Starry skies in Spain: 9 nighttime destinations to tune your telescope

The pragmatic person believes that the stars do not bring him any benefit. The dreamer, on the other hand, risks stumbling while looking at them because he knows that good things come from above. Spain is a land of dreamers. That's why it has, for them, for you, excellent places to observe the stars and enjoy the clearest skies in Spain.

Now that summer begins and you are looking for a ecotourism getaway, Nattule suggests you change the umbrella for the telescope and set out to explore the night.

Write down these nine astronomical destinations on the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands:

1. Cerro del Hierro, in Sierra Morena

This mountain range extends in Andalusia, covering part of the provinces of Jaén, Córdoba, Seville and Huelva. In its 400,000 hectares, barely 2% of the Andalusian population lives, so light pollution is almost zero. This circumstance, together with a privileged natural environment, makes it the largest Astronomical Reserve in the world.

Throughout its vast extension, you can choose from a wide network of viewpoints in mountains, Mediterranean forests and pastures.

One of the most unique, Cerro del Hierro, is located in the Sierra Norte sector of Seville. The hill has been declared a Natural Monument for its geological and landscape values. In addition, it is a unique place for astronomical observation. You can park in the parking lot next to the visitors Center, half a kilometer from the town of Cerro del Hierro. It is easily accessed via the SE-163 highway from San Nicolás del Puerto.

Although the artificial light from the city of Seville slightly damages a small part of the southern horizon, during the autumn and winter months you will have a spectacular panoramic view of the Milky Way to the north and west. In addition, constellations such as the Big Dipper are perfectly distinguished throughout the year.

The Milky Way from Cerro del Hierro © Manuel Jesús García Sánchez

2. La Pandera, in the Sierra Sur

Over steep ravines, hidden valleys and mountains rises one of the clearest skies in Spain. In the Sierra Sur de Jaén, the stars put the finishing touch to a spectacular natural heritage.

Within it, the municipality of Valdepeñas de Jaén has two of the most recommended points to install the telescope. One is located next to the old Pandera military base, where many astronomy fans gather.

If you want to join them, you just have to take the detour that appears on the road that goes from Los Villares to Valdepeñas and climb to the top of La Pandera, where the heliport is. Settle there and avoid the northern horizon, which is too illuminated by the nearby city of Jaén. The rest of the celestial vault does offer you a magnificent spectacle.

Located at more than 1,800 meters above sea level, this observation point is one of the best places to identify planets.

The Pandera © María Gallego

3. Campos de Hernán Perea, in the Sierra de Segura

Also in the province of Jaén, this time in the northeastern area, we find another privileged natural environment, that of the Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Natural Park. The relief here is marked by mid-mountain, wide valleys and pine forests that make up the habitat of a multitude of exceptional species, including some of the important birds of Andalusia. All this under a stunning night sky.

The municipality of Santiago de la Espada, belonging to the Sierra de Segura, has one of the darkest skies in the Iberian Peninsula, making it an exceptional place to observe the sky.

You can enjoy it if you take your telescope to the Campos de Hernán Perea, an immense plateau located at 1,600 meters above sea level where there is no population within 40 kilometers. The only light that illuminates you is that of the stars.

You get there from Santiago de la Espada, along the A-317 highway towards Puebla de Don Fadrique. After approximately 2 kilometers you have to turn right and continue to the village of Don Domingo, from where a forest track emerges that goes into the Campos de Hernán Perea.

An important note: bring warm clothing, as this environment is considered one of the coldest areas of Spain.

Starry sky in the Natural Park of Cazorla, Segura and las Villas © Manuel Jesús García Sánchez

4. Montsec Astronomical Park, in the Sierra de Montsec

In the north of the Peninsula, the Sierra de Montsec is considered one of the best astronomical observation points in Europe, as it has one of the cleanest skies in Spain. In this mountain range of 20,000 hectares spread between Aragon and Catalonia, rain is scarce throughout the year and the nights are mostly clear. Added to the low number of towns in the area, the result is ideal skies for spotting the stars.

To have the most complete astronomical experience possible, it is best that you go to the Montsec Astronomical Park. From the city of Lérida, you just have to take the C-12 towards the north and take the fork in Àger.

In addition to the stars that you can see outdoors, the Universe Observation Center has a dome on which the images captured by a large telescope installed in the same room are projected. It is a good option to fully immerse yourself in the sky without having to spend the night outdoors.

Then you can put into practice what you have learned with this astronomical observation activity in the Lérida Pyrenees.

Night in the Sierra de Montsec (cleanest skies in Spain) © Joan Gosa

5. Puerto Castilla, in the Sierra de Gredos

Every year there are more than 220 optimal days for stargazing in the Sierra de Gredos. A high figure if one takes into account its proximity to the capital of Spain.

