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🎬 Where Was Star Wars: A New Hope Filmed? Complete Tunisia & US Location Guide

1977

George Lucas

Added January 15, 2024

5 Locations

Journey to a galaxy far, far away! Discover the real-world deserts and studios that brought Star Wars: A New Hope's iconic planets to life. Explore Tatooine, then plan your epic cinematic adventure.

About 🎬 Where Was Star Wars: A New Hope Filmed? Complete Tunisia & US Location Guide

🎬 Where Was Star Wars: A New Hope Filmed? Complete Tunisia & US Location Guide

Get ready to jump to hyperspace! 🚀 Star Wars: A New Hope didn't just introduce us to a galaxy far, far away; it rooted its otherworldly landscapes in some truly spectacular real-world locations. Forget the CGI; many of Tatooine's iconic scenes were shot under actual desert suns!

We're talking about places where you can literally walk in Luke Skywalker's footsteps, explore the desolate Jundland Wastes, or even grab a drink inside a moisture farm. It’s an adventure waiting for any true Jedi.

These aren't just points on a map; they're portals to your favorite film moments, offering a unique blend of cinematic pilgrimage and breathtaking travel. Imagine standing exactly where R2-D2 rolled or where Tusken Raiders ambushed Luke.

So, buckle up, film fanatics! This guide takes you on an epic journey from the scorching deserts of Tunisia to the vast stretches of Death Valley, and even behind the studio doors where magic was truly made. May the Force be with you on your location hunt!

🗺️ Major Filming Locations

🎬 Chott el Djerid, Tunisia - The Lars Homestead Exterior 🌅

Scenic view of Chott el Djerid showing the iconic igloo dome of the Lars Homestead against a vast, flat desert landscape

🏛️ The Location

Chott el Djerid is a vast, dry salt lake in southern Tunisia. Its desolate, alien-like landscape made it the perfect stand-in for the arid plains of Tatooine, Luke Skywalker's home planet. The low-lying, flat terrain truly feels like another world.

🎥 In the Film

This is where you find the iconic igloo exterior of the Lars Homestead, Luke's childhood home. It's featured in numerous scenes, including Luke looking out at the twin suns of Tatooine, a moment that defines his longing for adventure. The moisture farm condensers are also visible here.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: Near Nefta, Tozeur Governorate, Tunisia (GPS coordinates for the actual igloo site are approx. 33.9184° N, 8.4417° E)

🕒 Hours: Always accessible (open desert)

💰 Admission: Free

🌐 Website: N/A (natural landscape)

💡 Pro Tip: The "igloo" structure is still there, though it requires occasional restoration by fans. Visit just before sunset to try and recreate the iconic twin-sunset shot (though you'll only see one!). 🎬 Fun Fact: The original igloo set was almost removed after filming due to sandstorms, but thankfully, it stood the test of time (and fan efforts) to become a permanent pilgrimage site.

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🎬 Sidi Bouhlel Gorge (Star Wars Canyon), Tunisia - Jawa Ambush & Tusken Raiders 🏜️

Stunning ancient rock formations of Sidi Bouhlel Gorge, resembling a canyon where desert creatures might hide

🏛️ The Location

Also known as "Star Wars Canyon," Sidi Bouhlel Gorge is a stunning desert canyon in the Tozeur Governorate of Tunisia. Its rugged, rocky landscape, with unique rock formations and narrow passes, provides a dramatic backdrop. It feels incredibly remote and untouched.

🎥 In the Film

This gorge was used for several pivotal Tatooine scenes. It's most recognizable as the location of the Jawa ambush on R2-D2. Later, it becomes the infamous spot where Luke Skywalker is attacked by Tusken Raiders before Obi-Wan Kenobi scares them off. It truly brought the "Jundland Wastes" to life.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: Near Tozeur, Tozeur Governorate, Tunisia (approx. 34.0203° N, 7.8286° E)

🕒 Hours: Always accessible

💰 Admission: Free

🌐 Website: N/A (natural landmark)

💡 Pro Tip: This area can be quite isolated, so it's highly recommended to go with a local guide or as part of an organized Star Wars tour for safety and ease of navigation. Wear sturdy shoes! 🎬 Fun Fact: This location was so versatile that it was used for no less than seven different scenes in "A New Hope," including the escape from the Sandcrawler and the Krayt Dragon skeleton.

