How about an exclusive family experience at the world’s largest solar observatory? Along with the youngest members of your family, take part in an exciting astrophysics workshops, gaze at the Sun through solar telescopes, and explore the inside of a night-sky telescope. A family day out that you’ll never forget!
Highlights...
- Visit the world’s most important solar observatory with your family
- Explore the inside of a nocturnal telescope with your family
- Observe the Sun as a family
What's included...
- Guided visit of the Observatory for families
- Spanish or English-speaking guide
What's not included...
- Transportation
- Guide in other language than Spanish or English
Information
The meeting time is set depending on the day. You can check it when booking for a specific day. It will also figure on the booking voucher which you will receive to produce upon your arrival.
You and your family must be at the Teide Observatory gate 30 minutes before the tour is scheduled to start.
If you do not arrive on time and the visit has already started you will not be able to enter the Observatory.
Remember that it is necessary to produce the booking confirmation for the guided tour of the Teide Observatory for families, either printed or displayed on the screen of a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet.
Children under 5 are not allowed to participate in the guided visit of the Teide Observatory for families.
The Observatory is not recommended for people with poor general physical health (anaemia, heart disease, respiratory problems, and so on), nor for individuals with reduced mobility as the tour requires the use of paths and stairs.
In order to access the Teide Observatory it is necessary to either have own transport or book our transfer service.
If you plan to arrive by taxi, please take into account that it will have to drive you inside the premises, since the installations are 2 km away from the meeting point at the access gate, and the driver will have to remain on the premises until the end of the activity.
It is not allowed to access the premises by bicycle.
Please bear in mind that you must have a sufficient knowledge of the language in which the visit is held in order to be able to correctly follow the explanations of the guide.
Pets are not allowed.
It is absolutely necessary to produce the booking confirmation, either printed or displayed on a mobile device.
Remember that you must arrive at the TO’s gate at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time of the visit. Upon your arrival, you will be instructed by our personnel where to go.
Purchase of this service to visit the Teide Observatory in family implies that you have read and accepted all the points described in the following section:
RECOMMENDATIONS AND WARNINGS FOR VISITORS
We appreciate your interest in visiting the Teide Observatory (OT) and we hope that you enjoy your visit.
The Teide Observatory is not responsible for the difficulties or discomfort caused by not following these recommendations.
The arranged visits will only be carried out when the weather and the operating status of the telescopes permit. Due to adverse weather conditions, especially during winter, which may affect the safety of the roads leading to the Observatory (snow, ice, falling rocks) visits may be unexpectedly cancelled.
Before visiting us
Health and altitude
The Teide Observatory (TO) is located at an altitude of approximately 2,400 meters above sea level, an altitude at which oxygen diminishes. Groups will move about within the TO on gravel paths. For this reason, the visit is not recommended for people with general health problems (anaemia, breathing or heart problems, etc.). If you are not sure if you should visit, consult your doctor first.
The TO is not responsible for any health problems that can be caused by the altitude or by not following these recommendations and warnings.
The TO does not have medical assistance within its facilities.
Bear in mind that the closest hospital is approximately one and a half hours away by car.
If you show symptoms of dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, ringing in your ears, plugged ears or headache during your visit, please,immediately inform your guide.
Recommended equipment
- Protect yourself from the sun. It’s recommended that you use hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Due to the low levels of humidity that are common in the TO, come prepared with sufficient liquid (water or juices) to prevent dehydration.
- Bring comfortable clothes and adequate footwear (avoid sandals).
- Bring some warm clothes in case the weather changes abruptly and to enter the interior of the telescopes.
Transportation and punctuality for visits that do not include pick-ups
We ask that you be very punctual. Bear in mind that the Observatory is located at an altitude of 2,400 m and that you must travel on high mountain roads to reach it. Therefore, please make sure that you calculate well the time needed to reach the Observatory.
YOU MUST ARRIVE AT THE TO’S GATE AT LEAST 30 MINUTES BEFORE the scheduled time of the visit. Upon your arrival, you will be instructed by our personnel where to go.
