Noctourism: A Guide to the Best Stargazing Experiences Around the World
According to Skyscanner, ‘astro adventures’ is one of the big travel trends for 2025, while Booking.com reported that nocturnal tourism, or ‘noctourism’, is on the up with travellers seeking out dark-sky zones with unprecedented enthusiasm. From the remote rainforests of Africa to the celestial wonders of the Arctic and the dark skies of Britain, these exclusive experiences offer an unparalleled opportunity to reconnect with nature under a blanket of stars…
A Peak Northern Lights Experience with The Aurora Zone & Visit Finland
In 2025, astronomers predict a major peak in solar activity, known as the Solar Cycle Maximum, making it the ideal time to book a Northern Lights holiday in Finland with The Aurora Zone. This increased solar activity means more frequent and vibrant Northern Lights displays, offering travellers an unparalleled opportunity to witness this natural spectacle.
As the UK’s first specialist in Northern Lights adventures, The Aurora Zone crafts expertly designed itineraries to maximise the chances of seeing the aurora borealis. Beyond the Northern Lights, guests can enjoy exhilarating winter activities such as husky sledding, snowmobiling, and hovercraft rides around Arctic islands.
Travellers can escape to enchanting Levi in Finnish Lapland with a four-night stay at the Northern Lights Village. Located 16 kilometres from the centre of Levi, this secluded retreat offers immersive Arctic experiences, including snowshoe and heated sleigh aurora hunts, and a Northern Lights photography workshop led by an expert guide. The highlight? Staying in glass-roofed Aurora Cabins, where guests can gaze up at the sky from the comfort of their beds.
For more information, visit visitfinland.com and theaurorazone.com.
Nocturnal Wonders with Kamba Africa
In an era of rising noctourism, Kamba African Rainforest Experiences invites guests to explore one of Africa's most untouched rainforest environments after dark in the Republic of Congo's UNESCO-listed Odzala-Kokoua National Park. As the only private operator in the region, with just 250-300 visitors annually, Kamba's three intimate lodges - Ngaga, Lango, and Mboko - provide exclusive access to a forest completely free from light and sound pollution, where night walks reveal fascinating nocturnal wildlife through the pristine forest canopy.
As darkness falls, visitors encounter unique species like sloth-like pottos and palm civets in the canopy, while witnessing fireflies dance through a forest where scientists estimate 20% of insects remain uncategorised. From March 2025, Lango Lodge will introduce a night vision telescope, allowing guests to observe nocturnal wildlife in the bai from the wraparound decking areas.
For more information, please visit kambaafrica.com.
Luxury Stargazing Across the UK with PoB Hotels
PoB Hotels, the renowned collection of Britain’s finest independent hotels, invites guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of stargazing. With PoB Hotels’ ‘Under the Stars’ collection, guests can immerse themselves in the awe-inspiring beauty of dark skies and stargazing, as well as experiencing the wellness benefits it offers. From exclusive packages to expert-guided tours and prime viewing locations, guests can enjoy celestial wonders while indulging in the exceptional comfort and luxury that characterises these distinctive properties.
At Armathwaite Hall in the Lake District, guests can enjoy the ‘Moon and Star Bathing Experience’, which includes guided meditation, star-spotting, and a tea ceremony designed to promote deep relaxation. Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa in Sussex offers the ‘Starry, Starry Night’ retreat, blending astronomy with mindfulness. The experience features a guided tour of the constellations followed by a morning Zen Yoga session. The Angel Hotel in Wales is situated near the Brecon Beacons, a designated Dark Sky Reserve. This grand Georgian hotel offers breathtaking views of up to 3,000 stars on clear nights, providing a truly mesmerising experience.
For more information, please visit pobhotels.com.
Star Gazing Beyond the City Lights in Dubai
Star spotting in Dubai is not just limited to red carpet events, world-class entertainment shows or restaurants led by celebrity chefs – stars of the cosmic variety are also in abundance across the emirate. Dubai’s desert climate brings clear skies for most of the year, providing optimal conditions for stargazing, and the vast, flat desert landscape offers unobstructed views of the night sky.
