Where Was Dune Filmed? (& Can You Visit?)

Sci-fi fans, it’s time to return to sandy Arrakas for the hotly anticipated second installment of Denis Villeneuve’s movie adaptation of Dune, Frank Herbet’s seminal novel of the same name. While Dune: Part Two is positively star studded – Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgård and Christopher Walken all star – the real scene stealer(s) are, once again, the stunning desert landscapes. So where was Dune filmed? And how can we find ourselves in the dunes? Here are all of the filming locations to know for Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two.

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(L-R) TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET as Paul Atreides and ZENDAYA as Chani in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “DUNE: PART TWO,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Where Was Dune Filmed?

Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two were filmed in various locations, mainly in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and in studios in Budapest, Hungary.

Are The Desert Scenes Real?

Yes, Dune was really filmed in the desert. As director Villeneuve recently told The National News, ‘You cannot create those shots that we’ve made on a soundstage in a back lot.’ That said, lots of other scenes were filmed in studios in Budapest.

Where Were The Desert Scenes Filmed?

Dune: Part Two’s desert scenes were filmed in Abu Dhabi, specifically at the Liwa Oasis, as well as at Wadi Rum in Jordan. Dune: Part One’s desert scenes were also mainly filmed at Wadi Rum.

A scene from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “DUNE: PART TWO,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Dune Filming Locations

Brion Tomb – Altivole, Italy

A brand new location appears at the beginning of Dune: Part Two, and it’s not sandy like we’re used to. The Kaitain scenes with Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) and Reverend Mother Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling) were filmed in Altivole, Italy, specifically at the Brion Tomb. A postmodernist concrete burial ground featuring buildings, zen gardens and water features, the Brion Tomb is a family tomb, and was designed by architect Carlo Scarpa between 1968–78. Dune: Part Two is the first movie to ever be filmed here, with the Brion family, big fans of Dune: Part One, giving production the go ahead.

Can You Visit? Yes, but be warned that it’s tricky to find. Via Brioni, 31030 San Vito di Altivole, Italy

FLORENCE PUGH as Princess Irulan in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “DUNE: PART TWO,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Liwa Oasis – Abu Dhabi, UAE

For those famous sandy scenes, Dune: Part Two took to the real dunes of Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Oasis, on the border with Saudi Arabia and part of the huge Rub’ al Khali Desert (or the ‘Empty Quarter’), which spreads into Oman and Yemen as well as Saudi Arabia.

Can You Visit? Yes, plenty of tour operators offer day trips and activities in the Liwa Oasis from Abu Dhabi.

Wadi Rum – Jordan

In Dune: Part One, however, most of the desert scenes were filmed in Jordan’s Wadi Rum, also known as the ‘Valley of the Moon’, a UNESCO world heritage site and expansive desert creating the vast dunes Frank Herbert originally imagined.

In Part Two, Jordan makes a return, with Wadi Rum reappearing, as well as a brand new location, Al-Siq Gorge near Wadi Araba.

Can You Visit? Yes, and there are plenty of tour packages and guides to choose from.

REBECCA FERGUSON as Lady Jessica in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “DUNE: PART TWO,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Stadlandet, Norway

In Dune: Part One, Norway also appears, with Atreides’ home planet of Caladan filmed in Stadlandet.

Can You Visit? Yes – and there’s plenty to do and explore while you’re there.

Budapest, Hungary

Most of the rest of the movie was filmed at Origo Film Studios and at the vast Hungexpo exhibition hall, both in Budapest. These huge, high-tech spaces are perfect for creating large sets, and have recently hosted the likes of Poor Things, Inferno and Blade Runner.

Can You Visit? The studios? Not unless you have a blockbuster ready for production. But the city is ripe for your exploration otherwise. Here’s how we would spend 48 Hours in Budapest.

(L-R) TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET as Paul Atreides and AUSTIN BUTLER as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “DUNE: PART TWO,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

WATCH

Dune: Part Two is in cinemas now.