Written in the Stars: Where to Stargaze in Catalunya
Anyone who has stood outside at night and peered up into the skies above Barcelona knows that there’s not much more to see than the gold-frosted hue of light pollution typical of metropolitan cities. This light pollution, known as skyglow, means we city dwellers see a fraction of the stars that are visible in the countryside, and even with the help of telescopes, they’re difficult or impossible to spot.
Luckily, we live near rural landscapes that are perfect for viewing the stars unobstructed. Whether you choose to see them through a telescope at an observatory or with the naked eye through the flap of your tent, we have gathered a few of the best places to stargaze in Barcelona’s backyard.
Learn about the Stars
Observatori Fabra de Barcelona
Closest to Barcelona, the Fabra Observatory is a short drive into the Collserola hills. Established in 1904, it’s the fourth oldest functioning observatory in the world. The observatory’s scientists give tours of the facility (in Catalan or Spanish), which teach visitors about astronomy, meteorology and seismology, as well as the domestic uses of the building in the early 20th century. The guides also demonstrate how the observatory’s two modern telescopes work and show guests around the library and panoramic terrace. During the visit, you can freely access the observatory's gardens every Sunday and public holiday from 11:00 to 13:00. If you want to know more about the night sky after the tour, there are basic and advanced astronomy courses available.
For a less academic experience that’s just as memorable, during the summer months you can make a reservation for the Dining with the Stars dinner series that the observatory hosts. The dinners take place outdoors with a privileged view of Barcelona. After dinner, a 30-minute scientific talk is held, with a question and answer session at the end. You can also visit the museum, the modernist room, the telescope and the large dome room. From the dome you will be able observe elements of distant constellations, stars and much of the solar system, with the 1904 telescope—one of the largest and oldest in Europe still in operation.
Guided Day Tours
Hours: Sundays, 11:00
Price: €3, free for children under 14
Guided Night Tours & Observation
Hours: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at sunset, October to June
Price: €15 adult on Friday, €25 adult on Saturday and Sunday, children up to 12 years pay half-price
Reservations required: Call 93 327 0121 or 697 864 262
Address: Camí de l'Observatori, s/n, 08035 Barcelona | fabra.cat
Observatori Astronòmic de Castelltallat
Located in the Sierra de Castelltallat in the municipality of Sant Mateu de Bages on a hill at 911 meters above sea level, the Castelltallat Observatory offers spectacular views of the Pyrenees by day and millions of stars by night. Learn about the brightest stars in the sky, constellations and galaxies on a guided tour that also includes a walk through its current exhibition and an introductory lecture. Visitors can use various telescopes to identify galaxies, nebulae, double stars, globular and open clusters, planets and the Moon.
Hours: Activities available on Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday at various times throughout the year.
Price: Prices vary depending on the activity: €12-€18 for adults, €10-€15 for children ages eight to 12, €2-€5 for children aged four to seven, free for children under four.
Reservations required: Tel. 667 529 051
Address: Carretera de l'Observatori, s/n, 08263, 08263 Sant Mateu de Bages | astrocastellblog.wordpress.com
Parc Astronòmic Montsec
Although the Montsec Astronomical Park is a bit of a long haul, it’s a great excuse to see some beautiful Catalan countryside. Set in the mountains of Lleida, you can combine your visit to the observatory with outdoor activities such as climbing, hiking, via ferrata and kayaking in the gorge of Mont-rebei. Guided tours of the observatory lead visitors into The Eye of Montsec, a multimedia planetarium, where you can watch Asteroid: Mission Extreme, which allows you to discover how asteroids can contribute in the future of space exploration. The roof of the dome is then opened to reveal the real sky, and an instructor helps visitors identify some of the best attributes of the night. Here, it’s also possible to use telescopes to get a closer look at the Moon, planets and nebulae. The observatory also has a permanent exhibition on astronomy, the protection of flora and fauna against light pollution and the natural environment of Montsec.
Hours: See website
Price: Day tours €9, night tours €13-€15, free entry for children under age five.
