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Star Wars Filming Pilgrimage: Where to Go Now That Filoni Is Calling the Shots

pprivilege

2026-01-21

10 min read

Plan a Filoni-era Star Wars pilgrimage with curated filming sites, boutique hotels and VIP access strategies for 2026.

Beat the FOMO: Plan a Filoni-era Star Wars pilgrimage that skips the guesswork

If you’re fed up with fragmented lists, sold-out tours and having to cobble VIP access together for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, this guide is for you. With Dave Filoni now leading Lucasfilm’s creative slate in early 2026 and a rush of new on-location projects announced late 2025, fan tourism is about to accelerate. Below is a curated, actionable pilgrimage that maps the real-world Star Wars filming locations, suggests boutique hotels, and gives step-by-step booking and access strategies so you experience the franchise like a credentialed insider.

Why travel now — the Filoni-era effect (2025–2026)

Filoni’s promotion to co-president in January 2026 signaled a creative pivot: expect more serialized storytelling, spin-off features and, crucial for travelers, a renewed focus on practical locations and on-site shoots. Industry chatter in late 2025 already pointed to several live productions moving back to on-location filming after years of studio-heavy shoots. That means two things for fans:

New sets and temporary attractions — Productions often create public-facing exhibits, drive-in experiences or pop-up tours near locations.
Higher demand, limited access — Early-2026 booking windows will fill for studios, boat landings (Skellig Michael), and boutique hotels near sets.

Plan like a concierge: lock flights, reserve studio/boat tickets early, and book boutique stays with flexible cancellation.

Core Star Wars filming locations to include in your pilgrimage

Below are the most iconic, visitor-ready locations across continents — each entry includes why it matters, what you’ll see, access notes and a boutique-hotel pick. These sites are proven draws for film tourism and will anchor any Filoni-era itinerary.

Tatooine cluster — Tunisia (Matmata, Chott el Jerid, Ksar Ouled Soltane)

Why go: Tunisia is the birthplace of on-location Star Wars desert work. Matmata’s troglodyte homes were used for Luke Skywalker’s childhood home; many exterior shots and village scenes were filmed across southern Tunisia.

What to see: Ksar Ouled Soltane (mos Espa-like ksar), the troglodyte hotels at Matmata, and sweeping salt flats at Chott el Jerid.
Access tips: Book a licensed local guide—roads can be remote. Distances are long; rent a 4x4 or book transfers through your hotel.
Best season: Oct–May for cooler days and reliable travel conditions.
Boutique pick: Hotel Sidi Driss (Matmata) — an authentic troglodyte stay with clear Star Wars lineage; arrive early in high season.

Ahch-To / Island Luke — Skellig Michael, Ireland

Why go: The rise of the sequel trilogy made Skellig Michael one of the most visible pilgrimage points for modern fans. The island’s monastic ruins and dramatic cliffs are unforgettable.

What to see: Skellig Michael’s beehive huts and sheer cliffs — seen as Luke’s remote refuge in The Last Jedi.
Access tips: Landing numbers are limited by regulation and weather; book from Portmagee at least 90 days ahead in high season. If full, reserve the scenic boat option (no landing) to still photograph the island. Note local permits and safety govern landings.
Best season: Late May–early September (weather windows and boat schedules).
Boutique picks: The Moorings (Portmagee) or Skelligs Hotel (Cahersiveen) — both are convenient, local-run properties that will help arrange boat landings and local guides.

Endor — Redwood forests, Northern California

Why go: The giant redwoods provided the backdrop for the forest moon of Endor. Wandering beneath these trees is as cinematic as it gets — and accessible from major US West Coast gateways.

What to see: Redwood National and State Parks — scenic drives, trail walks and interpretive centers highlighting movie history.
Access tips: Tackle the parks with a local guide to find the exact groves used in Return of the Jedi. Avoid weekends in summer for calmer photography conditions.
Best season: May–October for mild weather and long daylight hours.
Boutique pick: Benbow Historic Inn (Garberville) — a bookable, characterful base 45–90 minutes from major groves.

