In addition to its mountains, valleys, beaches, shopping, and villages, Gran Canaria offers another unique activity: stargazing, which makes it an astronomical paradise in Europe.
No spacesuit or spaceship required. You can easily journey to the stars by boarding a plane and taking a short flight to this beautiful island. Gran Canaria is the ultimate destination for stargazing enthusiasts.
Its unique geographic location in the Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Africa, combined with the island’s excellent year-round temperatures, make it the perfect complement to any vacation. Due to Gran Canaria’s altitude and the trade winds preventing cloud formation, the sky of the entire northern hemisphere and 80% of the southern hemisphere can be seen at any time of the year from the island’s observatory. It is the perfect place to see constellations and celestial bodies that are not visible from the mainland. Thousands come here each year to capture the stars of the distant South with their cameras and telescopes.
Just as the ancient inhabitants of the island used the stars to guide their way, families, enthusiasts, experts, and the curious can confidently enjoy observing the same sky in Gran Canaria. Observation activities begin at sunset and vary based on the season. After spending a day at Maspalomas Beach sailing, strolling around Mogán’s port area, or touring the historic center of Las Palmas, visitors can confidently embark on an adventure to the island’s 11 most significant viewpoints, with the highest stretching an impressive 1,800 meters above sea level.
Experience one of many guided tours at the breathtaking Mirador Degollada de las Yeguas, located just a few kilometers north of Gran Canaria’s main tourist hubs of Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés. Don’t forget to wear comfortable clothing, and bring a flashlight to fully enjoy the experience. This area has been internationally recognized as a “Starlight Destination,” being certified as such for its clear pristine skies, which can be seen around most of the island.
The Mirador Degollada de las Yeguas viewpoint is the perfect spot to take in stunning meteor showers that create luminous trails that can measure tens or even hundreds of kilometers, an experience highly sought after by astronomy enthusiasts as it requires no optical instruments, just good visibility and open eyes.
Consider a visit to Pinos de Gáldar, which at an altitude of 1,546 meters can be accessed by ascending through the volcanic mountains to the center of Gran Canaria. This location is known as “the balcony to the northern sky,” and it offers an exceptional view of the northern constellations, including the popular Big Dipper.
Another must is a nighttime walk few kilometers southeast to one of the last active volcanic sites on the island. At an elevation of 1,528 meters above sea level the Caldera de los Marteles viewpoint, located in a nature reserve, provides an impressive panorama of the La Caldera de los Marteles crater, itself used for years for agricultural purposes. This site, located on the eastern slope amidst a stunning volcanic landscape and pine forest, offers breathtaking views of southern and southeastern skies. The Milky Way is prominently visible during the summer, making it an ideal location for stargazing.
Held every June, the Gran Canaria Star Party brings astronomy enthusiasts together to observe the stars and share experiences at the island’s various observatories. It is the ultimate for space vacationers. But regardless of expertise, every visitor to Gran Canaria will be amazed by this unique experience in which the stars are the hosts, and the observers become guests.
Companies Specializing in Astronomical Tourism
AstroEduca is the leading company in astronomical tourism, outreach, and the sale of astronomical equipment on the island of Gran Canaria. Founded in 1995, it has been the driving force behind the Gran Canaria Star Party, the most prestigious event in the field. Visitors to the company’s website can book private or group tours and spend a memorable evening stargazing.
Reservations are available every day of the year, ensuring that you can experience the wonders of the universe at your convenience.
AstroGC is the premier tourism company for stargazing experiences on Gran Canaria. Founded by Gauthier Dubois, a renowned expert on the island’s many peaks, AstroGC offers unparalleled opportunities for astronomy enthusiasts to explore the wonders of the night sky.
With reservations available every day of the year, you can trust AstroGC to provide an unforgettable stargazing experience.
