Treat yourself to a magical night full of shooting stars, getting away from the light pollution of the cities with your favorite company. Take advantage of this annual event to immerse yourself in the peace of nature and simply look at the sky. Have you already thought about what I want to ask for?
When is the meteor shower in 2024?
This year 2024, the peak of activity of the Tears of San Lorenzo is expected during the night of Sunday, August 11 to Tuesday, August 13, which is when there are the most shooting stars (about 80 meteors per hour).
In any case, if you are impatient for this moment, the early morning of the days before and after the indicated date will also be a good option, since the Perseids take place from July 17 to on August 24.
Why are they called Tears of Saint Lawrence or Perseids?
The name Perseids comes from the constellation Perseus. This meteor shower is one of the four main meteor showers of the year. It originates due to the debris thrown by Comet Swift-Tuttle, which is absorbed by the Earth's gravitational power and disintegrates in the atmosphere at about 100 kilometers high. That's what we see!
On the other hand, they are called Tears of San Lorenzo in honor of the saint, whose death is commemorated on August 10, coinciding with the dates on which this event takes place. meteor shower A parallel is made between the tears that Saint Lawrence shed while he was burned to death at the stake.
You already know all the basics to experience these magical summer nights, but the question that has brought you here is simple: Where to see the meteor shower?
OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO SEE THE PERSEIDS
The best areas to see the meteor shower are always the ones furthest from urban centers. The countryside and nature, or even some beaches become the perfect setting for astronomical observation. This activity is perfect to combine with hiking mountain, since it allows you to enjoy a good hike with a relaxing and interstellar ending. We encourage you to spend a full day in nature combining these two wonderful plans.
1. Teide Natural Park - Tenerife
This is one of the best, if not the best, possible place to see the stars. Seeing the Perseids here will surely be one of the most captivating experiences of your life. Go up to one of its viewpoints with incredible views and get ready to enjoy the night show.
And, if you want the day to be even more perfect, you can complement it by previously doing one of the many volcano climbing routes that we have, take a look here.
2. Sierra de Gredos - Ávila
To the south of the province of Ávila, the Sierra de Gredos is waiting for you, where there are up to 19 star viewpoints to enjoy this astronomical phenomenon. In addition, several towns in Ávila organizefree public observationsfor these dates.
Perfect to escape from the capital. If, since you are here, you want to take advantage of other types of activities, in this area you can find everything from hiking and horseback riding routes to adventure parks with zip lines, among many other options.
3. Sierra Nevada - Granada
One of the most spectacular places to contemplate the sky. Dare to climb to the summit of Veleta or pay a visit to the observatory. To guarantee your safety, it is better that you go up with someone who has done this route before. Important! Bring warm clothes, which, with the cold weather up here, you will appreciate it.
4. Cabañeros National Park - Ciudad Real
Located in the heart of Castilla-La Mancha, the Cabañeros National Park is a perfect place for contemplating stars. You can also do many other activities. It is the least visited National Park in the country, but that does not mean you have to stop visiting it. The fauna that you will find there will leave you amazed.
5. Atlantic Islands National Park - Pontevedra
We move to the best-known Galician archipelago. The Cíes Islands rest under the darkest sky of the Galician community. Apart from the islands, Galicia also has numerous places to see the stars, such as Finisterre in A Coruña or Peña Trevinca in Ourense.
Do you need more ideas?
If you are looking for the best place for this magical night in Madrid, we recommend going to San Lorenzo del Escorial, where the Chair of Philip II or Monte Abantos is located. . Another option in the capital could be La Pedriza, in the Sierra del Guadarrama National Park, a great alternative to live the experience away from the light pollution of the big city.
For Barcelona residents, our recommendation cannot be other than the Montseny Natural Park, less than an hour from Barcelona. It has the Santa Fé Swamp or the Turó del Home, the highest mountain in the park.
We do not forget to mention the quiet beaches of El Rompido in Huelva or the virgin beaches and coastal landscape of Cabo de Gata in Almeria. Go to Mirador del Garbí if you are in Valencia and, of course, to the Monfragüe Natural Parkif you are in Cáceres, with almost 17,000 hectares of clear sky for the best observation.
To this list you can add infinite places to contemplate the meteor showers. Are you missing any place? Where will you see the stars?
