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Star Wars Set* Exotic Film Locations you Need to Visit

As Star Wars the Force Awaken premieres this Friday, Love Happens selected our favorite and most exotic set filming areas of the last six episodes. Filled with incredible special effects and countless adventures, the newest Star Wars movie, The Force Awaken is a hit. We will not reveal anything about the movie since you might not have seen it yet but we can tell you J.J. Abrams does the incredible hard work of bringing us back to to 77 and making us feel like we were watching episode IV all over again. The felling of adventure and friendship can be filled in every second of the movie and the landscapes go from snow, to desert, to forest. This amazing location transport us to the incredible world of Star Wars but fortunately, they are right here on earth and we are ready to bring them to you. 

Most people—even those who have seen all six of the iconic sci-fi films—don’t realize that many of the filming locations are breathtaking real-life places, places you’ll want to stay and enjoy long after you’ve taken a picture raising your fake light saber and shouting, “I am your father.” Here, six places on earth that prove the Star Wars galaxy isn’t that far, far away.

Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como, Italy

The gorgeous 18th-century villa was used as the setting for Anakin Skywalker’s wedding to Padmé Amidala (aka Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman) in 2002’sEpisode II: Attack of the Clones. The grand building overlooks Lake Como and features gorgeous terraced gardens. The venue, if you want to take the fandom even further, can be rented out for weddings and other special occasions.
 

Phang Nga Bay near Phuket, Thailand

Known for its incredible limestone rock formations, this bay between Phuket and Krabi is a national marine park where visitors can explore caves and shallow waters via canoe. Postproduction filming for 2005’s Episode III: Revenge of the Sith was done here, the shots of which were later used for the arrival at the Battle of Kashyyyk—home of the Wookies.
 

Grindelwald, Switzerland

Also used as a backdrop for Revenge of the Sith, Grindelwald is a small village located in the Bernese Alps where many visitors go for spectacular hiking and skiing on the mountains. The landscape acted as that of the fictional planet Alderaan, home of Princess Leia (and her side buns).
 
Death Valley National Park, California

This strikingly beautiful setting was used for the Tatooine desert in 1977’s Episode IV, specifically the mesquite flat sand dunes where R2-D2 goes his separate way after he and C-3PO crash their escape pod. This is also where Luke Skywalker meets Obi-Wan Kenobi for the first time. For those interested in more than just a day trip, the Furnace Creek Resort inside the park offers maps directing guests to the various film set locations in the surrounding area. Other activities include visits to salt flats and old Western ghost towns.

The Plaza de España, Seville, Spain

Built in the 1920s, the Plaza de España was used to film the exterior shots of the city of Theed on the planet Naboo inThe Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. It is also located in the Maria Luisa Park, home to half a mile of ponds, palms, orange trees, gorgeous flowers, and intricately tiled fountains.
 
Redwood National and State Parks, Del Norte and Humboldt counties, California

The lush redwoods served as the filming location for 1983’sReturn of the Jedi and its scenes on Endor, home to the lovable Ewoks. Hiking, fishing, horseback riding—whatever your favorite outdoor activity, this is the destination to camp out among the tallest trees in the country, or stay at a small bed-and-breakfast while enjoying some nature sans furry alien creatures.