Star Wars tourism
Star Wars is a space opera franchise launched in 1977 with the Star Wars film, later known as Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. While set "long, long ago, in a galaxy far away", many of the exteriors are real-world places, to some extent open to visitors.
Spoiler alert! This article reveals plot details.
Understand
| “ | The Force will be with you. Always. | ” |
—Obi-Wan Kenobi | ||
The core of the Star Wars franchise is the triple film trilogy; The original trilogy (episodes IV-VI, released 1977-1983), the prequel trilogy (I-III, released 1999-2005), and the sequel trilogy (VII-IX, released 2015-19).
The prequels depict Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker's forbidden love story with Queen Padmé, and his transformation to evil Sith lord Darth Vader, parallel to the Galactic Republic's corruption and transformation to the Galactic Empire.
An intermediate film, Rogue One, tells the story of how the rebels stole the plans for the Empire's deadly new weapon, the Death Star.
The original trilogy depicts young Luke Skywalker's journey to become a Jedi knight, leading the Rebel Alliance's struggle against the Galactic Empire.
The sequel trilogy is showing the continuing struggle between the Rebels and the successor of the defeated Empire, the First Order.
Within the fan community, the films are usually referred to by their Roman number; e.g. "I" for Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Spin-off works have their own notation, such as R1 for Star Wars: Rogue One.
The franchise also includes several spin-off films, novels, video games, action figures and other material.
Destinations
Episode II
- 🌍 Villa del Balbianello, Via Comoedia 5, Lenno (Tremezzo, Italy). The wedding scene in II takes place here.
Rogue One
- 🌍
Canary Wharf (London, England). The tube station was used in Rogue One as the Imperial security complex on Scarif.
Episode IV - A New Hope
- 🌍 Matmata (Tunisia). Scenes of the desert planet Tatooine in a number of Star Wars films were filmed here. Also see the nearby town of Tataouine, where a little filming was also done.
- 🌍 Death Valley National Park (California, United States). Some Tatooine scenes in IV.
Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
- 🌍 Hardangerjøkulen (Hardanger Glacier), Finse/Hardangervidda (Norway). 24 h. One the large glaciers in Norway. Hiking the glacier is only for experts; do not attempt a hike on your own. The Battle of Hoth (V) was filmed here. Free.
Episode VI - The Return of the Jedi
- 🌍 Redwood National Park. The Battle of Endor (VI) was filmed here.
Episode VII - The Force Awakens
- 🌍 Skellig Michael (Ireland). Luke Skywalker's exile home in VII and VIII.