Área de Paisagem Protegida da Zona Central
8 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓
Área de Paisagem Protegida da Zona Central is a protected area in Azores with a measured darkness of 85/100 (≈ Bortle 2), a genuinely dark sky where the Milky Way is a bright, structured band. The best month to come is typically August, when about 50% of the night sky is clear.
Tonight's outlook: 19/100. The moon is 98% lit and above the horizon 100% of the night; typical September clear-sky odds here are 42%. Updated daily.
Best time to stargaze at Área de Paisagem Protegida da Zona Central
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 28% | 36/100 |
| February | 28% | 36/100 |
| March | 28% | 36/100 |
| April | 32% | 39/100 |
| May | 33% | 39/100 |
| June | 35% | 41/100 |
| July | 46% | 48/100 |
| August ★ | 50% | 51/100 |
| September | 42% | 45/100 |
| October | 33% | 39/100 |
| November | 30% | 38/100 |
| December | 28% | 36/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Área de Paisagem Protegida da Zona Central: sleep under a dark sky
We measured the night sky over each stay below, not just over the spot: the darkness score is computed at the hotel's own location, so you know what you'll see from the door. Sorted darkest sky first, with the distance to Área de Paisagem Protegida da Zona Central for each.
88/100sky darkness at this stay
88/100sky darkness at this stay
Refúgio dos Capelinhos - Villa & Suites
- Sky darkness
- 88/100
- To the spot
- 4.2 km
- Location
- Capelo
88/100sky darkness at this stay
More stays nearby
- Check availability →
Casa da Missão
Darkness: 88/100 · 5.1 km from Área de Paisagem Protegida da Zona Central · Capelo
- Check availability →
Sabugo House
Darkness: 84/100 · 1.8 km from Área de Paisagem Protegida da Zona Central · Capelo
- Check availability →
Casas do Areeiro
Darkness: 84/100 · 1.9 km from Área de Paisagem Protegida da Zona Central · Capelo
- Check availability →
Casas da Fajã
Darkness: 84/100 · 2.5 km from Área de Paisagem Protegida da Zona Central · Praia do Norte
- Check availability →
Casa do Costa
Darkness: 84/100 · 2.5 km from Área de Paisagem Protegida da Zona Central · Praia do Norte
Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.
Live prices around Praia do Norte
Praia do Norte is the closest base to Área de Paisagem Protegida da Zona Central with rooms to book. The map shows everything available there right now, including the hotels, apartments and cabins we do not rate. Use the stays above when darkness decides, use the map when price or availability does.
Prices and availability come from the booking partners shown on the map, and we earn a commission on bookings made through it. Sky darkness is measured only for the stays listed above.
Nearby spots in Azores
- Reserva Natural da Caldeira do Faial 3.6 km · Sky Score 40/100
- Monumento Natural do Vulcão dos Capelinhos 6.1 km · Sky Score 42/100
- Reserva Natural do Morro de Castelo Branco 6.8 km · Sky Score 39/100
- Miradouro da Ribeirinha 12.5 km · Sky Score 36/100
- Área de Paisagem Protegida do Monte da Guia 13.3 km · Sky Score 30/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).