The Regional Coordination and Development Commission of Alentejo hosted the kick-off meeting of the CANSTAR project, led by the Agência de Desenvolvimento Regional do Alentejo and supported by the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme.
Under the Programme priority Blue Sustainable Tourism and Culture, CANSTAR brings together Atlantic landscapes at different stages of AstroTourism development. The project aims to enhance star-studded sky resources while contributing to the reduction of light pollution and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
Project partners gathered in Alentejo to launch activities focused on establishing an Atlantic Network of Sustainable AstroTourism Destinations. This network will include selected landscapes in Portugal, Spain, France and Ireland, fostering transnational cooperation and shared strategies. The project will identify and support flagship astro-tourism sites — including dark-sky parks, observatories and natural reserves — to strengthen their visibility, management and sustainability.
One of the flagship sites is the Observatório do Lago Alqueva, located in Reguengos de Monsaraz. Equipped with telescopes for both solar and astronomical observation, the observatory enables detailed exploration of the sky throughout the year. In addition, its exceptional dark-sky conditions allow visitors to experience stargazing with the naked eye, offering a truly unique and immersive visual experience.
Under the Programme priority Blue Sustainable Tourism and Culture, CANSTAR brings together Atlantic landscapes at different stages of AstroTourism development. The project aims to enhance star-studded sky resources while contributing to the reduction of light pollution and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
Project partners gathered in Alentejo to launch activities focused on establishing an Atlantic Network of Sustainable AstroTourism Destinations. This network will include selected landscapes in Portugal, Spain, France and Ireland, fostering transnational cooperation and shared strategies. The project will identify and support flagship astro-tourism sites — including dark-sky parks, observatories and natural reserves — to strengthen their visibility, management and sustainability.
One of the flagship sites is the Observatório do Lago Alqueva, located in Reguengos de Monsaraz. Equipped with telescopes for both solar and astronomical observation, the observatory enables detailed exploration of the sky throughout the year. In addition, its exceptional dark-sky conditions allow visitors to experience stargazing with the naked eye, offering a truly unique and immersive visual experience.
Publish date: 2026-02-18
