The Dark Sky® Association is a Portuguese organisation dedicated to the protection of the night sky, the promotion of sustainable development and the creation of astrotourism destinations.
Founded with the mission of preserving the quality of the night sky and strengthening the connection between territory, communities and the universe, the association has been developing pioneering work in Europe since 2007, promoting innovative approaches to tourism, environmental awareness and responsible lighting practices.
Through its projects, Dark Sky® demonstrates that the night sky is not only a scientific resource, but also a cultural, environmental and economic asset capable of transforming territories in a sustainable way.
The World’s First Starlight Tourism Destination
In 2007, the Dark Sky® Association created Dark Sky® Alqueva, the first Starlight Tourism Destination in the world.
Located in southern Portugal, around the Great Lake Alqueva in the Alentejo region, this territory offers exceptional conditions for observing the night sky:
Over the years, Dark Sky® Alqueva has become an international reference in sustainable tourism, attracting visitors from around the world seeking meaningful experiences under one of Europe’s most pristine night skies.
Today the destination includes a network of municipalities, tourism operators, accommodation providers and cultural partners, all committed to protecting the night while creating high-quality visitor experiences.
Experiences that Connect Earth and Cosmos
The Dark Sky® Association has developed extensive expertise in designing and implementing astrotourism experiences that combine science, nature and culture.
These experiences include:
Within the Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, the night sky becomes a natural resource that inspires discovery, contemplation and sustainable tourism development.
Fighting Light Pollution
One of the core missions of the Dark Sky® Association is the protection of the night environment and the mitigation of light pollution.
Light pollution is an increasingly significant environmental challenge, affecting:
Through research, education and collaboration with municipalities and institutions, the association promotes responsible lighting strategies that balance safety, efficiency and environmental protection.
Initiatives such as Dark Sky® Patrol and Dark Sky® Guardians mobilise communities and technical partners to monitor and protect the quality of the night sky.
Protecting the Identity of the Project
To ensure the integrity and recognition of its initiatives, the Dark Sky® Association manages several registered trademarks in Portugal and across the European Union. These include:
Dark Sky®
The core identity representing the protection of the night sky and the development of sustainable territories.
Dark Sky® Alqueva
The official designation of the astrotourism destination created in Alentejo, internationally recognised for the quality of its night sky and its integrated tourism model.
Dark Sky® Patrol
A programme focused on monitoring, awareness and best practices in responsible lighting.
Dark Sky® Guardians
An initiative encouraging communities, organisations and individuals to actively participate in protecting the night sky.
These trademarks ensure consistency, recognition and legal protection for the initiatives developed by the association.
Creating Sustainable Astrotourism Destinations
With more than a decade of experience, the Dark Sky® Association has become an international reference in the creation of astrotourism destinations and night sky protection strategies.
The association provides consultancy and strategic guidance for public authorities, tourism organisations and private entities seeking to develop sustainable projects based on the value of the night sky.
Consultancy services include:
Through this work, territories with naturally dark skies can evolve into distinctive tourism destinations, combining environmental protection with economic and cultural development.
The Dark Sky® Association continues its work with a clear purpose: to protect the night sky as a natural heritage of humanity and to inspire territories where the relationship between Earth and the Universe remains visible, meaningful and sustainable.
Because beneath a truly dark sky, we rediscover not only the stars, but also our place within the cosmos.
