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, 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. 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, make a reservation for the Dining with the Stars dinner series that the observatory puts on from June 10th to October 9th.
Guided day tours
Hours: Sundays, 11am and 12.30pm
Price: €2, free for children under 10
Guided night tours & observation
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays at sunset, October to June
Reservations required: Call 93 327 0121 or 697 864 262
Observatori Astronòmic de Castelltallat
The Castelltallat Observatory sits on a hill 910 metres above sea level, with 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: Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year
Reservations required: Call 667 529 051
Price: €15 for adults, €12 for children aged eight to 12, free for children under seven
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 the 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 they watch We Are Stars. The show explains how everything around us is made of material produced inside stars. 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’s ongoing exhibition on astronomy and the natural environment of Montsec is free and open to the public.
Hours: See website
Reservations required: Call 973 053 022 or 973 455 246
Price: Day tours €8 (reduced €7), night tours €10.50 (reduced €9)
Observatori Astronòmic de Sabadell
The Sabadell Observatory does something a little different. Each of its guided sessions is dedicated to a particular star 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: See website
Reservations required: Call 93 725 5373
Price: €9 for adults, €4 for children aged five to 14, free for children under four
SLEEP UNDER THE STARS
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 43m2 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.
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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: €100 (minimum six people)
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: €30 for two people, or €10 per person for a group of three or more
Duration: 90 minutes
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.