12 Best Places to Stargaze Around the World

• Underrated hidden gem: The Atacama Desert, Chile
• Best for couples: Kiruna, Sweden
• Best for solo travelers: Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand

If catching a glimpse of planets, constellations, or the majestic Milky Way is on your travel list, you’ll need to plan a trip somewhere remote, ideally to a place where bright city lights won’t get in the way of your stargazing. Luckily, there are plenty of places around the world that offer incredible views of the night sky with little light pollution, so even amateur astronomers can see the stars and be treated to an awe-inspiring astronomical experience.

Here’s a look at some of the best places to stargaze, from the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden to a Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand’s South Island.

The Atacama Desert, Chile

Northern Chile’s stark Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on Earth, receiving only a few millimeters of rain per year. And with such a barren landscape, conditions are optimal for stargazing thanks to the parallel presence of a high altitude, few clouds, and near-zero radio interference or light pollution.

The Atacama Desert’s near-perfect visibility provides crystal-clear views of the most famous constellations of the Southern Hemisphere sky, including the Tarantula Nebula, the Fornax Cluster of galaxies, the Southern Cross, and even the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. For these reasons, astro-tourists from around the world flock to this astounding astronomy destination, where many local outfitters provide tours, and some area hotels offer personal stargazing experiences.

Kiruna, Sweden

If you want to be blown away by nighttime sky spectacles, Swedish Lapland is your ideal destination. Remote Kiruna sits north of the Arctic Circle, not far from the border with Norway and Finland, and is just under 30 miles from the Esrange Space Center. Stare heavenward in awe of the blanket of glittering constellations—depending on what time of year you visit, you might also be able to catch a glimpse of the colorful aurora borealis.

From Kiruna, take a bus about an hour’s drive north to Abisko, where you can ride a cable car up to the Aurora Sky Station for one of the best northern lights viewing experiences on Earth. Couples can plan a romantic stay at the famous IceHotel, located about 12 miles from Kiruna in the village of Jukkasjärvi, for a truly memorable visit to Sweden’s northern extremities.

Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand

Situated near Lake Tekapo in the center of New Zealand’s South Island, Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is a popular stop for solo travelers making the journey between Christchurch and Queenstown (it’s about a three-hour drive from each city). At more than 1,600 square miles, the Reserve is the third largest in the world and also happens to be the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Here, you’ll find several stargazing opportunities available through the Dark Sky Project, including guided trips to the University of Canterbury Mount John Observatory. For something a little different, try an astrophotography tour, take in views of the sky from the hot pools at Tekapo Springs, or enjoy stories and songs under the stars with Billy the Bard.

Maunakea, Hawaii, United States

On Hawaii Island (also called the Big Island), the Maunakea summit is perhaps the most famous stargazing spot in all of Hawaii. Its Observatory is home to 13 of the world’s largest and most powerful telescopes. What’s more, it’s one of the only places on Earth where you can drive from sea level to nearly 14,000 feet in about two hours. The easy drive—about an hour from Hilo or 90 minutes from Kona—makes it ideal for families who are interested in seeing the stars and learning more about the mysteries of the universe. Just be sure to stop by the Visitor Information Station to acclimatize so you don’t get altitude sickness.

Such a journey will reap rich and starry rewards: you’ll be able to see many of the Northern Hemisphere’s celestial wonders—including the Milky Way, the bands of Jupiter, and the constellations of Ursa Major and Orion—with remarkable clarity. And because Maunakea is so close to the equator, around 80 percent of Southern Hemisphere stars are visible from here, too. In other words, roughly 85 percent of all the stars seen from Earth can be viewed from this observatory.

For more Hawaiian Island stargazing, head to Haleakalā National Park on Maui. Pick up a star map at the Haleakalā Visitor Center in hopes of spotting the moons of Jupiter or, on a cloudy night, a halo around your shadow. Photographers have even been known to snag a coveted “moonbow” shot at Makapu’u on O’ahu or the Kalpana Coastline of Hawaii Island. Moonbows, also known as lunar rainbows, are extremely rare—they’re essentially a rainbow that’s lit by the moon instead of the sun, and require precise conditions to occur.

Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah, United States

In Lake Powell, Utah, Natural Bridges National Monument became the first certified International Dark Sky Park in 2007, a designation bestowed by Dark Sky International. The main attraction here is the “river of light” phenomenon, created by the Milky Way as it rises over the Owachomo Bridge. The natural rock formation creates a sort of window into the night sky, beautifully framing the thousands of stars that are visible to the naked eye. Plan to camp overnight for the full experience. Night photographers can get some killer shots here—just keep in mind that artificial light sources are prohibited.

Looking for another great stargazing spot in Utah? East Canyon State Park joined the list of International Dark Sky Parks in 2020.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

The largest game reserve in South Africa, Kruger National Park encompasses over 7,500 square miles. Most visitors come hoping for a sighting of the famous Big Five—lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo—as well as a luxurious stay in a high-end safari lodge. The park’s remote location and lack of light pollution also make for impeccable night-sky viewing opportunities, with the flat savanna and bushveld providing an ideal terrain for training binoculars on the Southern Cross, Scorpio, and rings of Saturn. Adding a nighttime astronomy experience to your game-drive itinerary is a must on any visit to Kruger National Park.

Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, Japan

Situated in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, remote Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park was the first place in Japan—and the second in all of Asia—to receive International Dark Sky Places accreditation. The park is located on the Yaeyama Islands, close to the Tropic of Cancer, and from it you can see up to 84 of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Note, however, that viewing conditions on any given night depend entirely on the season and the weather.

La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Tropical jungles don’t normally equate to great stargazing, but when the conditions are right, Costa Rica might surprise you. La Fortuna’s location near the equator means that this Central American country is uniquely positioned to view both northern and southern constellations. It also happens to be one of the few places above the equator where the Magellanic Clouds are visible—these two irregular dwarf galaxies orbit the Milky Way and were first identified by explorer Ferdinand Magellan during his first circumnavigation in the early 16th century. Visitors who come in February and March, during the dry season, have the best chance of spotting them.

Pic du Midi, France

If the Pic du Midi in the French Pyrénées is a good enough spot for NASA scientists to take photos of the surface of the Moon for the Apollo missions, it’s good enough for us. Take the cable car from La Mongie to the summit, where a mountaintop observatory is perched above the clouds. The reserve, one of the darkest skies in Europe, encompasses both the UNESCO Pyrénées-Mont Perdu World Heritage Site and Pyrénées National Park. You can also book an overnight stay at the Pic du Midi for an unforgettable night under the stars.

New Mexico Dark Skies Trail, United States

Roswell jokes aside, New Mexico really does have a special relationship with space exploration. Blessed with high altitudes, low population density, a dry climate, and clear skies, the state is home to several Dark Sky Parks and some of the best stargazing opportunities in the world. Expect exceptional views of the Milky Way, Venus, and Mercury, along with many constellations popularized in local indigenous art and lore—like Orion, Gemini, and Taurus—and maybe even the faint glow of zodiacal light.

For the full experience, seek the stars on the New Mexico Dark Skies Trail, which hits Capulin Volcano National Monument, Clayton Lake State Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, and the Cosmic Campground, which was the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the Northern Hemisphere.

Tenerife, Canary Islands

On Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, Teide National Park is known for its starry skies, easily visible without the intrusion of local light pollution. Thanks to its location near the equator, visitors can view popular constellations from both hemispheres, plus other celestial wonders like the Andromeda Galaxy, the Milky Way’s much closer neighboring system.

Los Angeles, California, United States

While Los Angeles might not seem like an ideal place to go constellation-gazing, the presence of the iconic Griffith Observatory, perched high atop Mount Hollywood, makes it a worthwhile destination for the astronomically intrigued. Depending on the time of year, Jupiter, Venus, and assorted double stars, clusters, and nebulae may be visible. And with the facility’s powerful telescopes, you can also get an incredibly detailed view of the moon and its craggy surface. Take a peek at the Weekly Sky Report for insights into what’s visible in the night skies of southern California.

Angelenos who want to swap city lights for some celestial ones are in luck. Two of the best places to stargaze in the country are Joshua Tree National Park (about a two-hour drive) and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (roughly 2.5 hours by car), both certified Dark Sky Places.