Why 'Noctourism' Is the Hottest Travel Trend of 2025
'There's something about being in nature at night that enlivens all the senses,' says Vicky Derksen. She's the creator of Night Sky Tourist, an Arizona company that organizes stargazing trips. In recent years, demand has been booming, Derksen says. 'The global dark-sky movement is making people aware of what they're missing at night.'
Leading the charge is the nonprofit DarkSky International, which has to date certified more than 200 destinations worldwide as being well suited for stargazing and comet-spotting because of their low levels of light pollution.
The demand for 'noctourism' continues to grow. In January, for example, the city of Tucson, Arizona, introduced its Astro Trail, a network of 11 sky-watching spots that includes the impressive 32-inch public telescope at Mount Lemmon SkyCenter and the pristine Saguaro National Park, which earned DarkSky certification in 2023. This fall, Phoenix will welcome a first-of-its-kind International Dark Sky Discovery Center, a 23,000-square-foot astronomy hub with an observatory, planetarium, and immersive exhibits.
Another astronomical display, the northern lights, is drawing growing numbers to high latitudes. Canada's Yukon Territory, which borders Alaska, has seen a spike in aurora-season visits, and local outfitters have developed out-of-the-box ways to enjoy the phenomenon. North Country Outdoor Adventures, for example, runs nighttime ice-fishing tours near the city of Whitehorse that combine angling with night-sky viewing, while the new Yukon Spa in Dawson City has a rooftop barrel sauna and a whirlpool from which guests can admire the lights.
Interest in eclipse tourism is also booming, particularly after the most recent show in April 2024. Similar solar spectacles will be visible in Spain in 2026 and in Egypt in 2027; demand to see them is so high that some trips are already sold out. 'Whether it's stargazing, night markets, the northern lights, or nighttime safaris, guests are looking for adventures after dark,' says Jim Lutz, the founder of Vaya Adventures, an outfitter. 'Long gone are the days when travelers expect to turn in by nine and turn out the lights.'
Stephanie Vermillion's new book, '100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Adventures After Dark' (National Geographic), is available now.
Wildlife Watchers
See Kangaroo Island's nocturnal koalas, echidnas, and wallabies on a night safari with Australia's Southern Ocean Lodge.
Hiking Enthusiasts
Desert walks illuminated by the moon are one draw at Under Canvas Lake Powell–Grand Staircase, a Utah glamping getaway that also offers guided sky-viewing programs.
Aurora Chasers
Iceland's Hotel Rangá has long delighted aurora hunters with its on-site observatory; last year, it added private astronomer-led stargazing sessions for those who want to geek out.
Forest Bathers
In the woods of Alta, Norway, Holmen Husky Lodge has new 'Forest Suite' A-frames with views of the northern lights through large skylights.
Safari Fans
A new lodge in northern Kenya, Basecamp Samburu has night game drives and suites with alfresco starbeds.
Duck the Crowds
'National parks are getting more crowded year after year, and stargazing programs are a great way to enjoy them with fewer people,' says Vicky Derksen, a noctourism pioneer.
Enjoy Cooler Conditions
Overwhelming heat has become an unfortunate reality of summertime trips to European cities. One solution is sightseeing after dark, with an after-hours tour of spots like Rome's Colosseum or the Acropolis Museum, in Athens.
Skip the Hangover
Drinking less, or not at all? Nighttime tours are an active alternative to bars and clubs. Many resorts are alsoadding astronomy-meets-wellness experiences, such as full-moon sound baths and starlit meditations.
Do Something Different
Noctourism can deliver a fresh point of view, whether you're hot-air ballooning in the predawn hours or hiking after dark. Millions of visitors see China's Great Wall every year, for example, but few go after sunset—something the outfitter Great Wall Adventure Club offers travelers looking for a new perspective.
A version of this story first appeared in the June 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline 'The Dawn of 'Noctourism.''
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
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