Reservations required: Call 973 053 022 or 973 455 246
Address: Camí del Coll d'Ares, s/n, 25691 Àger, Lleida | parcastronomic.cat
Observatori Astronòmic del Garraf
The Garraf Park Astronomical Observatory is housed in an old agricultural storehouse in the hills of the Parc Natural del Garraf. The observatory's team organizes day-time and night-time activities throughout the year in the Digitarium and also runs a viatges temàtics project (thematic journeys), which follows eclipses, planetary transits and the northern/southern lights around the world.
Hours: See website
Price: Prices vary depending on the activity.
Reservations required: Call 937 713 154 or 651 426 872
Address: Camí d'Olivella a Plana Novella, km 3.5, 08810 Olivella | oagarraf.net
Observatori de Pujalt
Located in the Alta Anoia at 750 meters above sea level, the Pujalt Astronomical Observatory is both a meteorological station and astronomical observatory. By day the observatory collects fundamental climate data which helps to study the evolution of the weather and its effects on aviation, shipping, agriculture, medicine and architecture. At night, the observatory is an excellent natural planetarium where you can learn more about the planets, the stars, constellations and galaxies. There are educational workshops on solar energy, how images are received from meteorological satellites, introductory lessons on astronomy and an overview of the different types of telescopes and how to use them.
Hours: See website
Price: €10 for adults, €8 for children aged seven to 13, free entry for children under seven.
Reservations required: Call 93 869 80 22
Address: Carretera de l'Astor, S/N, 08282, Pujalt | observatoridepujalt.cat
Observatori Astronòmic de Sabadell
The Sabadell Observatory does something a little different. Each of its guided sessions is dedicated to a particular celestial body such as the Sun, the Moon, Jupiter or Saturn. Sessions begin in the auditorium, where participants learn about the star, which they then have the opportunity to see through the observatory’s telescopes. Each session lasts about an hour and a half. The observatory also runs an impressive number of workshops for kids that teach them about the stars and the Big Bang, among other topics. Adults can take classes in person or online, which cover practical and theoretical topics from how to use telescopes, to supernovas and quantum physics.
Hours: The visiting schedule for the fall of 2022 has yet to be announced.
Reservations required: Call 93 725 53 73
Address: Carrer Prat de la Riba, 116, 08206 Sabadell | astrosabadell.org
Sleep Under the Stars
Mil Estrelles
How would you feel about staying in a bubble? Mil Estrelles is a unique hotel experience, offering guests a chance to connect with nature and enjoy a romantic night under the stars from the comfort of their own room. The concept takes glamping to a whole new level. The largest of the bubble rooms, the Stellar Bubble Room Grand Suite Spica, is a 43 square meter duplex with a fireplace and terrace. There are 10 bubble rooms and suites in total, as well as three interior rooms for those who want a bit more privacy. For when you’re ready to come out of your bubble, special night sky observations and chats are led by members of the Banyoles Astrological Association. On the property, there’s also a flotarium, Jacuzzi and sauna, and guests can schedule a massage or rent bikes to make the most of the daylight too. milestrelles.com
Casa Massa
Casa Massa is located in Pallars Sobirà, one of the areas on the Iberian Peninsula with the least skyglow, which makes it an exceptional place from which to view the night sky. The large farmhouse, located in the tiny village of Estac, has enough room for 10-12 guests, and they also rent a smaller place nearby. Can Massa runs regular astronomy workshops with both naked eye and telescope observation, and on the occasional weekend night, photography classes as well.
Workshop price: €95 for one person, or €75 per person for a group.
Can Bonet
Can Bonet is well-situated to explore Girona and other locations on the Costa Brava. There are three fully-equipped apartments, which can be rented for a minimum of two nights in the off-season and by the week in high season. Guests can enjoy more than their room with stargazing classes held in the masia. Using its powerful telescopes, participants can observe constellations and learn the legends of the universe.
Workshop price: €40 per person.
Duration: 90 minutes
Cal Ros
Cal Ros is a traditional Catalan farmhouse located 30 minutes from Manresa and Igualada by car, on the edge of dark-sky country. It has six different rooms, as well as a pool, and splendid views of the countryside. Many activities are available, from farm visits to balloon rides, but for stargazers, it arranges visits to the nearby Pujalt Observatory, which hosts meteorology and astronomy workshops, and observations for all ages.
Originally published June 2017, updated September 30, 2022.