Get outside, connect with nature, and gaze up at the sky this summer. One quiet Irish beach has been named the best place to visit in Europe for stargazing.
Ireland has claimed the title of the best place in Europe for stargazing, with one Irish beach taking the top spot.
The phenomenon of ‘Nocto Tourism’ sees travellers exploring destinations after dark. It is the latest travel trend to boom this year. It could be anything from stargazing to star bathing, nocturnal safaris to bioluminescent nature experiences.
Thanks to its rural landscape and minimal light pollution, it turns out that the Emerald Isle is the perfect destination to witness a glistening night sky – when there are no clouds that is.
How the results were calculated – what the experts had to say
With the rising popularity of ‘Nocto Tourism’, travel booking website Omio compiled a list of places in Europe known for their clear skies.
They assessed various factors across 1,400 European locations. One of the main factors was the Bortle Scale rating, a nine-level scale that measures the brightness of the night sky at a particular location.
They also looked at light pollution and transparency ratings, ranking Ireland and Spain as joint winners on their list of best destinations for stargazing.
Both Spain and Ireland have an impressive nine locations featured in Omio’s top 25, with one quiet Irish beach named the best place in Europe for stargazing.
Irish beach named best place in Europe for stargazing – breathtaking night views
Omio revealed 25 locations, known for their clear skies, minimal light pollution, and Bortle scale rating. A whopping nine locations in Ireland featured on the list, with one Irish beach named the best place in Europe for stargazing.
Ballinskelligs Beach, located within the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, took the top spot. It is one of only four Gold Tier Dark Sky Reserves globally.
On clear moonless nights, visitors to the beach can witness a breathtaking array of celestial phenomena, including the Milky Way. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch star clusters, planets, and even the occasional meteor shower.
Ireland’s best stargazing locations – the perfect nighttime adventure
Ballinskelligs Beach wasn’t the only Irish destination to be named among the best in Europe, either. In fact, the Emerald Isle dominated the top ten, taking an impressive seven spots.
The White Cliffs of Ashleam on Achill Island ranked in second, followed by Clare Island, off the coast of County Mayo in third. Glosh Bay Beach in Belmullet, County Mayo, and Silver Strand in County Donegal closed out the top five.
Brogan Carroll Bothy at the edge of Wild Nephin National Park in Mayo ranked sixth, followed by St Finian’s Bay in County Kerry in seventh. Ballycroy National Park Visitor Centre claimed tenth, while Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail, both in Mayo, ranked 12th.
