Under The Stars: Europe’s Top Stargazing Hotspots

Stargazing is a hobby enjoyed by thousands of people across the world. From seasoned astronomers to curious night-sky chasers, thousands are travelling far beyond city lights in search of darker skies, and brighter stars. In fact, from February ‘24 to February ‘26, searches related to ‘noctourism’ (a travel trend focused on exploring destinations and experiences exclusively after dark) have increased by 635%. With search volume for ‘darker sky destinations’ at almost 200,000 over the past 24 months, it’s clear there’s a growing appetite for travel guided by the stars.

With interest in after-dark travel rapidly rising, we set out to identify the destinations that truly deliver. We conducted a data-led study to reveal the top stargazing locations across Europe, analysing more than 60 sites and ranking each with an overall score out of 10. The study assessed key factors including percentage cloud cover, Bortle scale rating (a nine-level numeric scale that measures the night sky's brightness), number of visible stars, Milky Way visibility, average daylight hours and altitude in metres.

Looking for something specific in this article? Use the links below:

• The top 10 stargazing locations in Europe
• The UK’s top 10 stargazing locations
• The top stargazing locations in Iceland
• The Key Stages of a Solar Eclipse

The Top 10 Stargazing Locations in Europe

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Iceland

Jökulsárlón is widely regarded as one of Iceland's most photogenic locations and has ranked as the best stargazing spot in Europe. The location is famous for its floating icebergs and calm, 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. 

Virtually untouched by artificial light, the lagoon recorded the lowest light pollution of all European locations analysed, scoring just 1 on the Bortle scale. Jökulsárlón also recorded the lowest cloud coverage in the study at 39%, creating the perfect conditions to view over 6,000 stars, the highest number visible anywhere in Europe. 

Pic du Midi de Bigorre, France

High in the Pyrenees, the French Pic du Midi de Bigorre and its surrounding villages of the Gavarnie Valleys make up an International Dark Sky Reserve. The site is world-famous for its high altitude, boasting the highest elevation of all the European stargazing locations analysed at 2,836 metres.

This height offers incredibly clear skies, allowing stargazers to see up to 5,000 stars, despite the 73% cloud cover in the area. With daylight hours of just over 14 hours, the extended darkness provides a perfect window to observe deep-sky objects.

Roque de los Muchachos, Canary Islands 

Situated over 2,400 metres above sea level on the Canary Islands, La Palma, Roque de los Muchachos is the third-best stargazing location in Europe. The location is highly accessible by car via the LP-4 road, where motorists can drive to crossroads with alternative observation points to enjoy the stars above the clouds.

The site stood out for having the lowest summer daylight hours of all European spots, averaging 13 hours and 14 minutes, providing the longest possible stargazing window. Combined with scoring just 3.2 on the Bortle scale, the low-light pollution levels and extended dark hours allow visibility of 3,000 and 5,000 stars. 

Prat-Peyrot Pass, France

The Prat-Peyrot Pass in France ranks as the fourth-best European spot for stargazing, with an overall score of 5.8/10. The area is located within a prestigious International Dark Sky Reserve at the base of Mount Aigoual. 

The location ranked highly due to its low light pollution, scoring a low 3.3 on the Bortle scale. With summer daylight hours of 14 hours and 11 minutes, the area offers a prolonged period of total darkness, allowing for the visibility of up to 5,000 stars.

Arinagour, Isle of Coll, Scotland

Located in the Isle of Coll’s ‘Dark-Sky Community,’ Arinagour ranks as Europe's fifth best destination for stargazing. This is thanks to its low light pollution levels, scoring 2.3 on the Bortle scale, and Its 44% cloud cover, which is remarkably low for a northern island, allowing for unobscured views of the 5,000 stars and Milky Way.

The UK’s Top 10 Stargazing Locations

You don’t have to travel far for world-class stargazing. The UK is packed with dark sky hotspots and our data reveals the 10 destinations that offer the very best conditions for spotting constellations, planets and even the Milky Way.

