The Yorkshire Dales is ranked as one of the UK's top spots for stargazing, perfect for seeing the meteor shower. Worldwide, 28% of travellers are planning to visit dark sky reserves in 2025, with Interlaken in Switzerland taking the top spot for astro-tourism.

The Perseid meteor shower is active between 17 July and 24 August, with the number of meteors increasing every night until it reaches a peak of up to 60 meteors per hour on the night of the 12th August. The best time to see them will be between 12am-5:30am.

Several celestial phenomena lit up our sky this year, including the solar eclipse and northern lights, leading to interest in astronomical events and astro-tourism rapidly growing in popularity. In fact, there has been a 53% increase in travellers seeking destinations to experience the Aurora Borealis.

To help keen stargazers find the perfect location for witnessing the Perseids meteor shower, Planet Cruise has conducted a study to find the top global and UK destinations for astro-tourism:

The Best Destinations in the UK for Astro-Tourism

Rank	Location	Latitude	Avg Elevation (m)	Light pollution
1.	Snowdonia, Wales	52.90053	700	0.4
2.	Wasdale (Scafell Pike), Cumbria	54.45675	351	0
3.	Derwentwater, Cumbria	54.59478	265	0.2
4.	North York Moors, Yorkshire	54.37432	237	0
5.	Yorkshire Dales (Richmond), Yorkshire	54.26081	166	0.2
6.	Shetland Islands, Scotland	60.34662	4	1.9
7.	Black Down, West Sussex	51.06274	385	0.4
8.	Cambrian Mountains (Llanidloes), Wales	52.41609	267	0.4
9.	Carding Mill Valley on the Long Mynd, Shropshire	52.54564	280	0.7
10.	Brecon Beacons, Wales	51.87969	270	0.4

Snowdonia, Wales, tops the UK rankings as the best location for stargazing. With an elevation of 700 metres and extremely low light pollution, it offers breathtaking views of the Milky Way, constellations, and even meteor showers. The vast national park provides numerous vantage points, ensuring an unforgettable stargazing experience.

Yorkshire cements its place as a top destination for astro-tourism, with two stunning locations making the UK’s top five. The North York Moors, ranking fourth, boasts zero light pollution and vast open landscapes, making it an ideal spot for witnessing the Milky Way in all its glory. Meanwhile, the Yorkshire Dales (Richmond) follows closely in fifth place, offering breathtaking dark skies perfect for observing celestial wonders. With its expansive national parks and commitment to preserving dark skies, Yorkshire provides stargazers with memorable cosmic experiences in the heart of northern England.

The Best Destinations Worldwide for Astro-tourism

Rank	Location	Latitude	Avg Elevation (m)	Avg Light Pollution	Instagram posts mentioning ‘Northern Lights’
1.	Interlaken, Switzerland	46.68582	3,401	2	68
2.	Reykjavik, Iceland	64.13482	67	32.5	41,813
3.	Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Canada	49.05253	1,481	1.4	10,057
4.	Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA	19.80781	3,978	0.5	6
5.	Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia	-20.1851	3,723	0	0
6.	Leknes, Norway	68.14699	60	10	15,578
7.	Lapland, Finland	67.73225	249	1.6	5,695
8.	Gantrisch Dark Sky Zone, Switzerland	46.70443	1,776	0.2	68
9.	Hehuan Mountain, Taiwan	24.17857	3,030	0.2	0
10.	Kittila, Finland	67.79493	254	8.1	5,695

Interlaken in Switzerland is the best location worldwide for astro tourism
Interlaken, Switzerland, claims the top spot thanks to its high elevation of 3,401 metres and low light pollution, making it an ideal location for stargazing. The Milky Way is often visible, and the area is popular for winter sports and outdoor activities, making it an adventure-lovers' paradise.

Reykjavík, Iceland, ranks second, offering some of the best opportunities to see the Northern Lights due to its high latitude. Despite some light pollution in the city, excursions to darker areas allow for spectacular Aurora Borealis sightings, with over 41,000 Instagram posts showcasing its magical displays.

For more information about the ideal locations for astro-tourists, click here