I had chosen Isle of Sark to find darkness again.
I thought I was looking for a remote place, away from the noise and hustle and bustle. Little did I imagine that that trip would make me think about something even greater: the right to see the sky.
In Sark, a small island of just 5.5 square kilometers and just over 500 inhabitants, the night is still dark indeed.
Stars fill the firmament, the Milky Way crosses the horizon, and the moon seems closer.
But what appears normal here is becoming a rare privilege in the rest of the world.
Light pollution: the darkness we risk losing
Today more than 80 percent of the world’s population lives under skies altered by light pollution.
In Europe and North America, most people can no longer observe the Milky Way with the naked eye.
Artificial lights grow every year, turning the night into an extension of the day.
This phenomenon does not only affect astronomical observation. It has consequences for human health, ecosystems, nocturnal animals, and our cultural relationship with the sky.
The night, in many cities, has been cancelled.
What are Dark Sky Places?
Dark Sky Places are areas internationally recognized for their exceptional quality of night sky and their efforts toreduce light pollution.
They can be islands, natural parks, deserts, mountains or entire communities.
In these places, darkness is considered an environmental resource to be protected, not a vacuum to be filled. These are spaces where the night retains its natural, scientific and cultural value.
The world’s most extraordinary Dark Sky Places
Dark Sky Places are not all the same.
Some are located on remote islands, some in absolute deserts, and some in mountains where the sky seems to approach the earth. Each holds a different way of experiencing the night.
Island of Sark – Europe, between Guernsey and France
A small island in the English Channel, Sark was Europe’s first Dark Sky Island.
Private cars do not exist and light pollution is almost absent.
Here the sky is observed with the naked eye, but during the Sark Stargazing Weekend – generally between September and October – guided sessions with handheld telescopes and meetings devoted to astronomical photography are organized.
Teide National Park – Canary Islands
Located on the island of Tenerife, the volcano Teide is one of the world’s most famous places for stargazing.
The high altitude, dry air and atmospheric stability make it ideal for astronomy.
The Teide Star Party takes place here, with nighttime observations, workshops and guided tours.
The volcanic landscape adds an almost extraterrestrial atmosphere.
Atacama Desert – South America
In northern Chile, the Atacama Desert is considered one of the purest skies on the planet.
Its altitudes and cloudlessness have favored the construction of world-renowned scientific observatories.
Among the best-known events for travelers is theAtacama Stargazing Tour, with evening excursions and deep sky observations.
Aoraki Mackenzie – Oceania
Located in the South Island, this protected reserve is one of the largest in the world dedicated to the dark sky.
The Matariki Festival, linked to Maori culture and the stellar new year, is celebrated here, and astronomical observations are intertwined with traditional tales and cultural celebrations.
NamibRand Nature Reserve – Africa
In the heart of the Namibian desert, this private reserve offers pristine skies and one of the highest levels of darkness on the planet.
Many lodges organize night safaris and sessions with professional telescopes.
The total absence of artificial light makes the experience of the NamibRand Nature Reserve almost absolute.
Exmoor National Park – Southwest England
Between heathlands and Atlantic coasts, Exmoor is one of Europe’s most accessible destinations for astronomical tourism.
Each year it hosts theExmoor Dark Skies Festival, with workshops, guided observations and family activities. A concrete example of how protecting the dark can become a tourism value.
Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park – Abruzzo, Lazio and Marche
Italy also holds ideal places for observing the sky. Gran Sasso’s high altitudes and distance from large urban centers favor excellent conditions.
During the summer, astronomical nights are organized in villages and protected areas, often in collaboration with local associations.
Astronomical tourism: travel in search of the dark
A new way of traveling is growing: astronomical tourism. More and more travelers are choosing destinations where the sky is still authentic, seeking experiences that combine nature, contemplation and knowledge.
Dark Sky Places represent the meeting point of sustainability and wellness. They are not simply places to see the stars. They are spaces that teach people to slow down.
Do you like astronomy tourism?
- Also read our article on the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge!
Why defending the dark from light pollution means defending the future
The night sky is not a luxury.
It is a common good.
Protecting the sky from light pollution or light pollution means reducing energy waste, protecting biodiversity and giving back to new generations something that many cities have already lost.
The Dark Sky Places are the last oases of this memory.
And to visit them today is to understand that the real journey is not just to faraway places, but to a healthier relationship with the planet.
Are you a lover of astronomy tourism? Also read our article about the summer solstice at Stonehenge!