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🎬 Hotel Sidi Driss, Matmata, Tunisia - The Lars Homestead Interior 🏡

Beautiful view of Hotel Sidi Driss showcasing its unique troglodyte architecture with interconnected courtyards dug into the earth

🏛️ The Location

The Hotel Sidi Driss is a traditional troglodyte dwelling in Matmata, Tunisia, where underground rooms are connected by tunnels around a central courtyard. This ancient Berber architectural style naturally creates cool, sheltered spaces. Today, it functions as a hotel, preserving its unique charm.

🎥 In the Film

This incredible hotel served as the interior for the Lars Homestead, Luke Skywalker's home on Tatooine. The circular rooms and tunnels perfectly captured the essence of an underground dwelling from another planet. You can stay in the same rooms Luke woke up in!

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: Matmata, Gabes Governorate, Tunisia

🕒 Hours: Open 24/7 as a hotel; restaurant open to public during day

💰 Admission: Free to visit the courtyard/restaurant area; accommodation rates vary

🌐 Website: Search for "Hotel Sidi Driss Matmata" online

💡 Pro Tip: Even if you're not staying overnight, you can visit the restaurant for lunch and explore the various "film set" courtyards. The wall mural from the film is still there! 🎬 Fun Fact: The hotel was originally used for the film and then reverted to its normal function. For "Attack of the Clones," the crew had to rebuild parts of the set that had been dismantled or used as hotel furniture!

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🎬 Death Valley National Park, California, USA - More Tatooine Scenery 🌎

Impressive facade of Death Valley National Park displaying a desolate, rocky desert landscape reminiscent of Tatooine's Jundland Wastes, with a tiny R2-D2 and C-3PO in the foreground for scale

🏛️ The Location

Death Valley National Park, located in eastern California, is renowned for its extreme temperatures, vast salt flats, and dramatic desert landscapes. Its otherworldly environment, including canyons, dunes, and unique rock formations, made it an ideal double for Tatooine.

🎥 In the Film

While Tunisia provided many of Tatooine's arid scenes, budgetary and logistical constraints led George Lucas to use Death Valley for several shots. Specifically, areas like Artist's Palette, Dante's View, and Twenty Mule Team Canyon were used for R2-D2's journey, the Jawas' Sandcrawler route, and parts of the Jundland Wastes.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: Death Valley National Park, California, USA (various specific spots)

🕒 Hours: Open 24/7 (visitor centers have specific hours)

💰 Admission: Entrance fee for the National Park (check official site for current rates)

🌐 Website: https://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm

💡 Pro Tip: Visit in the cooler months (late fall to early spring) to avoid extreme summer heat. Bring plenty of water and know your specific filming spot targets; the park is immense! 🎬 Fun Fact: Several shots intended for Death Valley ended up being cut or replaced due to unexpected heavy rains that briefly turned parts of the desert green during filming, making it look not-so-Tatooine-like!

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🎬 Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK - The Heart of the Galaxy 🎬

Authentic street scene of Elstree Studios capturing the main gate and iconic signage, showing the active film production hub

🏛️ The Location

Elstree Studios, located in Borehamwood, England, has been a cornerstone of British cinema for nearly a century. It boasts multiple sound stages and production facilities, making it a go-to for large-scale film and television productions. It was the primary indoor filming location for A New Hope.

🎥 In the Film

Almost all of the film's interior shots were brought to life here. This includes iconic sets like the interior of the Millennium Falcon, the chilling corridors of the Death Star, the bustling Mos Eisley Cantina, and the control rooms of Imperial starships. It was the creative hub where the galaxy was built, piece by meticulously crafted piece.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: Shenley Rd, Borehamwood WD6 1JG, UK

🕒 Hours: Not open for public tours regularly (it's a working studio)

💰 Admission: N/A for public entry

🌐 Website: https://www.elstreestudios.co.uk/

💡 Pro Tip: While you can't walk the famous sound stages, you can visit the Borehamwood and Elstree Museum nearby, which often features exhibits on the studios' rich history, including Star Wars. 🎬 Fun Fact: Scenes from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," "The Shining," and even the "Big Brother" house have also been filmed at Elstree Studios, highlighting its diverse legacy.

