As the sun sets and stars flicker to life, a new world is opening up for intrepid travelers. A growing movement dubbed “noctourism”, short for nocturnal tourism, encourages exploring destinations after dark, revealing experiences that simply aren’t visible by day.
From stargazing under pristine night skies to neon-lit night markets buzzing with street food, cities and wilderness alike take on a magical aura once daylight fades.
Travel platforms have even taken note: in a recent global survey, nearly two-thirds of travelers said they plan to include nighttime activities in their holidays.
Booking.com named noctourism one of its top travel trends for 2025, as more people are keen on “ditching the daylight crowds for midnight magic” and embracing the unique adventures that come after dark.
The Rise of Noctourism
Several converging factors are fueling the rise of noctourism and redefining how we travel in 2025. Not so long ago, itineraries typically wound down after dinner, but today more travelers are deliberately seeking out after-dark excursions in lieu of early bedtimes.
Here are some key reasons why travel by night is thriving:
Cooler Temperatures, Less Sun:
With climate change driving heat waves, many vacationers now shift activities to evenings to beat the daytime heat. Over half of travelers surveyed say they plan to avoid sweltering midday temperatures by exploring at night, and 42% are even choosing cooler destinations to stay comfortable . Skipping harsh UV exposure in favor of balmy nights makes outdoor sightseeing much more pleasant in many regions.
Avoiding Crowds:
In an age of overtourism, popular sights are often packed at midday. Noctourism offers a way around that. By visiting attractions after hours, travelers can enjoy iconic landmarks in a quieter, more intimate atmosphere. Tourism boards report that after-dark tours have helped ease overcrowding at major sites, spreading visitors more evenly and creating a more balanced tourism economy. Instead of jostling with daytime throngs, one can roam a moonlit museum or temple with elbow room to spare.
Novel Experiences Beyond Nightlife:
Not everyone traveling by night is looking for bars and clubs. In fact, demand for non-alcoholic evening experiences has spiked – one tour operator saw a 40% jump in bookings from millennials seeking unique nocturnal activities beyond the usual bar scene. Travelers crave one-of-a-kind experiences – whether it’s listening to nocturnal wildlife in a jungle or joining a midnight cycling tour – that simply don’t exist during daylight. Being out at night heightens the senses and adds a sense of mystery that turns routine sights into something enchanting.
Chasing the Cosmic and Quirky:
A surge in interest in astronomy and space phenomena is also driving noctourism. Stargazing and “astro-tourism” are booming as people yearn to connect with the cosmos. In Booking.com’s research, 72% of respondents said they hope to “star-bathe” under the night sky on their travels, and 59% want to witness a rare cosmic event like an eclipse. High-profile celestial events (such as the solar eclipse that captivated millions in 2024) have inspired travelers to seek out dark skies and look upward. At the same time, pop culture and nature documentaries have popularized activities like bioluminescent bay tours and firefly watching, encouraging more people to venture out after dusk in search of “midnight magic.”
After-Dark Experiences Around the World
Noctourism isn’t limited to any one type of travel – it encompasses a wide array of nighttime travel experiences. Here are some of the most popular ways travelers are discovering the world after dark:
Dark Skies & Cosmic Sights
Many travelers now chase starry skies and celestial events as eagerly as they do sun and sand. More than 200 destinations worldwide have been certified as Dark Sky Parks or Reserves ideal for stargazing, thanks to their low light pollution. From deserts to remote islands, tour operators report surging interest in meteor showers, moonlit eclipses, and aurora-hunting trips.
In fact, one in five UK holidaymakers was planning a trip specifically to see the Northern Lights in 2024–25, a clear sign that the aurora has become a bucket-list motivator for night travel.
During the current solar maximum, destinations like northern Norway, Iceland, and Canada’s Yukon are drawing crowds of aurora chasers, with extra flights and tours added to meet the demand. Whether it’s constellation spotting in New Zealand or attending a star party in the Chilean Andes, astronomy-themed travel is reaching new heights after dark.
