Get to know the Observatories of the Canary Islands
Roque de Los Muchachos Telescope on La Palma

Canary Islands Observatories, windows to the cosmic ocean through which we sail

This story begins like many other stories… with some visionary and intrepid characters whose goal was to get closer to the Universe. Charles Piazzi Smyth and Jessica Duncan are our main stars, who not without difficulties, in 1856, sailed more than 3,000 kilometers in order to see billions of kilometers more in the distance. Thus, they established the first high mountain observatory in the World on the summits of Tenerife and their work would forever change the criteria for the location of future telescopes, turning the Canary Islands into a world benchmark for astrophysical research. That is why this story is not like many other stories, it is the beginning of astronomy in these Islands.

The legacy left by this and other scientific expeditions are the Observatories of the Canary Islands, which include Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM) on the island of La Palma and Teide Observatory (OT) on Tenerife. These make up one of the three most important astrophysical facilities in the World and are the result of close collaboration between the Instituto Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and more than 70 national and foreign institutions. The excellent quality of the sky of its summits designated Starlight Reserves, the stability of the atmosphere, the high number of clear days per year and its unusual environment, make them unique enclaves not only for science, but also for the senses.

Canary Islands Observatories, windows to the cosmic ocean through which we sail

This story begins like many other stories… with some visionary and intrepid characters whose goal was to get closer to the Universe. Charles Piazzi Smyth and Jessica Duncan are our main stars, who not without difficulties, in 1856, sailed more than 3,000 kilometers in order to see billions of kilometers more in the distance. Thus, they established the first high mountain observatory in the World on the summits of Tenerife and their work would forever change the criteria for the location of future telescopes, turning the Canary Islands into a world benchmark for astrophysical research. That is why this story is not like many other stories, it is the beginning of astronomy in these Islands.

Get to know the Observatories of the Canary Islands

The legacy left by this and other scientific expeditions are the Observatories of the Canary Islands, which include Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM) on the island of La Palma and Teide Observatory (OT) on Tenerife. These make up one of the three most important astrophysical facilities in the World and are the result of close collaboration between the Instituto Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and more than 70 national and foreign institutions. The excellent quality of the sky of its summits designated Starlight Reserves, the stability of the atmosphere, the high number of clear days per year and its unusual environment, make them unique enclaves not only for science, but also for the senses.

Roque de Los Muchachos Telescope on La Palma

Come with AsterArk and discover the Canary Islands Observatories. We won’t be able to take you to the stars, but we can take you to see the instruments that allow us to get closer to them.

Guided Daytime Visit to Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory

On the highest place of the island of La Palma, after crossing the dense Laurisilva and Canary pine forests avowed as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO emerges Roque de los Muchachos Observatory. This internationally renowned astrophysical complex, located on the edge of Caldera de Taburiente National Park, attracts scientists from all around the World every year.

Its facilities draw a futuristic landscape that takes us to a filmset where nature lives in harmony with Science and Technology. Some of the largest and most advanced telescopes in the World are located here, such as the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), popularly known as GRANTECAN, the Telescope Nazionale Galileo, the William Herschel Telescope, the MAGIC telescopes and the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA).

Take the opportunity to visit this important scientific center in this beautiful Island, where the most talented and outstanding minds work, and experience the feeling of discovering a place that approaches us to the future by unveiling the past.

Magic telescope at El Roque de Los Muchachos - La Palma
Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC)

Guided Daytime Visit to Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory

On the highest place of the island of La Palma, after crossing the dense Laurisilva and Canary pine forests avowed as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO emerges Roque de los Muchachos Observatory. This internationally renowned astrophysical complex, located on the edge of Caldera de Taburiente National Park, attracts scientists from all around the World every year.

Magic telescope at El Roque de Los Muchachos - La Palma

Its facilities draw a futuristic landscape that takes us to a filmset where nature lives in harmony with Science and Technology. Some of the largest and most advanced telescopes in the World are located here, such as the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), popularly known as GRANTECAN, the Telescope Nazionale Galileo, the William Herschel Telescope, the MAGIC telescopes and the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA).

Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC)

Take the opportunity to visit this important scientific center in this beautiful Island, where the most talented and outstanding minds work, and experience the feeling of discovering a place that approaches us to the future by unveiling the past.

Important Information

Please, do not forget to read this information carefully before visiting the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory. Remember that for any questions you can call us at the contact numbers that appear on our website or send us an email.
  • The Observatory can only be visited during the day, never at night.
  • 6 years old is the minimum age to visit this Observatory.
  • Arrive on time, otherwise you may miss your visit.
  • Meeting point: parking lot of the Roque de Los Muchachos Visitor Center (LP-4 road, Km.37)
  • Transfer is not included, a vehicle will also be necessary to move during the visit.
  • Bring warm clothes even in summer, footwear suitable for mountains and sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses and cap or hat).
  • The ticket to the Roque de Los Muchachos Visitor’s Center is not included.
  • Pets are not allowed inside the facilities.
  • We recommend you to bring drinks and food, there are no restaurants nearby.
  • To obtain the discount for La Palma resident and/or for children under 12 years old, a document certifying this will be required.
  • The volume of oxygen and the pressure at this altitude are lower than at sea level and can be dangerous for people with delicate health. The nearest medical assistance point is more than 1 hour away. The nearest medical assistance point is more than 1 hour away.
  • Check your email and phone contact the same day, before leaving to the Observatory.
  • For more information: go to the “Purchase Conditions” section or contact us by email at info@asterark.com

Length

1.5 - 2 Hours

Price

€15.00 - €20.00

Languages

Spanish / English

Time

10:00 - 14:15

Prices Visit the ORM

Maximum 22 people per tour
MINI LOGO balnco

Adult: €20.00
La Palma resident adult: €15.00
Child (from 6 to 11 years): €15.00

Characteristics

  • Language: English or Spanish
  • Guided visit to the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory (ORM): entrance inside the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), MAGIC telescopes and Cherenkov Telescope Network (CTA) area.
  • Starlight® certified guide authorized by the ORM
  • 50% discount on the “normal rate” for access to the Roque de Los Muchachos Visitor’s Center by showing your AsterArk ticket at the entrance
  • Liability insurance
  • Accident insurance
  • Private groups (consult here)
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Guided Daytime Visit to Teide Observatory

On the summits of the Island of Tenerife, at an altitude of 2,390 meters, on the border of the Teide National Park and above the sea of clouds, is located the Teide Observatory (OT). It is in fact one of the few places on Earth that meets the necessary conditions for the observation of the Universe, where in the early 60’s the first professional observatory of the Canary Islands was established and cradle of helioseismology.

With an area of about 50 hectares here we find among others, the largest solar telescope in Europe named GREGOR, the Carlos Sanchez infrared telescope, the  QUIJOTE  instrument, the high energy telescopes array ASTRI or the Optical Ground Station (OGS), from where the quantum entanglement experiments that were worthy of the Nobel Prize in physics 2022 were carried out.

Only for groups. Contact us
Telescopes at the Teide Observatory

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