Ample chances of witnessing a shooting star spectacle in Bavaria - Heavy rainfall, potentially containing stars, predicted as Penzberg in Bavaria may witness significant occurrence
The highly anticipated Perseids meteor shower is set to illuminate the night skies of Bavaria on the night of August 12-13. With over 100 meteors per hour expected during the peak, this celestial event promises an unforgettable spectacle for stargazers across the region.
The weather forecast indicates sunny and dry conditions in many regions, including the Alps and the Bavarian Forest, which could provide clear views away from major cities. For those seeking a more immersive experience, Bavaria's "Dark Sky" locations, such as Winklmoos-Alm in the Chiemgau Alps and the Rhön, a cross-border biosphere reserve, offer excellent conditions for meteor watching.
In Bavaria, the Winklmoosalm, located near Munich and recognised as an official star park with excellent dark skies, and the Bavarian Forest National Park, part of a large transboundary dark sky reserve, are considered the best viewing spots. For urban dwellers in Munich, the Olympiaberg and the English Garden offer relatively low light impact views, although for a darker sky and less light pollution, it's recommended to travel to more rural or protected areas like those mentioned.
To optimise your viewing experience, it's best to watch late into the night, between 11 pm and 4 am, when the sky is darker and more meteors are visible despite moonlight. The presence of a bright full moon on the night of August 12-13 may overshadow many of the fainter Perseid meteors, so choosing locations away from city lights, such as Winklmoosalm or Bavarian Forest, will provide the clearest views.
Here's a summary of top spots in Bavaria for Perseids 2025 with low light pollution:
| Location | Description | Notes | |-----------------------|-----------------------------------|------------------------------| | Winklmoosalm | Official star park near Munich | Excellent dark skies | | Bavarian Forest National Park | Large dark sky reserve | Part of transboundary reserve| | Olympiaberg (Munich) | Elevated park with some light control | Urban location, less ideal than rural | | English Garden (Munich)| Large park, open sky views | Urban but accessible |
To further enhance your Perseids viewing, consider seeking out rural areas or official dark sky parks like Winklmoosalm or Bavarian Forest, watching late into the night, and avoiding cloudy conditions. The Nuremberg Regiomontanus Observatory recommends finding a high vantage point outside of bright cities, ideally between midnight and the morning twilight, for the best views of the Perseids meteor shower.
The Perseids are caused by Earth crossing the dust trail of the comet Swift-Tuttle (C/109P). The shower will be visible before and after the maximum, but their intensity will decrease towards the end of August. Dark sites located 50 to 100 kilometers away from urban areas offer significantly better viewing conditions due to reduced light pollution.
Other popular spots for viewing the Perseids in Bavaria include Frottmaninger Hill, the Dillberg (Upper Palatinate), the Rothsee (Middle Franconia), and the Perlacher Mugl in southern Munich. The German Weather Service predicts mostly clear conditions for the night of August 12-13, which is ideal for stargazing.
So, grab your blankets, find a comfortable spot, and prepare for an unforgettable night under the stars as the Perseids light up Bavaria's skies!
The Nuremberg Regiomontanus Observatory suggests finding a high vantage point outside of bright cities, ideally between midnight and the morning twilight, for the best views of the Perseids meteor shower, similar to the Dark Sky locations like Winklmoosalm or Bavarian Forest. The Commission, considering the importance of environmental protection, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, potentially including initiatives to reduce light pollution for better astronomy experiences, such as stargazing during the Perseids.