Nocturnal Wildlife Safaris
Once the sun goes down, a whole other kingdom of animals comes to life. Roughly 70% of mammal species in Africa are nocturnal, which helps explain the growing popularity of night safaris.
Instead of the typical daytime game drive, after-dark safaris let travelers spot elusive creatures on the prowl – from stealthy leopards and aardvarks to glow-in-the-dark critters like bush babies. Tour operators have reported double-digit growth in demand for nocturnal wildlife excursions.
In South Luangwa, Zambia, for example, guided night drives offer the chance to witness lions hunting or hyenas calling under the cover of darkness. Rainforest lodges in Costa Rica and Madagascar now lead night walks to reveal hidden creatures like tree frogs and jaguars that remain tucked away in daylight.
Even outside the tropics, conservation groups in places like Scandinavia are setting up overnight hides so visitors can observe wolves howling or bears roaming after midnight. For animal lovers, these safaris provide a thrilling peek into nature’s nightlife – no night-vision goggles required.
Vibrant Night Markets
As day turns to night, cities across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond come alive with the glow of market lights and the sizzle of street food. Bustling night markets have become must-visit attractions, offering a feast for the senses long after sunset.
In Bangkok, for instance, the famous Rot Fai Market is a neon-lit bazaar where vendors sell everything from vintage collectibles to piping-hot Thai snacks amid retro tunes and multicolored signs.
Taipei’s sprawling Shilin Night Market similarly draws crowds for late-night dumplings, bubble tea, and games, while Marrakech’s iconic Jemaa el-Fnaa square transforms into an open-air carnival of food stalls, storytellers, and musicians each evening.
From street-cart fried noodles in Kuala Lumpur to midnight kebab bazaars in Istanbul, these markets let travelers mingle with locals and taste authentic cuisine at its freshest (nothing beats a just-grilled skewer or a mango sticky rice under the stars). Night markets not only satisfy hunger; they immerse visitors in the local culture and energy after dark, often becoming the most memorable highlight of a trip.
After-Hours Culture & History
Major landmarks and cultural institutions are casting a new light on themselves by opening up at night. Museums, monuments, and historic sites around the world have begun offering exclusive after-hours access that turns a standard visit into something almost mystical.
Imagine exploring the ancient halls of the Louvre in Paris during a special nighttime opening – the crowds are thinner, the artwork takes on a dramatic glow, and you feel like you’ve stepped into The Da Vinci Code.
Many cities now organize such nocturnal cultural events: for example, Rome’s Colosseum runs guided tours well into the evening, allowing visitors to wander the torch-lit arena and underground chambers under soft illumination.
In China, select sections of the Great Wall are open for moonlit hikes, providing a breathtaking (and slightly eerie) trek along the ramparts with stars overhead. Historic temples in Japan hold seasonal night illuminations, and dozens of UNESCO heritage sites worldwide now offer occasional “night museum” programs.
Even city streets get thematic night tours – think ghost walks through Edinburgh’s alleyways or cemetery tours in New Orleans – capitalizing on haunted histories and local legends to thrill visitors in the dark. Experiencing a famous site after sunset often adds layers of atmosphere and intimacy that daylight simply can’t match.
Glow-in-the-Dark Natural Wonders
Not all wonders of the night sky are in the sky – some are under our feet (or paddles). Certain places boast bioluminescent magic, where living organisms emit an ethereal glow and turn a nighttime excursion into a scene from Avatar.
One example is the bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico (like Mosquito Bay in Vieques): on a moonless night, every splash of a kayak paddle makes the water light up neon blue, thanks to microscopic plankton that glow when disturbed.
Travelers can glide through these glowing waters, essentially floating through a real-life starscape on the ocean. Similarly, off the coast of Vietnam’s Halong Bay or in the Maldives, visitors have marveled at phosphorescent beaches where gentle waves create a blue-green sparkle in the dark.
