
Description
Enjoy this 2-in-1 Astronomic Tour of Teide for astronomy lovers in Tenerife
The Astronomic Tour of Teide is our 2-in-1 Teide astronomical tour, which combines a Teide Observatory visit with a stargazing experience. Transport is also offered for the Teide Astronomical Tour from various points on the island of Tenerife.
During this activity, which lasts 8 hours, our Starlight guide accompanies you at all times, so that you can enjoy Mt Teide by night. But you’ll also be accompanied by nocturnal creatures. As the sun goes down, a change comes over the National Park. Creatures that are active during the daytime hide away, and the nocturnal creatures emerge from their lairs.
Many invertebrates start scampering among the plants, and the harmless bats abandon the volcanic tunnels, cracks and caves where they spend the hours of daylight asleep, to make themselves lords and masters of the scrubland as they hunt for moths. The National Park is home to five of the seven species of bat that inhabit the Canary archipelago. Especially noteworthy are the Canary long-eared bat and the free-tailed bat (Tadarida teniotis), the largest bat to be found on these islands.
Your Astronomic Tour of Teide includes a visit of the Teide Observatory—in the afternoon and with a guide—and once it's night time, a stargazing experience using long range telescopes at 2,356 m at the Teide Cable Car base station, under the clear and pure sky of the Teide National Park, the most visited national park in Europe.
It also includes a stop for a meal. You choose whether you prefer to bring your own food, use the Cable Car’s vending machines or buy our optional picnic along with your ‘Astronomic Tour including a visit of Teide Observatory’.
An afternoon Teide Observatory tour
Tenerife is so much more than just sun and beaches. The island is also famous for science, its volcanoes and the stars over Mt Teide.
The Canary Islands are one of the three best spots on Earth to observe the sky. The other two spots, just for curiosity’s sake, are Chile and Hawaii. This is why we are fortunate to have the most important solar observatory here in Tenerife.
Did you know that the Teide Observatory began to operate in 1964 and focuses on solar observations and robotic astronomy? Moreover, it is home to a wide range of solar and nocturnal telescopes, owned by different European countries.
Thanks to the guides on your Astronomic Tour of Teide, you can feel like a scientist for a day as during the afternoon Tenerife Observatory visit:
- - You’re 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, also known as IAC.
- You participate in the most interesting astrophysics workshop, held in the Teide Observatory visitors centre, shared with you by our Starlight guides, where we explain what astrophysics is and how the astrophysicists in this centre conduct their research.
- You enjoy the sun like never before whilst observing sunspots and solar flares through two solar telescopes that we make available to you.
- You visit the inside of a nocturnal telescope and don’t leave until you know how it functions and learn about its exciting history.
An Astronomic Tour of Teide you will remember for the rest of your life
After the Tenerife Observatory tour, what’s better than to enjoy the colours of the National Park when it’s getting dark, before beginning the astronomical observation, included in your stargazing night on Mount Teide.
It doesn’t matter if you have already been to Teide during the day because the moment the National Park is bathed in the lovely colours of the twilight, you will feel as though you have never been in this beautiful location.
Before you arrive at the Teide Observatory, you will have toured a good part of the National Park. During your tour, you will see inside the caldera of Las Cañadas, a massive volcanic formation whose origins date back 180,000 years—to when the volcano that then stood at the highest point on Tenerife collapsed and its northern slope fell away. A good proportion of the millions of tons of rock that made up the volcano slid away downwards, into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. What remained standing of the volcanic edifice is the cirque of Las Cañadas, an oval, natural amphitheatre, which forms a wall stretching from east to west in the south of the Park.
Volcanic activity soon resumed in the great tunnel that the slippage left in its wake, and successive eruptions filled Las Cañadas with lava flows. Evidence of this activity can be seen in the occasional (now dormant) volcanic cones scattered around. One of the volcanoes that emerged following the collapse was Mount Teide, which rises up in the centre of the caldera, reaching a height of 3,718 m. To date, the last eruption to have occurred in this spectacular volcanic landscape took place in 1798 at the base of Pico Viejo.
