Menorca Starlight – A Paradise to Contemplate the Starry Skies
Última actualización: 19/08/2024
The company Lumínica Ambiental was the company in charge of studying the sky of Menorca and conducting several audits to confirm that in Menorca there are areas of maximum darkness and are therefore ideal for stargazing.
The observation of the night sky and stars is an activity that can be performed in Menorca for many years, but this certification had not been pursued officially until recently.
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What does it mean to be a Starlight Destination?
Starlight Destination certificates are awarded by the Starlight Foundation, an entity whose purpose is the protection of the starry sky and the dissemination of astronomy.
Starlight Tourist Destinations are those places where the starry sky can be observed in excellent conditions. Some of the parameters that are measured are:
- Low light pollution (areas of maximum darkness)
- Atmospheric clarity
- Transparency
- The extinction level of starlight as it crosses the atmosphere.
- Cloud cover that allows for stargazing
- Available infrastructures
- Sky-related tourism activities and their integration with nature
Being a Starlight Destination allows us to attract a very sustainable tourism linked to Menorca’ s status as a Biosphere Reserve.
In addition, astronomical tourism is seasonal: You can observe the sky all year round, something that Menorca has been looking for for many years.
Looking to the Sky in Search of a Different Kind of Tourism
But the fact of being a destination focused mainly on sun and beach tourism has generated a series of problems for the economy and development of Menorca.
- One of these problems is the very high seasonality of tourism: Almost everyone travels to Menorca between June and September.
For many years there has been a need to reverse this trend.
Attempts have been made to promote tourism with different typologies or brands:
- Natural Menorca: the Camí de Cavalls is the star of this category.
- Cultural Menorca: Talayots, Museums, Gastronomy, etc.
- Menorca Convention Bureau: Events and Weddings
- Menorca Slow: Health, Wellness, Photography and Gastronomy Km0
- Menorca Filming: Shootings and locations
The certification of Menorca as a Starlight Destination and Starlight Reserve is a small step towards this ultimate goal: sustainable tourism throughout the year, and not only during the summer months.
What Areas of Menorca are the Best for Stargazing?
the CIME publication of January 22, 2019 cites as areas of maximum darkness:
- Macarella
- The coast from Cavalleria to La Vall
The Starlight Foundation article also names the following:
- Macarella
- Son Saura
- Cavalleria
- Cala Pilar
- Punta Nati
- Cala Galdana
- St. Thomas
- Albufera des Grau
- Mount Toro
Guided Observation of the Starry Sky – 25€.
The good thing about stargazing activities is that they are spectacular, you can enjoy nature and can be alone, with family, friends or as a couple.
The stargazing activity lasts about 2 hours.
If there is a minimum of 4 people in the group, you can enjoy the sky of Menorca.
At the time indicated in your reservation, you will have to be at the finca of Sa Cantina de la Vall (on the outskirts of Ciutadella).
- You will receive a brief theory class given by a Starlight certified guide.
- You will contemplate the sky with various instruments: laser pointers, astronomical binoculars and modern telescopes.
- Stargazing in Ciutadella (25€ adults / 15€ children +5 years old)
The activity is adapted for people with reduced mobility.
The activity does NOT allow pets.
Stargazing Accommodations
If you are looking for accommodations that allow you to contemplate the starry sky at night, the best option is clearly the Hotel Rural Morvedra Nou.
The Morvedra Nou Rural Hotel is a pre-1650 farmhouse converted into a wonderful 4-star rural hotel.
It is located on the way to the virgin beaches of the south of Menorca: Macarella, Macarelleta and Turqueta. This hotel is perfect for those who want to relax and at the same time want to do active activities such as horseback riding, hiking or biking.
- One of the most unique and differentiating points of the Hotel Morvedra Nou is that as of December 2020, it is the only hotel in Menorca with Starlight certification.
That is, the starry sky you can see from the hotel is simply spectacular as it is located in one of the darkest night areas of Menorca.
Regulations for the Protection of the Night Sky of Menorca of 2018
On July 16, 2018 the plenary of the Consell Insular de Menorca approved the regulations for the protection of the night sky of Menorca.
This regulation aims to regulate the characteristics of outdoor lighting installations (and indoor with outdoor affectation) anddefines the conditions to be met by the installations of artificial lights in Menorca. The infractions defined in the document are of fines according to the type of infraction of the regulation:
- Minor infraction: from 150 to 600€ fine.
- Serious Infringement: from 600 to 3.000€ of fine
- Very Serious Infringement: from 3,000 to 60,000 euros fine.
