So called “Astro-tourism” is set to be one of the biggest travel trends of 2025, with searches overall up 263% over the past year.
From stargazing to observing natural phenomena like the Northern Lights, interest in travelling to see the sky’s wonders has reached an all-time high.
Many factors contribute to being able to stargaze and see astronomical events clearly, including light pollution levels, atmospheric conditions and elevation.
However, a great place to start is a dark sky park – an area that restricts or reduces light pollution to maintain and protect naturally dark night skies.
Holiday experts at Travel Republic have analysed global search data to discover which International Dark Sky Parks, certified by DarkSky International, are the most popular for 2025.
Bodmin Moor in Cornwall has seen an 124% increase in demand over the past year. On clear nights, visitors can observe thousands of stars, the Milky Way, planets, and even meteors.
Bodmin Moor is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so has plenty of stunning sights to see in the daytime as well as at night.
Experts from Travel Republic advise you to always check the weather forecast, moon phase, and sky conditions in advance to ensure the best stargazing experience. There are also some essentials you should pack to enhance your astro adventure:
• Warm clothes: Even in summer, temperatures can drop significantly at night. Layer up with jackets, hats, gloves, and thermal socks.
• Seating: Bring a camping chair or a blanket to lie on the ground comfortably.
• A red light: Many torches have red light modes as red light preserves night vision while allowing you to see your surroundings.
• Binoculars or a telescope: Enhance your view of deep-sky objects, as the naked eye cannot see some astrological sights.
• Star map or astronomy app: Use a printed map or an app on your smartphone to identify stars, constellations, and planets.