A stargazing experience on Mount Teide to unravel the mysteries of the starry sky
It is often said that Tenerife is a fortunate island for its climate. But it is fortunate for more reasons than this.
For example: from Mount Teide, it is possible to observe 83 of the 88 officially recognised constellations. You may ask, how is it possible to see so many constellations from Mount Teide? Because there is nothing like the peaks of this friendly island to observe the stars in Tenerife.
It is also because the Teide is the best place in Tenerife to conduct an astronomical observation, away from the light pollution produced by the urban areas of the island.
With the Astronomic Tour of Teide guides, you discover the secrets of the heavens from Teide National Park. You learn how to orient yourself using celestial objects and enjoy discerning the elements of Greek mythology, which are hidden behind the constellations, and the relationship between them.
Get closer to the stars with the professional telescopes on your Teide Astronomical Tour
The astronomical observation included in the Astronomic Tour of Teide is held in the car park next to the Teide Cable Car base station.
You discover planets, galaxies and clusters like you never would have imagined, thanks to our professional, last generation long range telescopes, which you have at your disposal to go through the most interesting celestial objects of every night, visible from Mount Teide.
In addition, during your Astronomic Tour of Teide the guides will provide you with interesting information about the objects you observe through the telescope.
Our professional astronomic instrumentation, together with the transparency and quality of the skies over the peaks of Tenerife, will without a doubt contribute to a unique experience which you will live during this astronomical tourism activity in Tenerife.
Full moon astronomical observation
You will already know that the moon passes through different phases during its 29-day cycle, that is to say, lunation.
Therefore, at least once a month, the potent glow of our planet’s satellite will dim the faint light of the distant celestial bodies.
If you book our Astronomic Tour of Teide and enjoy it on the night of the full moon, you will take advantage of its radiant appearance and be delighted with its splendour: craters, mountain ranges and other lunar wonders.
To get you started: Did you know that you can find the Montes Teneriffe, Mons Pico and the crater Piazzi Smyth on the moon?
If what we have just mentioned has surprised you and we have left you curious as to why they have these names, write this question down so that you can ask our guides on the night of your Astronomic Tour with a Teide Observatory visit.
Highlights...
- The perfect 2-in-1 Teide astronomical tour for astronomy lovers in Tenerife
- Guided afternoon visit of the world's largest solar observatory
- Stargazing on Mt Teide with the unaided eye and using telescopes at the cable car base station
What's included...
- Transportation for small groups
- Starlight guide in English, Spanish or French
- Guided Teide Observatory tour
- Astronomical observation on Mt Teide using long range telescopes
- A stop for snacks
What's not included...
- Menu. You can buy our optional menu, bring your own food or use the Cable Car’s vending machines.
- Starlight guide in other language than English, Spanish or French
Book
- Transportation for small groups
- Starlight guide in English, Spanish or French
- Guided visit of the Teide Observatory
- Astronomical observation using long range telescopes
- Picnic (vegetarian option available on request): water or soft drink + cured meat and cheese/vegetarian sandwich + sweet treat
- Starlight guide in other language than English or Spanish
- Transportation for small groups
- Starlight guide in English, Spanish or French
- Guided visit of the Teide Observatory
- Astronomical observation using long range telescopes
- Picnic (vegetarian option available on request): water or soft drink + cured meat and cheese/vegetarian sandwich + sweet treat
- Starlight guide in other language than English, Spanish or French
- Transportation for small groups
- Starlight guide in English, Spanish or French
- Guided visit of the Teide Observatory
- Astronomical observation using long range telescopes
- A stop for snacks
- Menu. If you haven’t bought our optional menu, bring your own food or use the Cable Car’s vending machines.
- Starlight guide in other language than English, Spanish or French
- Transportation for small groups
- Starlight guide in English, Spanish or French
- Guided visit of the Teide Observatory
- Astronomical observation using long range telescopes
- A stop for snacks
- Menu. If you haven’t bought our optional menu, bring your own food or use the Cable Car’s vending machines.
- Starlight guide in other language than English, Spanish or French
+ Information
The pick-up time will vary between 2.15pm and 4.30pm as it depends on the sunset time. When making your reservation you will be given the pick-up place and time for the selected day.
