The INSIDER Summary
• Many of the places filmed in "Star Wars" and "Rogue One" are just a plane ride away.
• From the picturesque Iceland to Death Valley National Park, these places will make the most perfect getaways.
As the much anticipated “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” hits theaters this weekend, fans will once again be transported to a galaxy far, far away.
Part of what makes the series so engaging is the magnificent setting of each scene, some of which were filmed here on Earth—and are only a plane, train, or maybe boat ride away.
We've pulled together some of our favorite locations from “Star Wars,” both from “Rogue One” and earlier (later?) installments. From tropical paradises to mountaintop villages, here's where to go for your own ultimate Star Wars journey.
Mýrdalssandur, Iceland
Iceland's dramatic scenery has made it the setting for many movies, including “Rogue One."
The black sandy beaches that appear in scenes throughout the movie can be found in Mýrdalssandur. The black sands are formed from lava. And despite the barren landscape, arctic foxes and seabirds can often be found here.
Canary Wharf Underground Station, London, England
London’s Canary Wharf Underground Station’s escalators create a high-tech setting for Stormtroopers.
Near the station, there's the Crossrail Place Roof Garden and the Museum of London Docklands, where vistiors can take in the city's history.
Laamu Atoll, Maldives
The Laamu Atoll provides the backdrop for “Rogue One”’s Scarif, the tropical base used by the Empire in the film.
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Grindelwald, in Switzerland, inspired Alderaan in “Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith,” thanks to its towering mountains.
In the winter, the slopes beckon with incredible views of the Bernese Alps. And in the summer, Grindelwald's hiking trails do the same.
Finse, Norway
The village of Finse in Norway is where the Battle of Hoth took place in “The Empire Strikes Back.”
The quaint village is prime for cross-country skiing, sail skiing as it is located on the edge of a frozen lake, Finsevatnet, and hiking in the summer. The village can only be reached by train, bike, or foot.
Pha Nga Bay, Thailand
Pha Nga Bay, near Phuket, Thailand, was the setting for the Battle of Kashyyyk in “Revenge of the Sith.”
The bay is famous for the limestone rock formations.
Death Valley National Park, California
California’s Death Valley National Park offered a backdrop in “Return of the Jedi” and “A New Hope.”
Although Death Valley is known for extreme heat and dryness, the park’s setting is magnificent thanks to its towering peaks, flat sand dunes, and rainstorms that miraculously bring in vast fields of wildflowers in the spring.
Tikal National Park, Guatemala
The location for Yanvin 4, a world of jungles and forests in “Star Wars Episode IV—A New Hope,” Tikal National Park is a popular cultural and natural preserve in Guatemala.
The vast park is a UNESCO Heritage site, and is home to ancient Maya structures.
Skellig Michael, Ireland
Ireland’s Skellig Michael, used in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” sits off the mainland's southwest coast and is home to the ruins of a monastery built between the sixth and eighth centuries. You can reach it by climbing about 600 steps.
There are boat trips around the area, and the thousands of Atlantic puffins that congregate here during the summer months are not to be missed.
Jordan
The fictional Jedha, a small desert moon that sits frosted by winter, is set in Jordan.
Stunning sites like Wadi Rum, a desert expanse where you’ll find vibrant red sands and soaring sandstone cliffs, help create the fictional land’s impressive environment. For an unforgettable trip, spend the night in a desert camp in the area to fall asleep under twinkling stars.
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: The story of Lisa Brennan-Jobs, the daughter Steve Jobs claimed wasn't his