The best times of the year to see the stars in a spectacular way

Looking at a starry sky can be one of the most relaxing and comforting experiences out there. However, they cannot be enjoyed anywhere or all year round. If you want to live an unforgettable night, below we explain the best times of the year to see the stars . We also explain what conditions there should be and we give you a list of the best places in Spain to do it.

Conditions to see stars

If you want to enjoy a starry sky, the most important thing is that you look for a place where there is no light pollution . Nowadays it is very difficult to be able to enjoy the beauty of the sky from a city, even from some towns it is difficult, since the light of street lamps, houses and buildings and even that of vehicles makes it very difficult to enjoy the stars. .

Then there is another essential requirement to be able to enjoy the stars, that the sky is clear . Even if you find a place without light pollution, if there are too many clouds in the sky that day, it will be impossible for you to see anything. Unfortunately this does not depend on us, so you have to cross your fingers so that the conditions are as favorable as possible.

If you can find a secluded place without light pollution and you are lucky enough to have a totally clear sky, you will be able to enjoy the stars. However, there are a few days of the year when the stars look even better . Do you want to know when?

Cuándo observar estrellas

Best times of the year to see the stars

Although at any time of the year you can enjoy a starry sky, there are specific dates when it is possible to enjoy unique shows. So take note of the best times of the year to see the stars .

The Perseids

The Perseids are visible in summer, roughly between July 17 and August 24. Depending on the year, the days may vary, but it is always during those months. The Perseids, popularly known as the Tears of Saint Lawrence, are considered the best meteor shower of the year.

If you want to enjoy a magical shower of stars, we advise you to note on the calendar this year 2020 that between the night of August 12 and the morning of the 13th they will be at their maximum peak , so it is the perfect night to enjoy a lovely annual show.

The Leonids

The Leonids are an even more special event because it takes place every 33 years and occurs in November, between the 6th and 30th. The last one took place in 2001, so it will not be until 2034 that the next one will be seen. Fully recommended, as it is spectacular. Of course, sign up well that in 2034 you have plans in November or you will have to wait another 33 years.

Milky Way

If you are not lucky enough to be able to enjoy a meteor shower, you have the option of looking for a place where you can see the Milky Way . Spain, being located in the northern hemisphere, the best months to see and enjoy it are between May and August . On the other hand, if you are in a country that belongs to the southern hemisphere since April you will be able to enjoy it .

Ver las estrellas, dónde y cuándo

Tips for seeing the stars

The sky changes every day, so it is difficult to predict which days the stars will be best seen. In addition, from one year to the next, everything can change a lot. Our advice is that you get a celestial map of the same night that you go out to see stars . As these types of maps are difficult to interpret for people who are not experts on the subject, you have the option of downloading mobile applications . We recommend Sky Maps and Stellarium , although the latter is paid. If you cannot check the Heavens Above website or the International Space Station (ISS) .

We also provide you with a list of the best places in Spain to which you can travel this summer to observe stars:

  • Gredos North (Avila)
  • Region Cuencas Mineras (Teruel)
  • Sierras de Gúdar-Javalambre (Teruel)
  • Monfragüe National Park (Cáceres)
  • Cuenca mountain range
  • Region of the Sierra Sur (Jaén)
  • Sierra Morena
  • The Montsec (Lleida)
  • Tenerife
  • The Palm
  • Gran canaria
  • Fuerteventura
  • Valles de Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama Biosphere Reserve (La Rioja)
  • Atlantic Islands and Trevinca Massif National Park (Pontevedra)
  • Roncal Valley (Navarra)
  • Minorca
  • Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park
  • Los Pedroches (Córdoba)
  • Aras de los Olmos (Valencia)

These are our tips for you to enjoy the best times of the year to see the stars and for you to have the best places in the country located . Of course, the most important thing, as we have told you, is that you have the right conditions to do it. If you have a telescope you can even see in a much more detailed way all the constellations, although, many times, enjoying a blanket of stars is more than enough to relax and enjoy.