The 11 Best Stargazing Spots in Germany

Since July 17, they illuminate the night sky: The Perseids, popularly known as the impressive "Tears of Lawrence." Every year between July 17 and August 24, Earth moves through a dust cloud in space that comes from the debris of the Swift-Tuttle comet. Thanks to this dust cloud, we are blessed with a rain of shooting stars during the summer.

The peak of the meteor showers occurs on the night of August 12 to 13: Up to 100 meteors per hour can be observed in the sky on this night. But where can this fascinating natural spectacle be best admired? Travelcircus has searched for the best destinations in Germany to witness the highlight of the Perseid nights. The result is a total of seven star parks in Germany that fight against light pollution and advocate the preservation of natural darkness.

But that's not all: Other places also open the window to distant galaxies at night - we show you where and provide helpful tips to ensure your night under the stars is a success.

Since the first star park in Germany was established in 2014, several others have followed suit, and just as many are hoping to achieve the designation. Below, discover the four star parks officially certified by the International Dark Sky Association, followed by three applicants that are just as worthy as the certified parks.

Due to its sparse population, the Bavarian Rhön offers significantly less light pollution than other regions-resulting in a particularly clear view of the magically sparkling firmament. Stargazers here enjoy the sight of thousands of glowing stars, the Milky Way, and shooting stars after nightfall. It's no wonder the park has been internationally designated as a Dark Sky Reserve by the Dark Sky Association.

Currently, there are six designated observation spots within the Rhön star park for viewing distant galaxies. At the observation area equipped with four platforms on Hoher Geba, you can even connect your telescope to the power supply if available. During the annually held star park weeks, the Rhön star park also provides special offers, particularly for the Perseid night on August 12.

Around 500 stars can be observed in the night sky over Munich. Sounds like a lot? Think again: in the Winklmoos-Alm star park, you can actually see 5,000 stars, and on especially clear nights, up to 6,000 stars can twinkle in the sky. This star park in the Chiemgau Alps is a true paradise for astro tourists and a hotspot for sky observation. No wonder: at an elevation of 1,200 meters, you're much closer to the heavens-it truly is a place where you can "reach for the stars."

But not only are the stars impressive; the majestic mountain panorama captivates observers as well. Between May and November, interested visitors are introduced to the world of space weekly by astronomer Manuel Philipp. Alternatively, guided tours can be enjoyed 40 kilometers away on the Ratzinger Höhe ridge by Lake Chiemsee. The Alm not only offers a circular walking path and three star lounges, but also the perfect position to independently admire the stars at night. The star park has been rightfully recognized as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association.

Designated as Germany's first star park in 2014, you can enjoy the stars in the Westhavelland Nature Park in Brandenburg and the municipality of Schollene in Saxony-Anhalt completely free of charge. The area spans 1,380 square kilometers and does not require an entrance fee or have opening hours.

What makes the Westhavelland star park special: here, you can admire not only meteors, comets, and even the ISS at night, but in the fall, you can also see cranes and wild geese during the day. The star park has listed nine observation spots on its website from which you can enjoy the best views of the sparkling spectacle in the night sky. The Westhavelland star park has been officially recognized as a "Dark Sky Reserve" by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA).

Have you ever seen the Milky Way with the naked eye? Especially if you are a city dweller, the chances are rather slim. In the National Park Eifel star park, you get the rare opportunity to experience various constellations up close. Right in the densely populated North Rhine-Westphalia, this officially certified Dark Sky Park offers a rare piece of pure darkness across 110 square kilometers.

Stargazing photographer Bernd Pröschold has identified five observation spots within the star park that are particularly suitable for admiring the night sky year-round, including the area around the village of Hellenthal-Udenbreth on the southern edge. But that's not all: there is also an observatory within the park where guided star hikes are offered.

