9 Best trips for stargazing

This year promises a celestial feast for stargazers, with a plethora of enchanting events, festivals and anniversaries to look forward (or up) to. The night sky will be adorned with dazzling meteor showers, supermoons will illuminate the landscapes, and stargazing festivals will bring enthusiasts together under the canopy of twinkling stars.

2026 is another important year: it will be the first total solar eclipse since 1999. Popular spots to see the solar eclipse in Europe in 2026 include Spain, Iceland and Greenland as they're included on the path of totality (the destinations where you can witness this spectacle). Join one of our dedicated eclipse tours in Europe and beyond - click here to jump straight to our solar eclipse small group trips and see our total solar eclipse 2026 map.

Stargazing events in 2025:

Anniversaries

One  exciting anniversary is in the UK, where the Yorkshire Dales National Park (an International Dark Sky Reserve) celebrates its 10th anniversary of its majestic Dark Skies Festival in February 2025, with astrophotography workshops and stargazing safaris among the festivities. NASA is also celebrating the 35th anniversary of its renowned Hubble Space Telescope, which since its launch in 1990 has fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe.

Major events

There are awesome astronomical events bejewelling the night sky across 2025. In March, Saturn's rings 'disappear' (this only occurs once every 15 years!). There's a wash of meteor showers to look out for: in April, the Lyriad meteor shower will leave behind bright dust trails; in May, you could spot up to 40 meteors per hour during the Eta Aquariid meteor shower; and between July and August the Perseid meteor shower returns with loads of bright meteors (and a few fireballs) to look out for. Remember your binoculars or telescope!

In September, there will be a total lunar eclipse in certain parts of the world (including the UK), temporarily illuminating the moon in a red hue, and in November you can spot the Pleiades or 'Seven Sisters' star cluster with the naked eye. A year of bewitching celestial activity ends with two supermoons in November and December; these supermoons make the moon appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter.

2025 is at the solar maximum, which means we're currently in a period of high solar activity within a solar cycle. Essentially, we have more chance of spotting the Aurora Borealis (or Northern Lights) due to the sun's 11-year activity peak, causing increased solar flares, which send energy and material into space, creating auroras visible from Earth. 

Whether you're an avid astronomer or casual observer, 2025's night skies will be a canvas of awe-inspiring beauty. Discover more excellent stargazing locations around the world with our small group trips.
 

Small group trips for stargazing:

Say "I was there!" with a difference and watch the 2026 total solar eclipse on one of our small group trips. We have selected departure dates on a few of our Spain, Iceland and Greenland trips which give you the chance to experience this rare event. You'll be accompanied by experts who tell you everything you need to know, from why solar eclipses are so rare to the paths they follow.

Head up to prime vantage points and soak up the atmosphere with like-minded travellers as you prepare to witness this spectacle of Mother Nature.

Our eclipse 2026 map:

Small group trips for the solar eclipse 2026:

1. Trekking in Spain - Picos de Europa and Eclipse

Visit for the trekking, stay for the eclipse. Explore the renowned Picos de Europa national park in northern Spain before stopping for dinner at Pico de la Tabla. Already popular for its dark skies and limited light pollution, Pico de la Tabla is one of the best places to watch the total eclipse in Spain. Eclipse totality will begin around 8.25pm and finish just two minutes later.

2. A Taste of Northern Spain - Catalonia and the Basque Country and Eclipse

Ready for a food tour with a twist? Once you've savoured San Sebastian's pintxos and Rioja's vineyards, the real off-menu magic begins. Hunker down with a picnic at Sierra de Prades, in time for the eclipse; totality starts around 8.25pm, finishing two minutes later. This iconic eclipse event takes place halfway through our northern Spain food tour, and is guaranteed to be the most unforgettable moment of the trip!

3. Iceland - Land of the Midnight Sun

See the Iceland solar eclipse in 2026 on this dedicated departure. At the Snaefellsness Visitor Centre, listen to astronomer Andy Green who will share interesting information about the eclipse, including its phases and unique phenomena. While Iceland is notorious for large cloud cover, basing yourselves in the Snaefellsness Peninsula offers a promising chance. The totality eclipse phase will start at 5.43pm and conclude by 5.50pm.

4. Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland Solar Eclipse Departure - M/V Greg Mortimer

Want to see the Greenland total solar eclipse in 2026? Cruise along the world's largest fjord and experience the eclipse like no-one else. On board the M/V Greg Mortimer, you'll be joined by Dr Sandra H Magnus, a former NASA astronaut who will lead engaging lectures looking at the connections between space exploration and the Polar regions. This trip promises a prime viewing position within the totality path in Greenland, and afterwards you'll enjoy a celebratory dinner with your fellow passengers.