From the Perseids to the eclipse of August 12th, here’s why astrotourism in the Canary Islands has become an international model and what experiences to live island by island
Every August we entrust a silent list of wishes to the sky. We wait for the Perseids, we look for a luminous trail in the darkness and, for a few seconds, we go back to believing that all we need to do is raise our eyes to change perspective. In the Canary Islands, however, the show does not end on the Night of San Lorenzo. Here the Milky Way, constellations and planets are part of the landscape all year round, protected by some of the strictest legislation against light pollution.
August 12th will offer one more reason to look upwards: the partial solar eclipse will be added to the Perseids, transforming the archipelago into one of the most evocative places in Europe to experience the astronomical events of the summer. But it would be simplistic to leave for the Canary Islands for just one date. Between observatories built above the clouds, volcanic paths to follow at sunset and viewpoints immersed in the darkness, these islands have transformed the sky into a different way of travelling.
Because in the Canary Islands the stars can be seen better
The quality of the sky over the Canary Islands does not only depend on the geographical position. It is the result of a rare combination of natural conditions and environmental protection policies.
Since 1988 a Spanish law known as Ley of Heaven protects the archipelago from light, radioelectric and atmospheric pollution, also regulating air routes that could compromise astronomical observations. The trade winds, the altitude and the low level of artificial lighting also contribute to creating exceptional conditions for observing the sky.
The international Starlight certifications also confirm the value of this heritage. La Palma and Tenerife boast the double recognition of Starlight Reserve And Starlight Tourist DestinationFuerteventura is one Starlight Reservewhile Gran Canaria is one Starlight Tourist Destination.
The astronomical observatories are among the most important in the world
The prestige of the Canary Islands is also linked to the presence of world-famous astronomical observatories, such as those of Teide, in Tenerife, and Roque de los Muchachos, in La Palma.
Over time, an increasingly complex tourist offer has grown around these scientific structures. Stargazing no longer just means taking part in an evening with a telescope, but coming into contact with the territory from a different perspective: climbing above a sea of clouds, walking a path at sunset, recognizing constellations and planets or simply rediscovering the privilege of darkness and silence.
La Palma, where the Andromeda Galaxy can also be seen
La Palma is probably the island that best illustrates the link between scientific research and astronomical tourism.
The route to the Roque de los Muchachos leads above 2,400 meters altitude, where observers emerge above the characteristic sea of clouds that often envelops the island. The Galileo National Telescope is also located here, one of the most prestigious scientific structures in the archipelago.
For over a decade La Palma has transformed this heritage into a complete tourist experience, with guided excursions, observation evenings, workshops, astrophotography courses and accommodation facilities dedicated to astrotourism. In places like Llanos del Jable, during the clearest nights, it is even possible to distinguish the Andromeda Galaxy with the naked eye.
Tenerife, between volcanoes, sunsets and constellations
In Tenerife the journey among the stars begins before it even gets dark.
In Teide National Park, the sunset over the Atlantic transforms the volcanic landscape into an expanse of red and ocher shades. High altitude paths, such as the one that leads to Guajara, become privileged points from which to witness the slow appearance of the first stars.
When night takes the place of day, specialized guides accompany visitors to discover constellations, planets and galaxies. It is precisely the dialogue between the terrestrial and celestial landscape that makes Tenerife one of the symbolic destinations of European astrotourism.
Fuerteventura and El Hierro, the charm of absolute darkness
For those looking for a more immersive experience away from urban lights, Fuerteventura and El Hierro offer even more essential scenarios.
In Fuerteventura, Sicasumbre is the first astronomical viewpoint on the island. Even those without specific knowledge can orient themselves among the stars and constellations thanks to the information panels installed in the area. Not far away, in the open expanses of Tefía, just move away from artificial light sources and spread a blanket to let the Milky Way dominate the landscape.
In El Hierro, however, the Mirador Astronómico de Malpaso offers a scenario in which, on the clearest nights, the border between the ocean and the celestial vault seems to dissolve.
Gran Canaria, when the sky becomes an itinerary
In Gran Canaria, astrotourism also becomes a way to explore the hinterland.
A network of astronomical viewpoints connects some of the most evocative landscapes on the island, inviting you to travel along scenic roads, stop in small villages and move away from urban areas after sunset. Here the observation of the sky is intertwined with the discovery of the local gastronomy, the traditions and the slower rhythms of the island.
Not just Perseids: in the Canary Islands the stars are observed all year round
The Perseids and the partial eclipse of August 12th are an invitation to look up, but in the Canary Islands the sky is not just a spectacle linked to a seasonal event.
It is a heritage to be experienced throughout the year, thanks to the quality of the atmosphere, the protection against light pollution, the presence of international observatories and a tourist offer built around the night. When darkness becomes part of the landscape again, the way we travel also changes: we slow down, listen to the silence and discover that, sometimes, the most surprising destination is right above our heads.
