Tunisia was the primary filming location for the desert planet Tatooine in the Star Wars franchise. From the original 1977 film through to the prequel trilogy and beyond, George Lucas returned repeatedly to southern Tunisia for its extraordinary desert landscapes. This guide covers every confirmed filming location, how to visit them, and which ones are accessible on organized tours.
Why Tunisia for Tatooine?
George Lucas first scouted Tunisia in 1975 while preparing Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope. The combination of the Chott el Jerid salt plains, the rocky desert of the Tozeur region, the underground architecture of Matmata, and the isolated quality of the landscapes convinced him that southern Tunisia was the most convincing real-world version of his fictional desert planet. The planet’s name itself is a direct reference to the Tunisian city of Tataouine.
Star Wars Filming Locations in Tunisia
| Location | Film | Scene | Nearest City | Accessible? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matmata (Sidi Driss Hotel) | Episode IV (1977), Episode II (2002) | Lars homestead interior | Gabès | Yes (hotel open) |
| Ong Jmal | Episode I (1999), Episode IV | Mos Espa exterior, desert approaches | Tozeur | Yes |
| Ksar Hadada | Episode I (1999) | Slave quarters exterior | Tataouine | Yes (converted to hotel) |
| Medenine (Ksar Medenine) | Episode IV (1977) | Mos Eisley street scenes | Medenine | Yes (partial ruins) |
| Chott el Jerid | Episode IV, visual reference | Desert landscapes | Tozeur / Kebili | Yes |
| Ajim (Djerba) | Episode IV (1977) | Mos Eisley street scenes | Djerba | Yes (functioning port) |
Location Details
Matmata — The Lars Homestead
The Sidi Driss hotel in Matmata is the most famous Star Wars location in Tunisia. Its underground courtyard — a traditional Berber troglodyte house, excavated several metres below ground — was used as the interior of the Lars homestead (Luke Skywalker’s childhood home) in Star Wars: Episode IV (1977) and again in Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002). The hotel is open to guests and day visitors, and the filming set remains largely intact.
Full guide: Matmata Guide →
Ong Jmal — Mos Espa Exterior
Ong Jmal is a rocky desert plateau near Tozeur where exterior scenes of Mos Espa — the slave city where Anakin Skywalker grew up — were filmed for Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999). The permanent set built for filming was partially left in place, though it has been damaged by wind and sand erosion over subsequent decades. Accessible by 4×4 or regular car from Tozeur; organized tours from Tozeur include this stop.
Ksar Hadada
Ksar Hadada, near Ghomrassen (Tataouine region), was used in Episode I as the exterior of the slave quarters. It is a traditional Berber fortified granary that has since been partially converted into a small hotel. Accessible on organized tours of the Tataouine ksour region.
Ajim (Djerba)
The port town of Ajim on Djerba’s southwestern coast was used for some of the Mos Eisley street scenes in Episode IV. The setting is a functional fishing port, not a preserved film set — but the narrow streets and whitewashed buildings remain recognizable to attentive viewers.
How to Visit Star Wars Locations in Tunisia
Most Star Wars filming locations in Tunisia are distributed across a large area and are best visited as part of an organized multi-day desert tour. A dedicated Star Wars tour typically includes: Matmata (Sidi Driss hotel), Ong Jmal (Mos Espa ruins), the Tataouine ksour, and the Chott el Jerid. This circuit is typically 2–3 days from Tozeur or 3–4 days from Djerba.
🏜️ Compare guided Star Wars Tunisia tours →
Tunisia Star Wars Tour Itinerary (3 Days from Tozeur)
- Day 1: Tozeur → Chebika → Tamerza → Mides → Ong Jmal → Tozeur
- Day 2: Tozeur → Chott el Jerid → Douz → Desert Camp (Sabria)
- Day 3: Sabria → Matmata (Sidi Driss) → return to Tozeur or Djerba
For a fuller tour including Tataouine ksour (Ksar Hadada, Chenini), add a Day 4 from the south.
Related Guides
- Matmata Guide
- Tataouine and Chenini Guide
- Chott el Jerid Guide
- Chebika and Tamerza Guide
- 7-Day Desert Itinerary Tunisia
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Star Wars filmed in Tunisia?
The main Star Wars filming locations in Tunisia are: Matmata (Sidi Driss hotel — the Lars homestead), Ong Jmal near Tozeur (Mos Espa exterior), Ksar Hadada near Tataouine (slave quarters), and Ajim on Djerba (Mos Eisley scenes). The Chott el Jerid salt plains also served as visual reference for Tatooine’s landscape.
Can you still see the Star Wars set in Tunisia?
Yes, partially. The Sidi Driss hotel in Matmata is intact and open for visits. The Mos Espa exterior set at Ong Jmal exists but has been significantly eroded by wind and sand since filming. Ksar Hadada is accessible and partially converted to a hotel. Most locations are not maintained as official film sets.
Is there a Star Wars tour in Tunisia?
Yes. Several operators offer dedicated Star Wars location tours in Tunisia, typically based in Tozeur or Djerba. These cover the main filming sites — Ong Jmal, Matmata, Tataouine region, and Chott el Jerid — in 2–4 days. They are often combined with standard desert tour itineraries.