Looking up at a star-filled sky on a serene night is one of the most breathtaking experiences we can have. For kids, spotting the Milky Way for the first time or learning to locate the North Star creates lifelong memories. Catalonia is a privileged haven for family astrotourism, with natural areas shielded from light pollution, delivering a spectacular view of the heavens. Here are four plans to enjoy a getaway under the stars. These are family-friendly destinations where science, nature, and magic come together to offer a unique night. But before we begin, you should know that many of these places have the Starlight Destination or Reserve certification. This is an international recognition backed by UNESCO, ensuring top-quality night skies and a commitment to preserving this natural heritage. Catalonia is fortunate to be home to several of these stellar sanctuaries. Montsec, A Professional Journey Into The Universe The Montsec mountain range in Les Terres de Lleida is renowned as one of the world’s premier stargazing spots. At its heart lies the Montsec Astronomical Park (PAM), home to the Centre for the Observation of the Universe (COU). Here, the experience is designed for all audiences. The park offers various activities, both day and night, tailored to each family. Its star highlight is the Night Tour, which combines a spectacular projection in the 3D planetarium “The Eye of Montsec” with a naked-eye explanation of the sky and direct observation of planets and galaxies through the park’s telescopes. For those who prefer daylight, the Daytime Visit offers a tour of the Universe Room exhibition, a planetarium session, and the unique opportunity to observe the Sun with specialized telescopes. For a memorable evening, the Dinner under the Stars pairs local cuisine with the full night-time experience. The surrounding area, with towns like Àger, is the perfect complement. The Pyrenees: Stargazing Amid Nature’s Grandeur Catalonia’s Pyrenees offer a breathtaking setting for astrotourism. The silence, pure air, and absence of artificial lights turn their night sky into an open window to infinity. Aigüestortes National Park: The Wildest Sky The Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park is Catalonia’s first high-mountain Starlight Tourist Destination. Imagine watching the Perseid meteor shower with the stars reflecting on one of its over 200 lakes. The park features astronomical viewpoints, like the one at Espot ski resort (2,000m), perfect for telescope setups. There is also the Sant Quirc de Durro hermitage in the Vall de Boí, equipped with an interpretive panel for family-friendly sky exploration. MónNatura Pyrenees: Learning From The Stars In Valls d’Àneu, several local companies offer guided outings to explore the firmament and even its legends. MónNatura Pirineus provides perfect proposals for families who want to learn while having fun. This centre has an astronomical observatory and a planetarium where educational activities are organized to discover constellations, their mythology, and the secrets of the cosmos. It’s a perfect addition to a national park adventure. The Prades Mountains, A Balcony To The Cosmos Near The Sea You don’t need high peaks to enjoy a stellar experience. On the Costa Dorada, the Prades Mountains, a Starlight Tourist Destination, stand as a dark-sky oasis surrounded by more populated areas. This space, also certified as a Starlight Tourist Destination, is home to the Prades Mountains Astronomical Park, which offers observation sessions for families. The park offers various audiovisual shows for all audiences, such as Selene, an exciting journey to the Moon full of surprises for the little ones; Gaia, a fascinating overview of Earth’s formation for the curious; and Kosmos, a tribute to Carl Sagan’s iconic series. In addition to starlight dinners and visits to its Astronomical Viewpoint, where you can lie back comfortably on lounge chairs and enjoy a 360º view of the sky that will leave you speechless. There, a guide will explain the constellations and their mythology in language suitable for children, just before observing the stars through the park’s large-diameter telescopes. Besides stargazing from the “red village” of Prades or other charming towns in the area, the experience combines the magic of the night with a unique Mediterranean landscape. It’s a fantastic option for a quick getaway if you’re near the coast. Pick your destination and get ready to wish upon a shooting star. The universe awaits you in Catalonia.