Stargazing in Tenerife

With its jet black skies and clear weather, Tenerife is one of the most spectacular spots for stargazing. If you’re lucky, you’ll see thousands of stars beaming overhead.

The Milky Way is especially visible, stretching across the sky like a streak of white light. With no light pollution to interfere, you can even see some of the faintest stars with the naked eye.

The island is home to several astronomical observatories that host stargazing tours in Tenerife, making it a mecca for amateur and professional stargazers alike.

Here's everything you need to know about stargazing, one of the most exciting outdoor activities in Tenerife.

What are the most popular stargazing tours in Tenerife?

Self driving sunset and stargazing tour in Tenerife

If you'd like stargazing tours in Tenerife with more freedom and flexibility, you may enjoy this unique self-drive excursion.

You'll stargaze from the base of Pico Vieco after watching the sunset over the island from a different perspective — on top of the clouds.

Our pick: Self Driving Teide National Park Stargazing

• Duration: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Price: From €35
• Languages: English, Spanish
• Meeting point: Mines of San José

Teide National Park stargazing experience

After the fiery sun sets in the sky, you'll begin your stargazing tour. The Mount Teide National Park is free from light pollution and provides an inky black environment to see hundreds of stars.

With a telescope and the help of your professional guide, you'll learn to spot different constellations and learn about their origins.

Our pick: Sunset & Stargazing Experience From Teide

• Duration: 6 hours
• Price: From €45
• Languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
• Pickup: Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos or Las Américas

Romantic sunset and stargazing tour with dinner

If you want to up the romance stakes, choose a tour that includes a sumptuous dinner before exploring the sky at night. You'll travel to a local restaurant for dinner before continuing to the observatory which sits atop one of the tallest volcanoes in the world.

You'll spend the sunset on top of the mountain with unlimited cava before witnessing the magic that unfolds, as the sky fills with glistening stars.

Our pick: Teide Guided Sunset and Stargazing Tour with Dinner

• Duration: 9 hours
• Price: From €79
• Languages: Dutch, French, English, German
• Pickup: Between Los Gigantes and Los Cristianos

Can stargazing be combined with other activities?

Private Teide National Park hiking and stargazing tour

The Teide National Park is magnificent by day, as well as at night. On this private tour, you'll hike through a pine forest in order to ascend the vast volcano that sits proudly at the center of the island.

Once you've reached the summit, you'll celebrate your efforts with a glass of local wine before embarking on your night sky tour by telescope. For the duration of this tour, you'll have a professional guide on hand to show you fascinating spots within the park and help you discover many constellations.

Private hiking tours with a stargazing experience in Tenerife include round-trip transportation, a private guide, alcohol and snacks. You'll also be provided with hiking poles and blankets.

Our pick: Private Teide National Park Hiking and Stargazing

• Duration: 7 hours
• Price: From €129
• Languages: English, Spanish
• Pickup: Northeast – Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Bajamar

What are the prices of stargazing tours in Tenerife?

Stargazing tours in Tenerife's Teide National Park start at €35 per participant. This includes insurance, an astronomical guide and the use of a telescope.

Stargazing tours with dinner include a meal, hotel pickup and drop-off, alcohol at sunset, and a stargazing experience for €80 a person.

What's included?

Stargazing adventures in Tenerife usually include the use of telescopes to spot constellations throughout the night sky. Your tour will be guided by a professional astronomer who will help you to gain the most from your experience.

Depending on the tour you take, you may also have dinner included, and, if so, this will be at a local Canarian restaurant. You'll often be offered a glass of fizzy wine while watching the sunset.

Where do stargazing tours in Tenerife start?

Some stargazing tours in Tenerife include a pickup from your hotel. There are often location restrictions on this, and some will only pick you up from a certain part of the island.

In some cases, you'll be required to meet at a starting location that is predetermined before you book. This means you’ll have ample opportunity to arrange your transportation there.

How long do stargazing tours last?

Tenerife stargazing tours can last as little as 1 hour or as long as 9 hours. Those that last one to 2 hours will start and end at the Teide Observatory and only include stargazing.

When is the best time go stargazing?

The best time to go stargazing in Tenerife is when there are less clouds, ideally between March and October.

What happens in case of bad weather?

As Tenerife stargazing excursions take place outside, the tour requires good weather. In cases of rain or storms, you'll be offered a different date. If this isn't appropriate for you, you'll be provided with a full refund.

Travel tips

• Stargazing excursions often include some walking. Wear hiking shoes for the most enjoyable trip.
• The temperature on the summit of the volcano drops drastically overnight. While some stargazing tours in Tenerife provide thick coats, others do not. Check whether yours does, and if not, wrap up warm.
• Book your tour in advance as stargazing is a popular activity on the island.