedules and vetted meetups

Final planning checklist before you leave

Confirm all timed tickets (museum, studio open days, Oga’s Cantina).
Book certified guides for fragile or remote locations.
Pack weather-appropriate gear (desert sun protection, good hiking shoes for Skellig steps).
Set a flexible day for weather-dependent landings and film‑location photography.
Buy travel insurance that covers activity cancellations and medical evacuation if you plan remote 4x4 travel.

Takeaway: Build a trip that balances screen magic with real-world respect

Star Wars travel in 2026 is richer and more nuanced than ever. With new creative leadership at Lucasfilm and growing AR/sustainable tourism frameworks, fans can follow the saga across deserts, islands and studios—if they plan deliberately. Use local guides, respect fragile sites, and mix iconic filming stops with immersive experiences for a trip that honors both the films and the places that hosted them.

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discovers

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Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.