Stargazing in Europe

I often find myself gazing out into the night's sky, catching glimpses of glittering stars and the glowing moon. Sadly, living in a bustling city means there's too much light pollution, making stargazing nigh on impossible. If you're anything like me, you're always on the search for the best place to relax under the stars. So, to save you time, I've put together a list of three of my favourite places to gaze up at the stars, from the frosty hills of Tromsø to the cosy huts of Carré d'Étoiles in Livradois. And, with a simple 35-minute journey across the Channel with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle , you can be on your way in no time. Let's get stargazing!

Northern Lights, Tromsø

If you've always wanted to watch the Northern Lights, a road trip across Europe to Tromsø, in Norway, is one to make. The journey is pretty long, but it's well worth the effort, especially when you come face to face with the waves of green, blue and pink that move across the night's sky. During the drive you'll also pass through some of the most exciting and beautiful countries in Europe, from Belgium and the Netherlands, to Denmark and Sweden.  

Once you arrive in Tromsø, you'll be hard pressed to find a single location where you'll struggle to view the captivating lights, as it's right at the centre of the Northern Lights' zone. So, as daylight begins to dim, set up camp and watch as the colours run through the evening's sky.

Stargazing in Arcetri, Tuscany

Known as one of the best places in the world for stargazing, the fields and forests of Tuscany are the perfect place for a spot of amateur astronomy. Made famous by the astral discoveries of Galileo Galilei, the rural locations of Tuscany have little light pollution, and are a popular spot amongst many astronomers during the cooler winter months.

One of the best places to go stargazing is Arcetri, a region in Florence that's surrounded by green fields and rolling hills. It was once the home of Galileo Galilei, but is now the home of the Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory, a place where astronomers come together to study the universe in all its glory. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the observatory, as well as informative lectures on the subject of astronomy, so be sure to check it out.  

Carré d'Étoiles, Livradois

One of the newest and greatest ways to spend the night is by staying at one of the many Carré d'Étoiles, which can be found right across France. A personal favourite location of mine is the Regional Natural Park of Livradois.

Each of the Carré d'Étoiles cabins within the national park provides visitors with a stellar chart and astronomical telescope, which you can use to trace the stars and planets above. Inside each hut, there's also a circular glass window in the ceiling directly above the bed (or bunk bed, for kids) so that you can lie back and watch the night sky from the comfort of under your duvet.

If you fancy exploring the rest of the park, be sure to find a safe area during the day, so that you can snuggle up under your blanket and admire the evening's sky as the sun disappears and the moon and stars light up in its place.

If this guide has got you inspired for a stargazing trip of your own, the best way to make the journey is with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle . It only takes 35-minute to cross the Channel, and with no limit on baggage, you can load your car with as much astronomy equipment as you need.