Astro-Tourism: The Best Destinations for an Astro-Adventure

From admiring crystal-clear constellations to travelling to see the Northern Lights, astro-tourism has been steadily gaining momentum in recent years. Set to become one of the most popular travel trends of 2025, the number of travellers visiting locations to see the Aurora Borealis has gone up by 53%, while almost a third (28%) of travellers plan to visit Dark Sky Reserves this year.

To help you plan your next astro-adventure, we ranked the top locations worldwide and in the UK for astro-tourism and stargazing. We indexed destinations based on how likely you are to see dazzling night skies and the Northern Lights. Our study considered key factors such as latitude, average elevation, light pollution and how frequently travellers see and post about the Northern Lights on Instagram. From Iceland to the Yorkshire Dales, read on to discover the top international astro-tourism destinations, as well as where to see the best celestial skies in the UK.

Top International Destinations for Astro-Tourism

Follow on for our top five international destinations for catching world-class starry skies, including where to see the Northern Lights.

astro tourism world wide destinations

1. Interlaken, Switzerland

Located between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland, Interlaken takes the top spot for international stargazing destinations. Light pollution is low in this sleepy mountain town, while the average elevation is around 3,401 metres – giving visitors optimal conditions for stargazing. When the conditions are right, it’s even possible to see the Milky Way with the naked eye in Switzerland. Meanwhile, there’s a chance you might get to see the Northern Lights here too. According to our data, there are more than 60 Instagram posts of Aurora Borealis posts in Interlaken.Perched on the lakes and nestled in the mountains, Interlaken is popular for winter and water sports, making it an excellent destination for adventure-seekers too.

2. Reykjavik, Iceland

For many travellers, seeing the Northern Lights is the stuff of lifelong dreams. With the highest latitude on our list, Reykjavik’s northern location offers the best chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis. As the capital of Iceland, light pollution in Reykjavik is higher than in other locations on our list. You can combat this by getting out of the city with a guided Northern Lights excursion, where you’ll find remote locations where the sky is dark, and the conditions are just right. A true hotspot for astro-tourism, Reykjavik also has the highest number of social media posts of the Northern Lights on Instagram at 41,813. Boasting spectacular natural scenery, wildlife watching, and stargazing experiences, the idyllic conditions are one of many reasons why Icelandic cruises have become so popular. Many cruise itineraries transport you across the Arctic Circle, connecting you to some of the finest locations for seeing the Northern Lights. The best time to visit is between September and March when the nights are at their darkest.

3. Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Canada

Across the Atlantic in the Great White North, the third-best destination for astro-tourism is Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is the first of its kind, combining the breathtaking scenery of the Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta and the Glacier National Park in Montana. With a high latitude, an average elevation of 1,481 metres and low light pollution, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is the perfect spot for stargazing. It’s also the second-best location for seeing the Northern Lights on our list, with more than 10,000 posts on Instagram featuring the Aurora Borealis.

4. Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Set off to the highest point in the Hawaiian Islands to catch a glimpse of some of the most remarkable sunsets and dark skies in the world. The Mauna Kea summit is home to various global astronomical observatories for good reason. Though dormant, Mauna Kea is the tallest volcano in the world. And with an average elevation of 3,978 m, it’s the spot with the highest elevation on our list. Meanwhile, light pollution is extremely low, offering some of the clearest views of the night sky. So much so that the scientific community can observe galaxies at the very edge of the observable universe from Mauna Kea. Visitors can trek to the summit of the mountain and witness heavenly views as coral skies melt into the horizon. At night, stargazers have been known to see shooting stars, the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy with the naked eye.

5. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

The Salar de Uyuni salt flats is one of the top stargazing locations in the world, and a unique location offering two natural spectacles in one visit. With the lowest latitude on our list, this destination is all about the stars, rather than the Northern Lights. Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is the world’s largest salt flat, known for its ethereal landscapes and stargazing conditions. The best time to visit is during the rainy season between November and March, when the water on the salt flats reflects the sky like a mirror. The flats are breathtaking at sunset as the clouds reflect the flats as if the heavens have opened. Meanwhile, at night, the high-altitude desert is completely isolated with zero light pollution. Visitors can enjoy crystal clear conditions to marvel at the galaxies as the flats mirror the stars in a seemingly never-ending night sky. A true bucket-list destination.

Top UK Destinations for Astro-Tourism

There are plenty of incredible stargazing locations right here in the UK, if you know where to look. Explore our top destinations for astro-tourism if you’re planning a stargazing staycation or road trip to the countryside.

astro tourism uk destinations

1. Snowdonia, Wales

If you’re looking for the world’s clearest skies closer to home, the Eryri National Park Dark Sky Reserve in Snowdonia is one of 22 international Dark Sky Reserves. With low light pollution and the highest elevation (700 metres) on our list of UK destinations, Snowdonia, Wales, offers the best stargazing conditions in the UK. There’s no need for telescopes here. You can see constellations such as Orion the Hunter, the Seven Sisters, the Summer Triangle, Cygnus, Cassiopeia and even the Milky Way with binoculars or the naked eye. The Snowdonia National Park covers approximately 18% of Wales’ land area, with optimal stargazing conditions just about anywhere. One of the best spots is Llyn y Dywarchen between September and March.

