The beginning of the year is inevitably a time to look ahead to our travels in 2025. And whether you're a hopeless romantic or a lover of nature and pristine, untouched vastness, here's our selection of the most beautiful stargazing spots around the planet. You're in for a real treat!
1. Atacama Desert, Chile
In the north of the country, the Atacama Desert, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Chile, is a veritable astro-tourism paradise, with perhaps the best stargazing conditions in the world! Nestled between the Atacama ocean trough and the Andes mountain range, it is extremely arid. So much so, in fact, that many international astronomical observatories have set up here: it was here, for example, that NASAtested its small vehicles before sending them off to explore Mars! And when night falls, the view is simply breathtaking. The sky is pure, light pollution non-existent and, as soon as you look up, a veritable ballet of shooting stars, supernovas and other constellations awaits you. Unique and magical!
2. Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand
In New Zealand, on the South Island around Christchurch and towards Mount Cook, the Aoraki Mackenzie site has the prestigious title of "International Dark Sky Reserve". It is the only site in the southern hemisphere to enjoy this recognition. With no light pollution, the region is renowned for the purity of its nights and the great visibility it offers of the Milky Way. Not far away, Lake Tekapo, one of New Zealand's must-see places, is also ideal for stargazing. It is home to the Dark Sky Project and its high-tech telescopes, on the summit of Mount John, to make the most of one of the clearest skies in the world. The best months for stargazing are June, July and August, with long winter nights and clear skies.
3. Where to go stargazing? In the Namib Desert
In Namibia, the Namib Desert resembles a painting with soft, glowing curves, covering 80,900 km2. Classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2013, the Namib Desert stretches along the west coast of southern Africa for around 1,900 km. The Namib Naukluft National Park is gigantic, covered for the most part by the Namib Sea of dunes. And this isolated desert, one of the oldest on the planet and free from light pollution, is of course ideal for observing the stars of southern Africa and the Milky Way.
4. The Pic du Midi in the Pyrenees
Classified as one of France's great natural sites, the Pic du Midi rises to 2,887 meters, offering a majestic view of the Pyrenees. This must-do adventure around Bagnères de Bigorre begins with a cable car ride from the La Mongie station. In just 15 minutes, this ascent takes visitors up to the famous dome of the astronomical observatory, where this exceptional natural site has become a center dedicated to scientific research. Since 1873, it has provided researchers with state-of-the-art equipment for studying solar and atmospheric activity. These include the Lyot telescope, designed to observe stars and galaxies, making the Pic du Midi a unique observation site. You can even spend an unforgettable night there.
Read also: What to do in the Hautes-Pyrénées? The 17 most beautiful places to visit
5. Snowdonia National Park in Wales
Snowdonia National Park in Wales boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery in Wales: towering mountains, sparkling lakes, wooded valleys and sandy beaches. This 1,450 km² protected area stretches from south of Conwy to Machynlleth, culminating in Mount Snowdon, also known as Eryri. Rising to an altitude of 1,085 metres and just 11 km from the sea, it is one of the country's most iconic natural gems. And it's one of the best destinations on the planet for stargazing! Astro-tourists can also visit Ellan Valley and Brecon Beacons National Park.
6. Where to go for stargazing? In Lapland
In winter, from Sweden to Finland by way of Norway, Lapland - here are our best tours to discover - is obviously a dream spot for stargazing. And when the skies are clear (and luck is smiling), it's time for the fascinating spectacle of the northern lights, for which Lapland is certainly the best place in the world to see them. A divine manifestation for the Sami people, this phenomenon of luminescence is scientifically explained by the entry into the atmosphere of solar particles, which release their energy in the vicinity of polar magnetic fields. Nimbing the celestial vault in sublime hues, rather like iridescent scarves, the aurora borealis sway gently in the wind, undulating and folding in on itself. A natural firework display of flaming red, golden yellow, white and green. And obviously one of the must-do activities in Lapland.