Although the Schwäbische Alb star park has not yet officially been designated as a Dark Sky Park, it aims to achieve this status. However, you can already enjoy crystal-clear nights here in full splendor, as there is a designated stargazing spot at Zainingen/Römerstein, along with 13 observatories and planetariums. Additionally, four observation spots are listed on the star park's website, where you can, for example, view the sky from your car.

But that's not enough: the Schwäbische Alb star park project also offers guided hikes and informative events.

The Mecklenburger Parkland is worth visiting not only for its historical cultural landscape-but the view of the stars is truly rewarding here as well. The star park is committed to providing knowledgeable and interesting insights about everything related to astronomy.

Between 2019 and 2021, the so-called Astronomical Education Trail was established, offering various attractive and interactive activities day and night. The star park also features six different observation points from which you can enjoy a particularly good view of the constellations-including two astronomy stations. Although the area has not yet officially been classified as a star park, it has applied for recognition.

In the far-reaching Bronze Age, the Harzer Brocken was once regarded as a central observation point for the sky; however, the area around the tallest mountain in the Harz National Park is now largely illuminated by buildings, making stargazing considerably more challenging. Nevertheless, even today, a clear starry sky can be observed from the Harz National Park, specifically from the St. Andreasberg Observatory. Here, you can not only observe the stars but learn-thanks to planetarium projections-many interesting facts about the universe.

The best part: the entire site is accessible, and with the help of a talking celestial globe and tactile models of asteroids, both sighted and visually impaired individuals can familiarize themselves with the heavenly bodies.

You don't necessarily have to be in an official star park to be enchanted by a sparkling starry sky. Generally, the darker the location, the brighter the sky shines.

Completed in December 2020: ten stargazing stations in the Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heide Nature Park. Each one is equipped with at least one curved double lounge chair from which you can comfortably enjoy the galactic view. Information boards and star maps are also available at each station.

What makes it special: each stargazing station is dedicated to a specific theme related to astronomy. Light pollution, nocturnal animals, rock formation due to asteroid impacts, and the effects of solar activity on climate are just a few examples of the ten exciting theme areas.

Opinions differ on where in Germany the night sky is the darkest-Andreas Hänel, director of the International Dark Sky Association (IDA), has measured the darkest sky on the East Frisian island of Spiekeroog, while Cologne photographer Bernd Pröschold statistically considers the North Frisian island of Pellworm to have the darkest night sky. They are also seeking official star park status-an application has already been submitted to the Dark Sky Association.

However, even on the Baltic Sea island of Usedom, stargazing is delightful, for example, from the Heringsdorf Observatory. Since DDR times, the night sky has been observed here, and today you can listen to interesting lectures about the starry sky at the observatory. To admire the sky over Usedom, you don't have to visit the observatory-viewing the bright stars from the beach will also leave you dreaming.

Welcome to the first German star city! The Hessian city of Fulda has long been combatting light pollution and is focused on intelligent and sustainable lighting solutions. Admittedly, it doesn't get completely dark over Fulda, but the use of overly cold and artificial light should be reduced at night to save energy and protect the lives of nocturnal species. For their efforts, the city has been officially recognized as a Dark Sky Community by the International Dark Sky Association.

Those planning a night outing to the stars can enhance their experience with the following tips:

Although light pollution-an increase in brightness in darkness due to artificial light sources-is now a widespread phenomenon globally, there are still some places in Germany where the sky sparkles almost as it did in the times of our ancestors when densely populated cities were unthought of.

A total of seven star parks extend across the Federal Republic, of which four are officially certified by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA). The Mecklenburger Parkland star park, the Schwäbische Alb star park, and the St. Andreasberg Observatory are currently in the application process for certification, while both Pellworm and Spiekeroog aspire to become star parks in the future. An incredibly heavenly view is also offered by Usedom Island, and the Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heide Nature Park has everything a stargazer's heart desires. Furthermore, if one follows a few simple tips and brings along their camera, a fabulous sparkling night under the stars awaits them.