Discover the 4 best stargazing spots in Tenerife
Have you ever looked into the night sky and wondered what secrets the stars are hiding? Is gazing at celestial bodies and contemplating their magnificence your idea of heaven?
When you see the stars over the Mars-like, lunaresque landscapes, it’ll be something you’ll never forget. An incredible mantle of stars and the bright moon shining over the volcanic surface with the silhouettes of rocks and ‘padre Teide’ (as the volcano is affectionately known) as a backdrop. Just imagine it now – it’s a scene you need to capture in a photo.
In the stargazing world, the Canary Islands are known for being a top destination. La Palma is home to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory for Astronomical Research, whereas Tenerife boasts El Teide, Europe’s highest peak at over 3715 metres high. The views are simply awesome. The Canary Island archipelago also benefits from idyllic beaches, impressive laurel forests and a wealth of protected natural spaces (spanning 40% of the land), as well as other must-visit tourist destinations.
This year, according to the Star Calendar, May will see the Eta Aquariids meteor shower, and in June, the Delta Aquariids. These two celestial events will be most visible two days after the new moon. And the best bit? You won’t even need a telescope to enjoy it!
Just look up into the sky and contemplate the infinite universe. Here are the four best places to see the stars on the island of Tenerife. Your best bet is to look for places with little light pollution, and get as high up as possible, where you can see the best expanse of horizon. And remember, you’ll need complete darkness. If you want to get the absolute most out of the experience, you could download an app to find the constellations in real time – the perfect accompaniment to your night under the stars.
Mirador del Pico del Inglés:
This viewpoint is located in the verdant Anaga mountains in northern Tenerife. To the east, you’ll see the city of Santa Cruz and, to the west, the striking contrast of the sea and Mount Teide. It makes for an incredible location to enjoy the fascinating night sky. The TF-114 road climbs up Las Mercedes mountain from La Laguna, and you’ll find the viewpoint alongside the road. Excavated into the rocks, it offers incredible panoramic views of the whole central/northern region of the island.
Learn about the latest discoveries in astronomy and hidden stories of the sky. An utterly unique experience. You’ll be in awe of the magnitude of the infinite sky!
Montaña de Izaña
Teide Observatory is located at an altitude of 2,400 metres above sea level, in the Izaña region. The Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics enjoys an unparalleled geographical location and excellent sky quality. A privileged position to observe the stars. Get there from La Laguna via the TF-24 ‘Camino a la esperanza’ road; and from the south of Tenerife, you can take a more direct route via the TF-38.
As you get closer to the amazing horizon and discover the secrets of the universe, you’ll see scenes worthy of a blockbuster. The night sky here looks like the closest you can get to heaven on earth
Teide National Park viewpoints
When you visit the Canary Islands, visiting their numerous protected spaces is a must. Teide National Park is the most-visited one in Spain, and home to the third-highest volcano on the planet – an absolutely fascinating destination for hiking and astronomy fans.
The park has four access routes, two of which come from main roads: the road from Orotava to Las Cañadas via the TF-21; or from the east on the road from La Laguna to Portillo de la Villa via the TF-24 trunk road.
From the TF-21, the first viewpoint you’ll get to is Mirador de la Ruleta, one of the most-visited viewpoints thanks to its incredible views of Llano de Ucanca and the southern Circo de Las Cañadas. Tenerife’s summits have been awarded a Starlight certificate, recognising their position as one of the best places to view the night sky worldwide. An essential destination for astronomy tourism.
Mirador Minas de San José
With views reminiscent of desert dunes, anyone who visits this spot thinks it’s one of the national park’s most spectacular landscapes. You’ll find the Minas de San José viewpoint on the TF-21 road towards La Orotava.
These four locations make for spectacular views of the Milky Way from Tenerife. These natural wonders don’t cost a penny, and definitely deserve a spot on your list for your next holiday in the Canary Islands.
It’s in our nature to explore ever higher points of our world, right into infinity. And did you know that Tenerife is one of the best places you could wish for to do it? What are you waiting for?
Don’t forget to bring your camera… Capturing this dreamy sky is something everyone needs to do at least once in their lifetime!
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