Observatorio del Teide
Observatorio del Teide
4
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
Closed
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
547 reviews
Excellent
277
Very good
140
Average
55
Poor
36
Terrible
39
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scooby7910
Oldenburg, Germany613 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
We were at the observatory with our 12-year-old daughter and booked the official 8-hour Astronomic Tour including pick-up and picnic in English (or Spanish). Adults pay around 110,- Euro for the carefree package, but the tour is simply breathtaking!
Pick up by minibus in the south of the island around 17:00. First explanations about the origin of the island were already given on the way to the upper observatory. After about 1.5 hours we arrived there and were guided by our guide “Luc” over the extensive grounds. We were told the different telescopes until when we were allowed to marvel at the sun through the first two professional telescopes. With a fantastic view we could still enjoy the sunset. Just terrific. Then we went with two minibuses to the valley station of the Teide, where we enjoyed our booked picnic (large baguette, muffin, water). Then the night part began. We were shown countless constellations until we were allowed to look through two telescopes one after the other: Stars, nebula and moon. Just great. Around 1:00 we arrived at the hotel. A big thank you goes to our guide “Luc”, who is actually from Buenos Aires but lives and loves astronomy and made the tour a fantastic experience!
Pick up by minibus in the south of the island around 17:00. First explanations about the origin of the island were already given on the way to the upper observatory. After about 1.5 hours we arrived there and were guided by our guide “Luc” over the extensive grounds. We were told the different telescopes until when we were allowed to marvel at the sun through the first two professional telescopes. With a fantastic view we could still enjoy the sunset. Just terrific. Then we went with two minibuses to the valley station of the Teide, where we enjoyed our booked picnic (large baguette, muffin, water). Then the night part began. We were shown countless constellations until we were allowed to look through two telescopes one after the other: Stars, nebula and moon. Just great. Around 1:00 we arrived at the hotel. A big thank you goes to our guide “Luc”, who is actually from Buenos Aires but lives and loves astronomy and made the tour a fantastic experience!
Automatically translated
Written July 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James T
30 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
This was genuinely the highlight of our holiday here! The entire trip me and my girlfriend were in awe of how beautiful it was and the information being passed to us! Yes it does get cold in the second half but if you wrap up warm its worth every bit of what you pay for it and we would definitely do it again
Written November 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Expedition795531
10 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
After climbing to Teide summit we have had reserved Observatory tour( you need to book in advance this). After reading other reviews I was reserved but this was realy great and interesting expiwrence! The most important- the guide was brilliant- very enthusiastic!
Written March 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fimonkey
uk139 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We booked an English tour. Euro 35 each. Sadly our guide appeared uninterested, he was mumbling, did not speak clearly, made tenuous links (at one point talked about a footballers salary??), and in some instances was completely incorrect in the information he gave (I am not an expert, but I read information guides and QR codes that gave clearer information and explained better than the guide did). In 90 minutes we looked through a telescope at solar flares and sunspots (really cool), sat in a dome and looked at a PowerPoint with poor explanations (yawn), then saw a really old telescope with no explanation of how it worked. At this point some of our group walked away. The guide became grumpy and ended the tour prematurely.
At the same time a German tour was taking place. The guide received a round of applause!
It is great to see the area, but read up before you go and do not rely on the guide having any knowledge or enthusiasm.
We did complain to the other guide who spoke English, German and Dutch. She did not offer a refund or any way to complain.
I would not recommend this price if the guide is so poor, read it on the internet instead,
At the same time a German tour was taking place. The guide received a round of applause!
It is great to see the area, but read up before you go and do not rely on the guide having any knowledge or enthusiasm.
We did complain to the other guide who spoke English, German and Dutch. She did not offer a refund or any way to complain.
I would not recommend this price if the guide is so poor, read it on the internet instead,
Written November 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donald T
London, UK14 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
As with other reviewers, we had the misfortune to have a certain guide. He is an affable chap but totally incompetent as a tour guide. He appears unable to impart even the simplest of information about the observatory, the telescopes there, or the use of the data.
He did not even give us the most basic of information - how this international site worked, the different types of observations. Damn, he didn’t even tell us how many telescopes there were.
He spent the whole time trying to tell us funny stories and jokes, with little if any link to the site or astronomy. On a number of occasions, he even started to tell us some fact, then said he couldn’t remember the information.
Several times, he received messages in his earpiece from the organiser to tell him to hurry up. He said “one minute” and then carried on for ten with endless anecdotes. Our tour thus overran - due to all his senseless waffling - and we learned virtually nothing.
Luckily we met one of the organisers who said he was actually an astronomer and we managed 5 minutes with him to at least get some basic information.
The tour was a complete waste of time and money.
And what annoys me the most in all of this, and pushed me to write this negative review, is that others have already written the same, and the company said they had take measures. Clearly they haven’t.
