This village of 300 people turned off its lights and became number 1 in Italy
While most places actually want more lighting to attract tourists, Allai did the opposite—and in doing so, earned a unique title. This village of fewer than 300 residents, tucked away in the Barigadu area in the heart of Sardinia, has officially been designated the first “Villaggio delle Stelle” in all of Italy as of this year.
What exactly is a Villaggio delle Stelle?
Think of it as a kind of Blue Flag, but for the sky instead of the sea. The international Starlight certification is awarded by the Fundación Starlight, part of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, and is recognized by the International Astronomical Union, UNESCO, and the World Tourism Organization. The requirements are strict: minimal light pollution, exceptional conditions for stargazing, and a concrete strategy to preserve them.
Allai is the first place in Italy to achieve this status. Two similar “star parks” already existed in Valle d’Aosta and Sicily, but this is the first time an entire village has received this recognition.
Keeping a village in the dark for four years
What began as an idea grew into a four-year project, with the municipality, the Planetario Unione Sarda, and the National Institute for Astrophysics in Rome as partners. The public lighting in Allai has been completely redesigned: light that used to shine upward into the sky is now directed downward, so that the streets remain well-lit without disturbing the starry sky.
The community actively participated—even elementary school children were involved in the project. Special viewing benches, equipped with star charts, have been placed throughout the village, and Allai regularly organizes astronomy nights and photography workshops.
What You Can See There at Night
The result: while in most European cities the Milky Way has long since disappeared from view to the naked eye, in Allai you can simply look up and see it. Thousands of stars, no admission fee, no hassle—all you have to do is wait until it gets dark.
Where and When
Allai is located in the province of Oristano, in the central part of Sardinia. When it comes to stargazing, the farther you are from the tourist season, the longer and darker the nights—and thus the better the view. Fall and winter are therefore ideal months to visit.
Insider tip: Don’t bring a flashlight with white light if you’re in Allai at night—it not only disrupts your own ability to adjust to the dark, but also that of other visitors. Red light (many phones have a “night mode” that does this) is the standard, polite choice among stargazers.
Wondering how you can combine a visit to Allai with the rest of your trip through the Sardinian interior? I'd be happy to help you plan it.