Star Wars Tunisia is one of the most iconic filming destinations in the world. When George Lucas chose Tunisia as the backdrop for Tatooine in 1976, he created an enduring legacy, the Star Wars Tunisia locations in Matmata, Tozeur and Tataouine can still be visited today, largely unchanged. Here is your complete guide.
When George Lucas chose Tunisia as the backdrop for the desert planet Tatooine in 1976, he turned this North African country into a pilgrimage site for millions of Star Wars fans. Here is your complete guide to every filming location.
Why Tunisia Was Tatooine
Lucas was struck by the otherworldly landscapes of southern Tunisia, the troglodyte cave homes of Matmata, the Saharan dunes near Nefta, the ancient ksour (fortified granaries) of the south, and the salt flats of Chott el-Djerid. Together, they created the alien world of Tatooine.
1. Matmata, Luke Skywalker’s Home (Hôtel Sidi Driss)
The iconic underground hotel Hôtel Sidi Driss in Matmata served as the interior of the Lars family homestead in A New Hope (1977), The Phantom Menace (1999), and Attack of the Clones (2002). You can stay overnight in the same rooms where Luke Skywalker had dinner with his aunt and uncle.
2. Ong Jemal (Nefta), Mos Espa & Pod Race
The dunes near Ong Jemal, close to Nefta, were used for the Mos Espa pod race in The Phantom Menace. The abandoned Mos Espa set still stands partially in the desert, slowly swallowed by sand dunes, a surreal sight.
3. Ksar Hadada, Slave Quarters
This ancient Berber fortified granary near Ghomrassen was transformed into the slave quarters of Mos Espa. The mud-brick arched rooms were perfect for Tatooine’s lower quarters.
4. Chott el-Djerid, The Twin Suns
The vast salt flat of Chott el-Djerid provided the horizon for some of Tatooine’s most iconic shots, including Luke watching the twin suns set, one of cinema’s most recognisable images.
5. Ajim (Djerba), Mos Eisley Cantina Exterior
The fishing village of Ajim on Djerba island served as the exterior of the famous Mos Eisley cantina in A New Hope. The whitewashed buildings are still recognisable today.
6. Ksar Medenine
Medenine’s multi-storey ghorfas (storage chambers) appear as background architecture in several scenes. The unique layered mud-brick structures were ideal for Tatooine’s aesthetic.
Visit Tips
- All sites are covered in our 3, 5 & 8-day Star Wars Tour packages
- Best visited October–April (summer heat exceeds 45°C in the south)
- Combine with a Sahara overnight camp for the full experience
