The Canary Islands are an exceptional astrotourism destination all through the year thanks to their privileged location and clear, protected night skies.
Whether you visit one of the big international observatories or take a night tour with an expert guide you feel close to the cosmos. Pick a star and dream of your future, or make a wish.
Who knows, it may come true.
A destination
with stars
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Protected
skies
The Trade Wind breezes and the temperature inversion they generate prevent clouds from forming over the Canary Islands. This is why the skies in the Canaries are amongst the clearest in Europe and are legally protected by the Law of Protección de la Calidad Astronómica de los Observatorios. This prevents light, atmospheric and radio wave pollution and controls flight patterns to prevent any interference with stargazing.
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See the universe
close up
The Canary islands host world-class astronomic observatories, at altitudes over 2,400 metres,
such as the GREGOR solar telescope in Tenerife, the largest in Europe, or the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma.
Both are open to the public and arrange tours to bring their discoveries closer to everyone.
You'll also find several companies that organise guided night tours and observation sessions from the islands' spectacular viewpoints.
Explore the constellations of the Canary Islands night sky with this virtual planetarium.
Explore the constellations of the Canary Islands night sky with this virtual planetarium.
Roque Cinchado - Parque Nacional del Teide - Tenerife
Roque de los Muchachos - La Palma
Volcán de Orchilla - El Hierro
Faro de Fuencaliente - La Palma
Parque Nacional del Teide - Tenerife
Circumpolar en el Parque Nacional del Teide - Tenerife
Roque de los Muchachos - La Palma
Mirador de Los Andenes - La Palma
Mirador de Isora - El Hierro
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Starlight
Reserves
The Canary Islands boast three Starlight Reserves where the clarity of the night sky is internationally recognised and protected: The islands of La Palma and Fuerteventura and the highlands of Tenerife.
STARLIGHT DESTINATION
In addition to its starry skies, officially protected against light pollution, Gran Canaria has numerous infraestructures and tourist activities focussed on the enjoyment and protection of this natural resource. All of this has led to it being recognised as a “Starlight Tourist Destination”
Tenerife also leads the EU Sky Route, an EU funded project that develops astrotourism routes in Europe.