Imagine travelling to a destination just to experience the darkest skies! The night sky can be a destination in itself. Far from the madding crowd and artificial lights, travellers at these places can just see stars and constellations and the Milky Way (depending on the weather) in a way that is difficult to experience in heavily lit urban centres.A new 2026 list by World Population Review puts five countries at the top of its “Darkest Countries” ranking when measured by radiance per 1,000 population. These countries are Vatican City, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Oman.Here’s what they offer travellers:.Vatican City
Vatican City
Vatican City records the highest radiance per 1,000 population in the data at 527.9. That makes the world’s one of the smallest countries a unique entry on a list described as “darkest countries”. It is, in fact, the world’s most intensely illuminated country-sized urban area. For travellers, however, the attraction of Vatican City after sunset is not stargazing. The tiny city-state is best experienced for its historic and cultural landmarks, including St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.QatarQatar has a radiance-per-1,000-population figure of 429.4. The country has vast desert landscapes where the experience of night is very different. Stargazing experiences around the desert and Khor Al Adaid, the UNESCO-recognised Inland Sea are simply amazing. For travellers, a desert excursion after sunset can combine stargazing with camel rides, campfire dining and an overnight desert stay.Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia records 267.1 radiance per 1,000 population. This is the perfect place for travellers interested in night-sky experiences. Thanks to the country’s enormous deserts. A desert night here can become part of a larger adventure involving 4×4 drives, camping, sunset views and traditional outdoor gatherings known as kashta. The remote landscapes also offer travellers something increasingly difficult to find in major cities: an uninterrupted horizon after dark.LibyaLibya appears fourth in the ranking, with 229.8 radiance per 1,000 population. Its position is particularly interesting from a geographical perspective because much of Libya is covered by the Sahara, creating enormous expanses far from dense urban development. However, travellers should check current government travel advisories, entry requirements and local security conditions before considering Libya.OmanOman completes the top five, recording 226.6 radiance per 1,000 population. For travellers, Oman is perhaps the most naturally suited to a story about desert nights. Its landscape combines vast desert areas, rugged mountains and a long coastline, allowing visitors to build a trip around outdoor experiences rather than city sightseeing alone. From desert camping and watching the stars over the dunes to exploring mountain landscapes during the day, Oman offers the kind of varied terrain that makes night-sky tourism a natural addition to a wider road trip.
