Some phenomena last only a few minutes and yet remain in our memory for a long time.
On 12 August, Galicia experienced one of those moments. The solar eclipse put the sky centre stage, and thousands of people gathered to watch the Moon pass in front of the Sun in an extraordinary spectacle.
But the eclipse is now over. And perhaps that is precisely a good reason to keep looking up at the sky.
Because Galicia has much more to offer those who are curious about astronomy. Nine Galician destinations hold the Starlight Tourist Destination certification, a recognition that highlights their excellent conditions for stargazing and their commitment to protecting the night sky.
Ready to discover them?
When the sky becomes the destination
Astrotourism invites us to travel in a different way: to slow down, move away from the lights of the cities and allow our eyes to gradually adjust to the darkness.
In Galicia, this experience can be enjoyed by the sea, on Atlantic islands, among mountains, in the landscapes of the Ribeira Sacra or in rural areas where the night still preserves one of its greatest treasures: a dark sky filled with stars.
Starlight Tourist Destinations in Galicia
The Starlight Foundation, linked to the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, certifies places that stand out for the quality of their skies and their commitment to protecting them from light pollution. These are places where stargazing forms part of the natural, landscape, cultural or scientific heritage and also becomes a tourist attraction.
Galicia has nine Starlight Tourist Destinations: nine exceptional places from which to discover and enjoy our night sky.
1. Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park
There is something special about looking at the stars from an island. In the Atlantic Islands, the ocean surrounds the landscape, while the distance from major urban centres provides privileged conditions for observing the night sky.
CÃes, Ons, Sálvora and Cortegada offer an experience in which sea, nature and the night sky come together under the same stars.
2. A Costa da Morte
In A Costa da Morte, the sky is part of a landscape that is spectacular in its own right.
Here, the experience can begin by contemplating the Atlantic from a lighthouse or cliff and end beneath a star-filled sky. The contrast between the immensity of the ocean and that of the firmament turns night-time into a new way of exploring this territory.
3. Trevinca
In the mountains of Ourense, Pena Trevinca rises to 2,127 metres and offers exceptional conditions for astronomical observation.
Its altitude, low light pollution and expansive landscapes make this area one of the great references for astrotourism in Galicia. A place where simply looking up allows you to discover constellations, planets and the Milky Way in all their splendour.
4. Muras
In the Serra do Xistral, Muras invites visitors to enjoy a different kind of night.
The low level of light pollution turns its landscapes into a privileged setting for observing the stars and discovering astronomy. A perfect choice for those looking to combine nature, tranquillity and contemplation of the night sky.
5. LalÃn
LalÃn’s connection with astronomy also has a name: Ramón MarÃa Aller, one of the great figures in Galician astronomy.
The area allows visitors to discover this connection with science while enjoying a sky particularly well suited to observation. From its natural spaces, Galicia can be seen from a different perspective: as a territory that is also part of the universe around us.
6. Reserva de Biosfera Mariñas Coruñesas
The Mariñas Coruñesas Biosphere Reserve incorporates the night sky into an experience centred on nature and the landscape.
Here, stargazing can be part of a journey that also includes scenery, gastronomy, heritage and ecotourism. Because protecting the night sky also means preserving an essential part of our natural heritage.
7. Biosphere Reserve of Os Ancares Lucenses y Montes de Navia, Cervantes y Becerreá
Mountains, valleys and small settlements define the landscape of the Ancares Lucenses, an area where the darkness of night allows visitors to enjoy a particularly captivating firmament.
The destination offers an opportunity to discover the mountains of Lugo after sunset and understand that nature also has a nocturnal dimension.
8. Chantada
In the heart of the Ribeira Sacra, Monte Faro provides a magnificent vantage point for observing the sky.
Here, stargazing is combined with a landscape shaped by the Miño and Sil river canyons, vineyards, monasteries and viewpoints. An experience that shows how completely a destination can change when night falls.
9. Fornelos de Montes and Oia – South-west Galicia
South-western Galicia also offers privileged places from which to gaze at the night sky. The territory linking Fornelos de Montes and Oia combines mountain and coastal landscapes with low levels of light pollution, creating a particularly attractive setting for astrotourism.
It is another way to discover southern Galicia, following the path of the stars across a territory that stretches from the inland mountains to the Atlantic.
Much more than an eclipse
The eclipse reminded us of something we perhaps forget far too often: all we need to do is look up to discover an extraordinary spectacle above our heads.
But there is no need to wait for a major astronomical event. Every clear night is a new opportunity to contemplate the stars, identify constellations, follow the Moon’s journey or simply enjoy the darkness.
Galicia’s nine Starlight Tourist Destinations make it possible to experience this in some of the most unique landscapes in our region. Ready to discover them?
