May the Force be with you: The Most Impressive Star Wars Filming Locations

Almost a year has passed since the latest installment of the Star Wars saga hit theaters. In mid-December, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will be the first part of the Anthology series, further complicating the Star Wars universe. For those who can't wait to dive back into the fantastic worlds of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, you can at least walk in their footsteps. Tatooine, the barren desert planet where Luke Skywalker grew up, or the home of the furry Ewoks are closer than you might think. We will show you where to find some of the most impressive Star Wars filming locations and what happened there in which episode of the saga.

Skellig Michael, also known as Great Skellig, is an Irish island that hosts one of the oldest but also most difficult-to-access monasteries in Ireland. Thanks to its rugged cliffs, which rise up to 717 feet at their highest point, it provided the perfect backdrop for some scenes of the latest Star Wars film 'The Force Awakens.' This greatly displeased animal rights activists who were concerned about the habitat of bird species in the nature reserve. Reportedly, the helicopter downdrafts displaced some seagull chicks from their nests. Whether or not that's true remains unclear.

What is certain, however, is that the island is definitely worth a visit. Not only for the impressive views it offers to visitors. To enjoy those, visitors must first take a boat across the often stormy sea and then climb the 600 stone steps up to the monastery. This same path was taken by the monks 1,200 years ago when they chose the island as the site for their monastery.

Seville, the beautiful city in southern Spain, not only entices with Andalusian charm, impressive architecture, and traditional festivals, but also with one of the most famous squares in the world: Plaza de España. It was here that the filming team of the Star Wars episodes 'Attack of the Clones' and 'The Phantom Menace' came. This square served as the backdrop for the capital of Naboo, the seat of Queen Amidala. The capital of Andalusia also delights with its old town, the Santa Cruz neighborhood, and magnificent buildings in Arabic or Romanesque style.

2,000 kilometers away is the next filming location that you can visit. The Villa del Balbianello overlooking Lake Como also plays a significant role in 'Attack of the Clones,' serving as the setting for a romantic scene between Padmé and Anakin Skywalker. Once here, you can enjoy the mild climate at the Alpine Lake. It attracts visitors not only in the warm summer months but also in the mild winter. The many hiking trails ensure that active vacationers will enjoy their time.

Another famous filming location in Italy: Mount Etna. It provided stunning visuals for the dramatic duel between Anakin and his mentor Obi-Wan. Of course, the actors did not actually film on the (still active) volcano. But for the scenes set on the Star Wars planet Mustafar, images of Etna were used. While the area around Europe's largest volcano may not invite one to linger, the rest of Sicily certainly does. Here you can sample Sicilian specialties like capers and Caponata or explore the island's capital, Palermo. It is definitely one of the noteworthy Star Wars filming locations.

For the filming of 'Episode VI - Return of the Jedi,' George Lucas chose Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in California. This national park has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1980, and with its coastal redwoods, it was the perfect backdrop for the forest planet Endor. Here, Luke and Leia engage in a thrilling chase on speeder bikes with the approaching Imperials. It is also the home planet of the small Ewoks. However, even without this background, the national park is worth a visit. After all, it delights not only with its giant redwoods, which can reach up to 378 feet in height, but also with its diverse rain and deciduous forests.

Yellow limestone buildings and vast sandy deserts make up the landscape in many areas of Tunisia. And Star Wars fans are likely familiar with this description. After all, not only did Luke Skywalker grow up here, but so did his father Anakin on the desert planet Tatooine. Several scenes from films 1-6 are set here. The name, incidentally, was derived by George Lucas from the neighboring Tataouine. The Sidi Driss Hotel in Matmata appears in Episode IV as the farm where Luke Skywalker grows up and in Episode II. Exterior scenes were filmed in the salt desert Chott el Djerid. Ksar Hadada served as the backdrop for the slave quarter of Mos Espa, where Anakin grew up. Obi-Wan Kenobi's home is not far from here and can be visited on the Tunisian island of Djerba in the small town of Ajim.