Would you like to know your assigned pick-up time?
You should be prepared for extremes in weather, both heat as well as cold, depending on the time of year.
Recommendations:
- Bring warm clothing and proper footwear.
- Protect yourself from sunstroke.
- Due to the elevated luminosity, wear sunglasses.
- Take plenty of water on hikes.
Our facilities are located within a protected national park and therefore we must follow a series of basic rules of civic behaviour and respect of the natural environment, such as not littering or taking rocks, plants or animals. Please remember that it is prohibited to make fire, loud noises or to camp.
Tenerife Observatory tour
Purchase of this service to visit the Teide Observatory 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 Tenerife 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.
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
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.
The Astronomic Tour 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.
Children under 8 are not allowed to participate in early evening and nighttime activities.
If you are not sure if you can participate in the activity, consult your doctor before planning your visit.
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.
Remember that there will be no possibility to eat it during the activity but we will make a stop to eat. Of course, if you bring your own food, you can eat it during the programmed break, though not inside the restaurant.
Pets are not allowed.
Anyone wearing open footwear (sandals), shorts or short sleeves will not be allowed to join the excursion. It is essential to be suitably attired, as the activity will be undertaken in low temperatures. For further information, please see the section entitled “Prepare for your visit”.
IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO BRING A COPY OF YOUR RESERVATION, EITHER PRINTED OR ON YOUR MOBILE PHONE.
You will need coins to use the Cable Car’s vending machines.
Anyone wearing open footwear (sandals), shorts or short sleeves will not be allowed to join the excursion. It is essential to be suitably attired, as the activity will be undertaken in low temperatures. For further information, please see the section entitled “Prepare for your visit”.
Reservations may be cancelled or the date of the activity may be changed free of charge up to 24 hours prior to the activity. After this period, 100% of the amount will be charged.
If it is not possible to carry out the entire activity due to adverse weather conditions, the full amount shall be reimbursed. In the event that weather conditions prevent the visit to the Observatory from taking place, the price of the Night tour to Mount Teide (with or without picnic) shall be charged, and the difference shall be reimbursed. In case of cloud cover conditions in the Observatory, the usual itinerary of the visit may be modified. If weather conditions prevent the astronomical observation from taking place, €30 for adults and €25 for children shall be reimbursed.
Date changes are valid for 1 year provided that the vouchers have not been redeemed. Up to 3 changes are permitted.
Check our Terms and conditions for more information.
Toilets
There are public toilets in the Observatory. Please take into account that the toilets are a 10 – 15 minute walk from the car park.
In case of tickets which include a discount for children or local residents, a supporting document is required to prove entitlement to discount.
Includes:
- Water or soft drink
- Sandwich: cured meat and cheese / vegetarian option
- Sweet treat
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, and an hour from Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz.
Its geographic coordinates are: Longitude: 16°30'36.1" West - Latitude: 28°18'08.3" North. UTM: 28.302294, -16.510021
Frequently asked questions
Check out our weekly calendar of activities and excursions on Mt Teide which we have prepared so that you can view at a glance all the information you need about our activities.
Usually the Carlos Sánchez telescope or the IAC-80 telescope are visited.
- Lunt H-alpha (hydrogen alpha) to observe the chromosphere and Skywatcher ED80 with a white light filter for the photosphere.
Given that part of this guided tour takes place outside the building and includes stairs and a rocky terrain, we do not recommend the visit for people with mobility problems.
No, because it is not permitted to interrupt the scientists’ work. The guide will set up a portable solar telescope outside.
Yes, in the visited areas.
No. The observation will be done outdoors with portable telescopes and the Starlight guides.
The telescopes that we use for astronomical observation are: Celestron CPC 9.25″ Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and Dobson Sky Watcher, 30 cm with Newtonian reflector.
No, pets are not allowed.
Yes. We will pick you up and once the excursion is finished, we will drop you off in the same place.
No, it’s not necessary. You can download your Astronomic Tour reservation and display it on the screen of any mobile device (phone, tablet, etc.).
Reservations may be cancelled or the date may be changed free of charge up to 24 hours prior to the activity. After this period, 100% of the amount will be charged.
