Stars in Your Eyes! Top Stargazing Experiences in The Canary Islands

Celebrate International Moon Day, July 20th with an unforgettable experience in the Canary Islands. Known for their idyllic geography and unparalleled clarity of protected skies, these islands are the ultimate destination for year-round stargazing. Protected by the ‘Sky Law’, ensuring unobstructed stargazing opportunities, The Canary Islands have some of Europe’s best stargazing viewpoints.

The Canary Islands house renowned astronomic facilities for cosmic studies and astrophysical experiments, including the GREGOR Solar Telescope, Europe’s largest, and the prestigious Roque de los Muchachos Astrophysical Observatory. These centers, located 2,400 meters above sea level, are open to the public, while private enterprises organize guided nocturnal trails and stargazing sessions at spectacular viewpoints.

There are three locations in The Canary Islands that have been certified as Starlight Reserves: the island of La Palma, Fuerteventura, and the Teide and peaks of Tenerife. This certification is awarded to places that have maintained their natural light influence intact and are therefore perfect for stargazing. As well as having beautiful skies that are protected from light pollution, Gran Canaria also has a lot of infrastructure and tourist activities aimed at enjoying and protecting this natural resource, which is why it has been declared a UNESCO Starlight Tourist Destination.

Top viewpoints for stargazing in the Canary Islands

La Palma

Located in the west of the island, the San Borondón Viewpoint offers clear views of the North Star and the Cassiopeia and Cepheus constellations.

Lanzarote and La Graciosa

On summer nights, when the moon isn’t visible, you can see the teapot-shaped Sagittarius and the reddish Scorpius constellations from the Peñas del Chache Viewpoint.

Fuerteventura

From the Morro Velosa Viewpoint near Betancuria, you can clearly make out Cassiopeia’s ‘W’ shape and the Ursa Minor, with the North Star marking the north.

Gran Canaria

At Llanos de Garañón, which is 1,700 metres above sea level, you can see Gemini, Auriga, Taurus and Orion perfectly. They are especially beautiful in spring.

La Gomera

At 1,487 metres above sea level, El Alto de Garajonay, the highest point on the island, is a natural viewpoint that is perfect for seeing constellations such as Orion, Gemini, Sagittarius, Scorpius and the Ursa Minor, thanks to the island’s scarce light pollution.

El Hierro

Until 1885, the prime meridian passed through Cape Orchilla, where the Orchilla Lighthouse was built. A perfect place from which to clearly distinguish the Taurus constellation.

Tenerife

The El Palmar Viewpoint, in the town of Buenavista, located in the north of the island, is an excellent location for seeing Orion and his hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor, especially at the end of the year.