Guided Visit to the Teide Astronomical Observatory
About this experience
The Teide Observatory is the largest solar observatory in the world and has been running since 1964. This visit takes you through the gate most people only drive past: you walk among the domes with a guide, look at the Sun through a telescope and step inside a night telescope.
What you see on site
The altitude, the position of the archipelago and the clear skies kept in place by the trade winds make this one of the three best places in the world for observing the sky, alongside Chile and Hawaii. That is why telescopes belonging to several European countries stand here, and why the observatory works on solar observation and robotic astronomy.
Your guide explains what the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias does and what the scientists here are working on. This is where researchers established, among other things, that the Sun pulses every five minutes, like a beating heart.
The programme includes an astrophysics workshop and then the part most people come for, observing the Sun through solar telescopes. You see sunspots and flares, meaning whatever is happening on the surface of the star that day.
At the end you go inside a night telescope and hear its history. This is a daytime visit, so there is no stargazing here, only the Sun and the instruments that study it.
Who this is for (and who it is not)
It suits people who like their science delivered directly, and families with older children. Children under 8 cannot take part in the daytime guided visit.
The observatory is not recommended for anyone in poor health, for example with anaemia, heart conditions or breathing problems, nor for visitors with reduced mobility, because the tour involves paths and stairs. If you are looking for stargazing after dark, this is not that trip.
Practical information
The visit is guided in English. Transport is not included, so you make your own way there. It takes about 2 hours from the south of the island and about an hour from Puerto de la Cruz, so allow spare time in your day.
You need to be at the gate about 30 minutes before your visit time. Bring an ID card or passport, as it is used to confirm your booking. During the visit the tour rules and safety rules apply.
You can cancel free of charge up to 72 hours before the start with a 100 percent refund. If you do not have a car, write to us and we will suggest the easiest way to reach this part of the island.
How the tour goes
Meeting at the gate
You need to be there about 30 minutes before the visit time. An ID document or passport is required to confirm your booking.
The Canary Islands sky
The guide explains why this is one of the three best places in the world for stargazing, alongside Chile and Hawaii.
Telescopes and research
You learn about the Teide Observatory telescopes and the projects of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias.
Astrophysics workshop
You take part in a workshop held at the observatory.
Observing the Sun
Through solar telescopes you look at sunspots and flares, meaning what is happening on the surface of the star that day.
Inside a night telescope
You step inside a night telescope and hear the story behind it.
What's included
- a visit to the Teide Observatory with an English-speaking guide
- an astrophysics workshop
- watching sunspots and solar flares through solar telescopes
- a look inside a night-time telescope
- a daytime visit
Pick-up
This visit does not include transport; you make your own way there. The drive takes about 2 hours from the south of the island and about an hour from Puerto de la Cruz. We send the location after you book.
Good to know
- the visit is led by an English-speaking guide
- children under 8 cannot take part in the daytime guided visit
- the observatory is not recommended for people in poor health, for example with anaemia, heart conditions or breathing problems
- the visit involves paths and stairs, so it is not recommended for people with limited mobility
- transport is not included, you get there on your own
- you need to be at the gate about 30 minutes before the visit time
- the tour rules and safety rules apply during the visit
- free cancellation up to 72 hours before the start, 100 percent refund
- What to bring: comfortable clothes, comfortable shoes for paths and stairs, an ID document or passport to confirm your booking
FAQ
The visit is led by an English-speaking guide. If you do not feel confident in English, write to us before booking and we will suggest which of our Teide tours run in Polish.
No, this visit does not include transport and you get there on your own. The drive takes about 2 hours from the south of Tenerife and about an hour from Puerto de la Cruz. You need to be at the gate about 30 minutes before the visit time.
From age 8. Children under 8 cannot take part in the daytime guided visit. The programme is designed for visitors above that age and includes a workshop and observing the Sun through a telescope.
No, this is a daytime visit. You observe the Sun, its spots and flares through solar telescopes. The Teide Observatory is the largest solar observatory in the world and focuses on solar observation and robotic astronomy.
Yes. An ID card or passport is needed at the entrance to confirm your booking. It is also worth wearing comfortable clothes and shoes, because the tour involves paths and stairs across the observatory grounds.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.