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🎬 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets

Dive into the astonishing journey of eliminating Star Wars from script to screen. The challenges were immense, but the ingenuity behind the camera created a cinematic legend.

🎭 Director's Vision

🎯 Location Strategy: George Lucas scouted real-world locations that could convincingly portray alien planets, blending geological wonders with constructed sets to create a tangible, lived-in universe. He particularly sought out rugged, desolate topography like Tunisia's deserts.

🎨 Visual Style: Lucas focused on a "used future" aesthetic, ensuring that even futuristic ships and structures looked lived-in and weathered, a stark contrast to the sleek, pristine sci-fi of earlier eras. The real-world grit of the locations underscored this vision.

🎪 Production Highlights

🎬 Limited Budget, Unlimited Imagination: Despite a relatively small budget for a sci-fi epic, the production relied heavily on practical effects, forced perspective, and matte paintings, fostering incredible creativity.

🎭 Desert Woes: Filming in Tunisia was plagued by unexpected sandstorms, equipment failures due to fine dust, and even a historic rainfall that transformed the normally arid landscape.

🎨 DIY Droids: R2-D2 and C-3PO were mostly practical costumes and props, operated by actors or remote control, challenging to use in the rugged desert environments.

🎯 Millennium Falcon Magic: The iconic ship's cockpit was built on a gimbal at Elstree, allowing for dynamic movements that simulated flight, giving actors a real sense of motion.

🌟 Cast & Crew Stories

😄 Sir Alec's Doubts: Sir Alec Guinness initially struggled with the dialogue, finding it overly simplistic, famously asking Lucas to "kill me off earlier" in the sequel.

😮 Wookiee Woes: Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca, wore a bulky suit that was incredibly hot in the Tunisian desert, requiring constant cooling efforts.

🎉 Sound Story: Ben Burtt, the sound designer, created a library of entirely new, imaginative sounds, from the hum of a lightsaber to the roar of a Wookiee, contributing hugely to the film's immersive quality.

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🗺️ Plan Your Visit

Ready to embark on your own Star Wars pilgrimage? Here’s how you can make your dream trip a reality.

🏨 Where to Stay

💰 Budget: Hotel Marhala (Matmata) - ~$30/night - Another troglodyte hotel option, often more affordable than Sidi Driss, giving you a similar authentic experience near the Star Wars sites.

🏛️ Mid-Range: Ksar Jouamaa (Tataouine region) - ~$70/night - Stay in a converted granary fortress, offering a taste of regional architecture not far from other Star Wars filming elements.

✨ Luxury: Laico Hotel Tozeur (Tozeur) - ~$150+/night - Offers modern comforts and amenities after a day of desert exploration, with pools and excellent dining, perfect for recharging.

🚗 Getting Around

🚇 Metro: Public transport is limited in the remote Tunisian desert locations. This isn't a metro-accessible adventure.

🚗 Car: Renting a 4x4 is highly recommended for exploring the desert terrain in Tunisia. For Death Valley, a robust vehicle is essential. Always have a full tank of gas and plenty of water.

🚶 Walking: While you'll do plenty of walking at the sites themselves, inter-location travel requires a vehicle or tour. Some remote spots may require hiking a fair distance from where a vehicle can park.

📸 Photo Tips

🌅 Best Times: Early morning or late afternoon for that stunning desert light, especially in Tunisia. The "golden hour" will make your photos truly epic. In Death Valley, avoid midday in summer unless you're experienced in extreme heat.

📱 Instagram Spots: Don't miss the Lars Homestead Igloo for that iconic 'looking at twin suns' shot. The interior of Hotel Sidi Driss is endlessly photogenic. Frame yourself against the dramatic rocks of Sidi Bouhlel Gorge.

🎬 Movie Moments: Recreate Luke's look at the horizon, a Jawa scavenging, or C-3PO trudging across the sand. Bring Luke's poncho or a lightsaber hilt for ultimate fan pics!

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❓ Quick Answers

🎬 Is this based on a true story?

No, "Star Wars: A New Hope" is a work of science fiction, an epic space opera from the imagination of George Lucas. It draws on mythological archetypes and classic film serials, but the story itself is fictional.