Hoth — Finse, Norway

Why go: The Empire Strikes Back’s Hoth sequences were shot on the hard, icy plateaus of Norway. Visiting Finse is a chance to re-create the stark, windswept look of the Rebel base.

What to see: Finse’s glacier-edge landscapes and the snowfields used for Hoth exteriors.
Access tips: Finse is rail-accessible (no road). Book the mountain lodge Finse 1222 in advance; winter weather and snow depth are factors for hiking and photography.
Best season: Winter-spring for snow scenes; summer for easier hikes and calmer weather.
Boutique pick: Finse 1222 — a mountain lodge with direct access to the filming landscapes.

Crait — Bardenas Reales, Spain

Why go: The salt-baked mineral look of Crait was filmed at the semi-desert Bardenas Reales in Navarre. The otherworldly landscapes are immediately recognizable to modern fans.

What to see: The badlands and plateaus that match Crait’s white-and-red palette.
Access tips: Bardenas is ecologically sensitive; stay to marked routes and use a local guide for the best vantage points and sunrise shots.
Best season: Spring and autumn for cooler temperatures and softer light.
Boutique base: Stay in Tudela or a rural parador-style property and secure a private 4x4 outing to Bardenas.

UK Studio cluster — Elstree, Pinewood and London

Why go: Many interiors, effects shoots and reshoots for Lucasfilm projects happen at Elstree, Pinewood and other UK studios. While full studio tours are rare, the UK cluster is where you’ll find sets, soundstages and prop exhibits.

What to see: External studio campuses, authorized exhibitions and film-industry events. Watch for open days and ticketed pop-ups announced around new productions.
Access tips: Studios typically restrict public access — leverage a concierge or industry insider to book private visits or production-experience packages when available. Attend film festivals and local exhibits in London timed around Lucasfilm releases.
Best season: Year-round; plan around announced studio open days that often coincide with premieres and anniversaries.
Boutique pick: Coworth Park (Ascot) — a short drive to Pinewood and a luxury base with concierge services to chase studio access. See our boutique venue roundup for similar properties.

Sample multi-day pilgrimage itineraries (curated, by travel style)

Pick the pace that fits your time and budget. Both itineraries are designed to be repeatable and flexible if a Filoni-era shoot opens unexpected opportunities.

7-day Essentials: Tatooine → Skellig → Studio (Europe-focused)

Day 1: Arrive Tunis — transfer to Matmata. Evening briefing with a local Star Wars guide.
Day 2: Full-day Matmata and Ksar Ouled Soltane tour. Overnight at Hotel Sidi Driss.
Day 3: Fly Tunis → Dublin. Overnight in Dublin; prepare for Kerry transfer.
Day 4: Transfer to Portmagee. Dock briefing and early-evening boat if weather allows.
Day 5: Skellig Michael landing (weather permitting) or scenic pass. Debrief and island interpretation at Portmagee. Overnight at Skelligs Hotel.
Day 6: Fly Dublin → London. Evening: studio exhibition or authorized fan event in London.
Day 7: Day at Pinewood/Elstree cluster — book a private experience through your concierge. Depart from London.

10–14 day Grand Tour: Transatlantic fan pilgrimage

Days 1–3: Tatooine cluster (Tunisia) — fully guided archaeological and film-history walks.
Days 4–6: Northern Spain — Bardenas Reales (Crait) + regional culinary stops in Tudela.
Days 7–9: UK studio cluster — combined private studio access, London exhibits and themed dining.
Days 10–12: Norway (Finse) for Hoth scenes, with lodge nights and north-lights photography in season.
Days 13–14: Redwood forests in California for Endor — fly via a US gateway and wrap with a cinematic forest walk.

How to secure VIP access: concierge moves that actually work

Access will be the battleground in the Filoni era. Here are proven tactics to convert wishlists into confirmed experiences.

