You can actually stay at Luke Skywalker's childhood home

May the 4th is Star Wars Day – a chance for fans across the galaxy to celebrate the saga that changed cinema (and made cloaks cool). With locations spanning everything from frozen wastelands to alien deserts, the films have always made Earth look out of this world.

But you don't need a spaceship to explore the galaxy. From volcanic beaches in Iceland to remote villages in Tunisia, here's where you can step into real Star Wars sets – one of which you can even sleep in.

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Valencia | Spain

As seen in: Andor Season 2

Valencia and the surrounding region set the scene for Andor Season 2. Wander through the city and it won't be long before you stumble across the City of Arts and Science – complete with a planetarium, aquarium, opera house and some seriously sci-fi architecture. It's modern tourism at its finest and brought the planet Chandrila to life – Westworld and Doctor Who fans might recognise it too.

Drive an hour south and you'll find another Andor filming location – Xàtiva Castle, a medieval fortress that looks straight out of the Old Republic. Or if you don't fancy heading abroad, look out for Winspit Quarry in Dorset, which returns as a secret Rebel base. Its jagged limestone cliffs and abandoned quarry tunnels feel like they were made for Star Wars – minus the blaster fire.

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Fanal Forest | Madeira

As seen in: The Acolyte

This misty laurel forest in northwest Madeira stood in for the planet Khofar in The Acolyte. It's a short hike from the road, with ancient trees and rolling fog that feel straight out of the Jedi archives.

Madeira's mild climate makes it a great off-season escape. Less crowded than the Canaries, it has similar weather and warm hospitality – with shorter queues at the hotel buffet.

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Wadi Rum | Jordan

As seen in: Rogue One, The Rise of Skywalker

Wadi Rum's red sands and towering rock formations became Jedha in Rogue One and Pasaana in Episode IX. Take a 4x4 tour, or camp under the stars in the Valley of the Moon – also a filming spot for Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian and the recent version of Dune.

Not far off is Petra – considered one of the Seven New Wonders of the World and another Harrison Ford classic (The Last Crusade was filmed here too). So even if you're not wielding a lightsaber, there's plenty to explore.

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Eyjafjallajökull & Reynisfjara | Iceland

As seen in: The Force Awakens, Rogue One

Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland, a tongue-twister of a volcano, stood in for Starkiller Base in Episode VII. It's two hours from Reykjavik, along one of the most jaw-dropping drives you'll ever take. Ice floes, glaciers, caves – it's all there.

Half an hour further is Reynisfjara, a black sand beach that doubled as Eadu in Rogue One (home to Galen Erso). It's dramatic, moody, and exactly how you'd imagine an Imperial scientist's hideout to look.

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Skellig Michael | Ireland

As seen in: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi

Skellig Michael – a craggy twin-peaked island off the coast of Kerry – served as Luke's remote hideout and Rey's training ground. It's one of two UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Republic of Ireland, and the 6th-century monastery perched atop the rocks makes it feel ancient enough for Jedi history.

Getting there takes effort – a road trip from Dublin to Portmagee, then a boat to the island (weather depending). But with stops like Cashel, Limerick and Killarney along the way, the journey's half the fun.

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Hardangerjøkulen | Norway

As seen in: The Empire Strikes Back

Hardangerjøkulen is Norway's sixth-largest glacier. It can be reached easily enough during ski season by skiing in from Finse. It was used to film the exterior and establishing shots of Hoth in Episode IV – the battles were filmed in the studio with models.

Ski season only runs to the end of April, so you've just missed the chance this year. But Norway isn't short of winter, so try again in a few months.

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Laamu Atoll | The Maldives

As seen in: Rogue One

The Maldives' Laamu Atoll stood in for Scarif, the tropical base from Rogue One. And without the Death Star looming overhead, this is a dreamy island paradise.

The island is almost entirely given over to making sure visitors have a wonderful time in the clean, warm, blue-green waters. So if you're thinking of splashing out for a special trip, the Maldives will never disappoint.

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Tunisia

As seen in: A New Hope, The Phantom Menace

Tunisia is where the Star Wars universe first took shape. George Lucas shot scenes for Tatooine here back in the 70s, and the country has stayed a pilgrimage site for fans ever since.

Many of the desert scenes set in Tatooine were filmed in the south. It's the place to discover some of the galaxy's most iconic sites, including the sun-bleached remains of Mos Espa and Mos Eisley's street sets. You'll find Obi-Wan Kenobi's house in Djerba, where the beaches and historic sites would be worth the trip even without the Jedi history.

You can even stay at Luke's childhood home. Don't expect luxury from the cave rooms at Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata, but do expect plenty of Star Wars memorabilia and nostalgia from the first film. The dining room is still decked out like the Lars homestead.