7 Star Wars filming locations in Tunisia

Writer: Helena Bergström

Do you like Star Wars? If so, when you visit Tunisia, you won't want to miss visiting some of these Star Wars filming locations. The environment of southern Tunisia is perfectly suited to visualise the arid planet Tatooine...

Star Wars filming locations in Tunisia

We've recently returned from an exciting trip to southern Tunisia, and we've revisited some of the most important Star Wars sites in the country. We've put together a report to tell you about them, as well as some other places for Star Wars fans.

1. the island of Djerba

The island of Djerba, located in southern Tunisia, is a great place to visit for sun, sea and spa, and to check out the delicious street art in Djerbahood. It may not be home to the most famous Star Wars filming locations, but some scenes in Episode IV were actually shot in the harbour area of Djerba Ajim. For example, Obi-Wan Kenobi's house can be found here, which used to be a fisherman's hut, and is now used by fishermen for storing fishing gear.

• Film: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
• Scenes: Exteriors of Mos Eisley (cantina area), Obi-Wan Kenobi's house and occasional street scenes.
• To see and do: Walk in Ajim and look for places that were used as backdrops in Mos Eisley. It may also be possible to book onto guided tours that tell you about the Star Wars environments. In addition, there is much more to experience on the island of Djerba!
• Location: The island of Djerba in south-eastern Tunisia.

2. Matmata and Hotel Sidi Driss

The cave in Matmata, which today serves as a hotel, was used in 1976 as a filming location for ”Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope”. It was used to film indoor scenes for the ”Lars homestead”, which served as the home of the Lars family for at least three generations in the film.

This is where the main character Luke Skywalker, his uncle Owen Lars and Owen's wife Beru Lars lived. In the film, the family are known as ”moisture farmers”, who work to extract water from the air and then sell this sought-after product.

Nearby, you can also visit a traditional Berber home, built in the same style, to provide shelter from the hot sun. Here you can peek into the different rooms and the women are happy to offer you bread with oil and honey, in exchange for paying an optional sum for the visit. Very interesting!

• Film: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
• Scenes: Indoor scenes in Lars Homestead (Luke Skywalker's childhood home)
• To see and do: The place is now a hotel and restaurant, and you can spend the night in one of the small rooms. Nearby you can visit real Berber homes, with similar architecture.
• Location: Matmata in the Gabes Governorate, Southern Tunisia.

3. Ksar Ommarsia / Ksar Medenine

Another place worth visiting is Ksar Ommarsia, or Ksar Medenine as it may also be called. Unfortunately, we didn't make it here, but several scenes were filmed in this setting, which is characterised by traditional ghorfas, i.e. storage rooms with rounded doors.

• Film: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
• Scenes: Ksar Ommarsia was used as a slave quarters in Mos Espa, where Anakin Skywalker lived with his mother Shmi. Including Anakin returning home in the sandstorm and the farewell scene between Anakin and Shmi, when he leaves Tatooine to follow the Jedi Order.
• To see and do: Walk around to experience Star Wars environments and characteristic ghorfas. Guided tours may include stops here.
• Location: The nearest town is Medenine, about 80 kilometres from Djerba.

4. Ksar Hadada

Unfortunately, we have not visited Ksar Hadada ourselves, as it is a bit remote and would have required a detour on our route. However, if you are a Star Wars fan, this seems to be a really interesting place. The architecture here is very special and has been used to film scenes in the backyards and slave quarters of the spaceport Mos Espa on the planet Tatooine in Star Wars Episode I.

• Film: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
• Scenes: Ksar Hadada was used as one of the buildings/areas to play the role of slave quarters/backyards in Mos Espa.
• To see and do: Walk around to experience the ksar architecture and photograph the settings. Guided tours of the Tataouine area can include Ksar Hadada. In addition, it is possible to stay overnight here.
• Location: Ksar Hadada in the Tataouine Governorate in southern Tunisia.

5. Ksar Ouled Soltane

Near Ksar Hadada is Ksar Ouled Soltane, which is also often mentioned in the context of Star Wars. However, it seems that this place was mostly used for inspiration for Star Wars Episode I, and possibly for filming that was not used in the final film. Regardless, this place also offers some cool architecture.

• Film: Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) (Note! The location was used as inspiration, but it is doubtful whether footage from here was actually included in the film).
• Scenes: The Ksar architecture was used for inspiration and filming of slave quarters in Mos Espa, but it is doubtful whether any of the material actually made it into the final cut.
• To see and do: Explore the ksar architecture and take photographs in the area. Guided tours of the region can include stops at Ksar Ouled Soltane.
• Location: Ksar Ouled Soltane, near Tataouine in southern Tunisia.

6. Chott el Djerid

Chott el Djerid is a salt lake in southern Tunisia, with a surface below sea level. However, usually only the lowest parts of the lake are covered by water, making the landscape look more like a salt desert. It's not hard to see why this location was chosen for scenes depicting the planet Tatooine in Star Wars.

Several different scenes have been shot here and Lars Homestead, that is, the round building in the desert, will remain as a backdrop, although unfortunately we did not get to that particular location when we were here.

• Film: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
• Scenes: Exterior of the farm where Luke Skywalker grew up (Lars Homestead) and Tatooine landscapes, including a scene when Luke Skywalker steps out of the house and looks towards double suns.
• To see and do: You can walk around the deserted landscape and take photos, which should be especially nice at sunrise and sunset. There are desert and oasis tours with 4×4 vehicles.
• Location: Near Netfta in the governorate of Tozeur in southern Tunisia.

7. Ong Jemal

Last but not least, if you're a Star Wars fan, you'll want to visit the Ong Jemal site, located north-west of Tozeur in southern Tunisia. The name, which can also be spelt Ong Jmal, roughly means ”camel's neck” and refers to a specially shaped rock located here.

The most fascinating thing is that you can find the backdrop to the entire city of Mos Espa here, the city where Anakin Skywalker grew up as a slave. There are around 15-20 buildings left here, with domed roofs, archways and market alleys.

The architecture is made of plaster, wood and steel frame, all built in 1997 for Lucasfilm. Over the years, the site has been restored with the help of volunteers, and today there are many souvenir vendors on site. A really cool place to visit if you've seen the films!

• Film: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999). Parts of the set also appear as a backdrop in Attack of the Clones (2022), but no new scenes were filmed there.
• Scenes: Scenes in Mos Espa, with Anakin running through the streets, talking to Watto and Qui-Gon, Jar Jar and Padmé landing, as well as views of market stalls and domes. The rock/formation appears in prequel scenes on Tatooine, including scenes where Darth Maul lands.
• To see and do: Walk around the sets, photograph the scenery and climb up to the Ong Jemal cliff. The light is best in the morning or late afternoon.
• Location: North-west of Tozeur, in southern Tunisia.

Video from Star Wars filming locations in Tunisia

Peter has edited a film from two of the filming locations: Matmata and Ong Jemal. Watch it here:

Have you seen any of these Star Wars filming locations in Tunisia?

Have you seen some of these Star Wars filming locations in Tunisia? Do you like to see film and TV series shooting locations while travelling?