If you wish to change your booking in advance, call us at (+34) 922 010 444 between 9am and 4pm (GMT).
Reviews
Lucas was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and informative and a nice guy. The tour was well balanced with plenty of technical information and access to telescopes. Would definitely recommend this tour
See previous comments.
Amazing tour. Our guide was incredible, he had so much information, answered loads of questions, and gave really good explanations. Funny guy too :) I would absolutely recommend this tour.
I took part in an astronomic tour around Teide Observatory and it was amazing. Our guide *** was excellent and gave us so much interesting scientific and non-scientific information. Thanks to this the tour absolutely exceeded my expectations. The only downside of the tour was the pick up that did not go quite smooth for me and two other guests, as the roads were blocked due to the carnival in Puerto de la Cruz - I believe that the pick up point could have been reviewed and altered in advance, as the carnival schedule must have been known upfront. Nevertheless, ***o was very helpful in finding ways how to get us onboard, so that we could still participate in the tour.
Visiting the observatory was great. I would like a bit more technical information about how the telescopes work and what research is done there. The stargazing part was great.
The tour was amazing! Adrian and Macarena had an enormous astronomic knowledge, which they shared with a lot of passion. I would recommend the tour to anyone. It was a great pleasure to participate in this trip!
The tour was phenomenal. Our guide Orisbel was very charismatic and knowledgable. I would gladly participate in other similar tours, when I am in Teneriffe again. A warm recommendation for the tour. One particular point blew off our steam, and that is the transport to the observatory. The driver was just so unnecessarily speeding through the curves and abruptly braking at odd points, that even if we never had issues with locomotive sickness, we were on the verge of vomiting afterwards. This point does not drastically diminish our experience with the tour, but is definitely one to be worked upon.
It was great. The leader was super.
Product as described in description
The guide around the observatory sight was informative and the sunset over El Teide was spectacular. The later star gazing was also very good. Its a very long excursion, over 8 hrs from a 3pm pick up in Santa Cruz & return so have a good lunch first. A seasonal map of the significant objects in the night sky would make a useful addition/souvenir.
Excellent trip , take note of the warm clothing, it is very cold , also the bus could have been warmer
A well run outing with a good programme, though better in principle than in practice. The outdoor sun-directed telescopes we looked through showed nothing of interest because of the current solar minimum, we only got to see one (small) astronomical telescope close up, the lecture on light and the mini-planetarium talk were basic, and there was not a lot to see after dark owing to cloud. Nevertheless, it was worth going for a rare close-up view of a mountaintop observatory, the informed enthusiasm of the guide, and memorable sunset views from near the top of the island.
The food taht was servved, was not very iinteristting. Foour a Price of 6 EU.. uou shouldt bee abel to make a sandwich. Tthe menu box was Nice toolook at, but it cotained a loucy eating. Op
I thought this was a great tour - value for money, educational and delivered by expert guides. I took my two children aged 11 and 15 and they were both really engaged throughout. Two things that could be improved: be really strident in the guidance for booking about just how cold it gets on Teide - ‘warm clothing/jumpers’ doesn’t get the point across. Spell out that you need coats, hats, gloves. Also consider making the day a little shorter. We were picked up at 2.15pm and got back after 11pm. The stargazing section at the end was too long considering how late it was and how cold. Long queues to look in telescopes behind other language groups and lots of waiting around with kids in the dark at past 930pm is just too much at the end of the day. What we were shown in the night sky was brilliant and really memorable but could have been delivered in 30-45 mins
Organisation of the tour was excellent. All the guides were friendly, helpful & very knowledgeable. My only criticism: the presentation at the observatory visitor centre was quite short. The focus on the infra red camera & playing with it was too long. More about the work of the observatory would be better. There was too much reliance on the time lapse video (more star trails!). Use of quality images associated with the work at the observatory would be much better. Star gazing when dark was excellent & again guides were really knowledgeable. Perhaps a few more telescopes would help - given the numbers of people in the group's?
sat on coach for one and a half hours while we picked every one else up then had tour followed by a boring stint in a blow up planetarium because it was cloudy and could not use telescopes .bitter dissapointment
Great and knowledgeable staff. Well planned and paced variety of activities. Perhaps remind the bus drivers commuting through the north passage to travel a little slower, as the nausea could have easily spoiled the entire trip
If you're into astronomy, this is the excursion for you. Friendly, knowledgeable guides who bring the whole experience to life. Great opportunity to discover the night sky in perfect conditions, however, make sure you take suitable warm clothing, it was, as the night wore on, extremely cold.
