DE 
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ES Who’s who in the Canary Sky?
On the Canary Islands, the journey to the stars begins right at the horizon. One of the great attractions of the archipelago is its clear sky, which delights every astronomy enthusiast, but also anyone who looks up at night – because it’s impossible to resist the pull of the beauty of so many celestial bodies above our heads. Children are fascinated by it. Of course they are.
Holiday Accommodation Canary Islands
The big Telescope of the Canary Islands – Gran Telescopio Canarias
On the Canary Islands you’ll find the Gran Telescopio Canarias – more precisely, at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma at an altitude of 2.396 metres – because from there you can see everything better. There is hardly any light pollution, a treasure that is becoming increasingly rare in the world.
It is the largest optical telescope in the world, with which astronomers can learn more about black holes, distant galaxies, and even the early universe after the Big Bang.
La Palma and Tenerife are also considered so-called Starlight Reserves – officially protected areas where the night sky is preserved and studied. Here you’ll find one of the clearest skies in Europe.
Best during New Moon
But that’s too much for the little ones and the uninitiated. That’s why we suggest finding a quiet spot on one of the islands – perhaps on a small hill or in a nature park – and simply sitting or lying down on a clear night to admire the spectacle above you.
Telescope? No, not really necessary.
Binoculars? Not necessarily either.
Of course, binoculars are always helpful, but the clear Canarian sky allows you to see wonders with the naked eye that remain hidden to most visitors in their places of origin.
Children also have very good eyesight – they will be thrilled!
It’s best to move a bit away from populated areas, whose lights can impair the view, and look for a place with a clear horizon – without trees or mountains in sight. And: new moon nights are best, because without moonlight you can see the Milky Way, constellations, shooting stars, galaxies, planets, and satellites much more clearly.
Stars twinkle, Planets don’t
Because in the sky, you don’t just see stars. In fact, it’s the stars that twinkle, because their light flickers as it passes through the Earth’s atmosphere.
Planets, on the other hand, don’t flicker – they shine more steadily and brightly. They are much closer to us and appear as small discs. This makes them easier to recognise:
Venus shines white-yellow,
Mars appears reddish,
Saturn has an orange glow,
And Jupiter, the largest planet, is also very bright – often the brightest point in the sky after the Moon.
With a simple app on your smartphone (e.g. SkyView, Night Sky or Star Walk), these planets can be easily identified.
The movement of the Sky
Due to the Earth’s rotation and its orbit around the Sun, the sky is constantly changing: Over the course of a night, the stars “wander” from east to west. From month to month, different constellations appear.
That’s why it can be helpful to use a planisphere – a rotating star chart – or an app that shows you what is currently visible.
The Great Bear – A Guide in the Sky
Aside from quadrants, degrees and coordinates used to measure the sky, for beginners – and especially for children – it’s best to start with constellations.
One of the best-known constellations in the northern hemisphere is the Great Bear, often called the Big Dipper. Its shape resembles a ladle or a wagon – hence the name.
It consists of seven main stars: Merak, Dubhe, Megrez, Phecda, Alioth, Mizar, and Benetnasch. It is visible all year round in the northern hemisphere and helps us find our way to a very special star: the North Star.
The north star shows the way north
The two stars Merak and Dubhe, which stand at the “edge” of the Dipper, point the way to the North Star, which almost exactly marks true north.
If you draw an imaginary line from Merak to Dubhe and extend it about five times, you will come to the brightest star of the Little Bear – that is the North Star.
A simple trick to navigate by the night sky – and at the same time an opportunity to show children that you can find your way with the help of the stars.
Even more to marvel at: The Milky Way and Shooting Stars
On especially clear nights in the Canary Islands, you can also see the glowing band of the Milky Way, our galaxy. Especially on moonless summer nights, it looks like a glittering river of light stretching across the sky – a moment for awe and silence.
In August (around the 12th), the Perseids appear, a particularly active meteor shower. It’s as if the sky comes alive – and those who watch closely can count dozens of shooting stars in one night. Don’t forget to make a wish!
And December is also worth looking up: that’s when the Geminids are active, often even more intense than the Perseids. Their meteors are particularly bright and colourful – an impressive spectacle in the long, clear winter nights of the Canaries.
What else is there to discover?
The Canarian sky has many other surprises:
Zodiacal light: a faint glow shortly after sunset – visible only in very dark places.
Satellites and Starlink trains: bright points moving steadily – especially exciting for children.
ISS (International Space Station): it regularly passes visibly across the sky.
With the Heavens Above app or on NASA’s website, you can predict the exact times.
The best places for stargazing
Here are some especially recommended spots in the Canaries:
La Palma: Roque de los Muchachos, Llano del Jable
Tenerife: Teide National Park, Izaña Observatory
Fuerteventura: Mirador Astronómico de Sicasumbre
Lanzarote: volcanic landscapes around Timanfaya
El Hierro: Mirador de La Peña, Mirador de Jinama
Many of these places are equipped with information boards and platforms – ideal for a night-time family outing.
Flexibly to the most beautiful stargazing spots – Exploring by rental car
If you want to discover the clear skies, secluded viewpoints, and best stargazing spots of the Canary Islands on your own, a rental car is the ideal companion for your astro-holiday. Many of the most beautiful observation spots are far from towns and tourist centres – exactly where it’s darkest and the view into space is most spectacular.
With your own car, you can reach remote plateaus, high volcanic peaks, or lonely stretches of coastline flexibly and independently. Whether you make a spontaneous stop for the sunset, watch the stars deep into the night, or return comfortably to your accommodation after a night-time sky adventure – a rental car gives you the freedom to experience the night sky of the Canaries entirely at your own pace.
Car rental offers Canary Islands
Conclusion: The sky over the Canary Islands is more than just beautiful – it is a gateway to the universe. And above all: a place to experience, marvel, and learn together. With children, stargazing becomes a magical adventure that stays in memory – and doesn’t require any expensive equipment.
Start your journey to the stars with us!
You don’t just want to see the fascinating night sky of the Canaries, but live right in the middle of it? Then you’ve come to the right place. We arrange individually selected holiday accommodations on all seven islands – perfect for your astro-holiday between volcanoes, coasts, and twinkling stars.
Whether it’s a cosy country house far from lights, a quiet apartment with an open view of the sky, a modern holiday home with a terrace for stargazing, or a charming finca surrounded by untouched nature – we’ll find the right accommodation for you!
Contact us now – and let us expertly guide you in planning your individual stargazing adventure in the Canaries. This way, your journey between volcanoes and galaxies is guaranteed to be unforgettable.
Email:
Phone: +34 675 400 700
