Reserva Natural do Morro de Castelo Branco

Sky Score 39/100≈ Bortle 3

8 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓

Reserva Natural do Morro de Castelo Branco is a protected area in Azores with a measured darkness of 81/100 (≈ Bortle 3), 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: 18/100. 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 Reserva Natural do Morro de Castelo Branco

MonthClear night skiesSky Score (new moon)
January28%35/100
February28%35/100
March28%35/100
April32%37/100
May33%37/100
June35%39/100
July46%46/100
August ★50%49/100
September42%43/100
October33%38/100
November30%36/100
December28%35/100

Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).

Where to stay near Reserva Natural do Morro de Castelo Branco: 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 Reserva Natural do Morro de Castelo Branco for each.

84/100sky darkness at this stay

#1Darkest sky of these stays

Sabugo House

Sky darkness
84/100
To the spot
5.3 km
Location
Capelo

84/100sky darkness at this stay

#2

Casas do Areeiro

Sky darkness
84/100
To the spot
5.8 km
Location
Capelo

75/100sky darkness at this stay

#3

Quinta da Meia Eira

Sky darkness
75/100
To the spot
1.8 km
Location
Castelo Branco

More stays nearby

  • Belo Campo

    Darkness: 73/100 · 3.2 km from Reserva Natural do Morro de Castelo Branco · Castelo Branco

    Check availability →
  • Quinta das Bunganvílias

    Darkness: 73/100 · 3.5 km from Reserva Natural do Morro de Castelo Branco · Castelo Branco

    Check availability →
  • Quinta da Maria

    Darkness: 72/100 · 4.2 km from Reserva Natural do Morro de Castelo Branco · Castelo Branco

    Check availability →
  • The Plantation Faial

    The Plantation Faial

    Darkness: 71/100 · 9.7 Guests love it (171 reviews) · 6.3 km from Reserva Natural do Morro de Castelo Branco · Feteira

    Check availability →
  • Casa da Japoneira

    Casa da Japoneira

    Darkness: 71/100 · 9.0 Guests love it (103 reviews) · 6.5 km from Reserva Natural do Morro de Castelo Branco · Feteira

    Check availability →

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Live prices around Castelo Branco

Castelo Branco is the closest base to Reserva Natural do Morro de Castelo Branco 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

Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).