A long exposure of a Bavarian valley at night. On a hill to the left stands a small chapel, a road from left to right is illuminated by long drawn car lights, to the right are some houses. The peaks of the Alps are rising up in the background, the night sky with a clearly visible Milky Way crowns the image.

The Milky Way above the Bavarian Alps | Image: smileus / shutterstock

·15. October 2025

Dark Sky Resorts in Germany: Where the Night is Especially Beautiful

Thanks to minimal light pollution, it is particularly dark in the sky resorts in Germany. Anyone who has ever stood under such a night sky will not forget the sight anytime soon. Here you will find the best places for stargazing in Germany – which also invite you to dream, hike, and linger during the day.

Westhavelland Dark Sky Resort

The oldest dark sky resort in Germany is located just over an hour west of Berlin – and yet the city seems far away here. On clear nights, the Milky Way shines almost tangibly above you, while the starry sky fascinates with its sparkling details. During the day, you can discover the vastness of the Havelland region on leisurely bike rides along the Havel River or canoe trips on calm waters. Guided observations and star-friendly accommodations round out the experience.

👉 Click here to visit the dark sky resort’s website.

The dark silhouette of a historic windmill stands out against the night sky captured in a long exposure. The stars form a kind of “disc,” and the lower edge of the sky still glows slightly yellow. — Image: Maria Grigoreva / shutterstock

Rhön Dark Sky Resort

In the heart of Germany, the Rhön Unesco Biosphere Reserve attracts visitors with a sky that could hardly be darker. Anyone who takes a guided stargazing tour will quickly realize that young and old alike will be amazed here. The gentle hills of the Rhön mountains invite you to go on long hikes during the day. Particularly impressive: the Wasserkuppe, Hesse’s highest mountain, offers fantastic views and is a paradise for glider pilots.

👉 Click here to visit the biosphere reserve’s website.

Wide-angle shot of a clear night sky; the silhouettes of a sparse forest can be seen at the bottom edge. The lower edge of the sky still appears slightly golden. The full moon is in the center of the shot. — Image: Lapping Pictures / shutterstock

Eifel National Park Dark Sky Resort

The Eifel mountains in the west of Germany offer stargazers a unique retreat. Here, there are over 100 square kilometers of almost complete darkness, as well as certified observation points and events for beginners and experienced sky observers alike. In addition, the national park delights visitors with its forests, clear streams, and the Urft Dam – a nature experience that allows body and mind to relax.

👉 Click here to visit the national park’s website.

Night shot of a clear starry sky, portrait orientation; at the bottom edge, the silhouettes of two rows of trees run toward the bottom of the image, forming a “V.” From this, the Milky Way clearly emerges toward the top of the image. — Image: Juan Carlos Munoz / shutterstock

Winklmoos-Alm Dark Sky Resort

At an altitude of around 1,200 meters, Chiemgau in Bavaria offers one of the darkest and clearest night skies in Germany. Up here, where modern lighting technology has been deliberately reduced, the view of the stars becomes a true panoramic experience – complemented by expert guided tours. During the day, it’s worth taking a walk across flowering alpine meadows or hiking to the nearby Steinplatte with its breathtaking view of the Alps.

👉 Click here to visit the dark sky resort’s website.

A tranquil alpine lake at night; the Milky Way is clearly visible above the lake. The Alps can be seen in the background on the left, and on the right, a man stands on the lake shore holding a bright yellow lantern, its light reflecting on the water's surface. — Image: smileus / shutterstock

Swabian Alb Dark Sky Resort

Young, wild, and starry: the Swabian Alb biosphere reserve in southern Germany scores points – in addition to its extreme darkness, of course – with a wide range of observation opportunities thanks to its proximity to 13 observatories. But it’s not just the night sky that has a lot to offer here – mysterious caves, historic castles, and rugged cliffs characterize the landscape and make the region an adventure playground for nature and culture lovers.

👉 Click here to visit the dark sky resort’s website.

A night shot of the clear starry sky above the Swabian Alb. A curvature at the bottom of the image shows that the picture was taken with a fish-eye lens. — Image: Till Credner

Nighttime in the South: Where the Stars are Within Reach

Pellworm Island Dark Sky Resort

Maritime tranquility and wide horizons: on the North Sea island Pellworm, darkness becomes an experience. The island consistently reduces its light sources, allowing for impressive starry nights right on the dike. During the day, Pellworm attracts visitors with endless walks through green dike landscapes, a quaint lighthouse, and genuine Frisian serenity. Perfect for anyone looking to pause and reflect.

👉 Click here to visit the island’s website.

Star Island Spiekeroog

No cars, hardly any light – on Spiekeroog, the night sky belongs almost entirely to the stars. Walks on the beach, accompanied by astronomy guides, make the spectacle in the sky particularly impressive. The car-free island also captivates in daylight with its dune landscape, the Wadden Sea, and charming tea rooms – a place to take a deep breath and let go.

👉 Click here to visit the island’s website.

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Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park

It gets really dark here. The sparsely populated landscape in southwestern Germany offers ideal conditions for night hikes – and for quietly marveling at the firmament. But the national park also has a lot to offer during the day: with dense forests, wildcats, and a well-developed network of hiking trails, it is a paradise for explorers.

👉 Click here to visit the national park’s website.

Wide-angle long exposure shot of the night sky; the stars blur into white lines and converge in a spiral in the right third of the image. A thin black horizon lies at the bottom of the screen, from which the silhouettes of trees protrude. — Image: allexxandar / shutterstock

Kyritz-Ruppiner Heath

A real insider tip: just one hour north of Berlin lies this quiet heathland with an exceptionally clear night sky. Here, silence and wonder await you not far from the capital. In late summer, millions of purple plants bloom in the expansive heathland, and rare bird species can be observed. A place that offers one thing above all else: peace, space, and romance. Efforts are underway to have it recognized as a star park in Germany.

👉Click here to visit the heathland’s website.

Bavarian Forest Dark Sky Resort

The Bavarian Forest impresses not only with its deep dark night sky, but also with its wild, almost mystical nature. In the dark sky resort around the mountain “Großer Arber”, you can experience one of Germany’s most pristine forest landscapes – full of rustic hiking trails, crystal-clear mountain streams, and quiet high moors during the day. At night, the surroundings transform into a stage for shooting stars and galaxies. Particularly beautiful: night tours through the nature park with explanations of constellations, animal sounds, and the secrets of the forest.

👉 Click here to visit the dark sky resort’s website.

Panoramic shot of a small chapel in the Bavarian Alps at night; the chapel stands on a hilltop, with a valley opening up in the background featuring several villages, and the peaks of the Alps rising behind it. Above it all is the night sky with the Milky Way clearly visible. — Image: Borkovec / shutterstock

Packing List for Nighttime Stargazing

• Sleeping pad or blanket to lie on
• Warm clothing (layer up!)
• Hat and gloves – it can get cold even in summer
• Binoculars or telescope
• Headlamp with red light function
• Thermos flask with tea or hot cocoa
• Picnic blanket and snacks
• Power bank for smartphone or camera
• Star map or app for sky observation
• Mosquito repellent
• Notebook for observations and thoughts
• Garbage bags (leave no trace!)

On the bank of a river stands a modern, angular building with large windows, three stories high, topped by a penthouse. A stone terrace faces the riverbank. To the right, a small marina borders the riverbank, behind it many trees and a few rooftops. Above it all, a bright blue sky.

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