Craig Goch Dam, Wales

Craig Goch, meaning ‘Red Rock' in Welsh, ranks as the UK’s best stargazing spot with an overall score of 7/10. It boasts the highest dam in the Elan Valley and is widely known as the ‘top dam’. The location is a sanctuary for nature lovers, especially since the 45,000-acre Elan Valley Estate was granted silver-tier International Dark Sky Park status in 2015. This helps protect local wildlife and nature day and night.

The Welsh location performed exceptionally well in our study due to its minimal light pollution, scoring just 3.2 on the Bortle scale, meaning the sky is darker and less affected by light pollution. These conditions allow for high star visibility of up to 5,000 stars, offering visitors a remarkably clear view of the Milky Way. 

Arinagour, Isle of Coll, Scotland

Despite its lower altitude, Arinagour on the Isle of Coll is the second-best stargazing spot in the UK. The best spot for stargazing is a high point overlooking the village, immediately above the kirk. This spot offers a convenient vantage point that is officially recognised as a Dark Sky Discovery Site.

Arinagour ranked highly in our study due to its low cloud cover of 44% and low levels of light pollution, ranking joint lowest on the Bortle scale at 2.3. These dark-sky conditions allow for views of up to 5,000 stars. 

Tomintoul, Scotland 

Of the top 10 cities, five are in Scotland, and Tomintoul, the most northerly International Dark Sky Park, ranks third. While the area is remote, it offers easy access via the Field of Hope viewing site, allowing visitors to experience a night sky brimming with stars without the typical hurdles of hiking through Highland terrain.

Tomintoul was a standout in our study, primarily because it recorded the lowest average cloud cover of all UK spots at 43%. And scored a low 3.5 on the Bortle scale, helping the site provide a dark canvas for up to 5,000 visible stars. 

La Coupée, The Isle of Sark 

Located 80 miles off the south coast of England, the Isle of Sark is ranked the UK’s fourth best location for stargazing. The Isle is famously absent of cars and public streetlights, earning the title of the world’s first International Dark Sky Island in 2011. La Coupée, a narrow 90-metre-long isthmus with sheer drops on either side, is the island's most dramatic vantage point, offering an elevated and unobstructed panoramic view of the night sky.

In our study, La Coupée ranked exceptionally as it boasts the least daylight of all the UK locations analysed at just 14 hours and 32 minutes, providing the longest window for stargazing. Scoring just 3 on the Bortle scale, the site's low light pollution allows stargazers to view up to 5,000 stars. 

Cliad football pitch, Isle of Coll, Scotland

Rounding out the top five is Cliad Football Pitch. The pitch offers a vast, unobstructed 360-degree view of the horizon and has been officially recognised as a Dark Sky Discovery Site. With low cloud cover (44%) and no streetlights, the entire area remains as dark as naturally possible.

This location achieved the joint-best ranking for low light pollution across the UK, with a score of just 2.3 on the Bortle scale. Those lucky enough to visit the island can observe up to 5,000 stars at an altitude of just 12 metres. 

The Top 3 Stargazing Locations in Iceland

Iceland is famous for its glaciers, thermal springs, active volcanoes and mesmerising waterfalls. It’s also a hotspot for travellers seeking to visit the northern lights (Aurora Borealis) and dark, starry nights. But in which Icelandic spots does the sky shine the brightest?

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Iceland

Jökulsárlón is ranked the number one stargazing spot in Europe and, by default, Iceland. Despite its lower altitude of 33 metres and just 7 hours of darkness per day during summer. The area is still virtually untouched by artificial light, with Jökulsárlón recording the lowest light pollution of all the Icelandic and European locations, scoring just 1 on the Bortle scale. Alongside the other ranking Icelandic locations, Jökulsárlón recorded the lowest cloud coverage in Europe at 39%, creating the perfect conditions to view over 6,000 stars.

Arnarstapi, Iceland

Arnarstapi is a coastal fishing village on Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Peninsula, known for its dramatic basalt cliffs and sea caves. In our study, the location ranked 23rd among Europe’s stargazing locations, due to its low cloud cover of 39% and low levels of light pollution. It scored just 3.3 on the Bortle scale, allowing visitors to see up to 5,000 stars. Even with the long 16-and-a-half-hour Icelandic summer days, visitors can enjoy world-class views of the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy. Located in western Iceland, this is the perfect destination for those chasing the 'Total Eclipse'.