2. Wasdale (Scafell Pike), Cumbria

Perched beneath the highest peak in England, Scafell Pike, Wasdale Head is one of the best places for stargazing in the Lake District. Thanks to its remote location and zero light pollution, Wasdale Head has earned Dark Sky Discovery Site status. It’s also famous for boasting England’s deepest lake. Wasdale ranks the second highest for elevation on our list at 351 metres, offering a clear view of the stars from the peaks of the Lake District. When the conditions are right, you can easily stargaze from the car park when you arrive. Otherwise, more experienced and adventurous hikers may wish to view the stars from one of the nearby peaks.

3. Derwentwater, Cumbria

Close to Keswick town centre in the Lake District, Derwentwater is the third-best spot in the UK for stargazing in our rankings, with an average elevation of 265 metres. With stunning lake and woodland views, it’s the perfect location to spend an evening of stargazing – especially if you’ve spent the day hiking the Catbells circular or at Friars Crag viewing point. The Derwent Waterside Park Visitor Centre is an ideal spot to park up and soak up the starry skies, escaping from the local hustle and bustle with low light pollution.

4. North York Moors, Yorkshire

Much like Cumbria, the North York Moors is known for its impressive dark skies, with zero light pollution and an average elevation of 237 metres. Another International Dark Sky Reserve in the UK, the North York Moors celebrates their breathtaking stargazing conditions with an annual Dark Skies Festival. The festival runs from mid-February to early March in collaboration with the Yorkshire Dales National Park. However, you’re bound to see extraordinary skies anytime during autumn, winter and spring when the moon is less visible. Some of the best places for star and galaxy-gazing include the National Park Centres at Sutton Bank and Danby, as well as Dalby Observatories at Dalby Forest. Each location is a Dark Sky Discovery Site, where you can often see the Milky Way.

5. Yorkshire Dales (Richmond), Yorkshire

In the UK, we’re fortunate to have a handful of recognised Dark Sky Reserves right on our doorstep. With an average elevation of 166 metres and close to no light pollution, the Yorkshire Dales rounds off our top five best destinations for astro-tourism in the UK. Among the beautiful peaks, natural landscapes, and wildlife, the Yorkshire Dales National Park is another designated International Dark Sky Reserve in the UK.There are various charming, remote towns to explore in the Dales, such as Hawes, Malham and Reeth, offering plenty of opportunities to stargaze. You can also find a range of tours across the Dales to learn more about stargazing and the night sky.

Plan your next astro-adventure with Planet Cruise

Whether you’re excited to visit some of the world’s finest natural spectacles or planning a cosmic adventure here in the UK, we hope our list of top destinations has put a twinkle in your eye. Each destination has something unique to offer, no matter how far you travel. Arctic cruises in Iceland, Canada and Scandinavia are some of the best ways to see the dark skies, stars and Northern Lights, as you’re already out at sea where there’s no light pollution. Discover dedicated Northern Lights cruises and Arctic cruises to satisfy your wanderlust, or browse our best cruise deals and offers and find your next amazing holiday.

Methodology

This dataset contains 2 rankings, one ranks 50 international locations and the other ranks 20 UK locations, based on how good they are for seeing the aurora/northern lights. To do this, 4 different factors were used (3 used for the UK). Once the data for the factors was collected, the factors were then normalised, to provide each factor with a score between 0 and 1. If data was not available, a score of 0 was given. The normalised values were then summed and multiplied, to give each location a total score out of 100. The locations were then ranked from highest to lowest, based on their total scores.

The factors used are as follows:

  • Latitude - The latitude coordinates of each location.
  • Average Elevation - The average elevation in each location, according to topographic-map. In the case of the location not being listed, we used a nearby location which covers the intended location.
  • Average Light Pollution - Using lightpollutionmap, we gathered 3 data points in each location at varying distances from the location's centre. We then averaged these 3 light pollution values, in nanowatts per square centimetre per steradian (nW/cm2 * sr).
  • Northern Lights Insta Posts - The number of Instagram posts using the hashtag "NorthernLightsX", where X is the country each location is found in. For locations in the southern hemisphere, we picked the highest value of our northern lights & southern lights. [International Only & Country Level]

The factors were indexed as follows:

  • Latitude - High absolute values get a high score. Low absolute values get a low score.
  • Average Elevation - High values get a high score. Low values get a low score.
  • Average Light Pollution - Low values get a high score. High values get a low score.
  • Northern Lights Insta Posts - High values get a high score. Low values get a low score.
  • All data is correct as of 13/02/25. The ranking data shown is a compilation of multiple data sources and may not be representative of real life. All data is accurate with regards to the sources provided.