As of March 2026, more than 200 locations in 22 countries across the world have been certified as International Dark Sky Places by the NGO DarkSky International, spanning more than 160,000 square kilometres of protected land.
These places act as green sites which make conscious efforts to protect and conserve the natural darkness of the sky, which also helps nocturnal wildlife.
Cooler temperatures, avoiding daytime crowds and a greater desire to connect with nature has led to the rise of “noctourism”, especially among millennials and Gen Zers.
This includes nighttime activities like stargazing and “starbathing”, or observing celestial events such as solar eclipses, night hikes and night safaris.
This trend has made dark sky parks especially popular. Upcoming events such as the highly-anticipated total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 has contributed to this shift, with solar eclipse tours and cruises in very high demand.
Currently, there are more than 31 International Dark Sky Parks in Europe, across countries like France, the UK, Hungary, Germany and more.
Ahead of International Dark Sky Week, these are some of the best places for stargazing and starbathing in Europe.
Where can I stargaze in the United Kingdom & Ireland?
Together, the UK and Ireland boast more than 20 dark sky places.
First up is the Bodmin Moor Dark Sky Landscape along the Cornish coast in England. This rugged heathland, straight out of an 18th Century novel, is beautiful both day and night with plenty of walkways traversing its craggy cliffs.
Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water & Forest Park in the north of England is already a popular tourist destination during the day. But as everybody else returns to their hotel for the night, you could be out witnessing a magnificent display of nature – the Milky Way.
Elan Valley Estate in Wales has become a popular destination for tourists looking to climb the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia, both of which are certified.
Further north is Galloway Forest Park in Scotland, which is abundant in evergreen forestry and beautiful lakes.
Ballycroy National Park and Wild Nephin Wilderness in Ireland is situated in the Owenduff and Nephin Mountains, this spot is teaming with trees, lakes and moors. It’s the perfect place to escape it all and quite literally stare into space.
Where is the best place to stargaze in Spain?
Albanyà, situated in Girona, Catalonia is the ideal spot for Spanish stargazers. If you head to Bassegoda Park, there are regular educational tours to join as you gaze up at the twinkling stars.
Where to see the stars in Hungary
Hungary has three dark sky places and so it’s only right that we begin with Bükk, Hungary’s largest national park. Situated in the Bükk Mountains in the north, near the city of Miskolc, the perfect stargazing opportunity awaits you somewhere beneath the country’s tallest peaks.
While Bükk National Park may be Hungary’s largest, Hortobágy National Park has got to be its most impressive. It’s the country’s first ever national park which has remained largely untouched since the last ice age. The park offers night time walks to visitors and plans to open an observatory at some point in the future.
Zselic National Landscape Protection Area, close to the border with Slovakia, is deemed the best place with close to unaltered dark night skies in Hungary by the IDSA. Certified in 2009, the parks surrounding municipalities all work to preserve the sky’s natural darkness there.
Netherlands is the most light polluted country in Europe
Situated on the east of Terschelling Island, De Boschplaat is a Natura 2000 nature reserve recognised by the European Council. The public can enjoy unlimited access to the park at all times and there are eight designated stargazing spots to choose from.
Until May 1969, the area which is now Lauwersmeer National Park was underwater, when the former Lauwers Sea was enclosed and separated from the Wadden Sea. The area has become an oasis for wildlife and hundreds of thousands of migratory birds stop here every year. It’s now also a dark space to take in the night sky in what the IDSA deem Europe’s most light polluted country.
Island stargazing in Denmark
Møn and Nyord are two islands southeast of Denmark. You could be sharing your stargazing experience with quite a few others if you head to Møn, as it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Denmark, made famous by its white cliffs. If it’s some time with nature you crave, you would be best heading for the smaller island of Nyord.
Where is the best stargazing in Germany?
Winklmoosalm is a privately-owned space located in the Alps in southeastern Bavaria, and only a stone’s throw away from the Austrian town of Salzburg.
The Alps are stunning at any time of day or year, but the geographical location of Winklmoosalm means it has particularly dark skies according to the IDPA – all the better for stargazing. The park estimates you can see around 5,000 stars at times – to put that in perspective, only around 500 are visible in the city of Munich.
In 2025, the Bavarian Forest Nature Park and Bavarian Forest National Park were recognised as an International Dark Sky Reserve after the state worked to reduce light pollution.
“There’s so little light there, it really is wonderful, it’s like a Sternenhimmel [starry sky] show more or less,” said Claudia Mitchell, Partner and Network Manager at Bayern Tourismus Marketing. “It’s really not disrupted by any city lights, and that’s beautiful.”
