17 “Secret” Stargazing Spots Around The World
Abby PriceStargazing is really special. Having lived in both the countryside and the city, I’ve seen many different landscapes. But there’s nothing like escaping from the city lights and the hoards of people and enjoying time under dark skies full of stars.
If you love looking at the night sky without crowds and commotion, I know some tremendous hidden stargazing spots worldwide that will blow your mind.
1. Atacama Desert, Chile
If you want to escape city life and enjoy natural beauty, the Atacama Desert in Chile is perfect. As one of the driest places on Earth, it’s great for stargazing since you rarely have to worry about fog or rain ruining the view.
While it’s beautiful during the day, the desert becomes truly magical at night with its endless stars.
2. Maunakea, Hawaii
Maunakea is Hawaii’s tallest peak, an inactive shield volcano at about 13,796 feet (4,205 meters). With that height, Maunakea offers spectacular views anytime, but it becomes genuinely incredible once the sun sets.
The summit is home to over ten observatories and telescopes from major institutions, so you can bet that the night skies here are amazing. In addition, the Maunakea Visitor Information Station (VIS) offers a stargazing program where you can book a reservation once a month for a two-hour adventure with their staff, and they provide telescopes for you to explore the night sky.
I recommend making a reservation and driving up early to catch the sunset. This way, you can appreciate the views as the sun goes down and then have fun stargazing with the VIS staff.
3. Jasper National Park, Canada
One of the best ways to experience dark skies filled with stars is to visit a national park. National parks, known for their immense beauty and seclusion, provide a perfect setting, and Jasper National Park is no exception.
While the daytime mountain views are stunning, stargazing here is something special. Jasper designated a Dark Sky Preserve due to minimal light pollution, offers mind-blowing night sky views. While there are countless great places to view the night sky throughout the park, one of the best places is Medicine Lake!
4. Tenerife, Canary Islands
Not many people know about Tenerife, but those who do love this tiny island, and I can see why. Part of Spain’s Canary Islands, Tenerife, is located off the coast of northwestern Africa.
If you’re like me, after discovering where the island is located, you probably thought of tropical island vibes and great beaches, and you’re right. However, Tenerife is also one of the best lesser-known stargazing spots in the world. While there are many great places to see stars on the island, Teide National Park is one of the best.
5. Rhon Biosphere Reserve, Germany
The Rhön Biosphere Reserve, also known simply as The Rhön, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and an International Dark Sky Reserve. These titles highlight Rhön’s natural beauty, sustainable development, and incredible dark skies with minimal light pollution.
If you want to escape the city and immerse yourself in a landscape of mountains, grasslands, and forests, this is the place to be. With its mountains and rivers, adventure lovers can enjoy hiking, kayaking, and many others. Overall, Rhön offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and outdoor fun for visitors and locals to enjoy year-round and no matter the time of day or night!
6. Acadian Skies & Mi’kmaq Lands, Nova Scotia, Canada
There’s a spot in Nova Scotia, Canada, where the night sky is stunning. Acadian Skies & Mi’kmaq Lands, southwestern Nova Scotia, has received a Starlight certification from the Starlight Foundation, supported by UNESCO.
With only a handful of these destinations worldwide, you can bet the stars here are magnificent. The area has no light pollution, making the sky incredibly dark and the stars extremely bright. The views will leave you amazed.
7. NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia
The NamibRand Nature Reserve is a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Reserve in Namibia, making it one of the best places for stargazing due to its incredibly dark skies.
During the day, the reserve is fantastic with its desert landscapes, wildlife, plants, and birds. But it’s at night, when the skies darken and the stars light up, that the reserve becomes truly magical.
8. Pic du Midi, France
Pic du Midi mountain lies in the French Pyrenees, perfect for fans of epic mountain views and starry nights. Named an International Dark Sky Reserve, it boasts minimal light pollution and incredibly dark skies. While the daytime views of the Pyrenees are stunning, staying for sunset and nighttime when the stars come out makes the experience even better.
For the ultimate adventure, Pic du Midi offers a program where you can take a cable car up the mountain in the evening, watch the sunset, enjoy a traditional dinner and stargaze, and visit the Charvin dome with its massive telescope for an extraordinary view of the stars. You can then stay overnight in a mountain room, watch the sunrise, have breakfast, and head back down the mountain. If you love mountains, stars, and unique experiences, this is your place.
9. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park sits in southern Utah and is widely known for its unique red and orange-tented rock formations. The views and hiking trails are some of the best in Utah. I had the chance to explore the park with my family and quickly fell in love with the scenery. But did you know it’s also one of the best lesser-known stargazing spots in the world?
Bryce Canyon is one of many designated International Dark Sky Park renowned for its dark skies. On a clear night, the sky is filled with twinkling stars. The park even hosts a free Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival in June with daytime activities, evening programs, telescope viewing opportunities, and constellation tours.
10. Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, Ireland
The Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve sits on the coast of Ireland in County Kerry. It is one of the few places worldwide to receive Gold Tier status for its super dark skies and very low light pollution.
The best time to visit is during a new moon, so the moonlight doesn’t interfere with your view of the stars, but it’s an incredible spot to visit anytime as long as the sky is clear. There’s something extraordinary about this coastal location; hearing the ocean while gazing at the constellations is a surreal experience.
11. Warrumbungle National Park, Australia
Warrumbungle National Park, located in central New South Wales, Australia, boasts stunning mountain and forest scenery. It’s a fantastic destination for camping, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors. However, many people don’t know it’s also one of the best stargazing spots in Australia and the world.
As Australia’s first Dark Sky Park, Warrumbungle is renowned for its dark skies, low light pollution, and proximity to the Siding Spring Observatory. For a memorable experience, I recommend hiking during the day to take in the scenery while the sun is up and camping at night to enjoy the starry skies.
12. Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania
You might be surprised to find a destination in Pennsylvania on this list—I was, too, until I learned more about the area. Cherry Springs State Park, located in north-central Pennsylvania, is known for its high elevation relative to the surrounding area.
The valley shields the nearby towns so their light doesn’t affect the park. Stargazing is so popular here that designated spots include the Night Sky Public Viewing Area for casual stargazers and the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field for those with serious equipment.
Additionally, the park has converted all white lights to red to avoid disrupting the night skies. They go above and beyond to ensure visitors enjoy incredibly dark, star-filled skies.
13. Zselic National Landscape Protection Area, Hungary
I have the perfect spot for you to stargaze in Eastern Europe. Zselic National Landscape Protection Area started as a project between the Duna-Dráva National Park and the Hungarian Astronomical Association to preserve the area’s natural beauty.
They reduced light pollution by working with nearby communities, hotels, and recreational buildings to install dark, sky-friendly lighting. Now, Zselic is an International Dark Sky Park, offering an incredible place to view the night sky.
14. Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand
Located in central New Zealand, the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is renowned for its minimal light pollution, astro-tourism, and educational opportunities.
The Māori residents of New Zealand historically used the night sky for navigation and integrated stars into their culture and daily lives. So, reducing light pollution benefits the environment, plants, and animals and honors New Zealand’s heritage, which is extra special to those living in the area and visitors wanting to learn more about their culture.
15. Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal
Sagarmatha National Park, situated in northeastern Nepal in the Himalayan mountains, is breathtakingly beautiful. Famous for being the home of Mount Everest and its wildlife, hiking trails, and lakes, it’s the perfect destination for outdoor fans and those seeking stunning mountain views.
While Mount Everest often takes the spotlight, did you know that stargazing here is truly spectacular? The night sky is an unbelievable sight thanks to minimal light pollution and its remote setting.
The dark sky, filled with countless stars, is surrounded by towering peaks, which adds an extra touch of magic. While many dream of seeing or trekking Mount Everest, experiencing the incredible stargazing is a bonus that is not to be missed.
16. Kiruna, Sweden
Kiruna stands as one of Sweden’s northernmost towns. While it’s typically known for its stunning Northern Lights, especially during winter, it’s also a fantastic spot for stargazing.
Its distance from light pollution ensures clear, dark skies, offering spectacular views once night falls. Plus, if you’re seeking the best stargazing experiences, you probably wouldn’t mind witnessing the breathtaking Northern Lights as well, making Kiruna, Sweden, one of the best destinations to visit.
17. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Kruger National Park is an amazing destination in South Africa. It is famous for housing the Big 5 game species: lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, and African buffalo. It’s also home to other animals like zebras, giraffes, and impalas.
While these attractions draw many visitors, the park’s additional appeal lies in being one of the finest stargazing spots in the world! Kruger National Park is the ultimate bucket list destination if you’re seeking a safari adventure by day and mesmerizing dark skies filled with stars by night.
