film tourismitinerariesfan travel

Star Wars Filming Locations You Can Visit in Europe

eeuropean

2026-01-27

11 min read

Plan your 2026 Star Wars tour across Europe—Skellig Michael, Plaza de España, Lake Como, studio tips, guided tours and creator monetization hacks.

See Star Wars in Europe: real locations, guided tours and fan itineraries for 2026

Struggling to find up-to-date, local-first info on Star Wars filming spots in Europe? With a new wave of movies ramping up under the Filoni-era and fan interest spiking in 2026, this guide compiles the European locations you can actually visit, the tours and themed experiences near them, and practical booking and travel tips that reflect late‑2025 and early‑2026 changes. Whether you’re planning a week-long pilgrimage or a weekend studio hop, you’ll get on-the-ground directions, conservation rules, and monetization ideas if you’re a content creator covering the trip.

Quick takeaways (most important first)

Skellig Michael, Ireland is the must-see island that doubled as Luke Skywalker’s refuge — it’s UNESCO-protected and landing is strictly limited; book licensed boat operators months ahead.
Plaza de España, Seville is a walkable, no-permit public spot used for Naboo scenes — perfect for a themed city day with tapas and a walking tour.
Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como (Lenno) hosted scenes from Episode II — accessible by boat with paid entrance through FAI; pair with a scenic steamer day trip.
Elstree & Pinewood area, UK are studio hubs where many sets were built — public access is limited but fan events and special studio open days are on the rise in 2026.
2026 trend: studios and local film offices are turning blockbuster pipelines into paid fan experiences and AR tours — expect more official guided options but also tighter conservation rules for fragile sites.

The evolution of Star Wars tourism in 2026

In late 2025 and into 2026, two clear trends shaped movie tourism: one, the announcement of an accelerated slate of Star Wars films under Dave Filoni created renewed demand for physical locations; two, film commissions and heritage sites tightened visitor rules to protect fragile spots (Skellig Michael is the headline case). At the same time, local operators and tech startups rolled out AR-enhanced tours, live-streamed guided visits, and dynamic booking systems that make last-minute plans possible — but popularity means you must still plan ahead.

“Expect more official experiences — but also more rules. The safest way to visit a fragile site in 2026 is to verify permits with local authorities and book licensed operators.”

Top European Star Wars filming locations you can actually visit

1. Skellig Michael (County Kerry, Ireland) — Ahch‑To (Luke’s island)

Why go: The rocky monastic island's jagged silhouette became the iconic remote world where Rey finds Luke. The island appears in the recent sequel-era films and remains the highest-profile European Star Wars pilgrimage site.

Practicalities (2026):

Access: Boat trips run from Portmagee and Ballinskelligs. Landings on Skellig Michael are tightly controlled; only a limited number of visitors are allowed ashore each day during the summer season.
Booking: Book licensed operators well in advance (peak season can sell out months ahead). In 2026 many skippers now use centralised online booking platforms and issue real‑time updates for weather cancellations.
Conservation rules: Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — follow local instructions, stay on marked paths, and respect restricted seasons for seabird nesting.
Best time: Late spring to early autumn for calmer seas — but always expect cancellations. Bring warm layers and waterproof gear even in summer.

Nearby experiences: The Skellig Experience Visitor Centre in Portmagee (local exhibitions and film displays), guided boat-and-coast hikes, and nearby pubs serving local seafood. Combine Skellig with a Ring of Kerry road loop for classic Irish scenery and additional film spotting.

2. Plaza de España (Seville, Spain) — Naboo city backdrops

Why go: The semi-circular colonnade, tile work and bridges of Plaza de España were used for Naboo palace exteriors. It’s an easy, public location — perfect for fans who want an accessible day trip with photo ops.

Practicalities:

Access: Open public square — no permits needed for personal photography. For professional shoots or drones, check Seville’s local film office.
Timing: Early morning or golden hour gives the best photography with fewer tourists. Seville can be extremely hot in summer; May–June and September are sweet spots.

Nearby experiences: Book a themed walking tour that highlights filming locations across the city, pair with Flamenco evening shows, or join a tapas crawl that culminates in a film‑themed trivia night — look for fan meetups on Meetup and Eventbrite (these remain the quickest way to find pop‑up Star Wars socials in 2026).

3. Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como, Italy — Naboo retreat scenes

Why go: The villa’s terraces and lakeside gardens were used in star‑crossed scenes in Episode II. It’s cinematic, photogenic, and part of the FAI (Italian National Trust) network, so visitation is manageable and well organised.

Practicalities:

Access: Arrive by boat (steamer or private taxi) from Como or Bellagio to Lenno. Entry often requires a timed ticket; the FAI manages flow.
Booking: Book FAI tickets in advance during summer; private guided tours and photography permits are available but require advance requests.
Combine: Add Villa Carlotta and a steamer cruise for a full Lake Como film day.

Nearby experiences: Film-themed photography workshops, classic boat hires, and luxury stays that market “cinematic” packages for fans. In 2026 many local operators include AR overlays that point out scene matches on-site.

4. Elstree Studios and surrounding film sites (Hertfordshire, UK)

Why go: Elstree is part of the British film infrastructure that supported the original Star Wars and later productions. While many interiors were constructed on sound stages rather than on location, studio hubs are essential pilgrimage spots for film fans.

Practicalities (2026):

Access: Public access to active studio lots is limited. However, fan events, convention tie-ins and occasional open days are increasingly common in 2026 as studios monetise fan demand.
Alternatives: Book a private film‑location walking tour in Borehamwood or a specialised studio‑history tour run by local film guides.

Nearby experiences: Watch for special ticketed studio evenings where exhibits from franchise properties are shown, or join a behind-the-scenes talk led by former crew (these are prime content opportunities for live streamers and creators).

Other European spots and how to research them

Beyond the headline locations above, European productions historically use a mix of cities, palaces and islands as stand-ins for alien worlds. The best way to expand your itinerary safely is to:

Check national and local film commission databases (UK Film, Screen Ireland, Film in Spain, Lombardy Film Commission) — they often list notable productions and sometimes organise fan trails.
Use crowd-sourced location sites and verified fan forums for precise shot-by-shot match ups, but cross-check with local authorities before visiting restricted sites.
Follow local tour operators on social and sign up for alerts — in 2026 many operators use SMS and WhatsApp groups to announce extra slots or last-minute cancellations; integrate these with a modern travel tech stack for smoother bookings.

Guided tours, themed bars and immersive experiences — what to look for in 2026

With streaming and streaming-to-reality trends in 2025–26, operators mixed digital and IRL offerings. When choosing experiences, prioritise:

Licensed operators for fragile locations — they coordinate with heritage managers and guarantee legal access.
Mixed reality tours that overlay scenes using an app — useful at sites where set pieces are gone but the landscape remains.
Pop‑up themed nights and bars — Eventbrite and local Facebook groups list May the Fourth and movie‑night pop-ups; in 2026 major cities host recurring sci‑fi cocktail nights tied to film anniversaries.
Fan community meetups — free or low-cost options that also make great content for creators to capture live reactions or interviews. For guidance on running those meetups and monetising RSVPs, see the RSVP Monetization & Creator Tools.

Sample itineraries: two ready-to-book plans

A: Ireland & London — 7–9 days Star Wars studio + island loop

Day 1–2: Land in Dublin, travel to Killarney (train or rent). Stay in Killarney or Portmagee.
Day 3: Skellig Michael boat trip from Portmagee (book 2–3 months ahead in high season). Visit Skellig Experience Visitor Centre.
Day 4: Drive the Ring of Kerry, overnight back in Killarney.
Day 5: Fly Cork → London (or train). Evening: London film pub crawl or pop‑up event.
Day 6: Elstree / Borehamwood tour (book a guided film‑locations walk). Look for studio open day events.
Day 7: Optional Pinewood area tour or West End sci‑fi immersive show; fly home day 8–9.

Tips: Use budget airlines between Cork and London; carry travel insurance with weather-cancellation coverage for island boat trips.

