Rural tourism and stars: some of the best towns in Spain to gaze at the stars
Imagine traveling to a small corner of Spain where a blanket of stars unfolds before you in all its immensity. Here's what you can experience in the towns certified by the Starlight: Those whose skies are so clear that they are authentic refuges for breathing fresh air and looking up at night. These small towns are committed to spreading the culture of astronomy, so you'll find an interesting range of stargazing-related activities.If you're a stargazer or simply looking for a unique experience, discover little-known places in Spain to contemplate the firmament like never before.Here are a few examples:
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Lerín (Navarra)
This town in the Upper Ebro region rises imposingly on a large rock and, in fact, it is said that it resembles a ship stranded on the Ega River. The valley stretches for several kilometres around and there are no towns, making it an exceptional place to escape both noise and light pollution.It is no coincidence that this small town in Navarra was the first in Spain to receive the Starlight certification, thanks to its exceptional night sky.Before nightfall, you can enjoy a pleasant stroll across its streets to discover its stately 13th-century homes, amazing monuments, such as the huge medieval Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, or its typical caves dug into the gypsum rock. You can also sign up for a bike tour through its pine forest landscape.It is, however, after sunset that the real spectacle begins and the stars invade everything. The Lerín Tierra Estrella Days are usually held in July and gather thousands of astronomy fans. Activities include tastings of local products with a scientific theme, geological walks, concerts and astronomical observations.
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Fuente Tójar (Córdoba)
Among olive groves you will find this village of white houses and blue flower pots, in the southeast of the province of , Córdoba. It's a pleasure to take a stroll and stop at its various corners and squares, to sit and listen to the murmur of the fountains.During the day, you can visit an olive oil mill, hike through an Iberian-Roman archaeological site known as Cerro de las Cabezas or take a tour to discover the various examples of urban art on its walls. Did you know that one of its graffiti artworks was selected as one of the best in the world in 2020 by the Street Art Cities platform?At night, you can be dazzled by its wonderful starry sky, especially at some of the spots where observation is best: The Hermitage of Calvary, the Hermitage of San José del Cerro de la Mesa, the Canteruela viewpoint or the Cerro de las Cabezas itself.In Fuente Tójar, astrotourism activities such as archaeoastronomical routes and sky-related photography contests are also held annually.
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Las Navas del Marqués (Ávila)
This is one of the most beautiful towns in the Ávila. The emblematic and towering Magalia Castle Palace overlooks the town. We highly recommend signing up for a guided tour of the historic centre to learn the secrets of this monument and others such as the Parish Church of San Juan Bautista.Taking advantage of the lush pine forests surrounding the town, you can always enjoy a pleasant hiking route through green meadows, streams and small waterfalls. There are several to choose from, such as the Route of Sculptures or of Illustrious People.At night, the sky above Las Navas del Marqués becomes a spectacle for astronomy enthusiasts. Get ready to see the Milky Way, constellations and planets from one of the natural viewpoints. Specifically, there are two places specially selected to enjoy the night sky: the Starlight natural viewing point of El Valle and the Starlight natural viewing point of Las Tres Fuentes, connected to the star route, which takes approximately two and a half hours to complete.
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Borobia (Soria)
This is a small village in the Soria that is the perfect destination for those who love nature and history. Its parish church of La Asunción and the traditional architecture of its streets reflect the interesting past of this ancient town.Without a doubt, one of the biggest attractions of Borobia is its astronomical observatory “El Castillo”, standing at an altitude of 1,200 metres and at the foot of the breathtaking mountain of the Moncayo. It is the first observatory in Spain designed with an educational focus, becoming a benchmark for dissemination. Once there, you can access a four-meter-diameter dome from where you can enjoy breathtaking sunsets. Inside, it has professional telescopes for observing galaxies, nebulae, double stars, etc. In addition, just over an hour away by car is Muriel Viejo, another Starlight Tourist Destination with the rural hotel-restaurant, considered to be one of the best for stargazing.
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Fuencaliente de La Palma (Canary Islands)
A magical spot is waiting for you on the south side of the La Palma, Canary Islands, where you will see the impressive volcanoes of San Antonio and Teneguía that mark the landscape. By accessing the visitor centre, you can explore the area on foot and enjoy incredible views of the area's distinctive vineyards and the Atlantic Ocean.There's also a trail that takes you to the famous Fuencaliente salt lakes. The contrast between the white salt, the black volcanic rock and the blue ocean will stimulate all your senses.When you're on the island of La Palma, prepare to see one of the clearest skies in the world. At the San Antonio Volcano Visitor Centre, you can see images from a solar telescope. Nearby, there's an astronomical viewing point and the Fuencaliente lighthouse area is perfect for photographing the Milky Way. On the website you can find plenty of original activities, such as a G-Astronomic Dinner.
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Becerril de Campos (Palencia)
You will be amazed by the charm of Castilian architecture on the streets of the Palencia.In addition to visiting monuments like the Santo Domingo Church-Museum, there is another very original enclave. This is a 12th-century Romanesque church converted into the San Pedro Cultural Space, the first Starlight Astronomical Monument. Inside the church, you can find everything from a Foucault pendulum to a stellarium, from which you can gaze at the constellations.While you are visiting Becerril de Campos, don't forget to take a trip on one of the boats that travel across the Canal de Castilla: A walk through locks and bridges that will allow you to discover a fascinating work of 18th-century engineering.
These are just a few examples of towns where you can enjoy stargazing, but remember that you have many others such as Muras (Galicia), Allande (Asturias), La Frontera (El Hierro), etc.
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