La Palma: the best sky to see the stars shine with your loved one
When I was going to ride that rough horse
and trembling, I said, “Life is pure and beautiful.”
Between its lively eyebrows I saw a star shine.
The sky was blue and I was naked.
These love verses by Rubén Darío are just the finest tip of the huge iceberg that is romantic poetry. It is not strange that a good part of this poetry uses the image of the stars as a resource, because like love, the sky is immense, and infinite, and when it is most enjoyed it is when it shines most. Given this, it is not uncommon for engaged couples, lovers or newlyweds to want to celebrate their relationships under the glow of the best skies and, as is known, La Palma, which has the Starlight Destination and Reserve certification, is one of the best places in the world to observe the stars. The quality of the sky of this Canary Island is one of its great attractions, making it one of the popular destinations of the so-called "tourism of the stars".
La Palma has a network of astronomical viewpoints located in strategic locations for observing the sky. Each viewpoint is equipped with information panels on different topics related to astronomy, such as constellations, planets and the Moon, the simulation of the equinoxes and solstices. In this way the visitor is invited to tour the island to discover them. And to couples in love to dedicate an I love you, or to propose marriage, or simply to celebrate their love imagining that it shines as much as those distant stars that can be observed from one of the viewpoints that dot the island.
From the interior or from the coast, La Palma is equipped to admire its sky: Molino (Barlovento) Viewpoint, Barranco del Carmen (Santa Cruz de La Palma) Viewpoint, Parque de Los Álamos (Breña Alta) Viewpoint, Montaña Las Toscas (Mazo) Viewpoint, La Muralla (Tijarafe) Viewpoint, Miraflores (Puntagorda) Viewpoint, Molino de Buracas (Garafía) Viewpoint, Pico Cruz Sur (San Andrés and Sauces) Viewpoint, Al Infinito (San Andrés and Sauces) Viewpoint, Puerto Naos (Los Llanos de Aridane) Viewpoint, Llano del Jable (El Paso) Viewpoint, Llano de la Venta (Breña Baja) Viewpoint... But, perhaps, those who usually prefer couples for their wonder are these three:
San Antonio Volcano Viewpoint (Fuencaliente)
Located in the south of La Palma, the viewpoint offers spectacular views of the crater and the slopes of the volcano during the day, and at night it becomes a real window to the universe. The design and location of this viewpoint allow you to know the movement and the sunset during sunset, with the help of trails that mark the changes of season. Who would want to miss that beauty during a romantic getaway?
Llanos del Jable Viewpoint
Located in the municipality of El Paso, at 1,341m high, this viewpoint, accessible by road from both Santa Cruz de La Palma and the Llanos de Aridane, is one of the most interesting on the island, since it has an exclusive visibility. This is because the clouds on the island do not usually exceed 1,300m in height, so those visitors who come to this viewpoint will enjoy a view without light pollution, as well as an incredible panoramic view of the Aridane Valley.
San Bartolo (Puntallana) Viewpoint
At 439m above sea level, the mountain of San Bartolo has a natural viewpoint to admire the sky, surrounded by impressive slopes that plunge into the sea. Also striking in this place is the sculpture of the Salto del Enamorado, in memory of one of the most emblematic tragic-romantic legends of La Palma. During the early hours of every night in June and July, one of the blue-white stars closest to Earth can be seen from the viewpoint: Vega. The perfect place to reinvent love legends?
