Looking through a large telescope yourself, attending a lecture, or simply asking questions to experienced stargazers: at a public observatory, it's all possible. On this page, you will find public observatories by country, sorted by region, with addresses and websites. We start with the Netherlands and Belgium and will expand the overview step by step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A visit to an observatory is also the best way to prepare for buying your own telescope. There, you can look through different types of instruments and immediately see what appeals to you. If you\u2019re still unsure which type is right for you, read our Beginner's Guide<\/a> or view the overview of all telescopes<\/a>. And check beforehand the lunar calendar<\/a>Around the new moon, the sky is darkest and you can see the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most observatories are run by volunteers and organize stargazing nights, courses, and youth activities. Always check the observatory's website for current opening hours and stargazing nights, as these vary by location and season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flanders has six recognized public observatories, each with its own visitor center and public outreach. In Wallonia, you will find the region's only public observatory beneath one of Belgium's darkest skies, and in Brussels stands the national planetarium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Did an open night get you hooked? With your own telescope, you decide when you observe. Our Beginner's Guide<\/a> helps you choose a first instrument, and provides an overview of all telescopes<\/a> Filter by type and budget. Have questions? Send us a message or come by appointment in Sneek. We ship all over Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is there an observatory missing from this overview, or is the information of your society no longer correct? Send us a message and we will update it.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Zelf door een grote telescoop kijken, een lezing volgen of gewoon eens vragen stellen aan ervaren sterrenkijkers: bij een publiekssterrenwacht kan het allemaal. Op deze pagina vind je de publiekssterrenwachten per land, gesorteerd per regio, met adres en website. We beginnen met Nederland en Belgi\u00eb en breiden het overzicht stap voor stap uit. Een bezoek […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-111845","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":111569,"url":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/en\/zakelijk\/","url_meta":{"origin":111845,"position":0},"title":"Ordering for Business at Telescoop.nl","author":"Info telescoop","date":"23-08-2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Telescoop.nl Supplies to companies, schools, universities, astronomical observatories and public institutions in the Netherlands, Belgium and the rest of the European Union. On this page you can find our business terms and conditions: VAT, invoicing, quotes and payment options. For all business-related questions, you can contact us directly at b2b@telescoop.nl. Dutch companies and institutions must pay VAT and invoice\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":109246,"url":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/en\/telescoop-kopen-belgie\/","url_meta":{"origin":111845,"position":1},"title":"Buying a telescope in Belgium: shipping, payment, and warranty","author":"Info telescoop","date":"13-07-2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Buying a telescope in Belgium? Pay with Bancontact, delivery within two working days, 30 days return period, and shipping costs are immediately visible in your shopping cart.","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":108233,"url":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/en\/maankalender\/","url_meta":{"origin":111845,"position":2},"title":"Moon Calendar 2026: When is the Full Moon?","author":"Info telescoop","date":"20-05-2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Next full moon: Saturday 26 September 2026, the Harvest Moon. This is also a supermoon: the moon will be closer to Earth and appear larger and brighter than usual. What else is visible in the sky that night, you can read in our stargazing guide for the star-filled sky of\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"maankalender 2026","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.telescoop.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/maankalender-2026.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.telescoop.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/maankalender-2026.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.telescoop.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/maankalender-2026.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7308,"url":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/en\/onze-partners\/","url_meta":{"origin":111845,"position":3},"title":"Our partners & collaborations","author":"admin","date":"12-02-2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Telescoop.nl We want to make the wonders of the universe more accessible to everyone. We combine practical experience, reliable delivery and deep knowledge, and work together with organizations that want to strengthen science, education or experience with a view to the universe from schools and universities to recreational parks and public institutions. View telescopes in Sneek...","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":7323,"url":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/en\/verzendinformatie\/","url_meta":{"origin":111845,"position":4},"title":"Shipping Information","author":"admin","date":"12-02-2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In short Shipping costsIf your order fits in one regular box, you pay a fixed amount in the Netherlands and Belgium. We charge a fixed amount based on size and weight for large telescopes. The exact amount is shown in the shopping cart before you checkout.In stock, shipped tomorrowLocated in our own warehouse in Sneek (Friesland). Will be shipped\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":111575,"url":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/en\/affiliate\/","url_meta":{"origin":111845,"position":5},"title":"Telescoop.nl Affiliate Program","author":"Info telescoop","date":"23-08-2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Write, film or talk about astronomy, telescopes or astrophotography? With the affiliate program, you Telescoop.nl earn a commission on every sale that comes in through your unique link. You recommend products that you would choose yourself; we handle the inventory, shipping and service. For whom is the program? For everyone\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/111845","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=111845"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/111845\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":112632,"href":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/111845\/revisions\/112632"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=111845"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Observatories in the Netherlands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Drenthe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Flevoland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Friesland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Gelderland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Limburg<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
North Brabant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
North Holland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Overijssel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Utrecht<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Zeeland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
South Holland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Observatories in Belgium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Flanders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Brussels and Wallonia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explore the starry sky yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n