Read also: What to do in Sweden The 23 most beautiful places to visit
7. Where to go stargazing? On the island of Sark in the Channel Islands
In the Channel Islands, Sark is a seigniory that turns its back on modernity. There are no cars and no street lighting along the island's roads. Night-time traffic is not always easy, but the sky is incomparably beautiful. With no electricity and no pollution, it's the perfect place for stargazing... In fact, the island of Sark is world-renowned for its dark skies (the famous "dark sky island"), i.e., no halo of light due to electricity. Big Dipper, Little Dipper, Cassiopeia - don't forget to brush up on your constellation chart before boarding the boat to Sark.
8. Roque de los Muchachos observatory in La Palma, Canary Islands
In the Canary archipelago, on the island of La Palma, the El Roque de los Muchachos astrophysical observatory, located at an altitude of 2,400 meters, is a must-see for science and spectacular scenery enthusiasts. This impressive instrument is the result of an international collaboration between Spain, Mexico and the United States, and remains one of the world's largest optical telescopes. Thanks to its altitude and exceptional air quality, the observatory enables optimum observation of stars, the Sun and distant galaxies. Its position above the sea of clouds often guarantees perfectly clear skies, even when weather conditions seem unfavorable on the winding road to the summit.
Read more: La Palma, good reasons to visit Isla Bonita
9. Montsec Astronòmic Park in Catalonia
in the Spanish Pyrenees in Catalonia, the Terres de Lleida are home to two sites certified as Starlight Reserves and Tourist Destinations. The first is the Montsec mountain range in the Pyrenean foothills, home to the Parc Astronòmic del Montsec. This planetarium, open both day and night, lets you enjoy the purity of the sky and the splendor of the stars, especially on Starlight Night in mid-August. A unique experience in Catalan nature! The second site, Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, also won an award for the quality of its astronomical observation points.
Read more: What to do and see in Catalonia The 19 most beautiful places
10. Where to go stargazing? Kitt Peak, USA
Where to go stargazing? In Arizona, an hour southwest of Tucson, the Kitt Peak Observatory is a must for US-style stargazing. In the heart of a grandiose desert landscape, under exceptionally pure skies, the site houses 22 telescopes, an impressive solar tower and antennas dedicated to radio astronomy. Access is free, and guided tours are offered day and night. The experience is well worth a full day, including evenings. The unforgettable Sonora Desert! Ah, Arizona, a dream come true!
11. Mauna Kea volcano, Hawaii
Located in the center of Hawaii's Big Island, Mauna Kea means "white mountain" in Hawaiian, as it is sometimes covered in snow in winter. However, temperatures are freezing all year round at its 4,205 m summit. And if you measure its height from its underwater base, it's even the highest mountain in the world, at 10,230 m! Which makes it the ideal place for stargazing! The impressive telescopes await those who wish to admire the Hawaiian constellations. The stars above the Pacific Ocean are yours for the taking!
Read more: Hawaii, the volcano archipelago
12. Parc national du Mont-Mégantic in Quebec
Quebec's Parc national du Mont-Mégantic is located in the charming village of Notre-Dame-des-Bois. The park is distinguished by mountains sometimes exceeding 1,000 metres in altitude, and by valleys, ridges and hills that are ideal for hiking and snowshoeing. From its peaks, you can admire the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine, and the Green Mountains of Vermont. But above all, the park is home to ASTROLab, an astronomy discovery center open to the general public, where you can combine terrestrial explorations with celestial observations. In August, the Perseids are in the spotlight, with special activities organized around shooting stars. A fascinating experience awaits you!
Read more: What to see and do in Quebec The 17 most beautiful places to visit
13. Where to go stargazing? In the Alqueva region of Alentejo
Where to go for stargazing? In Portugal, in the heart of the Alentejo region, the sky over Alqueva is a privileged place for astronomical observation, thanks to extremely low light pollution. Dark Sky Alqueva, the world's leading Starlight tourist destination, covers an area of 10,000 km². The official observatory and headquarters of the Portuguese Dark Sky Association are located in Cumeada. Equipped with ultra-modern telescopes, you can admire the Milky Way, the constellations and all kinds of celestial bodies. Whether you're an amateur astronomer or simply curious, just look up and plunge into the immensity of the cosmos and feel a little closer to the stars. Amust-see in Portugal's Alentejo region!
