Star Wars fans have wondered about Naboo’s real locations for years. The planet looks too good to be just CGI. George Lucas picked some stunning spots across Europe to bring Queen Amidala’s world to life. These weren’t random choices either.
Each location served a specific purpose in creating Naboo’s royal palaces and peaceful landscapes. The places are real, and many still welcome visitors today.
Some might even look familiar from other famous films. The filming sites span multiple countries, each adding its own character to the fictional planet.
From Italian villas to Spanish plazas, the search for Naboo’s filming locations reveals an interesting mix of architecture and natural beauty that made the prequels visually memorable.
Where is Naboo in Real Life?
Naboo doesn’t exist on any map, but its filming locations spread across Southern Europe. The production team scouted Italy and Spain for the perfect backdrops.
Italy’s Lake Como region became the primary shooting location for most palace scenes. The country’s historic architecture matched Lucas’s vision for a civilized, elegant society.
Spain contributed to Naboo’s capital city of Theed. Seville’s Plaza de España became the iconic palace courtyard where Padmé and Anakin walked and talked.
Tunisia also played a small role, though it’s better known for Tatooine scenes. The combination of these Mediterranean locations created Naboo’s warm, romantic atmosphere.
Each site brought authentic European grandeur that CGI alone couldn’t replicate convincingly.
Iconic Naboo Scenes and Exact Filming Spots
The most memorable Naboo moments happened at real European landmarks. These locations became forever linked with Star Wars after the prequels aired. Here’s where Lucas filmed the planet’s most recognizable scenes.
1. Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como
This 18th-century villa sits on a peninsula jutting into Lake Como. The elegant loggia and terraced gardens appear in Attack of the Clones during Anakin and Padmé’s secret wedding.
The location also shows up in their romantic lakeside conversations. Villa del Balbianello’s stunning views over the water made it perfect for intimate moments.
The villa is now a museum open to tourists who want to walk where the couple stood.
2. Caserta Palace, Naples
The Royal Palace of Caserta doubled as Naboo’s royal palace interiors. Its grand staircase appears when Queen Amidala walks through the halls.
The palace features 1,200 rooms and rivals Versailles in size and beauty.
Built in the 1700s, it provided the regal atmosphere Lucas needed. The massive structure meant the crew had plenty of ornate spaces to choose from for different scenes.
3. Plaza de España, Seville
Seville’s Plaza de España became Theed’s main palace courtyard. Padmé and Anakin’s conversations happen along its curved colonnade.
The semicircular plaza was built in 1928 for a world’s fair. Its Moorish revival architecture gave Naboo a distinct Mediterranean feel. The ceramic tile work and bridges over the canal add visual richness to every frame shot here.
4. Villa Borghese, Rome
The gardens of Villa Borghese appear briefly in scenes showing Naboo’s lush landscapes. Though not as prominent as other locations, the Roman villa added to the planet’s natural beauty.
The grounds feature classical statues and manicured greenery. Lucas used it to establish Naboo as a place where nature and civilization blend seamlessly.
The location reinforced the planet’s reputation as peaceful and refined.
How to Visit Naboo Filming Locations Today
Planning a Star Wars pilgrimage requires some preparation. Most filming sites are tourist attractions now, so access is easier than expected. Here’s how to organize your Naboo tour.
- Book tickets in advance for popular sites: Villa del Balbianello and Caserta Palace require reservations, especially during peak season when crowds fill these landmarks.
- Plan a multi-city Italian itinerary: The main locations span from Naples to Lake Como, so budget time for travel between cities and overnight stays.
- Visit Seville separately from Italy: Plaza de España sits in southern Spain, making it difficult to combine with Italian sites unless you have extra travel days.
- Hire local guides for behind-the-scenes stories: Many tour operators now offer Star Wars-themed walks that highlight exact filming spots and share production anecdotes.
- Check filming location hours and closures: Some villas close during winter months or private events, so verify accessibility before booking flights and hotels.
Some Other Top Star Wars Locations
Beyond Naboo, Star Wars used dozens of breathtaking locations worldwide. From deserts to jungles, these real places brought the galaxy far, far away to life across all trilogies.
1. Tunisia’s Tatooine Locations
Image Source: Mosaic North Africa
Near Tozeur and Nefta, locations like Ajim and Chott el Djerid recreated young Anakin’s home and slave quarters in Episode I.
The desert structures for Mos Espa and Lars Homestead still stand today, drawing fans to the Sahara. La Grande Dune provided the iconic binary sunset from Episode IV, with massive sand dunes for Luke’s early scenes.
Tunisia served as Tatooine for multiple films because its landscape perfectly matched the harsh desert planet. Local hotels offer Star Wars tours to these remote sites. The sets have weathered over time but remain recognizable landmarks for dedicated fans making the pilgrimage.
