15 of the Top Stargazing Experiences Around the World, According To Viator Travelers

Taking good photos of the night sky is not easy. Taking a selfie with a constellation in the background is near impossible. So swap the bikini for a beanie and head up Mauna Kea, the highest point on the Hawaiian Islands (13,802 feet, or 4,207 meters) for a stargazing tour accompanied by a professional photographer. You’re likely to be above any clouds, for crystal-clear views of one of the world’s top stargazing sites.

What one reviewer said: “Our guides included an astrophysicist who made the entire evening fascinating, engaging, and easy to follow. You could immediately tell how knowledgeable and passionate he was, but what really stood out was his ability to explain complex concepts in a way that felt exciting and approachable for everyone in our group from the youngest to the oldest… Between the stunning night sky, the thoughtful explanations, and the guide’s enthusiasm, it turned into one of the highlights of our trip.” Nicole_Z, May 2026

You’ve probably seen the landscapes of Arizona’s Monument Valley in a Western movie or two, but the buttes, spires, and arches look even better silhouetted against the night sky. Stargazing in deserts and remote locations is one of the best ways to ensure a clear view of the stars. Tour the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park at night with a Navajo guide, who will recount and perform traditional stories for you, illuminating the cultural context of this dramatic place, one of the best locations for stargazing in the US.

What one reviewer said: “The park is DARK at night. Most new cell phones can take great pics with the right settings. Do some research ahead so you can set your phone. Sabrina set up my phone and I took some amazing pics with my cell, better than others on the tour with expensive star gazing gear. This remains one of my favorite experiences.” Olga_G, October 2025

If you’ve ever tried stargazing with a telescope on your own, you might have found it tricky to adjust the machinery in just the right way to see things clearly. This stargazing tour in Joshua Tree National Park allows you to use pre-programmed telescopes, which can automatically detect objects of interest in the night sky. No wasting time fiddling with buttons and squinting to see. Joshua Tree is an official International Dark Sky Park, so there are few better places in the world to enjoy an observatory and telescope experience for travelers.

What one reviewer said: “Wonderful experience under the night sky in Joshua Tree park. The tour includes views from digital telescopes which are truly stunning. The tour is very well organized and the staff is extremely knowledgeable and professional… Really great experience.” Vlad_B, May 2026

While there’s no guarantee you’ll see the magical aurora borealis on northern lights viewing tours and trips from Anchorage, this guided tour increases your chances by monitoring the weather forecast and only going out if the odds are good. And, if the colorful lights are fleeting, you can still see an incredible blanket of stars above thinly populated Alaska. The tour starts at 8pm and finishes at around 3am—well and truly the dead of night—so make sure you rest the day before or schedule a sleep in the following day. It’ll be worth it, though, whatever you see.

What one reviewer said: “The experience is awesome. The view of the Northern Lights from a remote location (away from city lights) is a must to see. The multitude of stars is beautiful.” Russell_G, April 2026

Alberta’s beautiful Banff National Park is highly popular and you’re unlikely to find yourself alone in the mountains on a summer’s day. But night, when everyone else retreats indoors after a day of hiking, paddling, or roadtripping on the Icefields Parkway, is an ideal time to find some solitude in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. This evening stargazing walk starts in Banff town around sunset, and you walk to prime stargazing spots—a total of around 3.5 miles (95 kilometers). If you’re lucky, you may also catch a glimpse of the northern lights.

What one reviewer said: “Jacob and Jack were amazing guides, if you have the opportunity to take advantage of this amazing experience I highly recommend it! We had the great fortune of seeing the northern lights and an incredible midnight blue sky lit up by stars!” dannielle_a, April 2026

Double your dose of twinkly nighttime attractions on this evening kayaking tour from Isla Holbox, off Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Your guides take you in an all-terrain vehicle to the Punta Cocos Lagoon in a remote corner of the island (away from the worst of the light pollution) in search of blue glowing bioluminescence in the water. Then look up at the sky and see that you’re surrounded by nature’s magic from all angles.

What one reviewer said: “The best experience we had in Holbox! The tour time was set to ensure the best experience so that we could see the Bioluminiscence phenomenon. Our guide David was amazing from the beginning… he led us to the best locations and his enthusiasm in showing us and teaching us about this organism was undoubtedly contagious!” Maria_B, Nov 2025

Polynesian navigators used stars to guide their way through the Pacific, including to Rapa Nui (Easter Island). After spending a day checking out the famous (and enormous) carved stone heads, the Moai, learn more about local history and culture on an evening tour that includes a presentation on Polynesian history and astronomy. Look at the stars and planets through telescopes and with the naked eye, and try some night photography from a beach for one of the most remote stargazing experiences in the world.

What one reviewer said: “Highly recommend this experience on Rapa Nui. The Milky Way, zillions of stars, constellations, and galaxies are visible. We were taken to two locations on the island—one where we looked through telescopes and enjoyed hot chocolate and a snack, the other where the (Moai) were silhouetted by starlight and the ocean. Magical.” Karen_T, April 2026

If you’re traveling to Chile but can’t make it all the way out to Easter Island, this Milky Way photography tour at night in the Atacama Desert, North Chile, ticks all the boxes. Departing from San Pedro de Atacama, head to some of the clearest skies in the world. Kick off the evening with some Chilean wine before you look through powerful telescopes, get the chance to take photos of the Milky Way after specialist astrophotography instruction, and warm up with provided hot drinks—the desert gets cold at night.