See other web form for feedback on the tour
Visit to Observatory + Stargazing. Amazing tour well worth it. Professional staff, well organized, totally unique experience to have this inside information about how the Teide Observatory works and to get the view from the top of the mountain. Stargazing well organized, with 5 telescopes aimed at different objects in the sky, totally fantastic and very knowledgeable expert explanation.
Interesting experience, but stargazing was too short (only 5 or 6 object seen via telescope).
A unique adventure! The excursion is well thought out and very well conducted. Beautiful views and a huge amount of knowledge.
Absolutely brilliant tour. If you are into the sky, sun, moon and stars, which you should be, then this is a must. Really informative and really interesting. It is VERY cold once the sun goes down so prepare appropriately or else the cold may stop you enjoying it properly. Thankfully I went prepared:0)
It’s really a nice and interesting experience. The guides are very experienced and know a lot. To be in such surroundings is very great. Go for it
Excellent view of the night sky
The tour to the observatories was excellent and informative. Our guide Adrian was so enthusiastic that it brought our experience up a notch....most especially out under the stars later in the night. I have my own telescope and am no stranger to the night sky - but still I say this tour was worth every cent.....do not miss it!
the entire trip is unforgetable. the knowledge from the tour guid is very impressive.
Informative, shame no photos via the telescopes permitted or professional picture available afterwards
Excellent tour. Informative guide, nice coach. I highly recommend this tour 10/10
Too many participants, would have like to spend more time using the telescopes instead of the laser experience
Superb skies of mount Tiede I could easily stopped up there all night.
Very interesting and enjoyable.Good to be talking to real astrophysicists!
Wonderful tour with an incredible setting. Was really impressed with the depth of science and astronomy presented during this activity. The stargazing element was superb, and to finish it off the explanation around constellation map and navigating by stars was awesome.
1. Not clear what workshop is about 2. Not a kids friendly activity: explanations are terrible and in poor English 3. It was too long and too cold for kids. “Take warm cloth and avoid sandals” was mentioned but it’s not enough to communicate that the kids will have to stay outside for several hours and essentially need to wear winter clothes or refuse from visiting. 4. We had to stay in the bus during the 2nd part of the trip (stargazing) to keep them warm, so we missed the activity. Our kids wore 5 layers of clothes but it wasn’t enough We are very much disappointed and think it was a waste of our time and money. 5. Even for a pick up location: we only received one option and we came there only to find out on our way back that there where other stops we could use (and they were closer to our hotel)
Very qualified staff/guides. They are interested in sharing their knowledge in attracting-scientific manner.
All aspects of the tour were great! Loved it!
A brilliant trip and really well organised and run. Good communication throughout via text & email and pick up on time too. Our guide was excellent and gave us lots of information on the island, climate and other topics in addition to having a real depth of knowledge on the observatory and telescopes. Very well set up so everyone could get a chance to see the sun using the small telescopes & the auditorium presentation and explanations were excellent. The picnic was worth having as it is a long drive to get to Teide and then do the observatory tour. The vegetarian option was great. Unfortunately we were unable to use the telescopes for stargazing as the wind was too strong but this was handled very professionally.
Great ! Absolutely perfect!
Friendly and informative, great views.
Fantastic tour. Max was an incredible guide and very knowledgeable
Excellent trip didn’t get back to the hotel until 1am but worth it.
v interesting , high quality talks
This is an amazing tour. The guide Max was very knowledgeable and approachable. Looking inside an observatory was fascinating. Seeing how fast the sun sets was also exciting. The stargazing was where I learned some amazing facts. Just one thing - Wrap up because it gets very cold. Overall A very enjoyable and worthwhile experience..