Noctourism is one of the biggest travel trends for 2025, and it lets you see the world in a whole new way. But what even is it?

Noctourism is a term that combines “nocturnal” and “tourism,” referring to travel experiences and activities that take place primarily at night. It’s all about exploring destinations after dark – whether that means visiting night markets, taking ghost tours, stargazing in remote locations, or partying until sunrise in a city that never sleeps.

Noctourism really appeal to those who fancy experiencing a different side of a place – one that often feels more intimate, mysterious, or alive in a way that daylight hours just can’t match. It can range from peaceful and serene (like bioluminescent kayaking or full-moon hikes) to high-energy and wild (think Tokyo’s neon-lit streets or Berlin’s underground club scene). It can be be for good old practical reasons too – some seek it out to avoid the daytime crowds or extreme heat in certain destinations.

High elevation. Dry climate. Low light pollution. These are the key stones for a proper good stargazing experience, and Utah has it in spades. It’s actually got more International Dark Sky Places than anywhere else on the planet – 24 and counting. Zion National Park hosts Astronomy Ranger programmes, as well as an Astronomy Festival in June, and at Inspiration Point you can see the Milky Way stretch across the sky with the naked eye.

Arches National Park, meanwhile, is where you can hike to Balanced Rock or The Windows for an epic foreground to your stargazing shots, or you can try Dark Sky-certified Canyonlands or Bryce Canyon National Park for something a bit quieter – stargazing is popular round these parts.

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Only the second place on Earth to be named a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Reserve – given to those with only the very darkest skies – NamibRand Nature Reserve in Namibia has sand dunes for days, perfect for night time astronomy safaris. Located on the edge of the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world, picture dramatic rock formations and endless golden savannahs.

They’re pretty protective of their Dark Sky status too – even vehicle headlights are regulated here to help look after its desert ecosystem and creatures like the Oryx, Springbok, and bat-eared foxes & aardwolves.

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La Palma, part of Spain’s Canary Islands, ain’t just about the tropics –  it’s also home to some of the most protected night skies in the world and was the first Starlight Reserve recognized by UNESCO. Local laws include limited flight paths, no high-rises, and certified ‘starlight’ hotels with rooftop observatories and red-toned night lighting.

Speaking of observatories, at the top of Roque de los Muchachos is one of Earth’s most important astronomical research centers, home to the largest optical telescope on the planet and where scientists discovered one of the first known exoplanets. Don’t miss Llano del Jable, a lava field offering uninterrupted 360-degree night sky views, and Bodegas Teneguía, a ‘starlight winery’ where you can sample local vino in the moonlight.

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This ain’t just a casual flicker of lights in the woods – it’s a full-blown natural spectacle, like nature decided to throw its own rave. The main event here is the synchronous fireflies, a species that performs an eerie, mesmerizing dance of light in perfect unison. These guys flash together in waves, creating bursts of glowing pulses followed by darkness, then another wave -like a living, breathing Christmas light display.

Peak firefly season is typically late May to early June, lasting about two weeks. They make their grand performance in Elkmont, a historic district within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s mega popular, so the National Park Service runs a lottery system for parking passes – planning ahead is a must. Also – bring a red light torch! Normal ones are a big no-no!

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The Waitomo Caves are famous for their population of Arachnocampa luminosa, a species of bioluminescent glowworm unique to New Zealand. These little creatures dangle sticky, silk threads from cave ceilings, using their ghostly glow to lure unsuspecting insects into their grasp. The result? An underground Milky Way.

The most famous experience is a guided boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto. But if you want to actually walk through the caves and get up close with the glowworms, Ruakuri Cave is your go-to. The glowworms do their thing year-round, but winter (June to August) is often the best time to visit. P.S. – Keep it down in there, the worms are sensitive to sound.

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Bioluminescence is the glow created by tiny, microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates – a type of plankton that emits light when disturbed. San Diego’s glowing waves don’t follow a strict schedule, but they’re most commonly seen in spring and summer, especially after a red tide – a bloom of these bioluminescent organisms. During the day, the ocean might look brownish-red (hence the name “red tide”), but at night, the water transforms into a dazzling display of blue, glowing waves.

Some of the best places to catch it include Black’s Beach, Torrey Pines State Beach, and La Jolla Shores.

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While daytime slopes can be packed with overzealous snowboarders and ski-school toddlers darting unpredictably, night skiing is often far less crowded. That means shorter lift lines and more room to carve. Plus the contrast of bright lights on the snow against the dark, silent surroundings creates an almost surreal feeling – like you’re skiing inside a winter dream.

Some resorts are legendary for night skiing, like Keystone Resort in Colorado and Mt. Hood Skibowl in Oregon, or across the pond in Europe at resorts like Courchevel in France, one of the most luxurious ski resorts in the world where even the night skiing feels high-end – ski straight into La Folie Douce for a nighttime après-ski session.

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If diving during the day feels like exploring an underwater jungle, night diving is like stepping into an alien world. It’s eerie, breathtaking, and just the right amount of thrilling. You’ll see things like bioluminescence and predators on the prowl (think reef sharks, moray eels, and barracudas) as well as fluorescent coral and even sleeping sea turtles – they tuck themselves into crevices in the reef

The Great Barrier Reef is always incredible, but certain times offer unique spectacles, like from November to December during the coral spawning event (think underwater fireworks made of tiny coral eggs). It happens once a year, about a week after the full moon, and is one of the most surreal underwater sights on the planet.

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If you haven’t wandered through a night market before, just imagine a blend of a carnival, a bustling food festival, and a treasure hunt for the best snacks – all rolled into one. And in Taiwan? They’re everywhere. Nearly every city has at least one, and some towns have multiple. Whether you’re in Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, or Kaohsiung, there’s a night market.

Two iconic ones are Shilin (massive) and Raohe Night Market (famous for its pepper pork buns), both in the capital Taipei. But you also can’t miss Jiufen Old Street – think narrow streets lined with tea houses and red lanterns, street food stalls, and quirky shops. It’s about an hour from Tapei by bus.

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If Tokyo is a city that never sleeps, Shinjuku is the caffeine shot that keeps it awake and buzzing well into the night. From rooftop bars to the labyrinth of karaoke joints and arcades that never close, Shinjuku is a playground for those who want to experience Tokyo at its most electric and eccentric.

Whether you’re after a hole-in-the-wall ramen joint, a high-end sushi restaurant, or a dive bar with karaoke booths, this part of Tokyo has everything. Golden Gai is a famous drinking district filled with over 200 tiny bars crammed into narrow alleyways, whilst Shinjuku’s arcades are open late, often until 3 or 4 am, and are perfectly chaotic. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at Japan’s famous crane games or Street Fighter, this is your time to shine.

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Jemaa el-Fnaa is the beating heart of Marrakech, and at night, it turns into a right theater of experiences. As the sun dips, the square evolves into a bustling night bazaar and an open-air cultural performance space.

Illuminated by flickering lanterns, the air smells of tagine and briouats, as vendors set up their stalls under the stars and there’s Gnaoua musicians, dancers and traditional acrobats roaming around. Plus, the surrounding souks are open late too. Wander through the narrow alleys where you’ll find colorful stalls selling carpets, spices, leather goods, and handcrafted jewelry.

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