10 Star Wars Summer Vacation planets

We’ve all been there: Moping around our S-161 XL luxury yachts, pouring over holo-maps, unsure which planets to visit during our upcoming summer vacation. The galaxy is a big place; it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

Fear not! (It’s the path to the dark side.) You don’t have to go far, far away to have a great summer. From the galaxy’s edge to its core, the ten planets—and stories—below are a great place to start.

1.     Batuu

Looking to really get away? Batuu is the place for you! Take a hike through the flourishing farmlands or visit Black Spire Outpost—just don’t irritate the local mob boss. Maybe you’re the treasure-hunting sort. In that case, Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities should be high on your list—or, find some treasure yourself in the nearby ruins. But be on guard: the First Order is poking around the planet looking for Resistance spies.

Delilah S. Dawson’s novel Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire—set between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker—is your ticket to this planet at the edge of the Unknown Regions.

2.     Jedha

Pilgrims from all over the galaxy visit the desert moon of Jedha. Their destination? The Holy City and the Temple of the Kyber. Many a spiritual awakening has occurred in these kyber-lined walls, home to the Church of the Force. But the Church isn’t the only religious sect you’ll find in Jedha City. Jedi, the Path of the Open Hand, Guardians of the Whills, the Brotherhood of the Ninth Door and many more vie for influence over this hallowed ground. Jedha may be seen as a place of calm, but don’t let all the talk of peace treaties and neutrality fool you. If you visit Jedha, be on your guard: There’s trouble brewing, and you’ll want to get out before any battles begin.

George Mann’s High Republic era audio drama, The Battle of Jedha, has all the details you’ll need.

3.     Ilum

Like the idea of wandering amidst kyber crystals but don’t like all the hubbub of a crowded marketplace? Skip Jedha and head right to Ilum, a chilly, snowy planet in the Unknown Regions. Legend holds that, as part of their training, Jedi younglings visited Ilum to participate in a rite called “the Gathering.” Each Jedi youngster was tasked with scouring the planet’s arctic climate for a kyber crystal from which to craft their first lightsaber. But beware of pirates! Anything goes in the Unknown Regions…

Learn more about this Jedi tradition in episode 5.6 of the animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

4.     Dagobah

If you like mucking about in the swamp, then Dagobah is the place for you. Climb trees, swing through vines and marvel at the rich wildlife. Careful where you land your ship, though. They tend to get stuck and once they do, you’ll need all the force you can muster to get that thing flying again. Fortunately, this planet is very strong with the Force. One site you won’t want to miss is the Dark Side Cave. It’s cold—and you shouldn’t carry anything in with you. But the experience shouldn’t be missed…if you can bear what you see.

Jedi Master Yoda can show you around the place. Join him in episode 6.11, “Voices,” of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

5.     Tatooine

We all know sand is coarse, irritating and gets everywhere. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth exploring the Dune Sea under the twin suns of sandy Tatooine. Skip the cities and head right out to meet the native Tusken people. You’ll need to prove yourself to these desert warriors, but if you survive the encounter, you might be treated to a mystical experience. Don’t mind the gecko in your nose—that’s just the first step to crafting your own gaderffi stick.

Take notes on how to thrive on this desolate planet from feared bounty hunter Boba Fett in “Tribes of Tatooine,” the second episode of The Book of Boba Fett.

6.     Shili

Want less sand but just as much adventure? Set course for Shili, the Togruta homeworld. The forests are dense and the wild animals fierce. It’s wise to seek out the help of a local guide. There’s a tradition among the Togruta people where a mother and child brave the forest together, hunting. But even they get taken by surprise at times, so don’t bite off more than you can chew! (Leave that to the enormous saber-tooth tiger creatures.)

Study up with “Life and Death,” the first episode in season one of Tales of the Jedi.

7.     Aldhani

Here’s an event you won’t want to miss: Mak-ani bray Dhani, or the Eye of Aldhani. Look to the skies over Aldhani every three years for a galactic wonder. The sky turns green and blue and dots of light descend from above as the planet itself moves through space crystal. If you really want the full experience, arrive ten days early and join the native Dhani people on their trek out of the lowlands to observe this important festival. But be careful: the Imperial garrison is drawing other eyes, namely, those of the Rebels. Things might get explosive…

Observe the festival with episode six of Andor, “The Eye.”

8.     Pabu

Tired of all this life and death adventuring? Then head to Pabu, a remote world covered in water and beautiful islands. Kick back with the local communities. They may be refugees of the Clone Wars but their generous hospitality is second to none. And if you’re on the run from anything—say, the Empire?—you might find yourself inclined to stay for a while. Just keep your eyes peeled: stormy seas can devastate the islands.

Prep and then relax with episode 2.13, “Pabu,” of The Bad Batch.

9.     Naboo

A beautiful world of water and forests. Cities glistening with art and architecture. Underwater marvels and above ground delights. From this place, Naboo, some of the most consequential leaders in galactic history have been formed and cheered, tried and tested. You can get an in-depth look at the kind of scenic lifestyle and family dynamics that produced the heroic queen-turned-senator, champion of Naboo and the Republic, Padmé Amidala. Observe how peace and calm mix with fierce determination.

Check out the deleted scenes from Attack of the Clones. But be cautious: Naboo doesn’t only produce heroes. Villains have been known to emerge from its façade of calm…

10.  Coruscant

No tour of the galaxy is complete without a trip to the center of it all, the galactic capital, Coruscant. This world holds some of the galaxy’s finest sights: towering cityscapes, bustling traffic, museums and dinner parties and the levers that manage power across the stars. Deeper into this citywide planet, you’ll find secrets: bounty hunters and other scum and scoundrels, secrets and deals to be made. You might even find that those levers of power being pulled at the city’s center aren’t quite as effective as the levers being pulled in the shadows of those tall, tall buildings, remnants of an old way of life…

Walk through the New Republic’s burgeoning rule of Coruscant and beyond in Chapter 19 of The Mandalorian, “The Convert.”

No matter where you head on your Star Wars summer vacation, embrace this mantra: This is where the fun begins.