Star Wars movies are incredibly popular. Did you know that a large part of the scenes in countless films was shot in Tunisia? I went to look at various locations in the country and especially search for film locations. It is certain that these sights are not all easy to find. You don't have to pay an entrance fee anywhere, the location can be visited for free. Though there are plans to change this. The money could then be used to maintain the location better.
Luke Skywalker, Anakin, the Ewoks, Jedi's, Jabba The Hut and of course Darth Vader, who doesn't know them? South Tunisia is the place for Star Wars enthusiasts. Here you will find countless memories of the science fiction films that everyone has seen. There are roughly three reasons why Lucas liked to shoot his films here:
This is mainly due to the unearthly landscape.
The local inhabitants carved caves in the rocks, which always remained cool. Even now.
They also built small round storage areas for foodstuffs such as grain. In the film, it was home to both Luke and Anakin Skywalker when they were young.
Lucas also built entire villages in deserted parts of the country. But what I find most special is that he used existing places. which are also beautiful to look at. They are now popular attractions for fans of these iconic feature films
Tozeur and Nefta
For many movie buffs, Tozeur and Nefta are the top places to visit on their tour of Tunisia. Tozeur is located in the east of the country and Nefta has several other attractions. Think of oases with waterfalls. But for Star Wars fans, one of the reasons to visit this part of Tunisia is Mos Espa. Although there is more to be found.
Mos Espa
Spaceport in The Phantom Menace en Episode II Attack of the Clones
Mos Espa is a fictional city built for these two well-known Star Wars movies. This is where Anakin Skywalker is born, the slave boy who eventually becomes the greatest enemy: Darth Vader. In Mos Espa, you can still see a large part of the used film set. Which lies idyllically in the desert of Tunisia. You can walk through the various houses here, although you quickly see that it is all fake. As soon as you walk into a house, you see the wood and the putty. It can get very busy here, so I was there already at sunrise. I was the only tourist at the moment, also the sunlight was soft.
The rock resembles the neck of a camel and is known from the famous competition, although the rock was only limited in view. You can climb the rock, where you have a good view of the Chott el-Gharsa sand plain around you. You can well imagine that George Lucas was walking here and already played the race in his head. Ong Jemel is located 320 kilometers from Nefta.
Sidi Bouhlel (Star Wars Canyon)
The canyon from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope en The Phantom Menace
IIn the small town of Bouhlel there is a unique gorge. This is called Star Wars Canyon because nine scenes were filmed here. Here, for example, R2-D2 was attacked by the Jawas and you see images of Obi-Wan Kenobi and aggressive Tusken Raiders. You can walk through the gorge via a narrow path. Upstairs you can get coffee and soft drinks to rest for a while. I thought it was a wonderful excursion. Incidentally, this gap was also used for another Hollywood classic: Indiana Jones - Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).
Tataouine
Planet Tatooine in A New Hope, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, The Rise of Skywalker, Star Wars Rebels, The Mandalorian
The planet Tatooine in the blockbusters is named after the town of Tataouine in the south of the country. This is where Luke Skywalker grew up. Here you can visit several Star Wars film locations, with a striking number of remnants. When I was there I saw few commercial expressions, and remarkably little memorabilia and souvenirs. Here they are:
Ksar Ouled Soltane
Hometown of Anakin Skywalker in his early years in Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Originally, Ksar Ouled Soltane was a warehouse for grain. These grain cellars were built a few centuries ago by Berber tribes from North Africa. To prevent robberies, these granaries were deliberately built on top of hills. Which you can also see well at Ksar Ouled Soltane. In one of the small sheds you can see a Star Wars Restaurant, but unfortunately it is not much. It's just fun for a photo.
Ksar Hadada
Served as Slaves Quarter in Mos Espa in Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Ksar Hadada is a town about 30 kilometers (35 minutes drive) from Tataouine. It is best known for Hotel Ksar Hadada, a former grain warehouse. Today it is a popular place for tourists, although the owner has a fuss about his permit. When I was there, it was closed. In the movie, it was a slave quarter. Well-known is the scene where Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn (played by Liam Neeson) confers with slave girl Shmi Skywalker (Pernilla August).
Ksar Hallouf
Known from Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace
This was the first place I visited in this part of the country. And a very important one, because according to the stories, it was here that George Lucas came up with his ideas for the films. Which, by the way, is doubted by others. The granaries in the Medenine region date from the 13th century and are still in good condition. Although some have collapsed, even after the restoration in 2006. Again you will not see anything commercial here, although you should know where to find this location on top of a hill.
Matmata
You can also visit various places from the Star Wars films in the Matmata region. The region is easily accessible from the coastal town of Djerba, which means that you also see day trippers here. They mainly come for one location, which I also think is one of the most beautiful. And where the atmosphere is 100 percent Star Wars. This location breathes the entire atmosphere.
Hotel Sidi Driss
Lars Homestead in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Hotel Sidi Driss is one of the most popular Star Wars locations. Especially in the Matmata part. It is still a hotel, but also an outdoor bar. Here you can see various memories hanging on the walls, including photos of how filming was done here at the time. This is well worth it. I walked around among the scenery and men having a drink.
Home of Obi-Wan Kenobi
The home of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
Along the coast is an old fisherman's cottage, which is still used by fishermen to store things. But this was once Obi-Wan's Hut, aka the home of the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Who we know as Ben Kenobi. You can actually see something from Star Wars on the building. The French urban artist Space Invader has created a mosaic here of the fictional character, played for this film by the well-known actor Alec Guinness. You can easily pass this house near Djerba. Although the mosaic stands out.
Abu Miswar Mosque is located on Djerba Island. There are several photos that George Lucas viewed photos of a site inspection at this mosque in 1975. Ultimately, this mosque did not make the film, or at most as part of the shots according to some. The mosque can be visited and is beautifully situated on the coast of the island. Because Djerba is popular with beach guests, you will still see some tourists here.
Taking a Star Wars Tour?
I did the tour with a guide and a driver. We drove a four-wheel drive car, so we could also drive through the desert, for example. They knew how to find most places and also how to avoid the other tourists. make sure you have arranged the trip well. You can stay in all-inclusive hotels, but also in bed & breakfasts or local hotels.
