Stargazing at El Roque de los Muchachos

Spectacular vantage point for admiring the stars

Roque de los Muchachos is situated at the top of one of the highest points in La Palma at 2,426 metres above sea level and is one of the best places in the world for stargazing. Getting there by car is relatively easy and the area is also home to the Roque de los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory, which you can visit although you do need to book this a day in advance. If you visit at night you will need to wear warm clothing and take food and drink along with you as the nearest catering services are an hour away by car. You can also enjoy the night sky from other nearby hills and mountains.

A clear sky thanks to a natural cloud screen

The Roque de los Muchachos boasts one of the clearest skies on the planet thanks to the climatic conditions and its unique physical characteristics. The location of the island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and its particular climate see cloud formation take place at between 1,000 and 1,500 metres high, meaning the clouds act as a natural mirror and block light pollution from the towns beneath the cloud cover that might otherwise impede night vision.

Altitude
2.426 m
Protected sky
Protected sky
Information panels
Observatory
Parking
Protected natural space
Telescopy
Localidad
Garafia

TENERIFE

TENERIFE

GRAN CANARIA

GRAN CANARIA

FUERTEVENTURA

FUERTEVENTURA

LANZAROTE

LANZAROTE

LA GRACIOSA

LA GRACIOSA

LA GOMERA

LA GOMERA

LA PALMA

LA PALMA

EL HIERRO

EL HIERRO
Sustainability
Sostenibilidad
- Never leave waste of any type lying around, including cigarette butts. Leftover food leads to a proliferation of rats and wild cats, which pose a serious threat to the fauna.
- Respect the animals. Do not bother them or feed them. If you see an injured specimen, you can call the emergency number: 112. Do not pick flowers or plants.
- Do not pick up or take away stones or any other item from the natural environment. And do not move them to pile them up into sadly famous 'towers'.
- Turn off car headlights and do not use torches. That will help minimise the light pollution of the sky.
- If you are at an astronomical viewpoint, respect and look after the different items of public furniture (information panels, railings, seats, lighting, binoculars and telescopes, etc.).
- Try and be silent or talk quietly. The experience will be more enjoyable.
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