Hakid Viewpoint, Iceland

Iceland’s national parliament, founded in 930 A.D., Hakid Viewpoint (Hakið) is the primary gateway to the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park. Situated at the crest of the North American tectonic plate, the location offers sweeping views across the Almannagjá Gorge and Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake.

Ranking 26th in Europe and 3rd in Iceland, Hakid viewpoint scored joint top for low cloud cover at just 39%. The location has a Bortle score of 3.9, indicating a high-quality rural sky with low levels of light pollutions allowing visitors to enjoy over 5,000 visible stars. 

The 2026 Solar Eclipse: what to watch for & how to be ready

On August 12th, 2026, Europe will experience the first solar eclipse since 1999. But this will be more visible in some areas than others and will be distinct as a ‘Total Eclipse’ in parts of Iceland, Greenland and northern Spain and as a ‘Partial Eclipse’ in the UK and the rest of mainland Europe.

Western Iceland is in the ‘Path of Totality’, meaning when the eclipse hits, observers will see the moon completely block the Sun. If you are inside this 180-mile-wide covered strip, you will experience a ‘total eclipse’ and a rare moment of total daytime darkness.

If you are outside this specific path, but somewhere in the rest of the UK and mainland Europe, you will witness a ‘Partial Eclipse’. As the moon passes through the sun and earth, the alignment is not exact as it is with a total eclipse; this lets parts of the sun's light through, which causes a slight dimming in the light and a crescent-shaped sun. 

As Europe prepares for this rare celestial event, knowing where to watch from (and how to do so safely) will be key to making the most of this once-in-a-generation sighting. 

Solar Eclipse Checklist 

Many are excited to view the ‘Eclipse of the Century’, but it requires more thinking than being in the right place at the right time. The phenomenon creates rapid, artificial nightfall in the middle of the day; proper preparation is the key to both safety and your enjoyment. 

• ISO-Certified Solar Glasses - Ensure your glasses meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. 
  
  In the UK and mainland Europe (outside the path of totality), your glasses should never come off during the solar eclipse process. Only those in the path of totality can safely remove their glasses during the few minutes of total darkness when the sun is completely covered.

• Dedicated Solar Filters for Optics - If you plan on using binoculars, a telescope, or a camera, you must use a professional solar filter on the front of the lens. Standard lenses and glass won't protect your equipment (or your eyes) from the concentrated rays magnified by the eclipse.

• Warm layers - The temperature can drop quickly by 10°C during the solar eclipse. It’s important to have layers, including scarves and jackets, ready so you are prepared for the sudden chill.

• A torch or headlamp - Keep an artificial light source with you. When totality hits, it gets completely dark; some light is essential for safety, especially if you are navigating rocky terrain in places like Iceland.

• A full tank of petrol - During a solar eclipse, the weather can be unpredictable. Particularly for the partial eclipse, having a full tank gives you the freedom to drive to a clearer patch of sky if cloud cover compromises your view.

Methodology & Sources 

To identify the best destinations for stargazing, Lotus Car Rental conducted a comprehensive, data-driven study from December 2024 to January 2025. They pulled together a seedlist of 63 European stargazing locations and 31 UK stargazing locations and compared them against a number of metrics. Each metric received a score out of 10 to create a final index, allowing for like-for-like comparison.

These locations were ranked according to the following metrics:

• Cloud Cover - Percentages taken from the 12th August to identify summer levels of cloud cover, using WeatherSpark. 
• Light Pollution - Looking at the ‘Bortle Scale’ rating for each location, which is a nine-level numeric scale that measures the night sky's brightness and level of light pollution in a particular location using the Light Pollution Map.
• Star Count Data - Average number of visible stars and how clear the Milky Way is from each location using Light Pollution Map. 
• Total Daylight Hours - Calculated for 12th of August to identify the locations with the longest periods of astronomical darkness using Time & Date.
• Altitude - Average altitude in each area using Google Earth. 

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