After successfully reviving the Dune franchise in 2021, director Denis Villeneuve was on a mission to create something entirely new in his 2024 sequel, which is why he asked production designer Patrice Vermette to find all-new filming locations for the highly anticipated sci-fi epic. The latter won an Oscar for his work on the Timothée Chalamet-led film; he proudly accepted the challenge of finding the perfect places for the battle between the Fremen and the Harkonnens, as shared with Architectural Digest. Chalamet plays Paul Atreides, the Fremen’s new Messiah who’s forced to follow his head and marry the Emperor’s daughter, Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) rather than following his heart and moving forward with his true love, Chani (Zendaya).
The Dune 2 filming locations weren’t easy to scout, but Vermette took his boss’ request seriously. While the movie visits some of the same countries as its predecessor, the crew made sure to make each one as unique as possible, using at least 40% more square footage of sets. Africa’s beauty is visible in the desert of Namibia and we see the incredible Valley of the Moon in Jordan where the Fremen live more up close and personally than ever before. What Vermette couldn’t find organically, Villeneuve was able to shoot at Hungarian soundstages, such as Origo Film Studios and Hungexpo. Fans of the adventure series won’t be able to visit those spots, but there are many other must-see places from Dune 2 you can easily plan a trip to – keep reading to find out more!
The Namib Desert, Namibia
- Key Scenes: A vision of the future planet of Arrakis, which has been newly replenished with water
- Best Time to Visit: May to September is Namibia’s dry season; visitors during this time can expect mild daytime temperatures and clear, sunny skies
- Transportation Options: You won’t want to venture out on your own, but Discover Africa offers a Namib Desert Safari tour with a five-star rating
The stunning Namib Desert is one of the few places in the world where a desert touches the ocean, so it was a no-brainer for Villeneuve and Vermette to pick it as a Dune 2 filming location. “Denis always dreamed of having a place where the ocean meets the sand dunes. To my knowledge, you find that in Qatar and Namibia. For Qatar, you need to wait for high tides. In Namibia, it’s like a wall. It’s the desert and then a drop to the waves, and I think that’s what the movie needed for that vision,” the latter told AD.
While the African-shot scene is brief, it was one of the film’s most-talked-about moments thanks to Anya Taylor Joy. Her casting in the Dune sequel was so secret that her name doesn’t appear in the end credits, and few cast and crew members were present to film with the blonde starlet. “We signed with our blood the fact that Anya Taylor Joy was in the plane with us. Even my kids didn’t know,” the production designer added.
Things to Do: The 3-hour quad, biking and sand-boarding excursion will allow you to explore the Namib desert quickly, but if you want something a bit longer to see how the Fremen live, try the 3-day desert camping tour from Windhoek.
Where to Eat: Popular restaurants in the nearby city of Swakopmund include Old Steamer (vegetarian friendly), Ocean Cellar (sushi) and Gabriele’s Italian Pizzeria.
Where to Stay: For a luxurious experience, check out Le Mirage Resort & Spa. If you’re the outdoorsy type, the Desert Quiver Camp might be more your speed.
Brion Tomb in Altivole, Italy
- Key Scenes: Kaitain exteriors were shot in the gardens and the interiors at the beginning of the film were shot inside the cemetery’s chapel
- Best Time to Visit: Hotel prices in the Altivole area are the lowest between March and May, according to Trip Advisor
- Transportation Options: Archigardener suggests taking the Regionale Train towards Bassona del Grappa for a few Euros each way then stopping at Catelfranco Veneto. From there, walk through the historic castle to the #204 Autolinea Bus towards Cavaso del Tomba for another few Euros; then it’s just a short walk from the stop to the Brion Tomb.
Altivole is a small, northern Italian town with a population of about 7,000. The local Brion Tomb Cemetery was designed by Carlo Scarpa, who’s been an inspiration to Vermette for over three decades. After the creative influenced the production designer’s work in 2021’s Dune (specifically the planets Caladan and Arakeen), Vermette was eager to secure approval to film at the historic site. Property managers almost didn’t allow Villeneuve and his crew on the grounds, but after a member of the Brion family was confirmed to be a fan of the film franchise, things worked out in Hollywood’s favor.
Things to Do: Caselle di Altivole is a beautiful church to stop by while in Altivole, and the small town offers several scenic walking trails.
Where to Eat: BBQ lovers can grab a bite at Ponte Peron, or the nearby Locanda Baggio is Michelin-recognized for their Italian cuisine and seafood.
Where to Stay: Places to stay in tiny Altivole are limited, but the Agriturismo Barco di de Faveri Luvio & Mario farmhouse is a rustic option with good reviews.
Valley of the Moon, Jordan
- Key Scenes: The Fremen in their natural habitat; Dabet Hanut was the filming location for the Cave of Birds exteriors, the Reverend Mother’s chapel and the wind traps
- Best Time to Visit: Springtime (March to May) and autumn (September to November) is when the weather in Jordan is most temperate
- Transportation Options: The Valley of the Moon is about 3.5 hours from Amman and over an hour from Aqaba and Petra; bus tours can be arranged through hotels and local travel agents, or you can negotiate a taxi from the latter two cities
As Get By Bus notes, the planet of Arrakis doesn’t exist in real life, but concept artists were able to design a small-scale model of Arrakeen and place it between the existing mountain ranges. During Dune 2, viewers get a clear view of the area’s beauty as the Harkonnens launch an attack against the Fremen. Elsewhere in Jordan, the Al-Siq Gorge can be recognized in the scene where Chani appears in Paul’s dreams to lead him through a canyon.
Things to Do: Take in the UNESCO World Heritage Site via hot air balloon tour, or enjoy lunch and the sunset with a guide helping you through the Wadi Rum Desert for as low as $100/person.
Where to Eat: Rum Castle has been described as the best restaurant in Wadi and the nearby Aldabur Meat Store boasts five stars for its delicious BBQ.
Where to Stay: Immerse yourself in local culture at the Bedouin Lifestyle Camp, where breakfast is included with your stay along with traditional music, dancing and comfortable tents. There’s also the Memories Aicha Luxury Camp, which offers guests unique stargazing experiences from their glass dome suites.
Liwa Oasis, Abu Dhabi
- Key Scenes: Parts of the eclipse scene, essential dune landscape shots
- Best Time to Visit: Winter (December to March) is a great time to visit the Liwa Oasis if you want to avoid being scorched by the hot sun
- Transportation Options: The only way to access this Dune 2 filming location is by car; it’s about 4 hours from Dubai and the trip isn’t recommended to be done in one day if you want to make the most of your time there
“Did it influence the way we shot the movie? Tremendously,” the movie’s director told The National News. “I wrote the screenplay then I came to the desert and I designed all the shots according to the landscape,” he added. In particular, filming the Dune 2 eclipse scene in Abu Dhabi raised some challenges. “For the eclipse scene alone we shot in 12 different locations across two countries. To facilitate shooting throughout the day regardless of the direction of the sun, we found multiple dunes in the desert near the Liwa Oasis in Abu Dhabi that had the same patterns but faced opposite directions, allowing for continuity without restricting the schedule.”
Things to Do: Spoil your lover with a Romantic Dune Dinner, or coast through some of the Liwa Oasis’ highest dunes in a 4×4.
Where to Eat: Quick bites can be purchased at the Amber Rolls Restaurant and Grill, about 22 miles outside of the desert.
Where to Stay: The Liwa Nights Bedouin Glamping Retreat is a one-of-a-kind experience, but if you prefer traditional accommodations, the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort By Anantara is the top-rated in the area.