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is one of the best spots for stargazing in the emirate. The open desert provides an unobstructed view of the night sky, and the lack of artificial light ensures optimal visibility. The reserve often hosts guided tours and astronomy events, making it a perfect choice for both beginners and seasoned stargazers. Dubai-based Platinum Heritage operates a private night safari and astronomy tour in Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, starting from £628 per vehicle.
Launched by Dubai Astronomy Group in Mushrif National Park, Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art telescopes and observatory facilities. It offers regular stargazing sessions, workshops and educational programmes, providing a structured and informative experience. The centre’s knowledgeable staff can help visitors identify constellations and planets, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
For more information, please visit: visitdubai.com.
Europe’s Darkest Skies at Glenapp Castle
Guests can disconnect and leave any worries behind for a luxurious stargazing experience at the beautiful Glenapp Castle. Beneath the deep blue-black skies of Scotland, Glenapp Castle offers a handcrafted evening designed to help reconnect with nature and enjoy the wellness benefits of the activity. The grounds of Glenapp Castle are just a few miles west of the internationally recognised Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park, which boasts incredible clear night skies. The stargazing extravaganza offers guests an unforgettable experience with the hotel’s private dark sky ranger, who will direct you to all the must-see stars. Visitors can enjoy a special Glenapp ‘tiddly’ hot chocolate, cosy blankets, night binoculars, and hand warmers to keep the winter chill at bay all whilst viewing the wonders of the night sky. To top off this enchanting experience, guests will be whisked up to the warmth of the castle for a three-course dinner, followed by a night in one of the luxurious castle suites for restful sleep. With some of the darkest skies in the UK, Glenapp is the perfect place to see the Milky Way or, if lucky, even the Northern Lights.
For more information, visit glenappcastle.com.
Fly to the Heart of the Northern Lights with Finnair
2025 is set to deliver the most spectacular Northern Lights displays in two decades, making this the ultimate year for an Arctic adventure. The sun’s solar maximum - an 11-year cycle - has reached its peak, creating more intense and frequent auroral activity, and Finnish Lapland remains one of the world’s premier locations for celestial tourism.
Finnair - voted Northern Europe’s Best Airline - connects travellers to the Arctic with seamless flights via Helsinki to Finland’s four most popular Lapland destinations: Ivalo, Kittilä, Kuusamo, and Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus. Finnair also offers the only direct Arctic Circle connection between Rovaniemi and Tromsø, Norway’s gateway to the Northern Lights.
Even if the aurora proves elusive, Finnair’s A350 flights between London and Helsinki offer a taste of the Arctic sky, with immersive LED mood lighting inspired by the Northern Lights.
To learn more about Finnair’s routes to the Arctic Circle, visit finnair.com
A Starlit Serenity at Grove of Narberth
The rejuvenating crisp Welsh air, paired with the cosy comforts of the lovingly restored country house, ensures that guests will be well looked after during their stay. Grove of Narberth is a tranquil country house in Wales, located over 2 miles from the nearest village, offering an enchanting rural escape. To enhance the stargazing experience, Grove of Narberth is situated just a short distance from Pembrokeshire’s Dark Sky Discovery Sites. This provides the perfect conditions for celestial viewings, which offer numerous mental and physical health benefits. With 26 acres of land surrounding the hotel, there is plenty of space for guests to feel as though they are the only people in the world while exploring the gardens at twilight, before turning their heads to the sky for the evening spectacle of constellations and shooting stars.
For more information, visit grovenarberth.co.uk.
Divine Skies at Farlam Hall Hotel
At Farlam Hall Hotel, celestial observations conclude with culinary celebrations as the award-winning kitchen team transforms locally sourced ingredients from its garden into memorable feasts. Situated in a secluded area of Northumberland, the hotel stands as a gateway to some of Britain's most pristine night skies. These serene landscapes, paired with the famously clear and starry skies, create a truly divine stargazing experience. Northumberland National Park is home to some of the clearest night skies in the UK, making it one of the best stargazing locations in the country. In these pristine skies, the Andromeda Galaxy, located 2.5 million light-years away, can be seen with the naked eye - showcasing the area's exceptional conditions.
For more information, visit farlamhall.com.
