With meteor showers and supermoons on the autumn and winter calendar, travel expert Gianni Leone shares six destinations for stargazing, from Abu Dhabi’s desert retreats to California’s Joshua Tree National Park.
The nights may be drawing in across the UK, but there’s plenty to look up for. With meteor showers and supermoons lighting up the skies this autumn and winter, it’s a great time to plan a holiday with starry nights and a little stargazing in mind.
NASA’s highlights include November’s Leonid meteor shower and a supermoon on 24th November, followed by another supermoon on Christmas Eve, offering plenty of inspiration for a late getaway or for planning a stargazing adventure in 2027.
“Some of the most memorable holiday experiences happen once the sun has gone down,” says Gianni. “Spending an evening beneath the stars gives you a reason to slow down, step away from your screen, and appreciate a destination differently.
“You don’t need to be an astronomy enthusiast to enjoy it. Whether you add a guided evening to a city break or spend a few nights in a desert retreat, stargazing on starry nights can become a highlight of the holiday.”
1. Desert Retreat in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Beyond Abu Dhabi’s illuminated skyline, the desert offers a quieter setting for an evening looking upwards. Al Quaa’s distance from major urban lighting makes it an appealing option for travellers who want to experience darker skies, with guided excursions combining stargazing with activities such as dinner or overnight camping.
For those who want to make a stay of it, the dunes around Liwa provide a stunning backdrop to a desert escape. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, near Liwa, lists a Stargazing Escapade among its experiences, offering guests a way to build an evening around the sky.
Gianni says: “Abu Dhabi is particularly interesting because you can combine beaches, restaurants and cultural attractions with time among the dunes. A desert stay gives you the chance to experience a quieter side of this must-visit destination.
“For a first stargazing experience, a guided session is a good place to start. Having someone who knows the area and can explain what you’re looking at during starry nights can make the evening much more memorable.”
2. Souk to starry skies in Marrakech and the Agafay Desert, Morocco
You don’t need to travel to the red planet to find a landscape that feels otherworldly. Within reach of Marrakech, the Agafay Desert’s rocky terrain and rugged horizons offer a setting that could belong on another world, especially as the fading sunlight casts warm tones across the ground.
Pair a day exploring Marrakech’s bustling souks and gardens with an evening in the desert, where dinner at a camp can give way to watching the stars emerge. For the best views, choose a spot away from bright camp lighting and check the moon phase too, as darker nights make it easier to spot fainter stars.
Gianni says: “There’s something special about leaving the bustle of Marrakech behind and watching the landscape open up around you. Agafay’s rocky scenery can feel like visiting another planet, and staying after sunset gives you time to appreciate the sky above it.
“For those planning a longer adventure, Morocco’s Saharan dunes offer another setting for nights beneath the stars. An overnight desert stay around Merzouga could become a highlight of a wider itinerary, pairing rolling sand dunes with an evening looking skywards.”
3. Stars beyond the skyscrapers in Dubai, UAE
Dubai knows how to put on a light show, but venture beyond its towers and there is another spectacle to enjoy. In Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, open sands provide a setting for an evening watching the sky on starry nights, with guided experiences introducing visitors to the stars and the region’s astronomical heritage.
Pair a day beside the pool or exploring the city with a desert evening, where sunset over the dunes gives way to dinner and stargazing. Some guided tours explain how Bedouin communities used the stars to find their way and tell the time, adding a cultural dimension to the experience.
Gianni says: “Dubai’s skyline is spectacular, but heading into the desert gives you another reason to look upwards. It’s a lovely way to bring a change of pace to a holiday, particularly after a few busy days exploring the city.
“Look for an experience that specifically includes stargazing, as some desert evenings focus more on dining and entertainment. A guide who can help you recognise constellations and explain their significance can make the experience much more memorable.”
4. Small town to see space in Sutherland, South Africa:
For a holiday that puts the universe into perspective, look to Sutherland in South Africa’s Karoo. Wide-open landscapes and a setting away from major city lights have helped make the area a home for astronomical research.
