While Tunisia is famous for its Mediterranean beaches and ancient historical ruins, it’s also home to a site known by sci-fi fans around the world: Mos Espa, the hometown of Anakin Skywalker! This film set for the Star Wars prequel movies is a historical ruin in itself, currently left standing in the middle of the desert.
For fans of the Star Wars movies or travelers looking for a unique photo opportunity, a trip to the Mos Espa set is an adventure into “a galaxy far, far away,” Tunisian style.
Why did Star Wars film in Tunisia, and what scenes were filmed here?
George Lucas first chose Tunisia as the backdrop for the planet Tatooine in 1977, during the filming of Star Wars: A New Hope. Inspired by the town of Tataouine in southern Tunisia, Lucas saw the country’s salt flats, sand dunes, and rugged terrain as the perfect stand-in for a planet on the edge of the galaxy. He ended up naming the iconic planet Tattooine after that town!
When it came time to film Episode I: The Phantom Menace in the 1990s, Lucas returned to Tunisia. He and his crew built the Mos Espa set in an isolated stretch of desert outside Nefta, a small oasis town in the south near Tozeur.
The crew constructed a desert streetscape, featuring Anakin Skywalker’s childhood neighborhood, Watto’s junk shop, the podrace hangar used by Sebulba, and more. These settings served as important scenes in the film, including young Anakin’s first meetings with Qui-Gon Jinn, Padmé Amidala, and Jar Jar Binks.
Rather than dismantle the set once filming wrapped, Lucasfilm just decided to leave it behind. Since then, the site has transformed into somewhat of a pilgrimage spot for Star Wars fans!
What exactly can you see at the Mos Espa film set today?
Visiting Mos Espa feels feels like a surreal collision of sci-fi, Roman ruin aesthetics, and traditional Berber/Amazigh architecture all at the same time.
You’ll find dozens of buildings that are not technically real, but rather hollow movie props made of plaster, fiberglass and wood. You’ll also see the iconic Tattooine moisture vaporators still standing around, affixed to the ground.
Overall, this is truly a deserted movie set set in a harsh desert environment. There are no people living here, no shops, and no facilities.
Still, the area is filled with local guides offering camel rides, trinkets, and ATV trips to the nearby rock formation of Ong Jemel, so be prepared for that.
One fun surprise for us: About 15 minutes back toward Nefta, just outside the film set, we spotted a sign for desert-baked bread and pulled over. A Berber/Amazigh woman was chatting with her friends around a fire and invited us to join them. She baked the bread directly in the sand in the traditional style of the region and offered it to us with olive oil. We ended the day sharing good company and warm bread as the sun started setting!
Know before you go to Mos Espa
A trip to Mos Espa requires planning, as it is truly in the middle of nowhere.
Cost: Visiting Mos Espa is completely free, as it’s an abandoned movie set with no entry fees or official management. However, expect to be approached by self-appointed “guides” offering tours. These are usually locals hoping to make some quick money from tourists, and their information may be vague or embellished. You’re free to explore on your own without paying anyone.
Location: The set is located in the Chott el-Gharsa, a dry salt flat region in the desert outside of the cities of Tozeur and Nefta. There is one main road that you can use to drive there.
How to Get There: While it is possible to go with a normal sedan, it’s probably better to go with a 4×4 vehicle, especially if you want to ride around in the sandy desert terrain and enjoy a true desert experience. But you’re fine going in your normal car, too.
Interested in visiting Mos Espa?
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