At its best, dark sky travel merges the beauty of the natural world with the allure of the cosmos, but it’s also a gateway to serene nights spent in connection with nature. With help from organizations like DarkSky International, efforts to reduce light pollution are gaining pace across the world, with endeavors like responsible lighting policies creating unmatched opportunities for stargazing and astrophotography.
For dark sky tourists, there are some practical considerations, such as choosing the right time of year to avoid not just bad weather but also bright moonlight, which can negatively affect the experience, as well as selecting destinations with minimal artificial lighting and opportunities for hands-on learning, such as educational programs and guided sky explorations with experts. (We’ve also included the best visiting times for each destination).
Certified Dark Sky Parks provide not only breathtaking celestial views but often have sustainable lodging options and guided stargazing tours, but some places on earth are just excellent for seeing the stars — and don’t yet have accreditation.
Here, LocalsInsider.com offers a mix of both, from the classic spots in the USA and Chile to new destinations in New Zealand and France.
Atacama Desert and Elqui Domos, Chile
Camino Publico Pisco Elqui a Horcon, Km 3.5, Paihuano, Coquimbo, Chile | https://milodge.com/elqui-domos/
So dark are the skies above the breathtaking Atacama Desert in northern Chile that the Milky Way is almost always visible when the conditions are right. Luckily for travelers hoping to catch a glimpse of the vast cosmos, the night sky here is clear 300 days a year. But the landscapes, elevated 4,000 meters towards the heavens, are stunning, too, with salt flats, centuries-old petrified wood, and bone-dry arroyos that flood from summer rain storms.
In Atacama, the constellations loom close, their light pooling in meteorite impact craters and the dead silence of abandoned mining towns, watched by a huge collection of observatories and star-gazing campsites.
As such, the Atacama Desert is arguably one of the best places to learn about the stars above your head, as you can visit renowned astronomers for weekend tours of observatories like Observatorio Interamericano Cerro Tololo in the Elqui Valley. As for hotels, Elqui Domos, set on the southern edge of the Atacama Desert amongst a desert oasis, is one of the best options.
Elqui Domos is small, with just 11 rooms, but the rooms in the seven geodesic domes are fabulous, as they have retractable roofs to reveal the celestial spectacle above as you lay in bed. Otherwise, the amenities at Elqui Domo are sparse, but there’s a pool, a hot tub, and a massage service, as well as an on-site observatory and regular group stargazing tours.
Room prices at Elqui Domo start at $97.00 per night.
The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on earth, as such, it’s also one of the clearest, but the best time to visit is between June and August for optimal stargazing conditions.
Utah and Under Canvas, USA
Lake Powell – Grand Staircase 555 South Jacob Tank Road Big Water, UT 84741 | https://www.undercanvas.com/
The USA boasts not just the largest number of official dark sky destinations, but it’s also home to the world’s first DarkSky lodging-certified resort: the stunning Under Canvas in Utah. Today, Under Canvas has created stargazing resorts across the USA, but the original at Lake Powell remains a firm favorite, with tents often booked out months in advance. The lodges are safari-inspired with tented accommodations but stays here mix exceptional skies filled with planets, stars, and meteors with fantastic hiking in Utah’s unique red rock desert.
Sunsets and sunrises are exceptional too, with iconic destinations like Horseshoe Bend (just across the border in Arizona) providing some of the most unique views, while water lovers can take to Lake Powell for everything from boating to wild swimming amongst the alienesque red rocks.
There are a variety of tent styles to select from at Under Canvas, but the stargazer tents bring the stargazing indoors with a viewing window placed directly above the king-sized bed, and cozy amenities like a private deck and a wood-burning stove elevate the experience even further. Camp amenities include al fresco dining, nightly fires with free s’mores, live music, and morning yoga for those hoping to keep up with a health regimen. Getting into the wilderness is as simple as leaving your tent, as the lodge has an on-site canyon ideal for view-laden hikes and immersion into those enchanting landscapes.