B: Spain & Italy — 7–10 days Naboo, lakes and tapas

Day 1–3: Seville base — Plaza de España, themed walking tour and nightlife pop‑ups. Add a one-day film‑location walking tour.
Day 4: High-speed train to Madrid then fly to Milan (or fly Seville→Milan); overnight in Milan.
Day 5–6: Lake Como — steamer to Lenno, visit Villa del Balbianello (book FAI timed ticket), evening in Como town.
Day 7: Optional Dolomites day or return via Milan for museums and film archives.

Tips: Combine local culinary experiences with film stops — many operators offer themed dinner nights that bring scenes to life without requiring a film set.

Practical booking & travel tips — what changed in 2026

Book earlier than you think: The Filoni-era announcements increased demand across the board. For UNESCO or FAI-managed sites, book weeks to months ahead.
Use official channels: For conservation sites always verify with heritage agencies (e.g., Irish Heritage, FAI). Many private skippers or guides now partner with these agencies and sell official tickets.
Expect dynamic pricing and cancellations: Boat landings and studio days can be cancelled for weather or production needs. Build flexibility into your schedule.
Local transport hacks: Use European rail passes for multi-city overland segments (Seville→Madrid→Milan) and book low-cost regional flights for island hops. In 2026, many rail operators allow last-minute digital seat reservations via mobile apps.
Drones & photography: Commercial or drone filming may require separate permits at many European sites — check local film office rules before you fly.

Creator playbook: monetise your trip (live streams, tickets, affiliate booking)

If you’re a creator covering Star Wars locations, 2026 offers improved monetization avenues — but you need to be smart and compliant.

Pre-sell access: Offer ticketed livestreams from public locations and sell exclusive Q&A access. Use dynamic scheduling to handle last-minute cancellations.
Partner with local guides: Co-host paid, small-group experiences — you bring the audience, they bring legal access and local knowledge. See strategies on transforming pop-ups into repeatable revenue in From Pop-Up to Platform.
Affiliate bookings: Promote licensed boat operators, timed-entrance tickets and theme‑night reservations via affiliate platforms (Viator, GetYourGuide) — many operators offered updated affiliate schemes in 2025/26.
Content formats that sell: Short-form reels of scenic matches, long-form documentaries about behind-the-scenes history, and interactive AR overlays that let viewers compare film frames to reality sell well in 2026. For livestream and low-latency coverage best-practices, see the Live Streaming Stack.
Legal note: For commercial filming at heritage sites you often need a permit. Always disclose paid promotions and follow local privacy rules when filming crowds.

Safety, sustainability and respectful fandom

Film tourism can stress local ecosystems and communities. In 2026, look for operators committed to low-impact visitor practices and book only licensed tours for fragile sites. Practice Leave No Trace, avoid off-trail exploration, and support local economies by booking nearby accommodations and restaurants.

Final checklist before you go

Confirm permits and paperless tickets with operators at least 48 hours before departure.
Pack for variable weather and bring waterproofs for island and mountain shoots.
Set flexible booking windows for studio open days or pop-up events; subscribe to operator alerts.
Plan monetization and rights: if you plan to livestream, check the venue’s policy and buy any required commercial photography permits.

Why these trips matter in 2026

With fresh momentum for the franchise and studios more willing to monetise location-based experiences, European Star Wars spots are moving from fan rumor to organised tourism. That’s great for accessibility — but it also increases the need for responsible visitation and smart planning. If you go armed with verified bookings and respect for local rules, you’ll get better access and create much better content.

Actionable next steps

Decide your priority: island pilgrimage (Skellig) or mixed city + studio trip (Seville + Elstree).
Check availability for Skellig and Villa del Balbianello immediately — these fill first.
Sign up for local tour operator alerts and a major booking affiliate (Viator/GetYourGuide) if you plan to monetise.
Plan backup days for weather-sensitive landings and studio open-day cancellations.

Wrapping up — your next move

If you’re planning a Star Wars location trip in 2026, start with the priorities above, book official tickets early and pair visits with local guided experiences to unlock the best access. For creators: collaborate with local guides, add AR overlays, and pre-sell exclusive streams. The new Filoni-era slate will only increase demand — get ahead now and travel thoughtfully.

Ready to build your fan itinerary? Join our Europe travel community for live updates on openings, last-minute boat slots, and fan meetups — or book a tailored itinerary with our local guides who specialise in film‑tourism routes. May the force of good planning be with you.

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