Can I see the stars in Croatia?
Petrova gora-Biljeg and Vrani Kamen are Croatia’s two main stargazing gems.
The former is known to have the best preserved mountain forests in Croatia and became a protected area in 1969 and an IDSP in 2019.
Not far from the Croatian capital of Zagreb is the country’s second IDSP Vrani Kamen, which spans across 8,000 hectares of the magnificent Papuk mountains.
Where can I ‘starbathe’ in Europe?
“Starbathing”, which is also known as mindful stargazing, is emerging as a new noctourism wellness experience.
Travellers usually observe the night sky without any technology, simply basking in starlight, to boost mindfulness, relaxation and a change in perspective.
“The ‘starbathing’ trend reflects a wider shift toward quieter, nature-focused travel experiences rather than traditional sightseeing in busy cities,” says Chris Harrington, managing director at airport transfers provider Hoppa.
“It gives people an opportunity to take in some beautiful dark skies, spot famous comets and stars, and most importantly, switch off from screens.”
Europe has a number of unique dark sky parks to starbathe in, especially as light pollution continues to grow in other areas.
Pic du Midi Observatory, France
Located in the French Pyrenees, the Pic du Midi Observatory is an International Dark Sky Reserve renowned for its exceptionally dark and pure skies, making it one of the best places to starbathe in Europe.
Its high altitude at more than 9,400 feet and low light pollution allow travellers to enjoy panoramic views of the Pyrenees and the Milky Way, perfect for celestial events. Its “sea of clouds” just below the peak further reduces atmospheric interference by separating viewers from lower-level light pollution.
Bonus? With more than 300 days of sunshine, there are many clear-cloud free nights to choose from. In summer, travellers can also marvel at up to 60 shooting stars per hour, along with awe-inspiring views of constellations like Sagittarius.
Alqueva Dark Sky Observatory, Portugal
The Alqueva Dark Sky Park, in Alqueva, Portugal, is another top starbathing choice, mainly due to its extremely low levels of light pollution. The park is also the first place in the world to bag the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification, recognised by both UNWTO and UNESCO.
Boasting around 286 clear nights per year, it offers spectacular and obstructed dark views of the Milky Way in a quiet rural setting, with 10,000 square kilometres of protected territory. Tailored visitor facilities like astronomy guides, binoculars and telescopes and special lodging are available as well.
Dark Sky Park, Bulbjerg, Denmark
Another prime European starbathing spot is Dark Sky Park Bulbjerg, in Denmark. Travellers can enjoy views of up to 3,000 stars and the Milky Way on clear winter nights, with minimal light pollution.
The park’s location on the rugged Thy region also provides other protected dark environments like dune hearths, bird cliffs and seafronts, for a more immersive experience, along with occasional, but spectacular, Aurora Borealis views.
Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, Ireland
Ireland’s Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, on the Iveragh Peninsula, is another great choice for starbathing, due to being one of the few reserves to have a Gold Tier status across the world.
Its remote Atlantic location and protected status mean unspoiled and panoramic views of the Milky Way and several constellations in absolute and peaceful darkness. Specific spots like on Valentia Island, have accessible viewing areas, and also include unique sights like 385-million-year-old tetrapod tracks.
Yorkshire Dales International Dark Sky Reserve, UK
The Yorkshire Dales International Dark Sky Reserve is another increasingly popular choice in the UK, being one of the largest expanses of protected European dark sky, combined with the North York Moors.
With vast open spaces and exceptionally low levels of light pollution, the park offers unparalleled views of planets, the Milky Way and sometimes, even the Northern Lights.
It also has a number of spots with excellent visibility, like the Malham National Park Visitor Centres, Hawes and the Tan Hill inn. Places like the Ribblehead Viaduct also offer dramatic backdrops for astrophotography, with the park hosting an annual Dark Skies Festival too.
Best hotels for starbathers in Europe
One of the best hotels for starbathing in Europe is the Hotel Rangá in south Iceland, due to its own advanced on-site observatory and remote location. Travellers can also relax in geothermal hot tubs while starbathing, for an elevated experience, with clear views of the Northern Lights and Milky Way.
Another great option is the high-altitude Kulmhotel Gornergrat in the Swiss Alps, which is Europe’s highest hotel and observatory at more than 10,170 feet above sea level.
With exceptionally clear and dry air and almost no light pollution, it has two observatories and offers a very close view of the Milky Way as well as panoramic views of 29 surrounding peaks.