Room prices at Under Canvas start at $329 per night (including a mandatory $30 resort fee).
The best time to visit Utah for stargazers is in the Winter when long nights and dry winter air allow for some of the clearest skies.
Sapa and the Topas Eco Lodge, Vietnam
Thanh Kim, Sa Pa, Lao Cai, Vietnam | https://topasecolodge.com/
While it’s true that Sapa’s backpacker days are long gone, with high rises and neon lights beginning to drown out the stars above the night sky, there lies, about 40 minutes west of Sapa, high in the mountains of Hoang Lien National Park, the stunning Sapa Eco Lodge where minimal light pollution makes for perfect stargazing.
The setting is dramatic, with mountains and valleys carving a cinematic landscape around the lodge, and from within, it feels custom-made for views. The lodge takes its eco-credentials seriously, reusing water for things like showers and toilets, and it uses a water electricity system and low-power lighting throughout.
There are a couple of restaurants at Topas Eco Lodge: Restaurant 360 serves Scandinavian food and breakfasts for guests staying in the pool villas, and the Stilt House on the second floor of a traditional Tay stilt house serves simple Vietnamese dishes like noodles and aromatic soups. The unique duo of infinity pools is cut into a hillside for exceptional views of the mountains, and there’s a spa specializing in rice treatments.
Of particular interest are the revitalizing Red Dzao herbal baths, which are unique to the Sapa area. Other treatments, such as Vietnamese green tea body washes and acupressure head therapies, are available, too.
The best rooms for star hunters are the pool villas that are separated from the rest of the resort and have a small private pool overlooking the wheat fields and rice paddies below (as well as the occasional water buffalo). Though not officially designated as a dark sky area, the Lao Cai night sky remains stunning, with a star-studded sky reaching far over the mountains.
Room prices at The Sapa Eco Lodge start at $229 per night.
The best time to visit the Topas Eco Lodge is April and May for clear skies, but even in September, the skies are often clear so high up in the mountains, and it’s then that the rice paddies turn a stunning gold, ready to be plucked by the local farmers.
Cévennes National Park and Les Esperelles, France
Hautes 48240 Ventalon en Cévennes | https://www.lesesperelles.com/
A vast (2,973-square-kilometer) protected wilderness area between Lyon and Montpellier, the Cévennes National Park is one of France’s best spots for dark sky tourism. As with many other dark sky destinations, the Cévennes National Park has a high altitude, rising above the plains of Languedoc before tumbling in deep-cut valleys towards the Mediterranean: a landscape that has helped hinder development, keeping the skies ideal for viewing the Milky Way with the naked eye.
But the Cévennes National Park thrives in other areas, too, with villages once renowned for their silk weaving and ancient farming techniques as well as masses of outdoor activities, from kayaking and fishing to wildlife spotting and hiking.
To appreciate it all, stay in one of 2 traditional Gites (holiday homes) offered at Les Esperelles deep in the Cévennes. The gites are charming, built of old stone, and fitted with complete kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms — all of which are modern and well-presented. Of the two, La Clède is a favorite, as it’s possible to view the Milky Way directly from the idyllic private garden. But the real draw for stargazers is the owner, who, along with his Dobson telescope, gives an introduction to star gazing, covering everything from using a sky map to astrophotography sessions.
Room prices at the Les Esperelles start at $151 per night.
Destinations like Mount Lozère are ideal for dark sky photography, particularly in August when the Perseid meteor shower puts on a show, but to take advantage of Les Esperelles’ stargazing classes, you’ll need to visit in January — when the sky is optimal.
The South Downs National Park and The Pig, UK
Madehurst, Arundel BN18 0NL, https://www.thepighotel.com/in-the-south-downs/
An easily accessible dark sky zone just two hours from London can be found in the South Downs National Park. Battling against rampant development between London and the south Coast, the national park received dark sky status in 2016. There are various spots to see it, but we recommend you make your base at the Pig in the South Downs, a boutique hotel carved into a stunning former country manor, perfect for cozy countryside views and a slower pace of life.
As well as rooms in the house, there is a snug collection of external rooms in farmhouses and custom-made wooden Field Wagons with cozy log burners and outdoor showers with enough space for two.
The pig at the South Downs feels surprisingly remote even though it’s just 10 minutes to Arundel, and it’s elevated enough to make the skies sublime. On colder evenings, large firepits provide a little warmth for outdoor stargazers, but you can always wrap up in the Pig’s excellent restaurant, too, where classic European dishes are constructed from ingredients plucked from the kitchen gardens or sourced from within 20 miles of the hotel. A single hut provides spa treatments, where you can choose from deep-tissue massages and facials using only natural and organic products.
Room prices at the Pig at the South Downs start at $380 per night.
The best time to visit the South Downs National Park for star gazing is in late summer or mid-winter, on moonless nights.
Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park and the Gibbston Valley Lodge, New Zealand
820 State Highway 6 Gibbston New Zealand | www.gibbstonvalleylodgeandspa.com
Nestled between Queenstown and Cromwell, Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park offers a stunning, recently certified escape for stargazing. The park is a manageable size at 25 square kilometers, but the scenery feels vast, with dramatic gorges and towering mountains that work together to shield it from light pollution, allowing views of not just the stars but of magical Magellanic Clouds and the Aurora.
Stay at the Gibbston Valley Lodge, which provides superb access to the park but is also surrounded by vineyards — making it an excellent stop for anyone who likes their stargazing paired with a glass of Pinot Noir. The lodge offers a mix of sleek villas featuring modern decor, al fresco dining terraces, heated floors, hot tubs, and wines hand-selected to your preference. The spa is eclectic with things like Theravine gel wraps, anti-aging facials, and Vinotherapy sessions that put the residue from the winemaking process to excellent use.
Room prices at the Gibbston Valley Lodge start at $510 per night.
The best time to visit the Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park is during the winter (July-August) when the weather is cool and dry and the skies are clearest.
Jezersko’s Starry Escape: Hotel Vila Planinka & Dark Sky Adventures, Slovenia
Nestled in Slovenia’s tranquil Jezersko valley, Hotel Vila Planinka is a haven for stargazing enthusiasts and nature lovers. The lack of light pollution here offers unparalleled opportunities to marvel at the night sky. The hotel’s Dark Sky Walk is a highlight, offering a guided evening hike through serene mountain trails with breathtaking views of the valley and surrounding peaks. Led by an experienced local guide, the walk lasts 2–3 hours and is suitable for all fitness levels. Guests will learn to identify constellations, spot the North Star, and perhaps even witness a shooting star.
The experience ends with a cozy fireside reception featuring hot tea, mulled wine, and homemade biscuits. Prices for this unique activity start at €75 per person for groups of 2–5, and €60 per person for groups of 6–8. Reservations are required at least 7 days in advance, and the walk may be canceled in the event of bad weather.
Vila Planinka’s 22 rooms are designed to immerse guests in nature while offering luxury and comfort. Each room features natural materials like wood and is thoughtfully arranged to maximize views of the mountains and valley. Rooms are equipped with a comfortable double bed (180 x 200 cm) or twin beds, hardwood flooring, spacious bathrooms with natural skincare products, and modern amenities like minibars, safes, and wide-ranging TV channels.
- Superior Room (from €305/night)
22 m² with a view of the surrounding nature. Includes breakfast for two. - Junior Suite with Balcony (from €396/night)
32 m² with a private balcony and panoramic mountain views. - Corner Deluxe Apartment (from €631/night)
64 m² with a master bedroom, living room, and a kitchenette for two.
Guests staying 10 nights or more receive a 10% discount, and those extending their stay from Sunday to Monday get 20% off the additional night. Each stay includes a welcome drink, free bike rentals, and flexible cancellation policies.
