Matmata
مطماطة
An underground cave village where Berbers have lived for generations. At Hotel Sidi Driss here, the Star Wars set of Lars Homestead, Luke Skywalker’s childhood home, was filmed.
Matmata lies in the arid hills of Gabès Governorate in southern Tunisia. To shelter from the heat and cold, the Berbers dug circular pits about 10 meters across down into the ground as courtyards. From these they carved rooms, granaries and animal pens sideways, creating a distinctive underground dwelling. Some families still live here, and visitors can enter with a local guide to see traditional life such as grinding grain and weaving. The most famous site is Hotel Sidi Driss, where Star Wars: A New Hope (1976) was filmed. It served as the Lars Homestead, Luke Skywalker’s childhood home on the planet Tatooine, and some of the dining-room sets are still preserved. Fans can stay overnight or visit (a small entry fee applies; check on site). Nearby New Matmata and the hill village of Tamezret are also worth a visit. Matmata is about 45 km from Gabès and is usually a stop on the southern desert loop. The loop links Douz, the gateway to the Sahara where you can ride camels and go desert camping, with the Berber granary fortresses (ksour) of the Tataouine region. The Ksar Ouled Soltane granary fortress is also a filming location for the Star Wars prequels.
Opening hours
All day (entering homes requires a guide or the owner's consent)
Nearby sights
- Ajim Ferry Port
- Sidi Jmour
- Guellala Pottery Village
- Guellala Heritage Museum
- Djerbahood (Erriadh Street Art Village)
- El Ghriba Synagogue
- Houmt Souk Medina & Souks
- Borj Ghazi Mustapha (Borj el-Kebir)