10 Magical Destinations Around the World For Stargazers

Named the largest Dark Sky National Park in the country by the International Dark Sky Association, this West Coast park in the US is an oasis for stargazers, offering crystal clear vistas of the Milky Way, meteor showers, and more. The best places inside the park to gaze are the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Badwater Basin, and Harmony Borax Works.

Hawaii is a wonderland for star chasers. Mauna Kea, a nearly 14,000-foot summit home to the world's largest observatory, is a magnet for serious astrotourists, but more casual gazers can still catch stunning glimpses by the sea. Maui's Haleakala National Park is another prime location for celestial viewing, offering both sunset and stargazing tours.

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New Mexico's high altitude and arid climate lead to "transparent" skies, and fog, clouds, and other disruptions are rare. The state's many parks frequently throw star parties, where you can camp overnight, take a tour, and even check out the night sky at an observatory. From Venus to Mercury to countless constellations, the New Mexico sky is dancing with color and light.

Getting lost in the night sky in this stunning Southern Pacific country is a magical experience. The Aoraki Mt. Cook Mackenzie region is the largest Dark Sky Reserve in the world — check out the views from the Mt. John Observatory or Aoraki Mt. Cook. When the sun is up, you can kill time checking out the Lord of the Rings scenery in Twizel. Outside of the reserve, other popular destinations in the country offer exceptional night views, including Queenstown and Stonehenge Aotearoa.

Perched high in the Sierra Mountain Range, Yosemite is teeming with viewing areas offering unobstructed skies. Check out Glacier Point, the Badger Pass Ski Area, or any open area of Yosemite Valley for a perfect backdrop to view constellations, comets, planets, and more. There are also a number of guided tours and telescopes available.

Boasting some of the clearest skies in the Southern Hemisphere, the Atacama Desert checks all the boxes needed for prime gazing: dry air, high altitude, and completely unpolluted skies. There are a number of nighttime tours available throughout the remote desert, and visitors can even take a free public tour of the world-famous Paranal Observatory during certain times (just be sure to book way in advance).

With its cold-weather cruises and wildlife tours, Alaska is a popular vacation destination for a laundry list of reasons. Strangely, its exceptional stargazing often flies under the radar, but its clear, dark skies offer the perfect conditions for drinking in the glittering sky. The top locations include Chugach National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. And since cruises around the coast are so popular, you can gaze from one of the best seats in the house — the water.

A remote archipelago off the coast of Spain, the Canary Islands offer sensational views of the brilliant night sky. Stargazing on the islands is so serious, in fact, that its skies are even protected by law to ensure conditions are just right. Whether you'd prefer an official tour or to explore on your own, you can glimpse some of the clearest views of constellations in the world alongside volcanoes, hills, and the sea.

The star-studded skies light up at night in Southern Portugal's Dark Sky Reserve in the middle of Alentejo. The Alqueva Dark Sky Route is free from light pollution, making galaxies, clusters, and nebulae clearly visible. The area offers a ton of after-dark activities by members of the Dark Sky Route, including night hikes, canoeing, wine tasting, and (of course) stargazing.

The remote dark skies of this African desert have garnered praise all over the world for its prime stargazing conditions, located far from any type of light pollution. Awash with red sand dunes and white salt pans, the Namib Desert will make you feel like you just stepped onto Mars. Then look up for one of the most incredible night shows in the world, including nebulae, clusters, and a seemingly endless array of stars.