Noctourism is the dark art of exploring the world after sun-down.
According to recent studies, nocturnal excursions rose by 25% in 2024, and a recent survey showed 62% of global respondents are considering trips with nighttime experiences.
Amid overtourism, noctourism offers visitors opportunities to experience renowned sights in a transformed ambience after sunset. For those who travel for business, often the only chance to explore the city you’re visiting for meetings is after 5pm, which makes noctourism the perfect excuse to make the most of your trip.
Here at Good Travel Management we’ve crunched the numbers to discover the best cities for business travellers and night-time enthusiasts, to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Our research is based off attractions throughout the city that are open after nightfall, so when we’re talking about ‘nightlife’ here we don’t just mean bars and restaurants, we mean proper cultural experiences like museums, galleries, landmarks, etc.
The top 20 best cities for noctourism
To find the cities most focused on night-time experiences, we looked at the proportion of quality attractions accessible after 7pm vs their total ‘top attractions’. We used data from travel review sites to compare the total number of 4-star rated things to do in each city with the number of options available at night.
Chicago: illuminated strolls, stargazing, and jazz
Chicago comes in first place, offering 222 vibrant nighttime attractions. 15.9% of its top-rated tourist spots are open at night, the highest in our study.
Chicago offers unique evening tours of its illuminated landmarks like the Magnificent Mile and the Chicago Riverwalk. Skywatching at the Doane Observatory is part of the growing trend in dark sky tourism.
The global stargazing tours market was valued at $1 billion in 2025 (approx. £732 million) and is projected to grow at a 15% annual rate, reaching $3 billion by 2032 (£2.1 billion).
Other delights includeChicago’s jazz and blues clubs like the Green Mile or Jazz Showcase, and evenings of laughter at comedy clubs like The Second City.
Madrid: sunsets, cathedrals, and flamenco
Madrid takes second place, with 14.9% (323) of its best attractions open late.
Madrid is renowned for its sunset tours, which visit attractions such as the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and the Segovia Bridge, all beautifully lit up at night.
Opera fans can head to the Teatro Real and National Auditorium of Music. The Corral de la Morería, the oldest flamenco tablao, offers authentic performances.
Dublin: live music, night-bus tours, and winter lights
Dublin ranks third in the study, with 14.5% (186) of its highly rated attractions open at night, just behind Madrid and Chicago.
Dublin is famous for its lively nightlife. Its buzzing pubs, eateries and live music – plus Ireland’s oldest pub – which all entertain visitors into the early hours.
Adventurous tourists can take nighttime bus tours to see illuminated monuments and discover the city’s rich history. Or, walk to Dublin Castle for an evening stroll and admire its lights.
As evenings darken, Dublin’s Winter Lights festival illuminates the city centre with dazzling displays on landmarks, buildings, bridges, trees, statues and Merrion Square Park.
Other great cities for nighttime attractions
The top five cities are rounded out by London, UK (14.1% of attractions open at night, fourth place) and Amsterdam, Netherlands (12.7%, fifth place), both ranking just below Dublin.
If you’re in London, don’t miss the dramatic view of Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and Trafalgar Square, which are all lit up at night. For Amsterdam, try to plan your trip around the Friday late opening of the Van Gough Museum, or head to the A’DAM Tower for city views and refreshments until 10pm.
Sixty percent of the top ten cities are in Europe, including Madrid and Barcelona in Spain, where late-night culture is an essential part of the national fabric. When a Spanish government minister suggested earlier restaurant closings, the public responded with uproar.
Further-afield, the USA also has two cities in the top ten: Chicago, which is first, and New York, which is seventh and is famously known as ‘the city that never sleeps’.
Many Asian cities also made our list, with the likes of Bangkok, Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bejing, and Taipei ranking well. Shopaholics love Singapore, which is developing a reputation as a late-night shopping paradise. If you’re looking for a cultural experience, Taipei’s Dalongdong Baoan Temple is gloriously illuminated at night, welcoming visitors up to 9pm.
Commenting on the study Rich Quelch, Group CMO of Good Travel Management said:
“As business and leisure travel continues to evolve, noctourism is fast becoming one of the defining trends of 2025.
“Exploring a city after dark can offer travellers a new way to connect with destinations. It helps visitors avoid crowds, allowing them to experience landmarks, culture and entertainment with a fresh perspective.
“For travellers embracing noctourism, it is recommended to stick to well-lit areas, travel in groups when possible and plan routes in advance to maximise experiences safely.”
If our study has inspired you to explore the world, why not check out our tailored people-first business travel services?