For generations of Star Wars fans, the deserts around Tozeur have offered the chance to step into a galaxy far, far away without leaving Earth. Here, the extraordinary rock formation of Ong Jemel and the weathered remains of Mos Espa helped bring Tatooine to life on screen, with the vast Tunisian desert providing an almost otherworldly backdrop.
Today, these evocative filming locations remain among southern Tunisia’s most fascinating attractions for visitors wanting to follow in the footsteps of the Star Wars saga.
Last updated: August 2026
Mos Espa and Ong Jemel: two Star Wars locations near Tozeur
Mos Espa is one of Tunisia’s best-preserved Star Wars filming locations. The settlement represented Mos Espa, the hometown of young Anakin Skywalker, and its streets, façades, market areas and other structures remain standing in the desert. Visitors can still walk among the surviving buildings and see elements of the original film set.
Ong Jemel is a distinctive rock formation in the nearby Chott el-Gharsa salt flats.
The two locations are close to one another and are commonly visited together on 4×4 excursions from Tozeur or Nefta.
The precise journey between the sites varies according to the route and desert conditions, so it is better to think of them as nearby filming locations rather than a fixed 20-minute drive apart.
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The Mos Espa set: what was built in the Tunisian desert?
A desert streetscape of around 20 purpose-built structures was constructed near Tozeur to create the spaceport town of Mos Espa on Tatooine.
The buildings were designed with Tunisian architecture in mind, but transformed into the strange, otherworldly settlement seen in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
The set includes streets, arches, façades and moisture-vaporator props, allowing visitors to walk through a genuine piece of the Star Wars production rather than simply viewing the surrounding desert landscape.
Computer-generated imagery also made Mos Espa appear considerably larger than the physical set. Only the lower sections of many buildings were constructed, while digital effects created the upper levels and expanded the settlement into the much larger city seen on screen.
Which Star Wars scenes were filmed at Mos Espa?
The set represented the streets and marketplace of Mos Espa, where young Anakin Skywalker lived with his mother, Shmi, and where Qui-Gon Jinn, Anakin, Jar Jar Binks, and Watto appear in The Phantom Menace.
Visitors can still recognize landmarks including Watto’s junk shop, the marketplace, and elements of the Mos Espa Grand Arena, including its grandstand, pit area, starting grid and viewing platform.
Mos Espa Returned in Attack of the Clones
Mos Espa returned to the screen in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. After Anakin Skywalker experiences disturbing visions of his mother, he and Padmé Amidala travel to Tatooine in search of her.
The Mos Espa set was redressed and reused for the film, including Anakin’s encounter with Watto at his junk shop and a scene in which Anakin speaks with Jawas.
The sandstorm that nearly destroyed Mos Espa during filming
An unexpected severe sandstorm struck the desert near Tozeur, Tunisia, during the filming of The Phantom Menace in 1997, devastating much of the newly built Mos Espa set.
The storm struck on the night after the third day of shooting, with ferocious winds tearing through the location and scattering or destroying buildings, tents, props, costumes, and Podracer equipment.
The damage was so extensive that production schedules had to be rearranged while the sets were rebuilt.
Crew members worked at extraordinary speed, with even the Tunisian army helping reconstruct parts of Mos Espa. Despite the setback, the production managed to leave Tunisia on its originally scheduled date.
It’s ironic that the desert that had threatened to destroy Mos Espa during filming eventually began reclaiming the abandoned set by gradually burying parts of the fictional city beneath its sands.
What is Ong Jemel?
Ong Jemel, whose Arabic name literally translates to “Neck of the Camel,” is a natural rock formation shaped like a camel’s neck.
Located on the edge of the Chott el-Gharsa salt flats in the Sahara Desert, it was a prominent Star Wars filming location. Ong Jemel is worth visiting because of its dramatic desert views and climbing opportunities, neither of which is provided at the flat Mos Espa movie set.
Ong Jemel and the Darth Maul desert scenes
Even though Ong Jemel has no physical film sets, fans visit the site used for iconic scenes in both Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace and Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
The mesa and surrounding area near the rock formation, which represented the wilderness outside Mos Espa, are where Darth Maul lands his Sith infiltrator ship and releases probe droids to hunt for Queen Amidala.
Mos Espa today: what is actually left?
Enthusiasts should keep in mind that the sands of the Sahara Desert are slowly reclaiming Mos Espa. However, even though the film set is deteriorating because of sandstorms and blistering heat, visitors can still walk the streets and between the domed structures of the fictional Star Wars city.
Local vendors and souvenir stalls are often set up around the structures, transforming the film set into an open-air market. Camel rides and other tourist activities are also common in the area.
Is Mos Espa worth visiting if you are not a Star Wars fan?
Mos Espa is generally only worth visiting if you are a Star Wars fan. It is not a polished movie set attraction, museum, or preserved movie studio, but rather a weathered movie set in a remote location.