Honestly, with an hour’s research on internet and a colourful PowerPoint presentation, most people could have done much better.
He did not even give us the most basic of information - how this international site worked, the different types of observations. Damn, he didn’t even tell us how many telescopes there were.
He spent the whole time trying to tell us funny stories and jokes, with little if any link to the site or astronomy. On a number of occasions, he even started to tell us some fact, then said he couldn’t remember the information.
Several times, he received messages in his earpiece from the organiser to tell him to hurry up. He said “one minute” and then carried on for ten with endless anecdotes. Our tour thus overran - due to all his senseless waffling - and we learned virtually nothing.
Luckily we met one of the organisers who said he was actually an astronomer and we managed 5 minutes with him to at least get some basic information.
The tour was a complete waste of time and money.
And what annoys me the most in all of this, and pushed me to write this negative review, is that others have already written the same, and the company said they had take measures. Clearly they haven’t.
Honestly, with an hour’s research on internet and a colourful PowerPoint presentation, most people could have done much better.
Written May 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul H
4 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Having studied astronomy/astrophyiscs most of my life, this was a great opportunity to get up and close to a world class high altitude observatory with some great telescopes. I was expecting a professional guide, someone who perhaps worked or studied there to give us a good explanation to the site as a whole and what individual telescopes were used for. Sadly, this wasn't the case.
The tour guide we had was a Spanish guy called Carmelo, who worked for VolcanoTeide as an independent tour guide. I know this is how most of the excursions are run, but I would have expected someone with a specialist qualification or skillset to run this level of tour, rather than some local guy who likes astronomy.
Had he been upbeat, confident, and enthusiastic he probably would have been a good guide (like the fellow German guide who walked around with the other half of the group who was fantastic). Unfortunately, he seemed utterly miserable and totally unable to explain anything. He constantly mumbled, talked to himself very quietly and had an inability to explain the most basic of concepts without going off on a 10 minute detour about things that had nothing to do with what he started talking about. Some people who asked him questions were left speechless with some of his answers, and so was I. On one occasion after spending 5 minutes talking utter nonsense in response to someones question, he stopped himself and said "Sorry, what was the question again?" I spent half the tour explaining to other members of the tour what he was "trying" to say.
The last stop of the tour saw 3-4 of our group members walk off is disgust, having not understood or learnt anything in the previous 90min. To be honest walking around and reading the information boards would teach you more than Carmelo would be capable of explaining. The guide walked out of the observatory we were in to go and speak to them. He came back inside, told us all a sorry story why he wasn't very good at his job and then just walked off. Literally just abandoned maybe 15 tourists in a state of the art observatory with millions of Euros worth of equipment, and vanished. He'd just quit in a huff and ended the tour because his pride had been hurt. We were left having to figure out how to get back to the meeting area/car park on our own. VERY unprofessional.
I can imagine the same tour with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide would have been great.
The tour guide we had was a Spanish guy called Carmelo, who worked for VolcanoTeide as an independent tour guide. I know this is how most of the excursions are run, but I would have expected someone with a specialist qualification or skillset to run this level of tour, rather than some local guy who likes astronomy.
Had he been upbeat, confident, and enthusiastic he probably would have been a good guide (like the fellow German guide who walked around with the other half of the group who was fantastic). Unfortunately, he seemed utterly miserable and totally unable to explain anything. He constantly mumbled, talked to himself very quietly and had an inability to explain the most basic of concepts without going off on a 10 minute detour about things that had nothing to do with what he started talking about. Some people who asked him questions were left speechless with some of his answers, and so was I. On one occasion after spending 5 minutes talking utter nonsense in response to someones question, he stopped himself and said "Sorry, what was the question again?" I spent half the tour explaining to other members of the tour what he was "trying" to say.
The last stop of the tour saw 3-4 of our group members walk off is disgust, having not understood or learnt anything in the previous 90min. To be honest walking around and reading the information boards would teach you more than Carmelo would be capable of explaining. The guide walked out of the observatory we were in to go and speak to them. He came back inside, told us all a sorry story why he wasn't very good at his job and then just walked off. Literally just abandoned maybe 15 tourists in a state of the art observatory with millions of Euros worth of equipment, and vanished. He'd just quit in a huff and ended the tour because his pride had been hurt. We were left having to figure out how to get back to the meeting area/car park on our own. VERY unprofessional.
I can imagine the same tour with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide would have been great.
Written November 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carsten P
2 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
It maybe would had been Nice, but after retning a Car to get their on the day, and it took a 2 hour drive from our hotel, we decided to go there early when the tickets said we should be there half an hour ealier.
