Best Stargazing Spots Around The World
When it’s dark enough, you can see the stars
Staring up at the night sky’s expanse will strike you with awe. No matter where you are, those stars have been burning for billions of years — long before us, and long after. But while city lights wash out much of the cosmic wonder, there are corners of the world where the splendor of heavens await. No telescope required — just your eyes, patience, and a cozy blanket.
If you’re craving some awesome cosmic awe, here are a few breathtaking stargazing spots around the globe.
Aoraki Mackenzie, New Zealand
New Zealand takes its stargazing seriously — so seriously that the Aoraki Mackenzie region was designated the world’s first International Dark Sky Reserve. Nestled in the South Island, this area offers inky black skies and wide open landscapes. Imagine lying back at Lake Tekapo or Mount Cook, seeing the Milky Way mirrored in the water. It’s spectacular, humbling, and guaranteed to give you a mega reset.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOpBuewDuop/
Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama is the driest place on Earth outside Antarctica. With virtually no rainfall, clear skies nearly year-round, and high altitude, it’s a dreamscape for astronomers. Many of the world’s largest observatories are stationed here, but you don’t need their telescopes to be dazzled. On a moonless night, the Milky Way cuts across the sky so vividly it feels painted on. The Southern Hemisphere also offers views of constellations you can’t catch up north, like the Southern Cross and the Magellanic Clouds.
Mauna Kea, Hawaii
Hawaiians have always navigated by the stars, and Mauna Kea continues that legacy. The dormant volcano rises nearly 14,000 feet above sea level, high above clouds and light pollution. The thin air makes the stars appear piercingly bright. Many visitors drive up to the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station, where you can see the universe bloom in every direction. Bonus: Hawaii’s tropical climate means you can stargaze in comfort without bundling up too much.
Namib Desert, Namibia
The Namib stands as Earth’s oldest desert — and its skies are famously dark. With vast stretches of emptiness and virtually no artificial light, nights on the desert are otherworldly. Picture giant dunes under a blanket of stars so dense they flow like a cosmic river. Namibia hosts the NamibRand Nature Reserve — another certified Dark Sky Reserve — ensuring the skies stay as pristine as possible.
Jasper National Park, Canada
If you’re based in North America, Canada’s Jasper National Park in Alberta is a terrific way to catch crystal-clear skies without hopping on a plane to the other side of the world. Jasper’s the world’s second-largest Dark Sky Preserve. Every October, it hosts a Dark Sky Festival. Beyond festival season, there are miraculous shooting stars, northern lights, and a level of stillness that city dwellers rarely get to feel.
Stargazing is completely romantic and a simple way to reconnect with yourself. Looking up reminds us how teeny we are and how deeply we belong to something vast. Whether you’re tracing constellations in Chile, watching New Zealand’s Southern Cross, or catching the aurora in Canada, the effect is the same: awe, perspective, wonder.
So, on your next trip, schedule a night outside the city. You don’t need a telescope, fancy gear, or much planning — tip your head back and look up. The stars are waiting.
