Stargazing Spots With Little To No Light Pollution
Ever wondered what the night sky looks like without all the city glare? Most people have never seen the real Milky Way. Not the faint band you can barely spot above the suburbs, but the bold, glowing river of stars stretching across the sky like a cosmic highway.
The truth is, it's becoming increasingly complex to see the stars. Light pollution from cities has washed out the night sky for millions. However, there are still some places where the stars shine uninterrupted, and nature puts on a nightly show worth travelling for. Here are the top stargazing spots around the world where the night sky still feels untouched.
Atacama Desert, Chile
This desert isn’t just dry. It’s bone-dry. The Atacama gets almost no rainfall, and with altitudes over 2,400 meters, the air is crystal clear. That’s a dream combo for stargazers.
The town of San Pedro de Atacama has turned into a hub for astronomy tourism. Dozens of local tours take visitors to remote areas for deep-sky viewing. You can lie back in the sand and catch sight of the Magellanic Clouds, a pair of dwarf galaxies only visible from the Southern Hemisphere.
If you’re serious about stargazing, the ALMA Observatory is nearby—one of the most advanced telescopes in the world. While public visits are limited, just being near such cutting-edge research gives you a sense of how special the skies are here.
Aoraki Mackenzie, New Zealand
This is an International Dark Sky Reserve that takes its designation seriously. The area includes Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin. It was the first reserve of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
What makes it special? No streetlights, for one. The few lights allowed here are heavily regulated. That leaves the sky almost entirely free of artificial glow.
Lake Tekapo is the base camp for many. The lake itself is stunning during the day, with its turquoise waters, but at night, the stars take centre stage. The Mount John Observatory, situated above the lake, offers night tours featuring high-powered telescopes and indoor sky presentations when the weather is cold outside.
Jasper National Park, Canada
If you're looking for stars without travelling halfway around the globe, Jasper in Alberta is a strong pick. It's part of a massive dark sky preserve and one of the largest in the world.
The Canadian Rockies add a dramatic backdrop to the already spectacular sky. The best times are fall and winter, when the skies are most transparent and crowds thin out.
Jasper even hosts an annual Dark Sky Festival every October. It includes science talks, night photography workshops, and telescope viewings. But you don't need a festival to enjoy the stars. Drive out just a bit from the town, and you're in the middle of some of the darkest skies in North America.
NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia
This private reserve in southern Namibia has been declared an International Dark Sky Reserve, and for good reason. There's almost zero light pollution for hundreds of kilometres in any direction.
The landscape is unreal—massive dunes, dry valleys, and wildlife that moves silently under the starlight. The reserve even has a “night safari” vibe to it, where you can see nocturnal animals against a sky that looks like it belongs in a planetarium.
There's even an astro-cottage built for stargazers. It features a retractable roof, allowing you to sleep under the stars without bugs or wind ruining the moment.
Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA
This dormant volcano towers nearly 14,000 feet above sea level, and what lies above it is just as stunning as the view below. Mauna Kea is one of the world's most renowned astronomical observation points.
The high altitude, low humidity, and clear skies make for incredible visibility. Tour companies take you up for sunset, then stick around for stargazing. Due to the elevation, it can get cold—even freezing-so pack warm clothes even in the summer.
Please note that access to the actual summit is limited. It's sacred to native Hawaiians and home to scientific telescopes, but you don't need to be on the top to get a jaw-dropping view of the stars.
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
This Spanish island, off the northwest coast of Africa, is not just for beachgoers. Tenerife is home to Teide National Park, where Mount Teide rises to over 3,700 meters in height.
The altitude and ocean air keep things clear and dry. Light pollution laws are strict here, and the island has even hosted international stargazing conferences. The park itself is a designated Starlight Tourist Destination.
You can take night tours up the volcano or lie back in one of the park's flatter areas and let the sky open up. On good nights, the Milky Way cuts right through the sky like a glowing path.
La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain
Just west of Tenerife is a smaller island with even darker skies. La Palma has some of the most protected airspace in Europe in terms of light pollution.
The island's Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, situated above the clouds, is home to some of the world's most powerful telescopes. While most observatories are dedicated to research, they also offer guided public visits.
Even if you stay closer to sea level, the island’s minimal lighting and mountainous terrain make it easy to find a quiet spot for skywatching.
Uluru, Australia
Uluru isn’t just a stunning red rock in the desert. It’s surrounded by some of the darkest skies in the world.
The nearest major city is more than 450 kilometres away. That means the stars don't have to fight with anything artificial. You get full Southern Hemisphere views, including constellations you won't find in the north.
Many tours offer night sky walks, complete with Indigenous storytelling that ties constellations to traditional knowledge and understanding. Others come equipped with high-end telescopes and sky guides who can point out planets, galaxies, and nebulae.
The silence of the outback makes the experience even more surreal. It’s just you, the vast desert, and the stars above.
Planning Your Stargazing Trip
Chasing dark skies doesn't mean roughing it—unless that's your thing. Many spots offer cosy lodges, guided tours, and astronomy-themed stays. Whether you're bringing a telescope or just your eyes, the key is distance from cities, roads, and anything that lights up the night.
Check the lunar calendar before you go. A full moon can drown out stars, while a new moon gives you a pitch-black sky. Let your eyes adjust—it takes about 20 minutes in the dark to see the faintest stars.
These places aren't just pretty—they show you how vast and wild the night sky is. All you need is the right spot and a clear night.