Venturing to explore the westernmost tip of Spain means crossing La Frontera, a very special part of El Hierro. La Frontera is the site of a Nature Reserve, an Integral Reserve, a Rural Park and several natural pools. But one thing not everyone is aware of is that, when the sun goes down, this municipality becomes one of the best places in the archipelago to gaze at the night sky.
It may be the complete opposite of Broadway, but hundreds of stars also shine every night in La Frontera. The Canary Islands archipelago has been a benchmark in astro-tourism for decades, as it contains some of the best places in the world for stargazing. The destination shines even brighter after the Starlight recognition this municipality of El Hierro received in 2023 for protecting and promoting the quality of the sky.
Discovering the observation points of La Frontera
On the beach of Arenas Blancas, on a terrace in Sabinosa, on a night-time excursion through the Mencáfete Reserve, or simply by sticking your head out of your bedroom window. The clarity of the sky and extremely low levels of environmental pollution in La Frontera make it very easy to enjoy the stars from anywhere. However, the municipality also has places where stargazers can take their hobby even further.
Charco Azul astronomical viewpoint
Some places are simply magical, and this one, located on the coast of El Golfo, is one of them. Charco Azul is one of the most spectacular natural pools in the entire archipelago, and at the same time, one of the best places for dipping into astronomy. Because in addition to spectacular views, it has backlit solar-powered information panels and clear signage to guide the eyes of anyone new to the art of stargazing.
As if this weren’t enough, this viewpoint also looks at its people. It was created as a tribute to the young people of the town, who used to come here to watch the Perseid meteor shower that takes place during the months of July and Augu
El Lomo Negro I Viewpoint
At the northern tip of the island, a small stone platform stands bravely facing the open Atlantic. It is a place steeped in mysticism where, when the sun shines, you can read the island’s volcanic past in the colourful walls stratified by lava, but when night falls, everything turns an intense black in which the stars shine even more brightly.
Jinama Viewpoint
Inland, bordering on Valverde, almost in the very centre of the island, there is a concrete and glass walkway suspended 1,250 metres above sea level that is worth visiting at least twice: during the day it affords an incredible panoramic view of the bay of El Golfo, and at night it opens up to the immensity of the universe.
The Jinama Viewpoint is also a must-see for enthusiasts of hiking and outdoor excursions, as it is the starting point for an easy walking route into the interior of La Frontera.
The secret is in the air
For many, the firmament of the Canary Islands is the best in the world. This belief is based on the archipelago's exceptional natural conditions and is supported by a large part of the global scientific community, which has chosen to study the universe from the Canary Islands.
Beyond the magical ability of ancient volcanoes to create spectacular vantage points, the great secret of the Canarian skies is the trade winds. Their warm breeze causes a thermal inversion that acts as a shield against cloud formation.
The archipelago’s sky is also protected by law. Specifically, the Law on the Protection of the Astronomical Quality of the Observatories of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands. Also known as the Sky Law, it is responsible for controlling environmental quality and even regulating air traffic with the aim of guaranteeing the right to starlight and providing a dazzling observation experience any day of the year.s estrellas y brindar una experiencia de observación rutilante cualquier día del año.