We are committed to the environment and work towards sustainable tourism.
That is why we are taking measures in this direction. More information
- Using the exhibition resources available, the guides at the Museum of Nature are true experts who convey, in a fun and engaging way, the key insights needed to better understand the ecosystems found in the municipality, the region, and the Central System.
- Knowledge of the biodiversity of these protected areas, with special attention to key species such as the imperial eagle and the black vulture, as well as their current conservation status and threats.
- Required visitor behavior in these protected areas under the premise that you should leave no trace of your visit. It is imperative to remove all waste generated
—Including organic waste
—Or any litter found along the way when visiting these sites or any other natural environment.
- Positive aspects visitors can enjoy by avoiding these areas during peak periods (holidays, long weekends). The tranquility and silence of visiting these protected areas in small groups fosters a greater sense of connection with nature and minimizes the impact of human presence. It is a way to balance out the seasonal influx of visitors to rural areas, their surroundings, and their villages by encouraging visits outside peak demand periods.
- Additionally, we promote and encourage visits to the production facilities of the most cutting
-Edge local gastronomic initiatives, which have won prestigious international awards and fully complement the experience of visiting the museum and the town of El Barraco, notably the Don Juan del Águila Winery (Cebreros PDO), the Raíz Cuadrada Craft Brewery, and the Elvira García Cheese Factory.
Open map El Barraco, Barraco (El) (Ávila), España
Come discover the night skies of El Barraco
An evening of stargazing led by an expert with over 10 years of experience, a certified instructor with the Starlight Foundation and a certified SKYLAB astro-tourism guide through the Ávila Foundation and the Provincial Council of Ávila.
A variety of materials and tools are used to make the explanations engaging, including a green laser to point out objects in the sky, binoculars, large-aperture optical telescopes, and a new-generation smart telescope—all designed to fully observe the planets and deep-space objects using different magnifications and technologies.
You’ll learn to navigate by the stars, tell time, and recognize and locate the most prominent constellations in the sky for each season of the year. You’ll also explore basic concepts about the celestial sphere, our place in the universe, distances and sizes, and fascinating facts about celestial objects and the evolution of the cosmos.
The entire experience, including observing the sky through binoculars and large telescopes—the Moon and its craters, the planets and their details, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and more—will be unforgettable for both children and adults.
And there’s always room, as a grand finale, for a story or two about the mythological beings that fill the night skies with legends throughout the year.
Activity details
- The event takes place in El Barraco (Ávila), either at the town’s Astronomical Observatory or on the grounds of the Valle del Alberche Nature Museum (the exact location will be provided upon booking).
- Minimum group size of 10 people (first reservation) and maximum of 25 people.
- If there is already an initial group as the first reservation that meets the minimum capacity requirement, individual spots may be reserved until the maximum capacity is reached.
Prices
- Adults and children ages 9 and older: €5 per person.
Timetable
RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE ONLINE AT LEAST 8 DAYS IN ADVANCE.
- The schedule depends on sunset times and varies significantly throughout the year.
- After selecting a date, the Booking Panel automatically displays the available times when you click the BOOK button.
- The museum is closed on Mondays, except for certain holidays; please contact us for more information.
- This activity is offered starting in the spring, weather permitting.
The price includes
- An expert guide who masterfully leads the activity using interactive exercises to teach participants how to enjoy the night sky with the naked eye, binoculars, and a telescope, while identifying and interpreting the cosmic context of the observed objects.
- Provision of mid-to-high-end astronomical equipment for the group?s use during the activity.
- Loan of one pair of binoculars per person. Occasionally, depending on the number of participants, a group (family/friends) may need to share them.
- Questions can be asked to clarify any doubts.
Do not forget
- During nighttime stargazing activities, it is important to take the temperature into account. It can drop dramatically after sunset at any time of year, even if the day has been hot and sunny.
- Therefore, we recommend bringing enough warm clothing (better to have too much than too little) and closed-toe shoes with good insulated soles.
- If you have your own binoculars, we also recommend bringing them.
- You may bring a small tent to set up for drinking and snacking during the activity.
- Each participant is responsible for carrying their own trash to the appropriate bins or trash cans provided in the urban area.
- The event location (museum grounds or Astronomical Observatory) will be sent upon booking.
- When activities take place at the Astronomical Observatory, vehicles must be parked in the museum parking lot (located 250 meters from the observatory) to avoid causing glare or inconvenience to other participants, as well as to ensure sufficient space is available.
- If desired, we recommend bringing a chair, lounge chair, or blanket to sit on the ground to fully enjoy the event.
- Pets are not allowed at this event for several reasons: The use of lasers, other objects, and electronic devices is not compatible with the presence of domestic animals; there is livestock roaming nearby; and young children participating may be afraid of dogs.
More information
- To fully enjoy an astronomical activity, your eyes need to adjust to the nighttime environment. This allows you to appreciate the night sky much better with the naked eye, but especially when using optical equipment such as binoculars and telescopes.
- For this reason, it is recommended not to use flashlights or mobile devices with bright screens, as this disrupts your eyes? visual adaptation, and it takes between 15 and 20 minutes to recover it. Some objects are invisible through a telescope without proper visual adaptation!
- If at any time it is necessary to use lighted devices or screens, this should be done in the most appropriate and convenient manner to ensure the activity proceeds correctly.
- The entire interaction area for the activity will be strategically marked with lighting devices suitable for this type of event.
Instructions when buying a gift voucher
Our gift certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase and can be redeemed on any date within this period when availability exists. After this time, the gift certificate will no longer be valid and will be void.
Upon purchase, you will receive the gift certificate with a redemption code via email, which you can forward as a gift (without the amount shown) with a personalized message to the person of your choice.
Gift voucher redemption instructions
- To redeem the voucher, go to the WEB SALES DASHBOARD and select the experience associated with your gift voucher at the following link: https://museobarraco.com/panel-de-ventas-museo-de-la-naturaleza/
- Once you are on the booking page for your experience?in this case, ASTRONOMY NIGHT TOURS?click the "REDEEM" tab to enter the redemption code shown on the voucher. The system will display the available times for the date you select.
Approximate duration
Between two and two and a half hours.
Available languages guide
Spanish
Contact
For more information, please contact the museum:
Phone: 920 281 285
WhatsApp: 689 320 955
Email: museodelanaturaleza@museoelbarraco.org
Booking conditions
Full payment is due at the time of booking, in accordance with the rates.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations will be accepted under the following conditions:
- A full refund will be issued for cancellations made up to 48 hours before the booked date and time.
- The full payment will be forfeited for cancellations made less than 48 hours before the booked date and time, or if you fail to attend on the booked date and time.
- Partial cancellations (cancellation of some of the booked places) will be subject to the same time limits for cancellations as described above.
- A 100% refund of the booking fee will be given if the activity is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, for internal reasons at the museum, or due to force majeure.