Ahead of August’s solar eclipse, discover Europe’s top location to stargaze for a dazzling night sky
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Once niche interests, stargazing and noctourism – the art of exploring destinations solely for their dark skies – have boomed in recent years. Searches for ‘nocturnism’ have skyrocketed by 635 per cent over the last two years alone.
Tour operators noted a sizeable peak in interest following the 2024 total solar eclipse across North America, and interest has continued to rise since. But where exactly is the best place to view a night sky in Europe?
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According to recent analysis, the best stargazing location on the continent is Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in Southeast Iceland.
Not only did the lagoon record the lowest cloud cover of all European locations analysed (39 per cent), but it also featured the lowest light pollution, scoring a ‘one’ on the Bortle scale. There are nine-levels to this numeric scale – with ‘one’ being the best. This indicates a sky with virtually no artificial light, creating the perfect conditions to view more than 6,000 stars, the highest number visible anywhere in Europe.
In addition, the location is also famous for its floating icebergs and crystal-clear waters. Between late September and early April, the lagoon becomes a natural mirror – reflecting the Aurora Borealis and thousands of stars on the water’s surface.
Where else can I go to stargaze in Europe?
If Iceland isn’t for you, there are other locations around Europe to choose from that are hotspots for noctourism.
Ranked number two in the whole of Europe is Pic du Midi de Bigorre in France. It offers the best views of the Pyrenees from an altitude of 2,877 metres and is also home to Europe’s highest planetarium. So high up is the planetarium that it took two years to transport it to the summit on the back of men and mules in 1907 and 1908.
As well as France, Spain’s skies also offer ample opportunity for astrotourism, particularly in Roque de los Muchachos in La Palma. The island of La Palma even has its own law that protects its sky from light pollution and has one of the most advanced telescopes in the world. The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory is located at 2,400 metres above sea level, offering panoramic views of the skies above.
