August 10 marks a special moment for stargazers and sky lovers alike. Each year, as the night deepens, the Perseid meteor shower lights up the heavens. This event, also known as the Tears of Saint Lawrence, fills the dark sky with bright, fleeting sparks that captivate observers.
While it isn’t the only meteor shower visible during the year, it remains the most famous. The best chances to catch shooting stars in recent years have tended to fall on the nights of August 11, 12, and 13. Under a clear, dark sky with minimal light pollution, you can witness up to around 50 meteors per hour during peak activity.
The best places to view the Perseids in the province of Alicante
The province offers numerous spots away from built-up areas, ideal for enjoying this much-anticipated meteor shower on the evenings of August 11 through 13. The key is to find a place far from city lights where the sky remains pristine and the horizon is clear. Here are some top suggestions for Alicante.
For a quiet, dark setting near Alicante, the coves along Cabo de las Huertas present a fantastic option. The surroundings around Santa Barbara Castle, or parking areas near the coastal town, also serve as excellent vantage points to watch the Tears of Saint Lawrence.
Torrevieja offers another strong viewing option with the Lagunas de La Mata and the Torrevieja Natural Park providing calm environs, parking, and a tranquil night under the stars. The town of Salt City features many coves and quiet corners where the night sky over the sea can be enjoyed. Fox Cove, a peaceful retreat away from crowds, is also a superb choice for a serene Mediterranean skywatch.
One particularly noteworthy site to observe the meteor shower is in the central peninsula area, where meteors can streak across the sky at impressive speeds of about 210,000 kilometers per hour.
Along with well-known viewing spots, there are several excellent viewpoints in the inland regions. In Font Roja Natural Park, the Sant Antoni area offers dark skies that are perfect for stargazing. The Cocentaina Castle also provides a clear vantage point for observers wishing to gaze upward.
The best time to see the Perseids approaches as night falls, and clear skies are essential for a comfortable experience.
Across the upper region and Central Vinalopó, residential areas can be surprisingly suitable for star gazing when light pollution is low. For example, La Mola Castle in Novelda, Petrer Castle, and other quiet, darker spots in the area provide favorable conditions to watch meteor trails. Las Cañadas in Elda and Sierra del Cid (between Petrer and Monforte del Cid) are additional great locales for a different nighttime view of the sky if residents want to enjoy a unique perspective of the meteor shower.
Curious observers can also consider visiting Clot de Galvany at night to see the Perseids in a fauna-rich setting. Elche, during local patron saint festivities, can be busier and brighter, yet a few kilometers away there are quieter spots near Elche Marsh where the sky remains relatively dark and the meteor shower becomes more visible.
Regardless of the site chosen, the best way to enjoy the meteor shower is with naked eyes. Binoculars and telescopes can distract from the spontaneity of the Perseids, so aiming to observe unaided often yields the most satisfying experience.