Les Planes de Son observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Les Planes de Son observatory, also known as the MònNatura Pirineus centre, sits high in the Pallars Sobirà district of Catalonia, Spain, inside one of Europe's designated Starlight Reserves.
About Les Planes de Son observatory
Also known as the MònNatura Pirineus centre, the observatory is located in the village of Planes de Son, part of the municipality of Alt Àneu in the Pallars Sobirà region of Catalonia. It combines an astronomical observatory with a planetarium and welcomes the public under a regulated visiting programme.
Location & getting there
Pallars Sobirà is recognised as a Starlight Reserve, an area valued for its low light pollution and exceptionally dark, transparent skies, making the Pyrenees around Planes de Son one of the best stargazing regions in Catalonia.
Visiting Les Planes de Son observatory
The observatory and planetarium run public sessions as part of the MònNatura Pirineus programme, though access is regulated and typically requires booking ahead. Check the centre's current schedule before you travel.
See your named star from here
With the region's dark, Starlight Reserve skies, Planes de Son is an ideal place to actually try to find a star you've named. Choose a star-naming package or explore the star catalogue to get the coordinates you'll need.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