If you arrive late, the visit will be cut short (but it will never be extended) by the same amount of time, andcan even be cancelled if the delay is considerable and it causes problems for later scheduled visits.
During the visit
What should I do when I arrive?
When you arrive at the TO, centre personnel will be waiting for you at the access gate to let you know what to do with the car or bus. Please always follow the instructions you receive.
Remember that there is no need to ring the bell, and please do not block the entrance. You may park in the designated parking spaces while you wait.
Please do not forget to bring identification (ID card or passport) and a copy of your reservation to confirm access. If you are unable to produce identification and/or the booking confirmation, the TO/IAC does not guarantee your visit.
Warnings during the visit of the Teide Observatory
For security reasons, proper operation and care of the environment, the TO asks you to closely follow the following rules during your visit:
- Due to time limits and visit schedule constraints, the time to use the toilet is before the visit starts. Please leave the toilet as clean as you found it!
- Please be respectful of the surroundings as the TO is located in a National Park. It is prohibited to:
- Smoke and eat
- Throw away rubbish except where indicated
- Leave the established paths.
- For your own safety, please remain with your assigned group at all times and follow the instructions given by the guide at all times.
- In case you are given suits or safety equipment in the facilities area, they should be properly used and cared for.
It is absolutely prohibited to leave the safety area or touch anything inside the buildings.
In the event that weather conditions impede access to the Teide Observatory, the amount paid for the guided visit for families shall be reimbursed.
Reservations may be cancelled or the date may be changed, free of charge, 24 hours before the start of the activity. After this period, 100% of the cost of the activity will be charged.
Date changes are valid for 1 year provided that the vouchers have not been redeemed. Up to 3 changes are permitted.
Parking
Yes
Toilets
Our facilities include public toilets. Please take into account that the toilets are a 10 – 15 minute walk from the car park.
In case of discount tickets for children or local residents, a supporting document is required to prove entitlement to discount.
Book
- Guided visit of the Observatory for families
- English-speaking guide
- Transportation
- Guide in other language than English
- Guided visit of the Observatory for families
- Spanish-speaking guide
- Transportation
- Guide in other language than Spanish
Where to find us
The Teide Observatory is located at an altitude of 2,390 m, in Izaña, on the island of Tenerife (Spain). The entrance is located at km 1 of the TF-514 motorway, which can be accessed from km 37 of the TF-24 motorway. It takes approximately two hours to reach the Teide Observatory from the south of the island, an hour and a half from Santa Cruz, and an hour from Puerto de la Cruz.
Its geographic coordinates are: Longitude: 16°30'35.4" West - Latitude: 28°17'50.8" North. UTM: 28.297430, -16.509841
Reviews
Excellent. No problems, quick and easy.
Was expecting too see inside some of experiments!
Description
Description
Guided tour of the Teide Observatory especially for families
Did you know that the Canary Islands are one of the three best spots in the world to observe the sky, along with Chile and Hawaii?
This is why we are fortunate to have the Teide Observatory, the world’s largest solar observatory, here in Tenerife, located at an altitude of 2,390 m.
The Teide Observatory began to operate in 1964. It is home to many solar and nocturnal telescopes, owned by different European countries. It focuses on solar observations and robotic astronomy.
This trip is a perfect opportunity to spend a day at the weekend completely differently with your family by getting an up-close look at this important scientific centre, which is on your doorstep.
On our guided tour of the Teide Observatory for families:
- You and your family will be introduced to the importance of the sky in the Canary Islands, the Teide Observatory telescopes and the different projects of the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics.
- You and your children will participate in an astrophysics workshop, held in the Teide Observatory visitors centre, where we shall explain in a fun and enjoyable way what astrophysics is and how the astrophysicists in the Teide Observatory conduct their research.
- You will cherish the look of amazement on your children’s faces when they see the sunspots and solar flares through our two solar telescopes. Afterwards, when you are in the car on the way home, you can all talk about the experience that you have just shared!
- As a family, you will experience the same feeling of amazement inside the nocturnal telescope when you find out how it works and discover the impressive story behind each of its parts.
