Travel ·05.03.2025
What is noctourism?
Night owls rejoice. Noctourism is 2025's newest travel trend. From night safaris to aurora hunts, travellers are ditching crowded day tours for serene after-dark adventures.
According to a Booking.com survey, 62% of respondents plan to enjoy a little “midnight magic” this year. This post covers the trend’s meteoric rise and provides a few ideas for budding noctotourists.
Contents
What is noctourism?
Why is noctourism on the rise?
Top noctourism activities to do in 2025
What to see in the sky in 2025?
What is noctourism?
A portmanteau of ‘nocturnal’ and ‘tourism’, this up-and-coming travel trend is all about experiencing the world after dark, with a focus on wholesome pursuits. From swimming with bioluminescent plankton to strolling aromatic night markets, there’s a plethora of compelling activities to enjoy after the sun has set.
The night sky plays a pivotal role. Worldwide, we now have over 200 Dark Sky Destinations, small protected areas where minimal light pollution creates a haven for stargazers. Unsurprisingly, the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) is the essential noctourism draw due to its dazzling, ion radiation-charged display.
This post-sunset travel trend is quickly becoming a big deal. Booking.com noted trips to the Norwegian aurora borealis mecca of Tromsø doubled in the three months leading to October 2024 compared to the previous year. Skyscanner agrees that “astro adventures” will skyrocket in 2025. Meanwhile, luxury travel company Wayfairer Travel says its noctourism-related bookings jumped 25% last year.
“Noctourism is set to transform travel in 2025 as night owl travellers are increasingly seeking unique after-dark experiences”, Wayfairer Travel CEO, Jay Stevens, told CNN.
Why is noctourism on the rise?
A major driver behind our growing affection for after-dark expeditions is the sun reaching the peak of its 11-year solar cycle. As a star approaches its solar peak, or ‘maximum’, the magnetic poles flip, emitting magnificent bursts of energy, light and radiation. Massive solar eruptions, such as coronal mass ejections and solar flares, blast charged particles into the cosmos and increase the likelihood of seeing an aurora on Earth.
Not only does a solar maximum create more frequent celestial light shows, but it also boosts their magnitude — and, as such, their viewable area, or ‘auroral zone’.
It's not always necessary to travel to Finland, Norway or Iceland. Britons can currently witness the Northern Lights in rural, light pollution-free places like Northern Scotland and South Wales. That said, this once-in-a-decade solar peak will make the aurora magnificent in Scandinavia this year. Now is a brilliant time to visit our Nordic neighbours.
On the other end of the world, mainland Australians have had a rare chance to view the Southern Lights at higher-than-normal latitudes. Popular aurora australis hotspots like Tasmania, New Zealand and Southern Patagonia are welcoming sky-gazing holidaymakers in droves.
There are also darker reasons behind our infatuation with darkness. With climate change bringing insufferable heat to Europe each summer, holidaymakers want to stay cool during their lengthy mid-year breaks.
Of the nocturnal tourists responding to the aforementioned Booking.com survey, 54% hoped to avoid rising daytime temperatures, and 61% wanted to spend less time under the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Over-tourism has become rampant in Europe, with famous destinations like Amsterdam, Venice and Barcelona struggling to accommodate record-breaking crowds. Much like the travel dupe trend, noctourism offers a unique way to escape the mass tourism crunch.
Some savvy tourist bureaus have witnessed the rising trend and targeted nocturnal explorers. From Singapore to London and New York, prominent global cities are developing their night-time economies through investments in after-dark infrastructure, events and safety. Meanwhile, popular aurora-spotting destinations like Norway put noctourism at the forefront of their marketing campaigns.
Top noctourism activities in 2025
Looking for after-hours adventure? Here are a few unique noctourism experiences from across the globe.
Northern Lights, Norway
Why catch a quick glimpse of the aurora when you can immerse yourself in its electromagnetic magic on a multi-day adventure? Hurtigruten offers opulent cruises through remote Norwegian fjords with ample time to stare at the bright ionised display.
Star-gazing, Morocco
Star-gazing is an archetypal noctourism pastime, and the remote Sahara Desert is a great place to give it a go. Stay at a lavish Berber-style desert camp to eat authentic Moroccan cuisine and relax under a star-lit sky.
Night Safari, Colombia
The Amazon springs to life at night, and the best way to experience this teeming nocturnal ecosystem is on a guided evening tour. In the Colombian-Amazon hub of Leticia, this night safari sees you cruise tranquil waterways on a dugout canoe to spot creatures like tarantulas, snakes, sloths and caimans.
Street Food Tour, Bangkok
Chew through Bangkok’s famous open-air culinary scene on a tuk-tuk-powered street food tour. From spicy small plates to Michelin Star-worthy Guay Tiew Kua Gai, you’ll savour the capital’s renowned gastronomic flavours in one epic epicurean adventure.
For more noctourism inspo, see the recently released National Geographic guide to after-dark adventures: 100 Nights in a Lifetime.
What to see in the sky in 2025?
While we won’t witness a total solar eclipse in 2025, it’s still worth keeping an eye on the sky this year. A partial solar eclipse will affect Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas on March 29, and another will be visible from Australia and New Zealand on September 21. We’ll also see a string of celestial events like meteor showers, planetary alignments and supermoons.
Plus, with the solar cycle continuing to peak, now is the best time to cross the Northern Lights off your bucket list. For a total solar eclipse, you’ll have to wait until August 2026, when parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and Portugal will experience the magic of totality.
Takeaway
Much like the coolcation, noctourism is a great way to avoid mid-summer temperatures and maddening peak-season crowds. With the solar cycle reaching its crescendo, noctourism will erupt in 2025. But even after the sun’s radiant combustions fade, after-dark activities like night safaris, glow-worm spotting and moonlight cruises will keep the trend alive.
What is noctourism?
What are some noctourism activities?
What are the best Noctourism destinations?
The latest product news and travel guides? It's just a sign-up away.
