Volcano Teide Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory

4.58 (175)
Languages
EN · ES

Duration approx.
08:00 Hrs Approx.

Difficulty
Low
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Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory

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Astronomic tour to Teide including a visit to the Observatory

Languages
EN · ES

Duration approx.
08:00 Hrs Approx.

Difficulty
Low

Mount Teide is one of the world’s three most outstanding stargazing destinations. On this two-in-one excursion for enthusiasts of astronomy in Tenerife, you can enjoy a guided evening visit to the Izaña solar observatory and then, when night has fallen after a truly spectacular sunset, immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the night sky in the company of a Starlight guide, using the finest long-range telescopes.

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 or Spanish to enjoy astronomy in Tenerife
  • 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 or bring your own food.
  • Tenerife Observatory Night Tour 
  • Starlight guide in other language than English or Spanish 

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.

 

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.

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”.

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.

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, €35 for adults and €30 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 discount tickets 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

Vegetarian picnic

Picnic

Book your Mount Teide astronomical tour with observatory

What's included...
  • Transportation for small groups 
  • Starlight guide in English or Spanish 
  • 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
What's not included...
  • Starlight guide in other language than English or Spanish
What's included...
  • Transportation for small groups 
  • Starlight guide in English or Spanish 
  • 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
What's not included...
  • Starlight guide in other language than English or Spanish 
What's included...
  • Transportation for small groups 
  • Starlight guide in English or Spanish 
  • Guided visit of the Teide Observatory  
  • Astronomical observation using long-range telescopes  
  • A stop for snacks
What's not included...
  • 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 or Spanish
What's included...
  • Transportation for small groups
  • Starlight guide in English or Spanish
  • Guided visit of the Teide Observatory  
  • Astronomical observation using long-range telescopes  
  • A stop for snacks 
What's not included...
  • 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 or 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, 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

Google Map

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.

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 allowed, apart from guide dogs and therapy dogs.

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).

See more

Reviews of this Tenerife stargazing tour

2024/05/06

The Tour was all in total really awesome. The Guide was an astrophysics himself, thus ge explained in a very competent and interesting way a lot amof amazing Details in both tours, the visit of the observatory, as well as later the stargasing part. To see the observatory, to Look through the telescopes into the sun, seeing how the telescopes opening for the night Shift, or later seeing through telescopes into the starsky, watching galaxies, that was simply amazing. Only thing I did not like was the very not good snacks and also the group was just too big, we had to stand and wait for everything a lot, and while it got super cold that didn't make it more pleasant.

2024/03/11

cold experience! mind warm clothing!!!! otherways superb

2024/09/29

An experience not to be missed!

2024/04/12

Well planned evening out. Informative guides with good knowledge and understanding of their subjects.

2024/08/20

Excellent team!

2024/08/01

Not applicable.

2024/11/01

Brilliant tour to a very magical place. If you have any interest in the stars & space, I would thoroughly recommend this experience. Our guides were brilliant and actual astrophysicists (meaning they really knew their subject and could bring the whole experience to life). Star gazing at the base of the volcano, in one of the top 3 sites in the world to star gaze, was incredible

2024/09/14

Amazing trip, beautiful scenery. The observatory tour was amazing, *** are guide was so knowledgeable and engaging, really enjoyed it and was finished with a view of the stars and telescopes. It's better to time closer to a new moon as we have half moon and it was still quite light. We added the picnic option which was nice, gluten free and vegetarian accommodated for. Really recommend

Description of this nighttime astronomy tour

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 daytime visit of Tenerife Observatory (a night tour of Teide Observatory is not available) with a stargazing experience. Transport is also offered for the Teide Astronomical Tour from various points on the island of Tenerife.

Please note that the facilities of this scientific centre aren’t open for a Teide Observatory night tour. On this astronomic tour in Tenerife, you will visit Izaña Observatory during the daytime.

During this Astronomic Tour to Teide, which lasts approximately 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, because Teide Observatory isn’t open to visitors at night. Once the sun has gone down, you will enjoy 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.

This astronomic tour in Tenerife also includes a stop for a meal. You choose whether you prefer to bring your own food 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.

Some people feel they would prefer to discover Teide Observatory on a night tour but there is a very good reason it is only open to visitors during the daytime; during the night, a team of scientists works at Teide Observatory to perform research work into the night skies.

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 astronomy in Tenerife and 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. 

Mount Teide Astronomical Tour to enjoy astronomy in Tenerife

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 and enjoy astronomy 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, an outstanding spot where you can let your love of astronomy loose in Tenerife.

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 (not including a Tenerife Observatory night tour, i.e. a night-time visit to Izaña Observatory) and with a professional observation of the Universe from the Teide cable car facilities.

Book your Teide Astronomical Tour today and enjoy astronomy in Tenerife during your holiday on the island!

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Puerto de la Cruz: every day
Free changes and cancellations
Request a refund or change the date at no extra cost up to 24 hours before. You have 1 year to enjoy your booking.
Availability subject to change
The activity may be suspended for meteorological or organisational reasons.
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There’s no availability?

We recommend the excursion Mount Teide Night Tour

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Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje: every day
Los Gigantes, Puerto Santiago, Callao Salvaje, Playa Paraíso: Saturdays
El Médano, Golf del Sur, Costa del Silencio: not offered
Free changes and cancellations
Request a refund or change the date at no extra cost up to 24 hours before. You have 1 year to enjoy your booking.
Availability subject to change
The activity may be suspended for meteorological or organisational reasons.
Every day
es
Every day
en
exclamation
There’s no availability?

We recommend the excursion Mount Teide Night Tour

I’m interested! Tell me more.
Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje: every day
Los Gigantes, Puerto Santiago, Callao Salvaje, Playa Paraíso: Saturdays
El Médano, Golf del Sur, Costa del Silencio: not offered
Free changes and cancellations
Request a refund or change the date at no extra cost up to 24 hours before. You have 1 year to enjoy your booking.
Availability subject to change
The activity may be suspended for meteorological or organisational reasons.
Every day
es
Every day
en
exclamation
There’s no availability?

We recommend the excursion Mount Teide Night Tour

I’m interested! Tell me more.
Puerto de la Cruz: every day
Free changes and cancellations
Request a refund or change the date at no extra cost up to 24 hours before. You have 1 year to enjoy your booking.
Availability subject to change
The activity may be suspended for meteorological or organisational reasons.

It is not possible to add more private charter bookings.

It is not possible to add more people to the booking. Please select a different session with more availability.

It is not possible to add more people to the booking. Please select a different date.

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Minimum booking: persons

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  • Wednesday
  • Saturday
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  • Saturday
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Children under 8 are not allowed to participate
Children under 8 are not allowed to participate
Children under 8 are not allowed to participate
Children under 8 are not allowed to participate
Please choose the number of residents to continue.