TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As the earth’s atmosphere becomes more clouded, unwinding underneath the gleaming night sky becomes an increasingly rare experience for city residents. When light pollution constantly turns darkness into a rarity, these best places to see stars in the world reveal the pristine night sky in its purest form. From remote deserts to high-altitude plateaus, these remaining pockets are the outposts where the stars don’t just appear, but they also command the night in the best way possible.
To better map out your stargazing journey, let’s take a full range of exploration on the dreamy destinations, with the help from Veranda, Lonely Planet, and Smithsonian Magazine.
List of the Best Places to See Stars in the World
1. NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia
NamibRand Nature Reserve has long been celebrated among the best places to see stars in the world, known for its crisp nights during winter. Established in 1988, this destination earned its rightful title of Dark Sky Reserve back in 2012, with many lodges offering astronomer-led sessions and high-powered telescopes. For the best chances of viewing the night sky, be sure to book a camp complex called Wolwedans, whose Mountain View Suites include a ‘star-gazing’ bed within its veranda.
2. Atacama Desert, Chile
Few night sky reserves rival the Atacama Desert in Chile, thanks to its extreme dryness, high altitude, and near-zero rainfall. As soon as night temperatures drop to cool degrees around March to October, the 600-mile stretch of desert becomes the ultimate astro-tourism hotspot, where deep space, galaxies, and constellations all dance together in their shiniest forms. Don’t hesitate to pair your visit with accommodation that features domed tents or timber cabins to make the most of the experience.
3. Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand
Home to breathtaking glacial lakes, magical snowcapped peaks, and dark skies, it’s unsurprising that Aoraki Mackenzie Basin is highly placed on the ranking of the best places to see stars in the world. Within the vicinity of the planet’s largest dark-sky reserve, astronomical phenomena become the norm, often presenting the Magellanic Clouds in their full glory. Throughout New Zealand’s winter months, from June to August, visitors can have one of the year’s best experiences for Earth & Sky’s nighttime tour of Mt. John Observatory.
4. Jasper National Park, Canada
Bearing the title of the world’s second-largest Dark Sky Preserve, Jasper grants visitors a once-in-a-lifetime stargazing experience. Wrapped in rugged peaks and reflective lakes, this destination spotlights more than dazzling celestial shows, but also the majestic Canadian Rockies. Whether you are after the ancient glaciers, crystal clear lakes, or astounding wildlife, Jasper National Park surely is able to take you by wonder.
5. Acadia National Park, United States
Stargazers fame Acadia as one of the most beautiful national parks in the U.S., and not for nothing. Boasting the tallest coastal mountains across the eastern seaboard, it’s common for flocks to crowd this outpost, all in the hopes of catching the aurora dances. Beyond the dark skies, some remarkable catches of the park also include Precipice and Beehive hiking trails that offer tourists scenic views of the Gulf of Maine.
6. Mauna Kea, Hawaii
Sitting at 14,000 feet above the sea, Mauna Kea is evidently one of the best places to see stars in the world. Matched with telescope sessions at the mid-mountain visitor station as well as world-class observatories at the summit, stargazing opportunities are both fulfilling and addicting. Come winter to witness the clearest skies and longest nights the universe might want to offer across the region.
7. The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
Stargazing around the Wild Atlantic Way comes second to none, thanks to community-led efforts to secure dark sky designations along the coast. Beneath the star-filled skies, thousands of eyes have witnessed extremely low light pollution. With sweeping views of the Atlantic, these western landscapes deliver some of the most magical nights in Europe.
8. Mount Bromo, Indonesia
Mount Bromo, nestled in East Java, serves as one of Indonesia’s most iconic stargazing destinations. Its pristine natural landscape captures the timeless charm of the highlands with every breath of its cool mountain air. Set your alarm for 3:30 a.m., and you’ll be rewarded with a sunrise that feels almost surreal, casting golden light over Mount Bromo’s crater from an elevation of 12,060 feet.
9. Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, United States
Anchored by the vast existence of the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, this Texas National Park stands out among the best places to see stars in the world, spanning 15,000 square kilometers across the city to northern Mexico. Of many features, its remote setting is well-loved by stargazers, especially during new moon phases. From October to April, visitors are treated to the sights of the Milky Way in striking clarity, with ranger-led programs available to enhance the experience.
10. Cherry Springs State Park, United States
As one of the darkest spots in the U.S., Cherry Springs State Park entices stargazers with its 2,300-foot-high mountain. At the incredibly rewarding destination known as Astronomy Observation Field, visitors are offered 36-degree night sky views, with grand opportunities to watch the glorious northern lights during fall and winter months.
From Africa’s deserts to America’s protected parks, these destinations prove why they rank among the best places to see stars in the world, where darkness still reigns and the cosmos feels within reach. Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or a curious traveler, each offers a rare invitation to slow down, look up, and reconnect with the universe.
Read: 10 Best Places to Visit in Asia Where Culture, Beauty, and Adventure Collide
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