2026 Clean Sky Index Ranks World's Best Stargazing Destinations

Key facts

• Holafly's 2026 Clean Sky Index ranked 11 global locations on four weighted criteria: light pollution (35%), clear-night frequency (30%), accessibility (20%), and DarkSky certification (15%).
• Pic du Midi in France ranked first overall, offering exceptional sky quality, DarkSky certification, and easy accessibility via cable car.
• La Palma in the Canary Islands placed among the top destinations, with the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory and legally protected dark sky status.
• Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand is one of the first International Dark Sky Reserves, offering Southern Hemisphere views including the Magellanic Clouds.
• Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania is the only US entry in the top ranks, accessible by car from major East Coast cities.
• The Atacama Desert in Chile hosts several professional observatories and is known for its extreme aridity and photogenic landscapes.
• Mauna Kea in Hawaii rises above 4,000 meters, providing some of the clearest skies in the Pacific, but requires acclimatization and has restricted summit access.
• The Colorado Plateau region, including Flagstaff, Arizona, celebrates the 25th anniversary of the first International Dark Sky Place designation in 2026.
• Big Bend National Park in Texas and Great Basin National Park in Nevada offer some of the darkest skies in the US National Park System.
• 2026 is considered an unusually significant year for astrotourism due to the solar maximum and favorable meteor shower calendar.