Since Dune is all about the strength and majesty of the natural world, creating an artificial environment with CGI was not going to cut it. Director Denis Villeneuve set his sights firmly on Earth to find the incredible locations he’d need to give this eco-epic the life it deserves.
With filming locations in the United Arab Emirates, Norway, and Jordan, the film showcases some amazing locations in the most epic and open spaces on Earth, far off the beaten tourist track – perfect for the intrepid traveller.
With filming locations in the United Arab Emirates, Norway, and Jordan, the film showcases some amazing locations in the most epic and open spaces on Earth, far off the beaten tourist track – perfect for the intrepid traveller.
Liwa Desert, United Arab Emirates
The planet of Arrakis is nothing without its desert. There’s no society in this fictional galaxy without the desert and its valuable spice. There’s not even a book without the deserts of Dune!This all important landscape is more like a living beast than a static backdrop, so it was vital to find the right Earthbound location to represent the core planet of the film. Villeneueve and crew chose the Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi, and just to hear him describe its unmatchable scale and mesmerising variety of shapes makes you ache to be there. It’s so far beyond the restricted existence we’ve each had during the past 18 months, it almost sounds as far off and fantastical as the fictional world of Arrakis itself.
To visit Dune itself, head to the Liwa Oasis (or Bateen Liwa). Whether you want a luxury hotel or a campsite on the dunes, a tour of old historic forts or a desert safari – it’s the experience you’ve been dreaming of after the past year of lockdowns and cramped shared space.
You could also stay in Abu Dhabi. Here you’ll find all the urban excitement of a capital city, a beautiful coast, and with only a two–three hour drive to the Liwa Desert, the landscapes of Dune are still within easy reach. Not to mention that Abu Dhabi also has impressive scenic adventures of its own – like a drive along the ribbon-like road up the Jebel Hafeet, Abu Dhabi’s highest mountain.
To visit Dune itself, head to the Liwa Oasis (or Bateen Liwa). Whether you want a luxury hotel or a campsite on the dunes, a tour of old historic forts or a desert safari – it’s the experience you’ve been dreaming of after the past year of lockdowns and cramped shared space.
You could also stay in Abu Dhabi. Here you’ll find all the urban excitement of a capital city, a beautiful coast, and with only a two–three hour drive to the Liwa Desert, the landscapes of Dune are still within easy reach. Not to mention that Abu Dhabi also has impressive scenic adventures of its own – like a drive along the ribbon-like road up the Jebel Hafeet, Abu Dhabi’s highest mountain.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Arrakis isn’t all windswept dunes, so Villeneuve’s crew also spent time in the awe-inspiring desert of Wadi Rum. Its craggy, copper islands of rock scattered across the valley floor are more than mere scenery: they’re the all-important highground that keep characters safe from the monstrous sandworms ever underfoot on Arrakis.
While visions of those sandworms may haunt you the way all good movie monsters do, here on Earth you’ll be free to take your time and enjoy the epic scenery of Wadi Rum. You can take to the desert on foot, by camel, or by jeep, but always make sure you carry lots of water, and avoid travelling during the midday heat.
Beyond natural beauty, there’s also plenty of history in the area, with sites connected to TE Lawrence, as well as an enigmatic stone with carvings that are thought to date back to around 3000 BC. And to top off your Jordan itinerary with a big check on the bucket list, the unbelievable city of Petra is an easy two-hour drive away. Hewn out of rock and sandstone, this captivating city wouldn’t look out of place on Dune itself, but – like the deserts of Jordan and UAE – it proves just what mind-blowing and incredible sights can be found right here on Earth.
While visions of those sandworms may haunt you the way all good movie monsters do, here on Earth you’ll be free to take your time and enjoy the epic scenery of Wadi Rum. You can take to the desert on foot, by camel, or by jeep, but always make sure you carry lots of water, and avoid travelling during the midday heat.
Beyond natural beauty, there’s also plenty of history in the area, with sites connected to TE Lawrence, as well as an enigmatic stone with carvings that are thought to date back to around 3000 BC. And to top off your Jordan itinerary with a big check on the bucket list, the unbelievable city of Petra is an easy two-hour drive away. Hewn out of rock and sandstone, this captivating city wouldn’t look out of place on Dune itself, but – like the deserts of Jordan and UAE – it proves just what mind-blowing and incredible sights can be found right here on Earth.
Stad, Norway
We may only be staying on the planet of Caladan for a relatively brief time in Dune, but its wild coastline, rain-shaded sky, and rise and fall of lush, green peaks are such a memorable counterpoint to the vast Arrakis desert that the image of Caladan is sure to stay in your mind’s eye throughout the film. And if you think your time here was too brief then you can visit the real life filming location around Stad, in Vestlandet, Norway.
A coastal region of deep blue fjords cutting through verdant mountains, it’s the perfect destination for hikers, cyclists, surfers, and anyone eager to get back into some outdoor action. And for those who like to enjoy the stunning scenery from a coffee shop window or between museum visits, there are scores of charming cities and towns to explore – like the foodie hotspot of Stavanger and the picture-perfect Art Nouveau port town of Ålesund. While there’s a several hour drive from place to place, that’s all part of the fun of Vestlandet, as you’ll be treated to stunning scenery wherever you go.
A coastal region of deep blue fjords cutting through verdant mountains, it’s the perfect destination for hikers, cyclists, surfers, and anyone eager to get back into some outdoor action. And for those who like to enjoy the stunning scenery from a coffee shop window or between museum visits, there are scores of charming cities and towns to explore – like the foodie hotspot of Stavanger and the picture-perfect Art Nouveau port town of Ålesund. While there’s a several hour drive from place to place, that’s all part of the fun of Vestlandet, as you’ll be treated to stunning scenery wherever you go.