We arrived an hour before time and walked around the area while waiting for the guide. Suddenly other guests were showing up, telling us the tour was cancelled. I checkes My e-mail, which wasnt updating due to bad connection, they send the update 45 mins before we should be there. Most People would have like 1 hour 20 mins drive to the Location, which is really bad service.
However, in the e-mail they said the cancellation was due to bad weather conditions. Now, I'm No astronomer, I just have a huge interest in it, and I can't seem to find anything, on how a clear blue sky on the tip of a mountain can be "bad weather conditions" seems like a really bad excuse to me, but inform me please, if you know something I dont.. Also, we saw People getting a guided tour when we arrived to the spot. I gues those weather conditions didn't affect those groups.
The trip up there was a better experience than what we got obviously. I was looking forward to this, as it was the fifth time visiting tenerife, but hadnt had the chance to see the Observatory. This was a big let down for me. And I'm not going to be visiting again, as if a clear blue sky can be bad weather conditions, every day must be a coinflip then.
Sorry, but I just can't recommend this.
We arrived an hour before time and walked around the area while waiting for the guide. Suddenly other guests were showing up, telling us the tour was cancelled. I checkes My e-mail, which wasnt updating due to bad connection, they send the update 45 mins before we should be there. Most People would have like 1 hour 20 mins drive to the Location, which is really bad service.
However, in the e-mail they said the cancellation was due to bad weather conditions. Now, I'm No astronomer, I just have a huge interest in it, and I can't seem to find anything, on how a clear blue sky on the tip of a mountain can be "bad weather conditions" seems like a really bad excuse to me, but inform me please, if you know something I dont.. Also, we saw People getting a guided tour when we arrived to the spot. I gues those weather conditions didn't affect those groups.
The trip up there was a better experience than what we got obviously. I was looking forward to this, as it was the fifth time visiting tenerife, but hadnt had the chance to see the Observatory. This was a big let down for me. And I'm not going to be visiting again, as if a clear blue sky can be bad weather conditions, every day must be a coinflip then.
Sorry, but I just can't recommend this.
Written February 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mike l
London, UK57 contributions
Jan 2020
We booked on line for 3pm, as nearby walking we arrived at 2.15 instead of the recommended 2.30.
The first entrance was closed by a cable, the second said no entry.
We therefore drove further along the road which eventually was a Spanish defence area.
We turned around and were going to drive back to the main road to look for other entrances when we saw 2 other cars at the second of the closed entrances.
They were waiting for the tour.
There was no notice to say, wait here for the next tour, that would have helped.
Many other cars were doing what we did.
When someone eventually came, they said 7 signed up people had not turned up, quite likely they came early and gave up.
The tour started off badly as we were spoken to outside for 30 mins at 4 degrees with a biting wind.
The rest of the tour was better though we were all frozen by then.
The guide was French and whilst his English was ok a native speaker would have been able to explain better.
The location was interesting but spoiled by the poor organisation.
Overall poor value for money.
The first entrance was closed by a cable, the second said no entry.
We therefore drove further along the road which eventually was a Spanish defence area.
We turned around and were going to drive back to the main road to look for other entrances when we saw 2 other cars at the second of the closed entrances.
They were waiting for the tour.
There was no notice to say, wait here for the next tour, that would have helped.
Many other cars were doing what we did.
When someone eventually came, they said 7 signed up people had not turned up, quite likely they came early and gave up.
The tour started off badly as we were spoken to outside for 30 mins at 4 degrees with a biting wind.
The rest of the tour was better though we were all frozen by then.
The guide was French and whilst his English was ok a native speaker would have been able to explain better.
The location was interesting but spoiled by the poor organisation.
Overall poor value for money.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, we are sorry that you couldnt enjoy the activity. We truly appreciate you letting you us know about your concerns. They have been addressed with our team.
Written January 15, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steve
Cullompton, UK1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Couples
Booked this trip on April 22nd for a visit on the 24th, we missed the start time due to car problems.
I politely emailed and explained the problem requesting a new visit date!
No chance, see the reply below:-
“Nieves Lorenzo (Volcano Teide)
Apr 25, 2024, 10:59 GMT+1
Hello
I am sorry, your reservation for yesterday was NO SHOW, and 100% of the amount will be charged.
As reported in your voucher is the change/cancellation policy
You would have to make a new reservation if you want to visit the observatory
Best regards
Nieves Lorenzo
Departamento de Atención al cliente y Reservas”
Customer service or ‘Servicio al cliente’ this is not. Google the words Servicio al cliente
I politely emailed and explained the problem requesting a new visit date!
No chance, see the reply below:-
“Nieves Lorenzo (Volcano Teide)
Apr 25, 2024, 10:59 GMT+1
Hello
I am sorry, your reservation for yesterday was NO SHOW, and 100% of the amount will be charged.
