Teide Observatory is located high in the mountains, in Teide National Park in Tenerife, at about 2,390 meters above sea level. This observatory is considered one of the most important in Europe, especially for solar research, and scientists from all over the world work here.
Free for children and impressive for adults: a tour of Teide Observatory in Tenerife. A tour of Teide Observatory in Tenerife is a very memorable experience. We visited with children aged 10 and 12, and I can say right away that everyone enjoyed it.
Free for children and impressive for adults: a tour of Teide Observatory in Tenerife
Why is Teide Observatory so special?
Observatorio del Teide is not a museum. Instead, it is a working international science center where astronomers from different countries carry out research.
It stands out for several reasons:
- It is located at about 2,390 meters above sea level in Teide National Park.
- Here, the especially clean, dry, and stable air allows scientists to observe celestial objects.
- It is one of the most important places in the world for solar research.
- In addition, it is considered one of the best astronomical sites in the Northern Hemisphere.
What will you see during the tour?
A tour of Teide Observatory is educational, yet easy to understand. Therefore, it suits both children and adults.
During the tour:
- You visit different telescopes and solar observation equipment;
- You observe the Sun through two different telescopes;
- The guide explains in simple terms how scientists study the Sun and space;
- You also hear why this location is so important for global science.
It is important to know that this is a daytime tour. Night stargazing takes place in other programs. However, visiting the observatory itself is a unique experience.
The tour is free for children
A big advantage for families is that the tour is free for children under 16. However, it is important to understand one thing. This is not a museum or an interactive science center. Instead, it is a working observatory with certain rules. Visitors must listen, stay quiet, follow the schedule, and they cannot eat during the visit. You may bring water, and there are toilets on site.
The tour takes place with a guide in a foreign language. You can choose English, Spanish, German, or French. Therefore, before planning, it is very important to consider whether your child will understand the guide and stay focused for about 1.5 hours. In our case, we spent 2 hours there. For our 10 and 12 year old children, this was not a problem. The guide explained clearly and simply what we were seeing, how the telescopes work, and why this place is so important for science.
This tour is not intended for children younger than 8 years old. Before the tour, we were asked to show the children’s documents with their dates of birth. There are no separate activities for children, and there are no interactive games or tasks. Therefore, this is a classic educational tour that requires patience and concentration.
Where and how to book the tour?
Tours of Teide Observatory take place only with advance registration and in organized groups. The most convenient way to buy tickets is through our partners’ system.
The price includes a guide and entrance to the observatory grounds and the designated buildings.
You can also choose an organized full day trip by bus. However, if you want to observe the stars, we offer an exclusive Teide tour for small groups with a professional guide.
What is important to know before you go?
- Warmer clothing is necessary because it is cooler high in the mountains.
- Sunglasses will also be very useful.
- In summer, you will need sunscreen. In winter, you should still apply sun protection cream to your face.
Strong wind is possible. - The observatory is reached by mountain roads. Therefore, plan your time well and arrive about 15 to 30 minutes earlier.
- Bring identity documents for children.
- Also pay attention to health recommendations. The observatory is located at about 2,400 meters above sea level, where the oxygen level is lower. Therefore, the tour is not recommended for people with disabilities, because the path from the parking area is along narrow trails, or for those with general health problems such as anemia, heart disease, or respiratory disorders.
If you want to learn more about Teide, you can plan a full day. For example, first go up to Teide itself, and then visit the observatory. If you choose an afternoon tour of the observatory, you may also catch the sunset. In winter, the sun sets quite early, between 18:00 and 19:00. The guide recommends watching the sunset in winter from Mirador La Tarta viewpoint.
You can find more Teide viewpoints where you can stop comfortably and enjoy the scenery in the TOP30 viewpoints in Tenerife with children.
