The surprising nighttime travel trend of 2025 revealed
After-dark experiences are set to boom this year as ‘noctourism’ is emerging as one of 2025’s biggest travel trends.
According to Booking.com, noctourism (nocturnal tourism) — the desire to 'ditch the daylight crowds for midnight magic' — has been named a top travel trend of the year, while Skyscanner also confirms that ‘astro adventures’ are a key focus in the travel world for 2025.
In fact, research from Booking.com found that nearly two-thirds (62%) of travellers are prioritising 'darker sky destinations' with 'star-bathing' experiences (72%), star guides (59%), once-in-a-lifetime cosmic events (59%), and constellation tracking (57%).
With 2024 being one of the best years to see the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, this revived interest in stargazing and celestial events, seems to have had a knock-on effect on the world of travel — with many now ditching daytime adventures for midnight experiences.
As a result, destinations with huge nighttime appeal (like Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden) are soaring in popularity. Booking.com notes a particular spike in interest for trips in Tromso, Norway — a popular spot for Arctic trips to view the Northern Lights and go whale watching. The platform says bookings to the city doubled in the three months to the end of October 2024, compared with the same period in 2023.
Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner’s Travel Trends and Destinations Expert, says the rising trend combines the adventure of exploring celestial events alongside the mystical insights of astrology.
She tells Country Living: “As our grasp of the cosmos grows, travellers are increasingly looking to the skies to guide their next getaway. As it’s becoming easier and more accessible to understand our place in the universe, so does our shared, collective appreciation of being part of something bigger than ourselves.
"Astrology is something more and more UK travellers are enjoying, especially younger Gen Z and Millennials, who are seeking a sense of connection with the cosmos."
Embracing stillness, quiet and natural beauty plays into the ever-growing slow travel movement.
However, there’s also a darker side to the ‘noctourism’ trend — with climate change anxiety is being partially responsible for the surge in popularity. In fact, 54% of travellers said they hope to avoid rising daytime temperatures and 42% preferring to vacation in cooler locations.
About 61% of travellers also want to reduce the amount of time they spend under the sun’s rays, while more than half (57%) are set to schedule their activities in the evenings and early mornings to avoid the sun.
For those inspired to give noctourism a go in 2025, there are so many locations right on our doorstep, including Northumberland's Dark Sky Park, the Lake District and Galloway Forest Park in Scotland, that are brilliant stargazing holiday spots.
And if you book one, be sure to read our stargazing guide for beginners — with expert tips from astronomer Richard Darn.
Stargazing calendar for 2025
All the celestial events to expect
All the full moons at dates for 2025
Top 10 UK stargazing spots revealed
You Might Also Like
