Teide Observatory Visit: Discover the world's largest solar observatory in Canary Islands

Explore the Teide Observatory, the world’s largest solar observatory in the Canary Islands. Discover the daily activities of researchers and enjoy a guided tour of this incredible facility.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Observatorio del Teide - Our guides will make you feel like a scientist for a day as during this tour of the Teide Observatory:
    You will be introduced to the importance of the sky in the Canary Islands, the Teide Observatory telescopes and the different projects of the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics, the institution that manages this…
What's Included
    • Expert local guide
    • Informative guided tour of the Observatory
What's Not Included
  • Food and beverages
  • Children under 8 years old
Additional Information

This expert-led two-hour tour gives you an insight into the Observatory and its researchers’ day-to-day work, making it a fun learning experience. The Canary Islands, next to Chile and Hawaii, is one of the three prime locations globally to view the heavens. The Teide Observatory is recognised as the world’s biggest solar observatory, housing a…

Location
Observatorio del Teide
Tf-514, Km 1
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.2
(32 Ratings)
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Juanjogp800
Aug 28, 2024
It's not just the route... Thank you Adrian (Guide). - Our intention was to enjoy the Teide, but at the end of the guided tour, I am left with the feeling of having lived more than just a route. The experience was incredible thanks to the professionalism, knowledge and passion of our Guide, Adrian. Thank you, Adrian, for making this visit unforgettable! ; )
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lena_l
Jun 12, 2024
Wow - Great guide that was telling us a lot of interesting facts and stories, Fantastic view and a very interesting Observatory . Nice to see the sun thru the telescope .
Review provided by Viator
Dah83
Feb 2, 2020
Fantastic Informed Trip - This was a fantastic little tour that we did for a few hours in the afternoon. Our tour guide (sorry I don't remember his name) was fantastic and patient with a mixed group of people. The tour is quite scientific, so if you aren't into it I wouldn't recommend this trip. I probably wouldn't recommend taking children, if they aren't interested, as they can become very disinterested (as the children did in our group) As with all the views up this high, they are spectacular and where the telescopes are positioned it feels like you are sitting on the clouds. If you love science, astronomy or geopraphy I would highly recommend this little trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Derick
Oct 8, 2019
An unmissable experience in Tenerife - A very interesting and rewarding tour. Jesus, our guide, was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable throughout the 90 minutes tour and appeared to maintain the interest of our small group at all times. We had the opportunity to visit the interior of one of the observatories and also view, and see the texture of, the sun through two exterior smaller telescopes (a solar flare was in progress, having started just a few days earlier, so that was an added bonus). Even if you have only the slightest interest in what happens outside the Earth or where we are in our solar system, our galaxy or the universe then this is a must-do visit in Tenerife.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Therealmicha
Oct 2, 2024
"The first time you never forget" or "An interesting tour, but only the first time!" - Soooo... We have this tour now in total. Made twice. Both times in German. I.e. just with a very good German speaking tour guide from the island. We did the first tour about 7 to 8 years ago and the second tour now at the end of September 2024. The group size was the same on both tours and was estimated at 15 to 20 people. The guide is very friendly, seems to know the island very well and explains everything about the observatory accordingly in detail. Of course, he is happy to answer questions and also answers them in detail. Of course, the scientific aspects are not neglected and the whole thing is backed up with videos and a small practical example. As described, you can still look at the sun through two telescopes. With the attached filters and a little luck, you can see e.g. a solar flare or even the known sunspots. But don't expect too much here! The whole thing is of course rounded off with a great view of e.g. the Teide or a great cloud cover. In short.: For a one-time tour, the price/performance ratio is absolutely fine! Recommended equally for everyone. I.e. from Ottonormalo to aspiring amateur astronomer. For everything about it, the topics are more or less old hat. Think of the sunscreen, the water and the fact that the air at round about 2200 meters is a little thinner than right by the sea. Also for this reason you should be there 30min before!! What I personally thought was a real shame is the fact that the tour hasn’t changed a bit. The tour about 7 to 8 years ago was absolutely identical in terms of the procedure. Since I was still a hobby photographer at the time, I took many photos and accordingly a certain documentation about it. With the usual tourist tours, I wouldn't have been surprised. But here I would not have expected this to happen, not on such a subject with scientific aspects.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vijay_from_surrey
Dec 21, 2023
Had better observatory tours, looking through a telescope was limited - The guide was fine and knowledgeable. There was a lot of talking and not much showing. We saw the sun through a couple of small telescopes. Was hoping to see through one of the large permanent ones so that was a let down compared to other observatory tours we have done such as Herstmonceux but this may be a function of the telescopes being owned by various organisations/counties.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q8866glnataliag
Aug 18, 2024
Disappointment - We have been disappointed: too scientific. For students or experts well but not for a family visit with children: we get bored and the attitude of the Guide a bit "cool in the subject". The duration extended it too far. I greatly appreciate calling and waiting for us to be late but we have to make it more entertaining less talk of "projects". The astronomical center of Tiedra in Valladolid your Guide explains, gives data of the sun, makes it enjoyable... I did not learn anything or the children. In that heat in August you can't hear us in the sun, in the video without any ventilation...
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maps57540904054
May 24, 2023
A dull, overlong tour - We took the tour on a cloudy day where someone fell ill along the way, so there were extenuating circumstances. But the guide made what could have been fascinating a very boring experience - way too much talk, with lots of random, uninteresting facts. We told the guide we had to get to the cable cars at a certain time - nevertheless he ran way over for no apparent reason and made us late. One to avoid.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stay825174
Apr 19, 2024
Regrettable experience - Once we arrived at Teide for our visit, we received the message that it was cancelled. This was after the time of booking. They told us that we could request a refund or exchange, but they insisted that the most advisable thing was to change the date of the visit. The second time they also canceled our visit. We made a third attempt for Saturday at 4 p.m., but at 11 a.m. it was still not possible to get on and we were far from it, so we opted to cancel it so as not to be surprised that they would cancel it again one day. time there. An hour later visits were enabled and we bought a new ticket with which we made the visit. The amount we paid for our first reservation was never returned. It has been complained in multiple ways without any response. My advice is that if your visit is cancelled, request a refund of the amount and do not run the risk of them later giving you excuses to refuse your refund, when they are the ones who have canceled your visit. Unfortunate management and scammers, since they indicate that the return will be made and then make excuses not to make it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robypu
Jan 30, 2020
Unpleasant experience - We booked this event through Viator web site, but we went to the wrong address for this event. We found this address on the Viator web pages. After we realized this, we were not able to arrive at the correct events address on time, because we were late. When asked for a refund they replied that we need to contact TripAdvisor, which we did not use for this booking?
Review provided by Viator
From $22
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).