As reported in your voucher is the change/cancellation policy
You would have to make a new reservation if you want to visit the observatory
Best regards
Nieves Lorenzo
Departamento de Atención al cliente y Reservas”
Customer service or ‘Servicio al cliente’ this is not. Google the words Servicio al cliente
Written April 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CC1886
Amsterdam, The Netherlands3 contributions
Jan 2023
We expected much more from this tour. The guides are nice, but that's about it. You get to see only one 30 year old telescope.
The rest of the time you walk outside.
They show pictures on their phones instead of on a large display or a big printout.
They talk about a sundial that nobody came for.
Then they go to a small room with a boring presentation that explains nothing you didn't know already. Eg how a thermal camera works, and they film the people to show that your jacket is colder than your cheek.
Very disappointing, and at nearly €50 for 2 persons also - way - too expensive.
The rest of the time you walk outside.
They show pictures on their phones instead of on a large display or a big printout.
They talk about a sundial that nobody came for.
Then they go to a small room with a boring presentation that explains nothing you didn't know already. Eg how a thermal camera works, and they film the people to show that your jacket is colder than your cheek.
Very disappointing, and at nearly €50 for 2 persons also - way - too expensive.
Written January 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, we are on holiday and have a hire car which my husband is the only one who can drive. My youngest daughter is 5 and therefore not able to go on the tour. If I bring my eldest daughter (8) what can my husband and daughter do? Will they have to wait in the car at the entrance or in the restricted area until the tour finishes?
Many thanks for your help. Alison.
Written July 22, 2023
Hola! Hay visita nocturna al observatorio del Teide? Estaremos ahí la semana que viene. Muchas gracias!!
Written April 14, 2018
cómo se llega hasta allí ? he alquilado un coche y no sé si se puede llegar en coche o como .
Gracias
Written February 17, 2018
Efectivamente, la respuesta de Manueleon es correcta. Tanto en la vía de acceso como en la carretera que va desde El Portillo a La entrada hay varios miradores bien señalizados. Ahora no se puede subir en vehículo particular por la nieve. Hay buses (guaguas) que te llevan gratis. Sólo en estos días. Luego no habrá problema de ir en coche.
Written February 18, 2018
Quiero visitarlo con mi familia, mi hijo pequeño tiene 2 años, hay algún problema o puede visitarlo el también?
Written May 3, 2017
judithdordas
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Hola.
Gracias por la pregunta. Es posible reservar a precio de niño para niños de entre 9 y 13 años, así que permíteme comprobar con el equipo de reservas si tu pequeño puede ir a la visita antes de contestarte definitivamente.
Gracias por la espera.
Saludos,
Written May 3, 2017
En caso de que tuviera que cancelar la reserva como podria hacerlo? Y como me devolverian el dinero?
Written January 26, 2017
Hola
Sólo en el caso de cancelación de la actividad por condiciones meteorológicas procedemos a devolver el importe. Para otras circunstancias favor contacte con nuestro departamento de reservas del observatorio. Saludos.
Written January 27, 2017
Quiero visitarlo en abril, debo realizar ya la reserva o puedo comprar la entrada alli el mismo dia?
Written January 21, 2017
Hola,
Recomendamos que se consulte nuestra página web de Volcano Teide con antelación para poder reservar el día de su preferencia. Hay opción con transporte desde varios puntos de la isla como sin transporte. También tenemos visitas guiadas especiales para familias estas son 1 vez al mes. No dude en contactarnos directamente si necesita más información. Saludos Cordiales. Volcano Teide Experience
Written January 23, 2017
I am driving up to the observatory from Puerto de la Cruz in March. Is parking at the observatory itself, or nearby?
Written January 8, 2017
Hello, AS it is a restricted area you will be able to park your car before the barrier, our guide will afterwards show your where you can ark inside the Observatory. We recommend to always check weather conditions before driving to the Observatory in order to guarantee it is open at its usual schedule. Regards Volcano Teide Experience
Written January 10, 2017
Hello.
I am staying in San Cristobal de La Laguna in May and I would like to take the tour of the Teide Observatory. Where is the best place to buy the tour and is there a pick up from San Cristobal de La Laguna?
Thank you very much
Written April 7, 2016
We bought tickets online, the day before we went.
(You do need to book in advance - When we were there, someone just turned up in a car, but was not allowed to join the tour, presumably because they had not booked in advance.)
We made our own way there in a hire car.
I recall that a brochure about the Observatory said that they do pick-ups on certain days, but I think that was only from the main tourist centres ...
In fact, I've just looked up the website that I think we booked from, but TripAdvisor says "questions may not include HTML or website links. Please edit your answer" so I can't send you the website link. But that tells you about pick-ups. (As I said, this seems to be from main tourist centres - Costa Ajede/Los Cristianos and Puerto de la Cruz.) I suggest googling "guided visit of the Teide observatory".
Written April 8, 2016
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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