The South African Astronomical Observatory’s research site sits on a hilltop around 1,800 metres above sea level. Visitors can book stargazing sessions using dedicated visitor telescopes, turning an evening looking upwards into a closer encounter with the night sky. Make it a stop on a wider South African adventure, with time to enjoy the surrounding Karoo landscape too.
Gianni says: “There’s something exciting about visiting a place where studying the stars is part of its identity. Sutherland gives travellers the chance to make astronomy a memorable part of their trip, with expert guidance to help bring what they’re seeing to life.
“Travelling to the Southern Hemisphere also changes your view of the night sky. Book your observatory session ahead and give yourself enough time to enjoy the destination, rather than squeezing it into an already busy travel day.”
5. Beach bubble beneath the stars in Baa Atoll, Maldives
Why stop at watching the stars when you could spend the night beneath them? At Finolhu in the Maldives’ Baa Atoll, a transparent Beach Bubble offers a different way to experience an island escape.
Set on a secluded stretch of sandbank, the bubble pairs views of the night sky with the comforts of a proper bed and a climate-controlled interior. The experience includes a private beach barbecue and breakfast beside the water, taking guests from sunset to sunrise in a setting made for switching off. It is available as an additional experience for guests staying at least three nights in a regular villa, with advance booking required. Finolhu Maldives Beach Bubble
Gianni says: “The Maldives is known for its turquoise lagoons and overwater villas, but spending a night in a beach bubble gives you another way to enjoy the setting. After a day by the ocean, you can watch the sky change without even leaving your bed.
“For couples looking for something memorable, this could be a lovely highlight of the holiday. Check availability when booking your main stay and consider the moon phase if seeing more stars is a priority.”
6. Joshua Tree, California, USA: Take a road trip to another world
With its spiky trees, giant boulders and rugged desert scenery, Joshua Tree already feels a little otherworldly. Stay after sunset, and the landscape takes on a whole different look, with silhouetted rock formations beneath an expansive night sky.
This designated International Dark Sky Park makes a striking stop on a California holiday or road trip. Spend the day exploring its distinctive scenery, then settle into one of the National Park Service’s designated stargazing areas, including Hidden Valley and Cap Rock, to watch the stars emerge on starry nights.
Gianni says: “Joshua Tree is the kind of place that deserves time on both sides of sunset. The landscape is a highlight during the day, but staying into the evening gives you a different experience of the same surroundings.
“Build an overnight stop nearby into your itinerary so you can enjoy the sky without a long drive afterwards. Bring warm layers and take time to let your eyes adjust to the darkness, rather than reaching straight for your phone.”
How to plan a holiday beneath the stars
A little research before booking can help you make the most of a stargazing starry nights escape, from choosing your destination and travel dates to knowing what to pack.
Gianni adds: “Start by researching anything you’d particularly like to see, whether that’s a meteor shower, a full moon or simply a sky full of stars. Check where and when it will be visible, then speak to your hotel or a local guide about suitable experiences.
“Look at typical weather conditions and average temperatures for your travel dates, including overnight lows. Even somewhere warm during the day can feel chilly after sunset, so pack layers if you’ll be spending an evening outdoors.
“Check the forecast closer to your trip and ask whether your experience can be moved if conditions change. Allowing a few evenings gives you more flexibility, while choosing somewhere with plenty to enjoy during the day makes the whole holiday more rewarding.”
For holiday inspiration, visit Away Holidays.
Celestial dates for the diary
| Date in 2026 | Event |
| 4–5 November | Taurids – dates listed in NASA’s calendar |
| 17 November | Leonid meteor shower |
| 24 November | Supermoon |
| 25 November | Uranus at opposition |
| Around 14 December | Geminid meteor shower maximum |
| 21 December | December solstice |
| 21–22 December | Ursid meteor shower |
| 24 December | Supermoon |
Dates follow NASA’s calendar and Royal Observatory Greenwich guidance. Local timing, weather, moonlight and the target’s position affect visibility; these events are not equally suited to every featured destination. The December solstice marks winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. www.nasa.gov
Images courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
