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In the north-west corner of Tenerife in Buenavista del Norte, the El Palmar viewpoint is a fabulous area for searching the Canarian skies for stars, thanks to its low levels of light pollution. With rugged terrain, it is accessible by car and has parking. As it is a rural zone, remember to wear appropriate clothing and to take food and drink for the journey.

This large viewing platform, in the north-west corner of Tenerife in the borough of Buenavista del Norte offers incredible views from between a series of ravines from where you can contemplate the Canarian skies. With rugged road access and only a few parking spots this natural balcony is more than 1,000 metres above sea level. As there are no towns or services nearby you’ll need to take appropriate clothing and footwear, as well as food and drink.

San Bartolo Mountain, in the eastern part of La Palma, is 439 metres above sea level and is a natural vantage point for contemplating the skies. It’s easy to get to by car, crossing through the town of Puntallana until you reach the San Bartolo chapel and up a short hill. With lots of parking available, the area has information panels for visitors, star charts and a sculpture depicting the local legend of The Lover's Leap. There are restaurants nearby offering local food and cakes.

When people visit the Canary Islands for Christmas, they are very surprised by the warm climate, with mild temperatures and barely any rain.

In the centre of La Gomera, on the edge of the Garajonay National Park perimeter, is the Las Nieves recreation area. This is a terrific spot for viewing the Canarian skies at 1,250 metres above sea level. Easy to get to by car, just twenty kilometres from the island’s capital San Sebastián, it is a vantage point to view a clear sky and allows hours of super viewing all year round. Excellent parking facilities.

In the high part of El Paso, 1.200 metres above sea level, the Llano del Jable viewpoint offers amazing views over the Aridane valley during the daytime, with the old volcano in the foreground. At night this part of La Palma, recognised as a Starlight Reserve due to the quality of the skies, is a superb natural balcony from where you can enjoy incredible panoramas of the skies. The viewpoint has an information panel and plenty of parking spaces, although there are no services nearby. Dress in warm clothes.

In the heart of La Gomera, the Summit of Garajonay is a natural platform for observing the skies. Easy to get to by car and with a small parking area, from the top you can see the western Canary islands on a clear day. At 1,487 metres above sea level this is one of the best places to see the starry skies in La Gomera given its privileged position in the island and the relative lack of light contamination.

The Orchilla Lighthouse is in the west of El Hierro and is very easy to drive to. It offers a natural platform to observe the skies beside the Atlantic Ocean with virtually no light contamination. As well as its important astronomic value this place also has historic value: in the 17th Century the area was chosen as the Prime Meridian until it was changed to Greenwich in 1885.

Located in Teide National Park in Tenerife, the Guajara Mountain, at 2,718 metres, is the highest point within the park and the third highest peak in Tenerife. It’s easy to drive to the base of the mountain though the journey to the summit takes a little bit more effort. Visitors are advised to come with suitable clothing and footwear, food and drink. There are no services close by but the Parador hotel is only five kilometres away and El Portillo is 14 kilometres away.

The peaceful quiet atmosphere of Playa Blanca, in the south of the island, makes this area the perfect place to unwind. Sunbathing or enjoying a quiet walk along the promenade whilst watching the sunset are great ways to recharge your batteries.This town, located close to Timanfaya National Park and the Papagayo beaches, has a marina where a ferry can be taken to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura.