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The newest travel obsession -

Noctourism appears to be reshaping the way travelers connect with the world, catering to night owls through uniquely twilight-infused experiences that change depending on where you are.

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A global appetite -

According to a Booking.com survey involving 33 countries, nearly two-thirds of travelers in 2024 considered including nighttime activities in their holidays. It appears that there is a growing interest for experiences that don’t rely on daylight.

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Nocturnal excursions -

Some tour companies have recorded a 25% surge in demand for nighttime trips over the past year. This has been credited to a growing fascination with the after-dark charm of various landscapes and cultural sites.

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Millennials -

Some companies have even noted a dramatic rise in millennial demand for night tours. But what is the appeal? Millennials, in particular, are changing their nightlives, shifting away from alcohol to more immersive, meaningful experiences that unfold beneath the stars.

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A fresh take -

As daytime crowds overwhelm popular tourist spots, noctourism becomes a clever antidote. It reimagines famous destinations by showing them under a cloak of darkness, offering peace and novelty that escapes the trappings of over-tourism. But what exactly are nighttime travelers looking for?

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Nighttime safaris -

With 70% of African mammals being nocturnal, the traditional daytime safari misses much of the action. Night drives unlock the wilderness's mysterious side, and they spotlight elusive animals like the aardvark and aardwolf in their natural, moonlit habitats.

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Wildlife tourism -

There has been a 35% increase in night safari bookings across Africa. Influenced by the popularity of wildlife documentaries, travelers seek rarer species and thrilling encounters impossible to replicate during the day’s harsh glare.

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Rainforest adventures -

From Madagascar to Costa Rica, lodges now offer night walks through the jungle, revealing creatures that only stir after dark. In Ecuador’s Amazon, some lodges even take guests canoeing through blackwater channels in search of glowing crocodile eyes.

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European wildlife -

In Europe, travelers can opt for overnight wildlife hides to spot brown bears or visit Scandinavian camps where the howls of wolves pierce the night. Such excursions allow travelers to observe nature’s drama away from the daytime bustle.

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The Northern Lights -

The aurora borealis remains the crown jewel of noctourism, attracting waves of travelers seeking its ethereal glow. The tourism industry around the Northern Lights is estimated to be worth around US$900 million, with many estimating that this value will reach $2.1 billion by 2033.

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Seeking an aurora moment -

Interestingly, one in five travelers from the United Kingdom intended to chase the Northern Lights in 2024. With airlines expanding routes to aurora hot spots like Tromsø in Norway, this natural phenomenon certainly has a magnetism to it.

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A rare solar cycle -

Roughly every 11 years, the sun reaches peak solar activity, which is known as solar maximum. This rare event is predicted to occur in July 2025, bringing with it a surge in auroral intensity and frequency.

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The rising auroral trend -

These heightened conditions for the Northern Lights have sparked a golden era for night-sky seekers who are drawn to the magnetic elegance of celestial fire dancing above Earth’s polar skies.

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Floating observatories -

There are even some aurora cruises that let guests pursue clearer skies from a moving base. Some voyage companies have almost doubled in bookings within a year as they turned ships into immersive nighttime observatories.

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Night-sky accommodations -

Star beds resting under open skies have also been captivating the travel market. Experts explain that these open-air experiences offer serenity and awe, connecting people with the wild in vulnerable and unforgettable ways.

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From rugged to refined -

The evolution of sleep-outs is striking. Once they were basic setups, but today’s star beds come with king-sized mattresses, plush linens, and even hot tubs. The luxury of sleeping beneath the cosmos has truly been elevated.

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Dreamy night offerings -

On the island of Milaidhoo in the Maldives, travelers can book a Sleep Under the Stars experience on a remote sandbank. Accessible only by boat, it offers seclusion and starlight in equal measure.

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The Million Stars Hotel -

In recent years, Switzerland’s tourism board has embraced the celestial trend with the Million Stars Hotel. It offers 50 distinctive stays for travelers, from transparent domes to rustic hay carts. Each possibility grants guests unfiltered access to star-strewn skies.

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Light pollution -

As global light pollution climbs 10% each year, the ability to see the Milky Way diminishes. This loss fuels a new form of travel: stargazing tourism, where remote, dark corners of the world become coveted destinations for celestial spectacle seekers.

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Magnets for astronomers -

Places like Portugal’s astronomy observatory in the Algarve (as well as vast tracts in Chile, Namibia, and Australia) offer unmatched stargazing conditions. These naturally dark regions, home to some of the world’s greatest observatories, are now welcoming amateurs and enthusiasts alike.

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Mapping the world’s darkest places -

The US-based nonprofit organization DarkSky International has designated over 160,000 square miles (414,400 square kilometers) as dark-sky sites. These certified regions ensure minimal light interference and help travelers access authentic, awe-inspiring views of the universe from Earth.

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A sanctuary to the stars -

The Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary is a particularly important reserve for observing the night. Located near Queenstown in New Zealand, it extends the country’s commitment to preserving dark skies and promoting environmentally conscious stargazing tourism.

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Ancient ruins -

Visiting ancient landmarks at night offers serenity and intimacy that is impossible to find in the daytime. Petra’s lantern-lit Treasury in Jordan and the moonlit Taj Mahal offer dreamlike ambiance, turning iconic sites into tranquil nocturnal sanctuaries for the soul.

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Neon-lit nights -

Tokyo’s nightscape has captivated Instagram users worldwide. From the glowing signs of Kabukicho to tranquil Senso-ji Temple visits, nocturnal allure has driven a massive 30% increase in the city’s nighttime tourism.

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Stages for the night -

In places like East Asia and Latin America, night markets are social spectacles. Beyond the cuisine, they’re places to absorb local culture. For a start, Seoul’s Gwangjang (pictured) and Taipei’s Yansan Market let visitors eat and observe life under a vibrant evening buzz.

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Nighttime carnival of flavor -

In the Moroccan city of Marrakesh, the iconic Jemaa el-Fnaa square transforms nightly into a food festival. This is merely a taste of nighttime delight, where travelers are led through the market’s dazzling chaos filled with the scents of grilled meats, rhythmic drumming, and vibrant crowds.

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A dance beneath the waves -

Night dives in Hawaii with manta rays exemplify the surreal magic that can be found in underwater noctourism. The stillness of the ocean and glowing marine life deliver a space-like adventure just beneath the surface, far removed from the frenetic daylight world.

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Glowing with global fame -

Even bioluminescent waters hold fascination for noctourism. Mosquito Bay on Puerto Rico’s Vieques Island holds the Guinness World Record for brightest bioluminescence, and it offers travelers a surreal light show. Tourists can take kayaks out, and each paddle stroke stirs up radiant microorganisms that turn the ocean into a pool of stars.

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A new frontier for discovery -

As noctourism gains momentum, it’s clear that darkness is no longer just a backdrop: it’s a destination in itself. In embracing the unseen hours, travelers are expanding their sense of wonder, one starlit experience at a time.

Sources: (National Geographic) (Vogue) (Time Out) (Grand View Research)

See also: The safest places to travel to in 2025

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