The island of Formentera is seeking to capitalize on the buzz surrounding this summer’s solar eclipse to boost astronomy tourism. With that goal in mind, Formentera: Mira al Cel 2026 has been launched—a pioneering initiative aimed at visitors and residents, offering guided nighttime stargazing sessions using high-resolution telescopes.
This is a series of public outreach events organized by the Formentera Council in collaboration with the Formentera Astronomical Association, with sessions scheduled for a total of eight nights from June through October. The idea is to take advantage of the island’s unbeatable sky conditions—with minimal light pollution—to carry out these activities. In fact, the Destino Starlight Foundation recognized the smallest of the Pitiusas Islands as an astro-tourism destination in 2023, a milestone that attests to Formentera’s potential as a center for astronomical observations.
The events will take place at two specific locations: El Molí Vell de la Mola and the Can Marroig Interpretation Center. The first is a popular heritage site on Formentera, a traditional windmill that will host four nights of stargazing focused on the moon. The second location shares with the first an ideal setting for the experience. In this case, the event will focus on observing planets, stars, and other celestial bodies.
According to the island’s government, the goal is to strengthen Formentera’s position in astro-tourism through this series of free public stargazing events. This initiative also aligns with the model of sustainable, environmentally friendly tourism that the government is working to promote. With this project, the Consell notes, “the island reaffirms its suitability as a destination for eco-tourism and nature tourism, a booming sector that seeks meaningful experiences in harmony with the environment.” Likewise, the aim is to highlight the value of an initiative that combines science outreach with the promotion of traditional Balearic architecture.
The dates listed are subject to change depending on weather conditions, particularly cloud cover. The initial schedule calls for four events at Molí Vell de la Mola on June 21, July 21, August 21, and September 21, and four more events at Can Marroig on June 12, July 10, September 12, and October 9.
