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Aurora Borealis
Staycation Collection
Our favourite stargazing locations in Germany
Just you and the universe
We at The Staycation Collection love nothing more than gazing at the stars in the dark sky when we need to relax. There's something truly magical and moving about simply looking up into the darkness and your gaze being met with the vast expanse of stars across the universe above us. Germany is a great place to go stargazing thanks to its many rural areas and dark sky reserves. These are our favourite places to go stargazing throughout the country.
1. Sternenpark Westhavelland, Brandenburg
The Sternenpark Westhavelland is one of the few dark sky reserves in Europe and was the first Dark Sky Reserve designated by the International Dark Sky Association, making it an incredibly special place to visit and one of the best places in Germany to go stargazing. It's located just an hour outside of Berlin and has incredibly low levels of light pollution. The reserve covers over 1,000 square kilometres and offers visitors the chance to see 2,500+ stars on a clear night.
Stay
Stargazing Glamping Getaway, a collection of yurts and mini-cabins at the heart of Westhavelland’s star park, is perfect for couples or families to curl up together and watch the stars.
2. Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia
The Eifel National Park in North Rhine-Westphalia is another great location for stargazing. The park is similarly big, also covering around 100 square kilometres. Here, visitors can join guided tours in order to learn more about the stars and constellations from experienced astronomers. The park itself is home to some unique wildlife, including the European wildcat and black stork (keep those eyes peeled!).
Stay
V Art Hotel and Treehouses is an hour away from the Eifel National Park, at the edge of Bonn. It’s the perfect base to explore the region, see the stars, and have a unique getaway in a treehouse decorated with unique artwork.
3. Harz National Park, Lower Saxony
The Harz National Park is one of the largest forested areas in Germany, and also a great place to go stargazing thanks to its remote, mountainous location. Here, there’s also the opportunity to join a guided tour or go it alone.
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Harz Townhouse is tucked away in the small town of Halberstadt, and is a stone’s throw from the national park. Plus it has a fireplace, ideal to put on after an evening of staring at the sky.
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Southern stargazing spots
4. Berchtesgaden National Park, Bavaria
The Berchtesgaden National Park in Bavaria, also an officially recognised Dark Sky Park, offers special events throughout the year, a highlight being the "Starry Night" festival. During the event, visitors can participate in stargazing tours, attend lectures, and observe the night sky through telescopes.
Stay
Guesthouse berge is around an hour away, just south of the stunning Chiemsee. We love these 16 gorgeous apartments, each with its own personality, hidden in the Bavarian mountains.
5. Black Forest National Park, Baden-Württemberg
The Black Forest National Park in Baden-Württemberg is home to some of the darkest skies in Germany and was designated as a Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) in 2014. It’s located at a high altitude - aka the air is thinner and clearer and therefore provides for better viewing of the night sky as there is less atmospheric interference.
Stay
Bieselsberg Tiny Houses are two adorable wooden structures that are oh-so cosy. Although it’s easy to reach the national park from here, you can also curl up in front of the firepit and watch the stars from here!
Things to watch out for while stargazing in Germany
- Meteor Showers: Germany is a great place to watch meteor showers, which occur when Earth passes through a trail of debris left behind by a comet or asteroid. The Perseid meteor shower in August and the Geminid meteor shower in December are two of the most well-known meteor showers that can be seen.
- Planetary Alignments: From time to time, planets align with each other, creating a beautiful spectacle. Look up celestial events in the coming months to see if there will be any planetary alignments!
- Lunar Phases: Observing the phases of the moon is a great way to appreciate the beauty of the night sky.
- Aurora Borealis: Although rare, the northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, can sometimes be seen from Germany, particularly in the northern regions of the country (in fact, they were very bright in Brandenburg’s Westhavelland in February 2023).
Note, when planning a stargazing trip, be sure to check the weather forecast so you choose a clear night for the best experience. Remember to bring warm clothing, a blanket or camping chair, and a red flashlight to preserve your night vision (in dark sky parks, all other coloured light is banned).