This Regional Park in the south of Ávila is one of the 25 points in the world awarded with the designation of dark sky, that is, with very little light pollution. From there you can see thousands of stars with the naked eye on a good night.

As in Sierra Morena, there are many viewpoints in the northern area where you can wait out the night. One of the main ones is Puerto Castilla, located in the southwest of the province, next to the Jerte valley, which can be reached by the N-110 from Ávila or from Plasencia.

The star viewpoints of the Sierra de Gredos are perfectly equipped for astronomy fans, and have parking and observation platforms where you can install your telescope. From this particular one you can see the Milky Way, enjoy eclipses and discover planets and nebulae.

If you want to live a truly unique experience, in the winter months you can combine your love of astronomy with a night snowshoe excursion in Gredos.

The mountains of the Sierra de Gredos (cleanest skies in Spain)

6. Devil's Hill, in Sierra Nevada

Some of the highest peaks in the Iberian Peninsula are found in the Sierra Nevada. It is not difficult to imagine, therefore, that from this Granada mountain range one can observe one of the clearest and starry skies in all of Spain.

The Devil's Hill, located between the Monachil and Genil rivers, is a privileged observation point for lovers of the cosmos. With an altitude of more than 2,300 meters, it has unbeatable views, although it runs the risk of being almost always exposed to drafts.

To get there, you just have to follow the road that goes up from Granada to the mountains and, at approximately kilometer 35, take a lane where you will immediately have to park.

Wrap up warm, as the nights there are cold even in summer, and prepare the telescope to discover galaxies, nebulae, and double stars, among others. Towards the east, you will see the planets Venus and Saturn near the horizon.

Have we caught your attention? Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy all this with our night hiking route in Sierra Nevada.

Sunset in Sierra Nevada (cleanest skies in Spain)

7. Cameros Lagoon, in the Leza Valley

The basins of the Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama rivers constitute a Biosphere Reserve which covers almost a quarter of the territory of La Rioja. Historical towns, springs and paleontological sites are hidden between ravines and Mediterranean forests. Also a few exceptional places from observing some of the clearest skies in Spain.

One of them is located in the area of Laguna de Cameros, in the valley of the Leza river. This small municipality is just 50 kilometers from Logroño, next to the LR-250 highway, so getting there is very easy.

The observation area has been installed in an area near the river, protected from the road and the already scarce light pollution of the municipality. As there are usually few clouds and the clarity of the sky is high, it will be easy for you to see planets like Saturn and Mars from there, as well as many stars.

The Leza Valley © Alicja Scigaczewska

8. Peña Trevinca, in the Trevinca massif

Another place you can go to see stars in quantity in Spain is located in the province of Ourense. Peña Trevinca, the highest point in Galicia, is a unique place for this purpose due to the total darkness it enjoys.

It is located in the Trevinca massif, a Protected Natural Area in which yew forests and glacial lagoons with clean, crystalline waters abound. The easiest access route starts from the town of Sobradelo. You have to follow the provincial highway OU-122 and pass through Casaio, where you begin to ascend to the summit, at 2,127 meters above sea level.

At this altitude and without any type of light pollution you will be able to observe the Milky Way from side to side.

Grab your telescope and discover what more surprises this sky has in store for you.

A blanket of stars in Trevinca (cleanest skies in Spain) © Juan del Río

9. Llano de Ucanca, in the Teide National Park

The Canary Islands were pioneers of astronomical tourism in Spain. Even today it is estimated that more than 200,000 people visit them every year just to observe the stars.

The island of La Palma was followed by Tenerife, which since the beginning of the 20th century has attracted experts and amateurs to its peaks for this purpose. In fact, already in 1910, the famous astronomer Jean Mascart installed his telescope on Guajara Peak to follow the passage of Halley's Comet from there.

The conditions of these islands make them ideal for contemplating the sky: mild climate, clear skies and spectacular protected spaces. In Tenerife, the possibility of combining astronomical activities with volcanology is a plus for tourists.  

The best viewpoints are found in the Teide National Park. Being located in high places, light pollution is zero and visibility is impressive.  

You can go to Llano de Ucanca, in the southern area of the National Park, which is accessed via the TF-21 highway. From there you can observe numerous galaxies and nebulae, the craters of the moon and even the rings of Saturn.

But it is not the only observation point within the Park. If you want to know more, take a look at this activity to discover Teide under the stars.

Stars over the Teide National Park (cleanest skies in Spain) © Manuel Jesús García Sánchez

While you organize your trip to Tenerife, enjoy a small preview of what the night has to offer in this incredible protected space.

The cod route is not the only possible night tourism itinerary. In fact, the decibel is the option that escapes those who prefer the silence of the telescope to the stridency of the loudspeaker to have a good time. It seems like a paradox, but those who choose the night to look at it instead of to live it, live it while looking at it.