2. Derwentwater Lake, England
Image Source: Travels and Wandering
Takodana’s Maz Kanata castle, lakeside in Episode VII, used this English lake with a CGI-enhanced backdrop.
The Lake District’s fells provided natural beauty around the water. Derwentwater sits in Cumbria, one of England’s most scenic regions. The production team added digital elements to the real landscape.
It’s a lesser-known Star Wars location compared to others. The lake remains a peaceful spot for hiking and boating away from tourist crowds.
3. Tikal Mayan Ruins, Guatemala
Image Source: Wikipedia
The ancient temples of Tikal became Yavin 4’s Rebel base exteriors in Episode IV. Jungle pyramids rise above the rainforest canopy, creating a mysterious atmosphere.
The Guatemalan archaeological site dates back over a thousand years. Lucas chose it for its otherworldly appearance amid dense vegetation.
Today, tourists can climb the same temple steps the Rebels used. The ruins remain one of Central America’s most impressive historical sites.
4. Phang Nga Bay, Thailand
Image Source: Hanoi Voyage
Kashyyyk’s Wookiee homeworld scenes in Episode III were filmed here. The limestone karsts jutting from turquoise waters created alien landscapes for the watery battle scenes.
Phang Nga Bay sits near Phuket in southern Thailand. Its dramatic rock formations made it ideal for Chewbacca’s home planet. The bay is accessible by boat tours that now advertise their Star Wars connection.
It’s also famous for appearing in James Bond films.
5. Rub’ al Khali Desert, Abu Dhabi
Image Source: National Geographic
Jakku’s crash site in Episode VII was filmed in the world’s largest sand desert.
Rey’s scavenger life unfolded across these endless dunes in the UAE. The Empty Quarter, as it’s known, stretches across multiple countries. Its vast emptiness conveyed the isolation of Jakku perfectly.
Filming in Abu Dhabi brought Star Wars back to real deserts after heavy CGI use. The location is remote but accessible through guided desert tours.
6. Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia
Image Source: Britannica
Crait’s distinctive white-red landscape in Episode VIII came from these surreal salt flats. The Resistance’s final stand happened on this otherworldly terrain.
Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat, stretching over 4,000 square miles.
The red mineral deposits beneath created the blood-like effect when disturbed. Bolivia’s high-altitude location added to the alien feel. It’s now a bucket-list destination for photographers and Star Wars fans alike.
7. Wadi Rum, Jordan
Image Source: Wikipedia
The Jedha moon in Rogue One and Pasaana in Episode IX both featured these towering red rock formations. Wadi Rum’s Mars-like landscape has appeared in countless sci-fi films.
The Jordanian desert valley offers dramatic cliffs and vast open spaces.
Bedouin camps provide authentic desert accommodations for visitors. Lawrence of Arabia was also filmed here decades earlier. The location remains one of the Middle East’s most cinematic natural wonders.
8. Dubrovnik Old Town, Croatia
Image Source: Walk in Dubrovnik
Canto Bight’s casino planet in Episode VIII blended medieval walls with opulent streets. The Croatian coastal city provided the glamorous setting for the wealthy elite’s playground.
Dubrovnik’s limestone streets and baroque buildings needed minimal alteration for filming.
The city is already a major tourist destination, famous for Game of Thrones, too. Its preserved old town made it perfect for the morally corrupt casino world. Visitors can walk the exact streets where Finn and Rose ran.
9. Grindelwald Mountains, Switzerland
Image Source: Interlaken Tickets
Alderaan’s vistas in Episodes II and III featured these snowy peaks for high-altitude exteriors. The Swiss Alps provided Princess Leia’s doomed home planet with majestic beauty.
Grindelwald sits in the Bernese Oberland region surrounded by dramatic mountains. The location emphasized Alderaan’s peaceful, refined culture before its destruction.
Switzerland’s pristine landscapes matched the planet’s reputation perfectly. The area remains a popular skiing and hiking destination year-round.
To Conclude
From Italian lakeside villas to Tunisian desert sets, Star Wars transformed real locations into unforgettable worlds. These places weren’t just backdrops. They added authenticity that pure CGI couldn’t match.
Naboo’s elegance came directly from Europe’s architectural heritage, while other planets drew from deserts, jungles, and salt flats across continents.
The best part? Most sites welcome visitors today. Walking through Plaza de España or climbing Tikal’s temples connects fans to movie magic in tangible ways.
These locations existed long before lightsabers and will remain long after. Planning a Star Wars location tour means experiencing both cinematic history and the natural wonders that inspired a galaxy far, far away.
