The night sky is a mesmerizing sight to behold, but with the rise of urbanization and light pollution, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to witness its beauty. Fortunately, there are still places where you can see unique starry skies far from big cities. From remote deserts to mountain peaks and dark sky reserves, there are several astrotourism destinations that offer unique experiences for nature lovers, stargazers, and anyone seeking to escape the city lights and connect with the cosmos. And one of the best spots is exactly in Portugal! Alqueva, in Alentejo, is the world’s first starlight tourism destination, formally certified by the Starlight Foundation. And what does this mean? That in Alqueva you will witness one of the most intense sparkling skies of your life. In case you didn’t know, this certification it’s an international quality seal that recognizes the unique characteristics and the existing excellent conditions for observing the stars, constellations and other astronomical phenomena such as meteor showers or eclipses.
Part of the Dark Sky network, a global initiative that aims to protect the night skies by promoting responsible lighting practices and reducing light pollution, Alqueva is even more special because it is located just under two hours from the Portuguese capital. So, you don’t need to venture far from civilization to observe the stars.
The Dark Sky Alqueva reserve, located in the heart of Alentejo, spans over 3,000 square kilometers and has one of the darkest skies in Europe. Its clarity and atmospheric conditions allow visitors to enjoy the star show for most of the year. In 2019, Dark Sky Alqueva was awarded a Tourism Oscar from the World Travel Awards.
The reserve is also home to several astronomical observatories, including the Dark Sky Alqueva Observatory and the OLA Observatory. These centers can help the amateurs stargazers to pick up their telescope and observe the majestic profusion of bright planets, constellations of rare beauty and rivers of stars. But the experience can go beyond the stars if you want! The region offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy, which include hiking, cycling, horse riding, bird watching, kayaking, balloon rides and wine tasting, always surrounded by the stunning landscapes of Alentejo.
So, if the cosmos has always fascinated you, this experience will leave you speechless. Prepare your camera because you will be able to capture unforgettable images. Become an astronomer for one night!