On land, firefly displays offer a different kind of light show: for instance, Malaysia’s Selangor River hosts enchanting firefly boat tours, where entire mangrove trees twinkle with synchronous fireflies as if strung with fairy lights. In summer months, parts of Japan and the U.S. also have firefly festivals celebrating these bioluminescent insects.
These fragile phenomena highlight nature’s most surreal side after dusk – and remind us why protecting dark, wild places from light pollution is so important for future generations of night explorers.
Opportunities for Destinations After Dark
It’s not just travelers who are excited about noctourism – destinations and tourism businesses are eagerly jumping on this trend as well. The nighttime tourism economy is already significant, estimated at $9.3 billion globally, and it’s projected to grow by another 10% this year.
For cities and travel destinations, catering to visitors after dark opens up fresh opportunities to diversify offerings and boost revenue beyond the typical 9-to-5 tourist timeline.
Local governments and tourism boards have started designing entire itineraries around noctourism to capitalize on this demand. Cities like Paris and Hong Kong, for example, promote special night-time experiences – from after-hours river cruises and illuminated monument tours to midnight festivals – as a way to stand out and attract visitors in the evening hours.
By packaging destination noctourism ideas (such as “night passes” that bundle multiple attractions after sunset), they not only create new marketing angles but also relieve pressure on daytime crowds.
Notably, some popular attractions have found that offering entry at night helps reduce overcrowding during peak daytime hours while extending enjoyment for those who prefer a calmer atmosphere. In essence, a more spread-out flow of visitors leads to a more sustainable and balanced tourism scene.
There’s a clear business case for embracing the night. Extended operating hours mean museums, restaurants, amusement parks, and shops can all benefit from increased visitor spending in the evenings.
Many cities are now investing in their “night economy” – improving street lighting and transportation at night, and launching campaigns to ensure tourists feel safe and excited to explore after dark. Major hubs like London, Dubai, and Seoul have even introduced dedicated night tourism passes or events, encouraging guests to discover multiple attractions after sunset.
These initiatives stimulate local businesses and create jobs, as nightlife vendors, guides, and performers find new audiences. For smaller towns and rural areas, noctourism can also be a boon: an observatory, night market, or dark-sky park designation can put a lesser-known destination on the map for niche travelers seeking those experiences.
Crucially, noctourism diversifies visitor experiences beyond the usual sights, giving travel brands and content creators new stories to tell. Travel media have picked up on this shift – National Geographic even released a book titled “100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World’s Ultimate Adventures After Dark,” underscoring the growing fascination with night-based travel.
Destinations that highlight their nocturnal charm – be it historic temples under lantern light or wildlife reserves open for night hikes – gain a competitive edge in marketing.
By showing that their location “comes alive after dark,” they can entice repeat visitors and lengthen stays. In other words, noctourism opens fresh content routes for tourism marketing, inviting travelers to see a familiar place in an entirely new light.
Enjoy the Night
Noctourism is more than just a trendy hashtag – it represents a fundamental shift in how we experience the world. When day gives way to night, ordinary places can transform into something extraordinary, whether it’s a silent forest glowing with fireflies or a city skyline shimmering with lights.
As travel writer Stephanie Vermillion observes, “The night is… full of natural wonders we can’t experience by day,” and simply adjusting our travel hours “can help us access an entirely new side of a destination.”
Long gone are the days when every traveler turned in after dinner and missed what happens after dark. The noctourism trend invites us to reclaim the nighttime as part of our travel adventure.
So on your next trip, don’t rush back to the hotel when the sun goes down. Venture out under the streetlights or the stars, and see what surprises await. You might find that a destination’s true magic wakes up at night, offering memories (and photo ops) you’d never capture under the midday sun.
Enjoying the night not only lets you beat the heat and crowds – it lets you discover a whole new world of travel experiences that shine brightest after dusk.