Inspirations
From Spain, a short flight away, to the Atacama desert, here's where to go for a trip built around the night sky.
Clear skies, low light pollution, altitude: some destinations are naturally suited to stargazing. Here are 3 ways to plan a trip built around the night sky, from an easy weekend away to a full desert expedition.
La Palma and Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, rank among Europe's best stargazing sites: altitude, dry air, and officially certified Starlight Reserve skies. A 2-4 hour flight from most major European cities, for a total change of scenery without major jet lag. Spain has already experienced one total eclipse in August 2026 in the north of the country, and will see a second one as soon as August 2027, this time in the south.
On August 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse will cross southern Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt, with totality exceeding 6 minutes near Luxor, a record for this century. The desert's clear skies offer optimal viewing conditions: it's already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated astronomical events of the decade.
The Atacama Desert is home to some of the clearest skies on the planet, which is why the world's largest observatories (ALMA, Paranal) are located there. A destination worth a trip on its own, between astro-tourism lodges and nights spent under the open sky.
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