Tunisia

Hôtel Sidi Driss was a filming location in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) starring as Luke’s sunken home (the Lars family homestead) on Tatooine. It was again a filming location in 2002’s Episode II – Attack of the Clones. The interior courtyards of this traditional Berber style home still feature some remnants from filming including murals and set dressing as it seems the current owners embrace the Star Wars lore. While interiors were filmed here, the exterior shots of the home took place about 150 miles away at an unnamed structure on the Chott el Jerid salt flats. This location made our list of the 10 Most Unique And Coolest Disney Related Locations Where You Can Spend The Night Address: Matmatat-Al-Qadimal, Tunisia Visitor Information: Hôtel Sidi Driss (only available in French)

This abandoned film set in the Tunisian desert was built in 1997 for the filming of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999). The sandstone facades formed the village of Mos Espa on Tatooine. The set was used again in Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and still stands today, open to the public. Address: Naftah, Tunisia Visitor Information: Atlas Obscura

Known locally as Star Wars Canyon, Sidi Bouhlel is a desert ravine which was the filming location for Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977). This is the gorge where R2-D2 is captured by the Jawas. Lucas used this area again for Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) in the scene when Indiana Jones threatens the Nazis with a bazooka. Address: Bouhlel Sdada, Tunisia Visitor Information: Atlas Obscura

This hut on the western edge of the island of Djerba played the role of Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi’s home in the original theatrical release of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. You may not recognize it, though, as the exterior shot of the house was completely changed when Lucas re-released the film as a Special Edition for its twentieth anniversary in 1997. Subsequent releases also contained the new version as well as additional CGI enhancement to other scenes. Today, the structure is still standing, used for storage by local fisherman. Address: Djerba Ajim, Tunisia Visitor Information: No Official Information – Tunisian National Tourist Office

This small structure on Tunisia’s Chott el Jerid salt flats played the role of the Lars family’s Tatooine homestead in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977). Exterior scenes of the house were filmed here, while interior scenes were filmed about 150 miles away at the Hotel Sidi Driss. After filming, the building was taken apart but then rebuilt in 2000 for Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) when Anakin travels to Tatooine to find his mother. It was again used in Episode III  – Revenge of the Sith (2005) when Obi-Wan delivers baby Luke to Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen Lars.  Since then, the structure fell into disrepair. In 2011, fans from around the world donated $10,000 to have this iconic location restored to its full glory under the Save Lars Project. Though the intense desert conditions are wearing away at the facade, the building still remains open to visitors. Address: Naftah, Tunisia Visitor Information: No Official Information – Tunisian National Tourist Office