Celebrate Star Wars 50th Anniversary!

For a story that begins “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” Star Wars has always had good taste in filming locations; when George Lucas needed a planet that looked timeless, mysterious, and unlike anything we had ever seen, he didn’t build one on a computer; he came to Tunisia…

Now, as the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of Star Wars in 2027, we invite you to visit the country that gave the galaxy its most famous desert, and then discover something even older than Tatooine... the Medina of Tunis.

Star Wars has hyper-drives, we have alleyways that have successfully confused visitors (and us) for 13 centuries. Star Wars has light-sabers; we have master artisans who still carve wood, sculpt plaster, and shape iron using ancestral techniques. Star Wars has droids; we still believe conversations with real people are more interesting.

The galaxy is busy inventing faster spaceships, the Medina has mastered the art of slowing down. Behind every Medina wooden door, lies a courtyard with someone insisting you come in for tea; no special effects, no green screens, just a thousand years of uninterrupted urban life.

You should visit southern Tunisia, where the landscape and film locations are spectacular, but once you’ve crossed Tatooine off your list, head north, because Tunisia has another masterpiece, one that wasn’t built for a movie; it was built for life.

At Dar Ben Gacem, we don’t promise you’ll meet Jedi Masters, but our neighbors are interested in discussing football (soccer for the Americans), and whose grandmother makes the best couscous. Our rooms have no holograms, they do have centuries-old ceilings, peaceful courtyards, and breakfasts capable of restoring even the most exhausted intergalactic traveler.

Star Wars was imagined by filmmakers, the Medina has welcomed merchants, scholars, artisans, travelers, and dreamers for 13 centuries. In 2027, celebrate 50 years of Star Wars by discovering its magical filming location, and then spend a few days somewhere even more extraordinary... after all, galaxies come and go, but the Medina of Tunis outlasted empires.

May the Force be with you… And may your GPS be patient.

To celebrate 50 years of Star Wars, ask about our special promotion for families and fans!