However, the dunes of the Sahara Desert, the Chott el-Gharsa salt lake, desert landscapes, and Ong Jemel will appeal visually to many travelers, as will the 4×4 desert crossing to the location.
How to visit Mos Espa and Ong Jemel from Tozeur
Tozeur is the most practical base for visiting both Mos Espa and Ong Jemel, as most Star Wars location excursions take place from the city.
Visitors can expect to spend 3 to 5 hours on half-day tours, depending on stops and the selected route; 4×4 jeep tours are the standard option because traveling to Ong Jemel and the surrounding desert dunes involves off-road terrain.
Some access to Mos Espa itself may be possible by normal road depending on conditions, but attempting independent off-road driving in the desert is unnecessary.
For an affordable, focused Star Wars outing, this private 4×4 tour concentrates on the main filming locations around Tozeur, including Mos Espa and Ong Jemel.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Ong Jemel and Mos Espa is from October to April, when temperatures in Tunisia’s southern desert are more comfortable for exploring the exposed landscape and film sets.
Spring and autumn are particularly pleasant, while winter offers cooler days but can bring chilly desert evenings. If visiting during the warmer months is unavoidable, an early-morning visit is preferable.
Sunset tours are also popular, as the set and surrounding dunes transform with vibrant hues in the low light.
Wind can affect visibility, so visitors should always carry a scarf or some form of face protection. Additionally, bring water, wear a good quality sunscreen, and choose sensible shoes.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Base | Tozeur |
| Mos Espa GPS | 33.9943, 7.8428 |
| Ong Jemel GPS | 34.0160, 7.9124 |
| From Tozeur | Mos Espa is about 40 km away |
| Getting there | 4x4 tour is the easiest option; Mos Espa also has road access |
| Time needed | 3–5 hours for both; allow 1–2 hours at Mos Espa |
| What to see | Mos Espa film set, desert scenery and Ong Jemel rock formation |
| Best time | October to April; early morning or sunset in warmer weather |
| Mos Espa entry | Open to the public; no admission fee |
| Bring | Water, sunscreen, scarf or face covering, and sensible shoes |
| Nearby | Nefta, Chott el-Gharsa and the Corbeille of Nefta |
How long to spend at Mos Espa
Allow 1 to 2 hours to explore the Mos Espa film set. This gives enough time to walk around the remarkably preserved buildings, identify familiar locations, and take photographs. Around 30 minutes is enough for a basic walk through the surviving set. Serious Star Wars fans may need much more time on the set.
What to combine with Mos Espa and Ong Jemel
There is so much more to see and do in southwestern Tunisia than Star Wars film locations. Dedicate a day to visiting:
Chott el-Gharsa, a massive salt flat and intermittent salt lake near Tozeur and the Algerian border.
Roughly 25 km from Tozeur is Nefta, an ancient desert oasis and town.
The Corbeille of Nefta is a natural amphitheater or gully that resembles a giant open basket.
Tozeur is an ancient desert city renowned for its yellow-brick architecture and massive palm oasis.
Sidi Bouhlel Canyon has been dubbed the “Star Wars Canyon” because it was selected for the filming of multiple iconic desert scenes.
The Chebika mountain oasis is a stunning paradise on the edge of the desert at the foot of the Djebel el Negueb mountains.
Tamerza is Tunisia’s largest mountain oasis and is famous for its dramatic desert waterfall and old village left in ruins.
The dramatic Midès Canyon, sculpted by wind-and-water erosion over countless years, is on the Algerian border and is home to a mountain oasis.
For a full-day introduction to the region, this highly rated private 4×4 tour combines Mos Espa and Ong Jemel with Chebika, Tamaghza, Mides Canyon and Chott el-Gharsa.
Other Star Wars filming locations in Tunisia
Parts of the Mos Espa slave quarters, featured in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, were filmed at the Ksar Hadada.
The interior of the Lars Homestead on Tatooine was filmed in the Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata.
The Chott el-Djerid dried salt lake was selected as the iconic exterior location for the Lars Homestead. This location was also used in A New Hope, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith.
Sidi Bouhlel Canyon (Star Wars Canyon) was another location selected for exterior desert shots.
Ajim is a fishing port on Djerba Island that served as the main filming location for the exterior of the Mos Eisley Cantina in the 1977 movie Star Wars: A New Hope.
Sidi Jemour on Djerba Island served as a filming location for Anchorhead.
Conclusion
Mos Espa is one of the rare major Star Wars sets that visitors can still walk through decades after filming. Nearby Ong Jemel is a separate natural filming location, but together they make an easy and rewarding Star Wars excursion from Tozeur.
For somewhere comfortable to stay before or after exploring the desert, compare hotels in Tozeur and find the best option for your dates.
