Among them, Portugal shines, thanks to the Alqueva Dark Sky Observatory, one of Europe’s top destinations for experiencing truly dark skies. A recent study by airport transfer experts Hoppa examined stargazing spots across Europe, accounting for factors such as sky darkness, cloud cover, ease of access, and “hidden gem” appeal. While the UK takes most of the top spots, Alqueva in Portugal ranks 8th overall, making it the highest-ranked destination outside the UK and Ireland.

Situated in the Alentejo region, Alqueva offers clear open skies, almost no light pollution, and excellent weather for stargazing. The observatory sits within the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, the largest certified Dark Sky Reserve in Europe, where visitors can take guided night tours, attend astronomy workshops, or simply enjoy the stars in complete tranquillity.

Located within the world’s first Starlight Tourism Destination, this place offers a truly privileged setting for stargazing. Here, you can experience the night sky like nowhere else, in an area protected from the light pollution of major cities. The findings also underline the increasing popularity of astronomy-focused travel in Portugal. Alqueva is emerging as one of Europe’s leading stargazing destinations thanks to its landscapes, which offer a combination of dark-sky quality, peaceful surroundings, and well-developed visitor facilities that appeal to both amateur and experienced observers.

While the reserve spans over 3,000 square kilometres of pristine skies, it’s on the 780 hectares that you can get closer to the stars and discover even more stories written across the night sky.

For a truly unforgettable experience under the Alentejo night sky, it is possible to join a private stargazing session with astronomers from Dark Sky Alqueva in the ancient bee garden or arena. They will teach how to locate Polaris, identify constellations and planets, and, with a telescope, observe celestial wonders such as nebulae, galaxies, Saturn, and the Moon. Alqueva is easily accessible by car from both Lisbon and Faro, which makes it a convenient destination for travellers interested in stargazing.

Visitors can combine daytime sightseeing with evening astronomy experiences, without the need for complex travel arrangements. Chris Harrington, Managing Director of Hoppa, comments: “Astrotourism is growing rapidly, as travellers look for more meaningful and memorable experiences. Europe has some truly remarkable stargazing destinations, but many are located in remote areas, where advance planning is essential to ensure a smooth journey.”