Ahead of International Observe the Moon Night on September 19, 2026, Spain is promoting five Starlight-certified destinations. Organized by NASA, the event coincides with the Moon’s first quarter, when surface details stand out and lunar craters are visible to the naked eye. Participants on all continents are invited to observe in person or from home, and Spain is using the event to promote its certified dark-sky destinations.
La Palma in the Canary Islands is known for its exceptional clarity. The Mirador de Llano del Jable and the Mirador Astronómico del Roque de los Muchachos both offer wide views above the clouds and access to major telescopes, including the Gran Telescopio Canarias. The island’s clean air and low humidity make it possible to see lunar features without equipment. The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias says Roque de los Muchachos is primarily a research site, limiting public access to some telescopes.
Spain’s Starlight certification officially recognizes territories with exceptionally low light pollution, verified against rigorous standards. The designation goes beyond a tourism label.
Inland, the Sierra de Gredos in Ávila holds the Cielo Oscuro Starlight certification, a mark of excellent visibility. The Plataforma de Gredos in San Juan de Gredos is a popular spot for amateur astronomers, with open skies and easy access by car. The Starlight Foundation and local tourism offices regularly cite the area’s certified dark-sky status and efforts to protect natural nightscapes.
Teruel’s Comarca de Gúdar-Javalambre ranks among Europe’s top stargazing areas, with both Starlight Reserve and Tourist Destination status. All 24 municipalities have an astronomical viewpoint, but Pico del Buitre, home to the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre, stands out. The observatory is dedicated to research; nearby, some of the peninsula’s cleanest air makes it possible to set up personal telescopes or binoculars. Official Starlight project documents note Gúdar-Javalambre’s very low artificial light levels, making it a reference point for astrotourism in Spain.
Further south, Los Pedroches in Córdoba is the largest Starlight Reserve on the peninsula. Seventeen municipalities here are free from light pollution, with accessible sites including the Mirador del Campo de Fútbol in Dos Torres and the Mirador de la Dehesa in Cardeña, inside the Parque Natural de la Sierra de Cardeña y Montoro. These locations pair telescope facilities with oak woodlands beneath the stars.
In Catalonia, the Parque Nacional de Aigüestortes y Lago de San Mauricio, established in 1955, is the region’s only national park and a recognized Starlight Tourist Destination. Its high elevation brings dark skies and clear views of the Moon above the Pyrenees. The Ermita de Sant Quirc de Durro in Vall de Boí is a favorite viewpoint, with educational panels for constellation spotting and Romanesque architecture nearby.
The choice of these five sites reflects growing interest in astrotourism in Spain, where certified dark-sky areas draw interest for science and sustainable travel. The Starlight Foundation’s strict certification process requires tight controls on artificial lighting to help preserve natural nightscapes. Spain’s efforts to protect its night skies draw astronomers and support local economies, while raising awareness about light pollution. The country has become a leader in European astrotourism, offering a rare chance to experience the night sky in its natural state.