What one reviewer said: “Super cool experience! The tour guide was very informative about all the stars and constellations in the sky. I’ve never seen so many stars!” Isabella_R, Jan 2026

The South Island’s Lake Tekapo is in the heart of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve—the world’s largest dark sky reserve—and on a cloudless night, the tiny town offers some of the darkest skies in the world. Combine stargazing here with another activity New Zealand’s famous for: soaking in geothermal hot springs. Start with a guided tour, looking out for Southern Hemisphere constellations such as the Southern Cross, then continue stargazing from a floating hammock in the outdoor Tekapo Springs, a truly memorable stargazing travel experience.

What one reviewer said: “Perfect way to experience the largest dark sky reserve in the world! The hot springs were cozy, the guides were highly informative and the sky was clear—what more can we ask for?” Vineela_R, Nov 2025

All the way over in remote Western Australia, the Pinnacles Desert is one of the top places for stargazing from Perth. The views of the Milky Way are especially good from this desert, part of Nambung National Park. So, head out of the city in the afternoon, stopping to look at wildflowers and to try sandboarding along the way. Once in the desert, enjoy a barbecue dinner at sunset as you wait for the stars to align.

What one reviewer said: “We had an absolutely incredible time on our guided tour to the Pinnacles Desert and Lancelin sand dunes! The landscape is truly otherworldly, and the entire day was paced perfectly to take it all in…if you are looking for a unique and well-managed experience, I cannot recommend this tour enough!” Snehashis_K, Apr 2026

Isolated in the middle of the Southern Pacific Ocean, French Polynesia is another top stargazing spot around the world. Whether you’re on your honeymoon or a family vacation in idyllic Bora Bora, this tour takes you to a private islet, where you’ll cozy-up around a campfire and listen to stories about how Polynesian navigators used the stars to explore the Pacific Ocean. After they’re finished, lay back in the sand and gaze up to the heavens.

What one reviewer said: “This was like a sunset cruise with extras! First, it was private, which made the evening more special. Second, in addition to boating to great sunset views, you go to a beach where you eat snacks and make S'mores. Our guide was proud to teach us about Polynesian culture. Seeing all the stars was magical and our guide took extra time with us to wait for clouds to clear.” Michael_N, June 2025

There are few places in mainland Europe that offer truly dark skies, but if you venture to the continent’s outer regions you’ll have more luck in astro-tourism destinations with clear skies. That includes the island of Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands. Tenerife’s Teide National Park is a designated “Starlight Destination,” and almost all of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union can be seen from Mt. Teide. This tour includes a 3-course dinner to energize you for your evening visit.

What one reviewer said: “The most amazing experience we had... It was so magical and our guide Ozzi was amazing! We could really see how passionate he was! I would definitely recommend this tour and wrap warm because it gets super cold! Thank you for making this a wonderful trip!” Gowtheme_G, March 2026

Don’t overlook stargazing tours from major cities, as they’re not all corrupted by light pollution. Although the area immediately around Dubai in the UAE is prone to light pollution, go out into the enormous Arabian Desert and the whole universe will open up for you. On this overnight tour you head out on safari in a 4WD vehicle, sandboard down golden dunes, watch a fascinating Bedouin cultural program, refuel with a traditional dinner, and then lie back and admire the desert night sky during an overnight stay in a luxurious tented camp. You’ll feel a world away from Dubai’s skyscrapers and shopping malls.

What one reviewer said: “It was the perfect desert experience. Everything was organised very well. Our driver and other employees at the camp were very nice and helpful. Will definitely suggest this for all our friends!” Stephanie_H, April 2026

After a day of snorkeling and beach lounging, enjoy a different kind of natural experience on Ishigaki, an island in Japan’s southern Okinawa Prefecture. Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park is Japan’s first Dark Sky Reserve. Start your evening tour by viewing thousands of rare Yaeyama fireflies (in spring and early summer), which are hard to spot independently because they only live in dark, remote places. Once night has fully descended and the stars come out, your guide shows you the visible constellations on the stargazing component of the tour. Bonus: it's a family-friendly stargazing experience, too.

What one reviewer said: “Our guide knew exactly where to see the fireflies and it was quite the experience! It was a nice secluded spot! Very friendly and knowledgeable guide… I highly recommend this tour!” Anthony_T, May 2026

If you’re a keen astronomer, you might not get much sleep when you camp out in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert, not far from Jaisalmer. This tour drives you out into the desert, far from town, where you’ll explore some abandoned villages before meeting your camel and taking a sunset ride through the dunes. After a campfire-cooked meal, retire to your outdoor cot and gaze up into India’s skies to your heart’s content.

What one reviewer said: “Beautiful comfortable experience under the stars on a large sand dune we largely had to ourselves. Camel ride was such a unique experience! Food was delicious, guides took care of everything, thank you!” Liam_M, December 2025