GRAND-SAHARA-AVENTURES
PRIVATE DAY TRIPS • DESERT TREKS • TUNISIA EXPEDITIONS
Star Wars in Tunisia: The Ultimate Guide to Tatooine Film Locations
Visiting Star Wars filming locations in Tunisia is more than just a movie set tour; it is a journey to the original land that gave birth to the greatest saga in history.
In 1976, a young and visionary George Lucas scouted the south of the country, searching for a remote planet—scorched by suns, sculpted by time, and inhabited by ancient cultures.
He found it already formed in the dunes, the Ksour, and the Berber villages of the Tunisian South.
Tatooine wasn't invented. It was discovered.
Nearly half a century later, Tunisia remains the only place on Earth where you can walk through the actual sets of the saga, without reconstructions or theme parks.
Welcome to Tatooine.
READY FOR ADVENTURE? START YOUR MISSION HERE
To experience the magic of Tatooine in private and avoid the tourist crowds, choose your "launch base" below.
Whether you are a casual fan or a hardcore Jedi, our private 4x4s are ready for a timeless journey.
FROM DJERBA: THE ISLAND OF TWIN SUNS
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One-Day Expedition: Mission Slave Quarters
An express immersion to explore the world-famous ghorfas of Tataouine.
Discover where Anakin Skywalker grew up before his destiny changed forever.
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The Skywalker Epic (3 or 4 days): The Grand Tour - The ultimate pilgrimage.
Depart from the island to conquer every single Tunisian filming site, from the dunes of Mos Espa to the craters of Matmata.
FROM TOZEUR: THE GALACTIC HEART
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Mos Espa Expedition: The City in the Sands (1 Day)
Spend a full day at the saga's most spectacular set.
Cross the dunes to reach Anakin’s town, still haunted by the shadows of Podracers.
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The Rebel Trail (3 or 4 days): From Tozeur to Matmata
A complete circuit connecting the galactic cities of the West to the troglodyte homes of the East.
An adventure through steep canyons and underground dwellings.
FROM ZARZIS: THE SECRET JEDI TRAIL
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Pilgrimage of the Jedi Masters (1 Day)
An intense day connecting architectural masterpieces:
the Ksour of Tataouine (Ouled Soltane & Hadada) and Luke Skywalker’s unforgettable home in Matmata.
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Tatooine Odyssey (3 or 4 days): Full Immersion
A tailor-made circuit for those who want to truly feel the "Force."
An exhaustive exploration of every filming corner, from the Dahar mountains to the gateway of the Sahara.
FROM GABÈS: BETWEEN EARTH AND THE STARS
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Mission Lars Homestead & Tataouine (1 Day) The perfect combo:
Explore Luke’s childhood home in Matmata in the morning, and finish your day in the slave quarters of Tataouine. Pure emotion.
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The Tatooine Chronicles (3 or 4 days)
Travel through Tunisia's most alien landscapes.
An optimized itinerary to ensure you don't miss a single mythical set while enjoying charming hotels.
1. Djerba: Where the Saga Began (Episode IV)
It all started in Djerba. In 1976, George Lucas found the minimalist and spiritual architecture needed to anchor the exile of his old Jedi Master on Tatooine.
Sidi Jmour: Ben Kenobi’s Hermitage
On the island's wild west coast, this glowing white coastal mosque served as the exterior for Obi-Wan’s home.
This is where Luke Skywalker first meets the hermit who will change his life.
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The Iconique Scene: The Landspeeder arriving in front of the white building.
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Production Secret: Just above the mosque lies the hill where Luke and Obi-Wan look out over the Mos Eisley spaceport.
Ajim: Mos Eisley and the Mythic Cantina
The port of Ajim houses the building (an old Berber bakery) that served as the exterior for the world-famous Cantina.
his is where Han Solo shot first. Its characteristic dome remains a mandatory stop for any fan.
2. Matmata: The Heart of the Lars Homestead
The lunar landscape of Matmata, with its troglodyte houses dug into the ground, provided Lucas with the most iconic image of life on Tatooine.
Hotel Sidi Idriss (The Lars Family Home)
The most emotional site in the saga. The interior courtyard of this underground hotel served as the Lars' dining room and kitchen.
Where you can admire the ceiling decorations installed by the production crew in 1976 and restored for Episode II.
3. Tataouine and the Ksour: Designing Mos Espa
While the city’s name inspired the planet, the Ksour (fortified granaries) gave the Slave Quarters their visual identity in the Prequels.
Ksar Ouled Soltane: The Slave Quarters
With its storage cells (ghorfas) stacked four stories high, this is the most impressive ksar in Tunisia.
Lucas chose it to represent the neighborhood where Anakin Skywalker grew up.
Ksar Hadada: The Galactic Labyrinth
This stone maze is famous for the scenes featuring Qui-Gon Jinn and Shmi in Mos Espa.
It is a magnificent site witnessing the genius of Berber architecture.
4. Tozeur and Nefta: The Desert Spectacle
This is where the sand of the Sahara replaces the stone, offering the most grandiose sets of the Lucas saga.
Mos Espa (Ong Jmel): The City in the Dunes
The largest and best-preserved set in Tunisia. A whole city with houses, podracer hangars, and moisture vaporators.
Lost in the dunes of Nefta, Mos Espa makes you feel like you've actually changed planets.
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Expert Tip: In a private 4x4, we reach the site through the dunes to offer you an unforgettable sunset panorama, far from the tour buses.
Sidi Bouhlel: The Famous "Star Wars Canyon"
This spectacular canyon hosted over 9 iconic scenes.
This is where R2-D2 is captured by Jawas. Its unique geology also served as a location for Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark).
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Star Wars in Tunisia
Where was Star Wars filmed in Tunisia?
Filming took place in several key southern regions: Djerba (Mos Eisley), Matmata (Lars Homestead), Nefta/Tozeur (Mos Espa & Canyon), and near Tataouine (Slave Quarters).
Why was Star Wars filmed in Tunisia?
George Lucas chose Tunisia for its unique desert landscapes and, most importantly, its Berber architecture.
The troglodyte homes and Ksour provided a natural "galactic" look that required almost no additional sets.
Where was Star Wars filmed in the desert?
The pure desert scenes were shot primarily at Ong Jmel (Nefta) for Mos Espa, in the Sidi Bouhlel Canyon (Tozeur), and on the vast salt flats of Chott el-Jérid for the Great Dune scenes.
Which movies were filmed in Tunisia?
Besides the Star Wars saga (Episodes I, II, IV), Tunisia hosted Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark), The English Patient, and Monty Python’s Life of Brian.
Where is the Skywalker house in Tunisia?
Luke Skywalker’s childhood home (Lars Homestead) is located in Matmata at the Hotel Sidi Idriss.
The exterior entrance (the Igloo) is located on the Chott el-Jérid near Nefta.
What is the best time to visit?
From October to May. In summer, temperatures in the desert can exceed 45°C, making visits difficult.
Can you see all Star Wars sites in one day?
Yes, with our day trips you can visit Mos Espa and the Star Wars Canyon from Tozeur, or the Slave Quarters and Luke's house from Djerba, Zarzis, or Gabès.
However, for full immersion, we recommend our 4-day Star Wars Tour.