🗺️ Can I visit all locations in one day?

No, not logistically. The Tunisian locations require at least 2-3 days to explore properly, especially with travel times between them. Death Valley is in a completely different country! Elstree Studios is also separate in the UK. Plan your trip as regional clusters.

💰 How much should I budget?

A multi-day Star Wars tour in Tunisia can range from $500-1500 per person (excluding international flights). For Death Valley, consider park entrance fees, accommodation, and car rental. Elstree is not really a tourist destination, so its cost would be transport to Borehamwood.

📱 Are there guided tours?

Yes! Many Tunisian tour operators specialize in "Star Wars tours," which are highly recommended for covering the remote desert locations efficiently and safely. These often include transportation, accommodation, and a guide.

🎭 When was this filmed?

Principal photography for "Star Wars: A New Hope" began on March 22, 1976, and concluded on July 16, 1976. The Tunisian desert sequences were shot early in the schedule.

🌍 Is Tunisia safe for tourists?

Yes, Tunisia is generally safe for tourists, especially in popular tourist areas and with reputable tour operators. It's always wise to exercise standard travel precautions, stay informed about local conditions, and consider guided tours for remote areas.

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🎬 Ready for Your Cinematic Adventure?

Star Wars: A New Hope isn't just a movie; it's a cultural phenomenon that changed cinema forever. And the magic doesn't just exist on screen! Stepping onto these real-world filming locations pulls you directly into the epic narrative, making the galaxy far, far away feel closer than ever.

Whether you're traversing the twin-sun-scorched plains of Tatooine in Tunisia, exploring the rugged canyons of Death Valley, or simply marveling at the studio where it all began, these pilgrimage sites offer an unforgettable journey. They're a testament to the power of imaginative filmmaking and the beauty of our own planet.

So, pack your bags, fire up your landspeeder, and prepare for an adventure that combines your love for film with the thrill of discovery. Share your journey with us and tag #WhereWasItFilmed! And for more cinematic travel inspiration, keep exploring our site and discover the real-world backdrops of your favorite films.

Year Released

1977

Director

George Lucas

Filming Locations

5 locations

Behind the Scenes

George Lucas's vision for Star Wars was revolutionary, blending classic myths with futuristic effects. The choice of real-world, desolate locations like Tunisia's deserts and Death Valley, alongside cutting-edge studio work at Elstree, grounded the fantastical narrative in a tangible reality. This strategic approach to location scouting was crucial in building the immersive universe fans would fall in love with, making the galaxy feel both alien and remarkably real.

Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi) initially dismissed the script as 'fairy-tale rubbish.' He later came to embrace his iconic role.
The original title of the film was simply 'Star Wars.' 'Episode IV – A New Hope' was added for a 1981 re-release.
Harrison Ford was paid a mere $10,000 for his role as Han Solo, a steal considering the film's success.
Most of the practical effects, including spaceships and alien creatures, were achieved using intricate miniatures and matte paintings.
The distinctive sound of a TIE Fighter combining an elephant's roar with a car driving on wet pavement – an iconic sound design choice.
Chewbacca's growls and roars were created by blending the sounds of walruses, bears, camels, and badgers.
The Jawa language, Jawadese, was based on a sped-up version of the Zulu language.
Luke Skywalker's original last name in early drafts was 'Starkiller,' which eventually became a weapon in later films.
20th Century Fox had limited faith in the project, granting Lucas a relatively small budget, pushing his creativity.
The Cantina band members, Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes, had costumes heavily influenced by old monster movies.
Upon its initial release, 'Star Wars' opened in only 32 theaters across the United States.
George Lucas famously took a lower director's salary in exchange for the film's merchandising and sequel rights, a deal that proved incredibly lucrative.

Location Gallery

Chott el Djerid

Sidi Bouhlel Gorge

Hotel Sidi Driss

Death Valley National Park

Elstree Studios

Travel Tips

Best time to visit most of these locations is during spring or fall for mild weather.
Consider booking accommodations in advance, especially during tourist season.
Guided tours are available that cover Chott el Djerid, Sidi Bouhlel Gorge, Hotel Sidi Driss in one day.