Subscribe and alert: Sign up for Lucasfilm, local tourism boards, and studio newsletters — they release limited visitor passes and pop-ups first to subscribers.
Concierge-first bookings: Use a travel concierge (or Privilege-style service) to lock hotel room blocks and hold studio/boat spots; concierges often have producer or destination contacts who can secure extras. Read more on hotel membership and concierge models in our hotel memberships guide.
Permit and guide coordination: Book licensed local guides for sensitive/regulated sites (Skellig Michael, Bardenas Reales) who can apply for landing permits and staggered arrival times.
Insurance & flexibility: Buy comprehensive travel insurance with a production-delay clause — location-based shoots are vulnerable to weather and schedule shifts.
Leverage loyalty & status: Use any airline/hotel elite status to request room upgrades and late cancellations; studios sometimes release last-minute tickets to high-tier guests.

Packing, permit and budget checklist

These are practical, on-the-ground items that streamline your pilgrimage.

Packing: Layered kit for desert nights and northern cold; weatherproof camera bag; fast-charging power banks; printed and digital copies of permits and tickets.
Permits: Bring identification and proof of booking for regulated landings (Skellig Michael), and pre-approval letters for drone use (most filming sites ban drones without explicit permission — check local safety and permitting rules).
Budget guide: Expect a range: independent 7-day pilgrimages (self-guided) from moderate budgets of roughly $2,000–3,500 per person; concierge-driven 10–14 day trips with private guides, studios access and boutique hotels typically fall into the $6,000–12,000+ range per traveler depending on private transport and exclusivity.

Scene: Filoni-era productions — what to watch for in 2026

As Filoni ramps the slate, here's how to turn announcements into travel wins:

Local production notices: National film commissions will publish location notices and road closures. Those can indicate a temporary set you may be allowed to view from a safe distance — local press and rapid-response outlets will often pick these up first.
Pop-ups and exhibitions: Lucasfilm and Disney often convert production assets into public exhibits; sign up early and track venue presales (late 2025 saw a spike in such activations).
Fan events: Fan conventions and exclusive screenings often coincide with filming — use them as hubs for curated off-site visits and meetups with local crew.

Pro tip: treat production announcements as early-warning systems for your travel calendar. When Lucasfilm lists a working location, local hotels and guides will open slots within 48–72 hours.

Safety, sustainability and respectful pilgrimage

Responsible fandom keeps locations open. Follow these rules so these sites remain accessible for future generations of fans:

Stay on marked trails; do not remove rocks or artifacts.
Hire local guides and support nearby businesses — film tourism fuels local economies.
Respect private land and studio security boundaries; never attempt to access closed sets.
Follow wildlife and conservation rules at ecologically sensitive sites (Skellig Michael, Bardenas Reales, Redwood groves).

Sample day-by-day practical checklist (what to do 90, 30, 7, 2 days out)

90 days: Lock flight and boutique hotel deposits; subscribe to studio and local tourism alerts.
30 days: Confirm boat/landing slots and private tours; forward permits to your guide and hotel concierge.
7 days: Reconfirm transfers and weather windows; purchase local SIM or global eSIM; download maps and emergency contacts.
48–2 hours: Check final weather and production notices; be prepared to pivot the Skellig landing to a scenic-pass if seas are rough.

Final notes — make it yours in the Filoni era

Filoni’s early-2026 focus on character-driven, location-forward storytelling makes now the smartest time to plan a pilgrimage. Whether you want a boutique, indulgent trip or a grassroots, boots-on-the-ground trek, the path is clearer than it was in the studio-heavy years. The golden rule of Star Wars travel is this: plan for flexibility, invest in local experts, and anchor your trip with boutique hotels that act as logistical hubs.

Actionable next step

Ready to lock dates? Start here:

Choose your itinerary (7-day Essentials or 10–14 day Grand Tour).
Book a boutique hotel with free cancellation and a concierge who will chase studio and boat tickets.
Sign up for production and tourism alerts for your chosen locations and set calendar reminders for 90/30/7 day checkpoints.

Book with a concierge if you want verified VIP access, private guides and a single checkout that bundles flights, hotels, permits and studio passes. For Filoni-era productions, that’s the only reliable way to turn sudden announcements into front-row experiences.

Call to action: Ready to build your custom Filoni-era pilgrimage? Contact Privilege.live’s travel concierges to secure limited studio access, vetted local guides and boutique hotels — we’ll draft a tailored itinerary, confirm landing windows and get you camera-ready for every cinematic moment.

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