Tenerife is one of the best places in the world for stargazing and in this article we tell you about the best places to do it.
Thanks to its privileged climate, the transparency of its skies and the high number of hours of useful observation, Tenerife is one of the best places in the world to study the universe. These factors, together with the low atmospheric pollution and the altitude, mean that the stars can be seen optimally practically all year round. It is no coincidence that the island has some of the most important infrastructures in Spain for astronomical observation, such as the Teide observatory.
In fact, all visitors to Tenerife should dedicate at least one night to stargazing, as it is one of its most unique and spectacular attractions. According to David Pérez, managing director of Tenerife Tourism, “the Teide National Park is a perfect place to enjoy the sight of such incredible things as the rings of Saturn, the craters of the Moon or infinite galaxies and nebulae”. It is also no coincidence that the Teide and the summits of Tenerife have recently obtained Starlight certification, which accredits them as privileged places at an international level for stargazing.
“In 2013, Tenerife decided to promote the Starlight Certification of the Teide National Park and its surroundings, undergoing a rigorous evaluation and auditing process according to the procedure established by the Starlight Foundation,” explains Pérez. “The Teide National Park received the certification as a Starlight Tourist Destination, which means that it has excellent qualities for the contemplation of the starry skies and that, being protected from light pollution, they are particularly suitable for developing tourist activities based on this natural resource”.
The summits of Tenerife, for their part, are certified as Starlight Reserves. “This means that they are a protected natural area where a commitment has been made to defend the quality of the night sky and access to starlight”, says David Pérez. “This title has the function of preserving the quality of the night sky and the different associated values, be they cultural, scientific, astronomical, scenic or natural”.
All this is well known at Baobab Suites *****, the hotel located in Costa Adeje, Tenerife South, which has always been characterised by offering its clients a different, profound and exclusive experience. From the hotel’s facilities it is possible to enjoy spectacular views of the island’s nights, especially from the BB Lounge Club, a space that also has a large swimming pool, comfortable sunbeds, Balinese beds and delicious cocktails and aperitifs.
But to appreciate the Tenerife sky in all its splendour it is necessary to leave the hotel. That is why Baobab Suites offers its clients the possibility of contemplating the stars in an experience that will take them, first, to witness an incredible sunset and end with the observation of the magnificent Canarian sky from the Teide National Park. There, with the help of powerful telescopes, the guides will explain and show the clients the constellations in a very didactic way, which will allow them to learn a lot about the universe that surrounds us.
Among the best places for stargazing, the Tenerife Tourist Board recommends, above all, the Guajara mountain, the highest peak of the Cañadas del Teide anfiteatre and an ideal place for observing the firmament. “Reaching it involves walking trails of some difficulty, but even so it is a highly recommended place,” Pérez acknowledges.
“The viewpoints of the Teide Park are other great places for stargazing, as they are located in strategic places, usually high up and with excellent visibility. Llano de Ucanca is one of the best,” continues the councillor. “At 2,400 metres above sea level, in the Izaña area, are the telescopes of the Teide Observatory, part of the Canary Islands Astrophysics Institute, proof of the excellent quality of the island’s sky. The very afined can even ask for a guided tour to see the ins and outs of these enormous apparatus, and how scientists from all over the world work on them”.
Finally, David Pérez gives visitors several recommendations: “The first piece of advice for proper stargazing is to be in a place far away from any important source of light. This means avoiding cities and also the moon, especially when it is full.
Also avoid roads and, if you have a torch, put a red sticky strip on it to illuminate only what is necessary to read a celestial map,” he continues. “Observing the sky also requires space, so it is best to choose an open place with the widest possible field of view. Finally, it is advisable to always bring warm clothing, as the best viewing areas are at the highest points on the island; and then, of course, binoculars attached to a tripod or telescope.
