Step into the Night: 5 Noctourism Destinations to Visit
By: Nick Callos
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Noctourism has risen in popularity recently. According to a Booking.com survey, nearly two-thirds of travelers say they’re seeking vacations with experiences at night. It certainly appears that noctourism is a travel trend that will stick.
But what is noctourism exactly?
Noctourism is exploring the world at night. Noctourism involves travel activities you can only do after dark, such as viewing the Southern Lights, going on nighttime safaris, touring haunted houses, and walking around night markets. Noctourism can also involve visiting sights people typically go to during the daytime, which offers a new perspective on how that place is transformed by darkness.
There is no limit to what noctourism activities you can do, as long as a place is open for visiting. And even if you’re not a night owl, you can find noctourism destinations and activities that you will enjoy. Think of how much more peaceful a river walk at night is compared to the day!
In this article, we’ll cover 5 noctourism destinations you can visit. These destinations offer the best nighttime travel activities to enjoy. See which noctourism destination interests you, and start planning your trip!
The Top 5 Noctourism Destinations to Visit
The night belongs to the adventurer. A lot goes on after dark, and for the traveler hoping for a unique nighttime experience, there are plenty of options.
The places listed here are famous for nighttime sightseeing and activities. Whether you’re a stargazer or a city explorer, you’ll find a noctourism destination to suit you.
1. Kenya – Go on a Night Safari
Daytime safaris in Kenya are extremely popular, but roughly 69% of all mammals are nocturnal. At night, nature reserves in Kenya, such as the Maasai Mara National Reserve, come even more alive, with a better opportunity to view animals such as hippos, striped hyenas, aardvarks, leopards, and more. Night is the perfect time to see elusive predators roam. It’s an eye-opening experience.
Book your noctourism vacation: Book a Night Game Drive in Maasai Mara (note you can only do this on selected private conservancies)
2. Iceland – View the Aurora Borealis
Photo by Luke Stackpoole on Unsplash
Iceland is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights, with the best viewing times from September to April. From remote coastlines to volcanic plains, Iceland offers the perfect setting to watch the skies light up. Many tour operators help travelers hunt down the best viewing points, so you can stand in awe of this mesmerizing, otherworldly natural spectacle. Another plus for choosing Iceland to view the Northern Lights is the country has ample other noctourism activities to enjoy, such as the hot springs!
Book your noctourism vacation: View the Aurora Borealis in Iceland
3. Taipei, Taiwan – Stroll the Night Markets
Photo by Clement Souchet on Unsplash
If you’re a late night foodie, there’s perhaps no better noctourism destination than Taipei. The city has numerous food stalls featured in the Michelin Guide. Whether you crave scallion pancakes, pork belly buns, cold noodles, street barbecue, or rice cakes, you’ll find it. Go have the time of your life and fuel your body at Taiwan’s famous night markets. There are seemingly countless markets, so explore more than one! Ximending Night Market and Ruifeng Night Market are good spots to start.
Book your noctourism vacation: Go on a Taipei Night Market Tour
4. Paris, France – Late-Night Walks
Paris is the second city to make our list of best noctourism destinations, and it’s easy to see why: Paris is the City of Light, the City of Love, and the Capital of Fashion. There are numerous famous nighttime walks you can take. Walk along the Seine River and see Notre-Dame de Paris illuminated against the night sky. Le Marais is a charming neighborhood with medieval buildings, boutiques, street food, and more. Montmartre, a historic artists’ neighborhood on a hill, is another great neighborhood for a late-night stroll.
Book your noctourism vacation: Book an Evening Outing in Paris
5. The Maldives – Sea of Stars
Photo by Ahmed Nishaath on Unsplash
The Sea of Stars phenomenon in the Maldives is caused by bioluminescent phytoplankton, which light up the water like the night sky and produce an incredible reflection. The Sea of Stars is an actually a chemical reaction, so it’s not really a ‘Sea of Stars’. Regardless, the Maldives is the go-to location to see this beautiful natural event. The best time to see it is between April and October, when the Southwest Monsoon sweeps plankton closer to the shores of the islands.
Book your noctourism vacation: See the Sea of Stars in the Maldives
Journey to One of the Best Noctourism Destinations
That concludes our list of the best noctourism destinations. Whether you love natural phenomena, wildlife, or big city fun, you can find a noctourism activity you’ll love in this big, beautiful world. What’s also convenient is that all the destinations listed here offer plenty to do and see during the day. They’re great vacation spots overall.
So, are you ready to explore the world after dark? It’s time to step into the night.
For help planning a vacation to one of these noctourism destinations, read through our travel preparation guides:
Do you have any more noctourism places to travel? Leave a comment on Facebook and start the conversation.
About the Author
Nick Callos has always had a passion for reading, writing, and discovering the new and unknown. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Nick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Boston College. He currently splits his time between his hometown, Chengdu, China, and the open road. A full-time travel writer, Nick hopes his work can inspire others to explore the world more deeply and enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle.Featured image by Micah Tindell on Unsplash
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