Key details
Why you see here what you cannot see at home
The Teide Observatory sits at 2,390 m and is among the world's best for three reasons that also benefit you as a visitor: almost no light pollution, a very stable atmosphere, and you are above the sea of clouds. That is why professional astronomers come here. And why what you see through an amateur telescope on Teide beats what you would see through a far better one almost anywhere else.
Through the telescopes you see the Moon's craters, Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, nebulae and clusters, and the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. The astrophysicist guide explains what you are looking at, which is what separates this from staring at the sky from a viewpoint on your own. Here is the advice nobody gives you at booking: pick a night near the new moon. With a full moon the sky washes out and the nebulae disappear. Tell us which days you are on the island and we will tell you which one.
At night on Teide it drops to zero even in August, and people always underestimate it. Some operators hand out blankets and warm clothing, but do not count on it: bring long trousers, thick socks, a hat and a proper jacket. Nobody enjoys three hours standing still looking up while freezing, however beautiful the sky.
Included
- Night transfer from South Tenerife
- Certified astrophysicist guide
- Professional telescopes
- Warm clothing (some operators)
- Hot drink (some operators)
- Activity insurance
Not included
- Meals unless stated
- Professional photography
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring warm clothes?
Essential. At 2,000 m at night it drops to 0-5 degrees even in August, and you spend three hours standing still looking up, which is when the cold really gets in. T-shirt, thick jumper, jacket and, if you can, gloves and a hat. Some operators lend blankets, but do not count on it.
Can children take part in the excursion?
Yes, and it usually impresses them more than the adults. From age 5 or 6 it works well, as long as they can stay still during the observations. What you do need to weigh up is the timing: you get back late and with small children the next day suffers. If they are very young, leave it for another trip.
What happens if it's cloudy or the weather is bad?
Teide is usually above the clouds, especially in winter, so an overcast day at sea level means nothing. It is only cancelled in rain or extreme conditions, and then we change your date or refund you in full. What does ruin the night without cancelling it is a full moon: we check that when picking the date.
Does it matter which night I pick?
No, and it is what separates a great night from a mediocre one. Near the new moon you see the Milky Way and the nebulae; with a full moon the sky washes out and you are left with the planets. In winter the nights are longer and the sky is usually cleaner above the clouds; in summer you set off later but the drive up is easier. Tell us your dates and we will tell you which night to ask for.