‘Astrotourism’ refers to touring to locations which boast probably the most bewitching night time skies on the earth. These spots, typically positioned in Darkish Sky Reserves, are faraway from civilisation and the accompanying gentle air pollution permitting for awe-inducing actions like stargazing, aurora viewing and eclipse chasing. Along with changing into one with the heavens, astrotourism permits travellers to find probably the most lovely, far-flung spots on the planet.
Fortunately, there’s been no higher time for astrotourism. Final 12 months noticed an uptick in Northern Lights sightings and there is much more in retailer in 2025 by way of astronomical alignments generally known as ‘planetary parades.’ Based on Skyscanner, this 12 months has seen a 53 per cent improve in travellers in search of to see the Northern Lights, with 28 per cent planning to go to Darkish Sky Reserves.
No shock, a cohort of motels, resorts and lodges have answered the decision, all optimally positioned to disclose meteor showers together with the Lyrids, Eta Aquariids, Perseids, Orionids and Geminids all year long; Saturn’s rings this spring; and the supermoon trifecta this fall.
Wish to take all of it in? These seven astrotourism locations are certain to go away you starry-eyed.
Portugal: São Lourenço do Barrocal
(Picture credit score: São Lourenço do Barrocal)
(Picture credit score: São Lourenço do Barrocal)
Nestled amongst meadows, olive groves and vineyards, this Portuguese property has been in the identical household for 200 years. Eighth-generation proprietor, José Antonio, spent 14 years refurbishing the property; it’s now glossy and chic whereas retaining its old-world soul. The resort sits inside Portugal’s 3,000 square-kilometre Darkish Sky Alqueva Reserve; right here, you’ll be able to go to the official observatory and look at nebulae, galaxies, Saturn and the Moon, or take a personal astronomy lesson within the resort backyard.
barrocal.pt
USA: Primland Resort
(Picture credit score: Primland Resort)
(Picture credit score: Primland Resort)
There are few locations on the earth the place you will get nearer to nature than Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, the house of the Primland Resort, which sits on a personal 12,000-acre mountain property. The lodge and its cottages is surrounded by winding trails and trout-filled streams, in addition to an unusually clear sky which may be considered in its splendour from the property’s very personal observatory. As darkness cloaks Primland Resort, visitors marvel at stars, planets, nebulae and different celestial phenomena year-round.
aubergeresorts.com
Chile: Our Habitas Atacama
(Picture credit score: Isabel Plos)
(Picture credit score: Nicole Arcuschin)
Deserts are a number of the most sparsely-populated locations on the planet, and one of the best locations to stargaze. Our Habitas Atacama is located in Chile’s Atacama Desert, which not solely boasts a low inhabitants density, however the convergence of quite a few different elements that makes it optimum: excessive altitude, dry local weather, steady air and clear skies virtually year-round. The resort has simply launched a five-night stargazing package deal, ‘Explorer’s Delight’, designed to coincide with 2025’s celestial occasions, which incorporates discovering constellations, planets and the Milky Manner with an in-house astronomer.
ourhabitas.com
Wales: Celestia
(Picture credit score: Distinctive Homestays)
(Picture credit score: Distinctive Homestays)
At Brecon Beacons Nationwide Park in Wales the mountains appear to climb to satisfy the celebrities, and the Milky Manner can clearly be seen crossing the skies on moonless nights. The park turned a Darkish Sky Reserve in 2012, and native lodging gives loads of ‘stay-and-gaze’ choices such because the splendidly remoted Celestia. This transformed farmhouse and barn is located in a personal clearing reached by way of waterfall-filled valleys and tangled woodland.
uniquehomestays.com
Saudi Arabia: Banyan Tree AlUla
(Picture credit score: Banyan Tree AlUla)
(Picture credit score: Banyan Tree AlUla)
There are few issues extra surreal than gazing on the cosmos from the already-Martian panorama of the Ashar Valley in Saudi Arabia. Banyan Tree AlUla is positioned removed from town lights inside an unlimited open desert, which is conducive to a number of the world’s most enviable darkish skies. Right here, tented villas mix seamlessly with the sweeping sands, sandstone cliffs and rugged rock formations, and a resort astronomer guides visitors by way of the constellations aided by state-of-the-art telescopes.
banyantree.com
Australia: Longitude 131°
(Picture credit score: Baillie Lodges)
(Picture credit score: Baillie Lodges)
The distant nature of the Australian outback makes for spectacular stargazing, however luxurious camp Longitude 131° is especially privileged, with its low humidity and minimal synthetic gentle. At its alfresco eating venue, Desk 131°, guides share Aboriginal tales of the constellations underneath the glittering cover, and the lodge’s resident astronomer decodes the southern night time sky. This actually is Australia’s heartland, with 16 tented pavilions dotted amongst rust-red dunes with views to Uluru rock.
longitude131.com.au
Namibia: &Past Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
(Picture credit score: &Past Sossusvlei)
(Picture credit score: &Past Sossusvlei)
The NamibRand Darkish Skies Reserve, 140km from the closest city, enjoys Gold Tier standing, which means that it is without doubt one of the darkest locations on the earth. &Past Sossusvlei, which neighbours the reserve, is house to its personal observatory and resident astronomers who, each night, invite visitors to make use of the Celestron telescope to unlock the wonders of the universe. The lodge is located by itself 12,715-hectare reserve—an ocean of dunes, rocky outcrops and gravel plains underneath a wonderfully clear sky.
andbeyond.com
Supply: Wallpaper
