Teide Observatory Visit: Discover the world's largest solar observatory in Canary Islands
3.1
28 Ratings
San Cristobal de La Laguna
Explore the Teide Observatory, the world's largest solar observatory in the Canary Islands. Discover the daily activities of researchers and enjoy a guided tour of this incredible facility.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Observatorio del Teide - Our guides will make you feel like a scientist for a day as during this tour of the Teide Observatory:

You 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, the institution that manages this solar observatory.
You will participate in a workshop on astrophysics given at the visitor centre, in which our guides will explain what the astrophysics is and how the astrophysicists work.
You will observe sunspots and solar flares through our solar telescopes, which you will have at your disposal to fully enjoy them.
You will explore the inside of a nocturnal telescope and know about its functioning and its exciting history.

What's Included
    • Expert local guide
    • Informative guided tour of the Observatory
What's Not Included
  • Food and beverages
  • Children under 8 years old
Additional Information

This expert-led two-hour tour gives you an insight into the Observatory and its researchers’ day-to-day work, making it a fun learning experience. The Canary Islands, next to Chile and Hawaii, is one of the three prime locations globally to view the heavens. The Teide Observatory is recognised as the world’s biggest solar observatory, housing a multitude of solar and night-time telescopes from various European nations.

  • The arranged visits will only be carried out when the weather and the operating status of the telescopes permit it..
  • 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.
  • The 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 physical problems (anaemia, cardio-pathologies, respiratory problems, etc.). If you are not sure if you should visit, consult your doctor.
  • 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. Keep 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 let your guide know immediately.
  • Be careful to 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.
  • The meeting time is 30 mniutes before the booked time, at the parking.
Location
Observatorio del Teide
Tf-514, Km 1
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.1
(28 Ratings)
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Dah83
Feb 2, 2020
Fantastic Informed Trip - This was a fantastic little tour that we did for a few hours in the afternoon. Our tour guide (sorry I don't remember his name) was fantastic and patient with a mixed group of people. The tour is quite scientific, so if you aren't into it I wouldn't recommend this trip. I probably wouldn't recommend taking children, if they aren't interested, as they can become very disinterested (as the children did in our group) As with all the views up this high, they are spectacular and where the telescopes are positioned it feels like you are sitting on the clouds. If you love science, astronomy or geopraphy I would highly recommend this little trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Derick
Oct 8, 2019
An unmissable experience in Tenerife - A very interesting and rewarding tour. Jesus, our guide, was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable throughout the 90 minutes tour and appeared to maintain the interest of our small group at all times. We had the opportunity to visit the interior of one of the observatories and also view, and see the texture of, the sun through two exterior smaller telescopes (a solar flare was in progress, having started just a few days earlier, so that was an added bonus). Even if you have only the slightest interest in what happens outside the Earth or where we are in our solar system, our galaxy or the universe then this is a must-do visit in Tenerife.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jon7stobbs
Apr 8, 2018
10/10 if you have any interest in the great wide wonder above. - Collection from various locations on the island via minibus by Jesus (yes really!). And he wasn't just the driver either - he was our whole tour guide and very knowledgeable about everything to do with the observatory as he actually works there normally. The tour is split into two parts - first is a guided tour of the observatory site (which as evening falls can be cold - take warm clothing) after which you'll be taken down to the Teide cable-car base where it's a bit warmer for star-gazing through a telescope and tips on how to locate the various constellations. Leaves you in awe of what we look up at in the sky - well worth the cost as it's an 8 hour total tour including collection and drop-off. Book early in your stay on the island though as (in March anyway) there are just 2 tours a week and places are very limited.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John
Jan 27, 2017
Excellent experience with good... - <p>Excellent experience with good explanations. Well worth a visit. Time passed all too quick.</p>
Review provided by Viator
Vijay_from_surrey
Dec 21, 2023
Had better observatory tours, looking through a telescope was limited - The guide was fine and knowledgeable. There was a lot of talking and not much showing. We saw the sun through a couple of small telescopes. Was hoping to see through one of the large permanent ones so that was a let down compared to other observatory tours we have done such as Herstmonceux but this may be a function of the telescopes being owned by various organisations/counties.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maps57540904054
May 24, 2023
A dull, overlong tour - We took the tour on a cloudy day where someone fell ill along the way, so there were extenuating circumstances. But the guide made what could have been fascinating a very boring experience - way too much talk, with lots of random, uninteresting facts. We told the guide we had to get to the cable cars at a certain time - nevertheless he ran way over for no apparent reason and made us late. One to avoid.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robypu
Jan 30, 2020
Unpleasant experience - We booked this event through Viator web site, but we went to the wrong address for this event. We found this address on the Viator web pages. After we realized this, we were not able to arrive at the correct events address on time, because we were late. When asked for a refund they replied that we need to contact TripAdvisor, which we did not use for this booking?
Review provided by Viator
John
Sep 17, 2018
Totally let down by Volcano Teide - Myself and my wife booked a trip for a visit to the Solar Observatory, to be followed by the evening Star Gazing Experience on 13 September 2018, this was to be the highlight of our visit to Tenerife, we are both keen amateur astronomers, however were totally let down by Volcano Teide who organised the trip. The company confirmed the day before, that we would be picked by coach at the bus stop by the Best Tenerife Hotel in Playa de Las Americas at 16.00. We waited by the bus stop from 15.40 to 17.30, but no coach ever turned up, we tried to ring the office of Volcano Teide, but just got a recorded message. I subsequently emailed them, and they finally replied to say that the trip had been cancelled due to bad weather conditions, and that they had tried to contact us earlier, but no phone call or email from them was ever received. I also dispute their claim relating to bad weather, although it had been a bit dusty the day before due to Saharan sand (known locally as the Calima), conditions had improved by the afternoon of the 13th, the sky cleared and it was sunny, the wind had died down, and before sunset the crescent moon and the summit of Mt Teide were clearly visible from Playa de Las Americas. Furthermore whilst we were waiting for their non-existent coach, two coaches polled up for the Teide by Night trip, which was clearly running. We consider that Vulcano Teide had simply cancelled the trip for operational reasons, maybe insufficient people had booked the trip that day for it to be economic for them to run it, or maybe the Teide Cable Car (which we had not booked) was closed, and they planned to use the same pick up coach for this trip. John and Lindi Turley
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Us
Jan 2, 2018
We did not get to do this tour : It was... - <p>We did not get to do this tour : It was closed not sure why we were able to book it.</p>
Review provided by Viator
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