We are closed from August 31st to September 14th for holidays. However, you can still book your stargazing tour online and we will confirm it upon our return. Thank you.
Astronomy in Tenerife 2026: From the August Solar Eclipse to the December Geminids
2026 is no ordinary year for the skies of the Canary Islands. We are facing a historic calendar marked by the solar eclipse of August.
At Discover Experience, we want you to enjoy the sky like a pro. Although our telescope observations take place year-round, here's what's happening in the coming months.
El Gran Evento: Eclipse Solar (12 de Agosto de 2026)
This is the day circled in red on the astronomical calendar. On August 12, 2026, Spain will experience a total solar eclipse. In Tenerife, we will be privileged witnesses as the Moon obscures the Sun at sunset; although visibility will be partial from our location, the spectacle will be unforgettable.
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SECONDS
Key times in Tenerife:
Start: 6:58 p.m.
Maximum: 19:53 h (Magnitude 0.75 at an altitude of 10.6º).
End: 8:45 p.m.
What will happen on Mount Teide?
A massive influx of locals and visitors is expected to enjoy this phenomenon. Therefore, due to anticipated traffic and security restrictions, we will not be offering stargazing tours on the night of August 12th. The National Park will be completely overcrowded that night, and the experience will lose its most important element: the tranquility of the night sky.
⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to official access regulations implemented by the Tenerife Island Council for the Perseid meteor shower and the solar eclipse (August 12 and 13), access to Teide National Park is restricted for private vehicles between 5:00 PM and 5:00 AM. Please check public transport alternatives (TITSA) or any updates to the measures taken by the Tenerife Island Council. See the official notice: Read the notice
Where to see the solar eclipse on August 12?
In this new post, we offer a selection of locations in Tenerife where you can enjoy the eclipse. These recommendations can also help you find the perfect spot for your viewing experience.
Prepare your visit: How to experience the eclipse on Mount Teide
Clothing and equipment
Even in August, temperatures on Mount Teide drop rapidly at sunset, just as the eclipse occurs (6:58 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.). Bring a warm jacket, a windbreaker, and comfortable, closed-toe shoes for walking on volcanic terrain. Don't forget water and some food, as options are limited in the area surrounding the National Park.
Eye protection (essential)
Never look at the eclipse without proper protection, not even with ordinary sunglasses. You need certified eclipse glasses with ISO 12312-2 certification or specific solar filters for telescopes and binoculars. Get them in advance: they tend to sell out in stores and online closer to the event.
You can buy certified glasses at Alpha Cygni, a store specializing in the sale of astronomical equipment in Tenerife.
Access to the National Park
Due to the expected influx of visitors, road access will likely be regulated on the day of the eclipse. Check traffic conditions before heading up and allow plenty of time. Please note that, for safety and organizational reasons, Discover Experience does not operate tours on the exact night of the eclipse—please see alternative dates available on our website.
Sea of clouds and forecast
August typically offers clear nights at higher altitudes thanks to the sea of clouds phenomenon, which leaves the skies above Mount Teide free of humidity above 2,000 meters. Even so, we recommend checking the weather forecast in the days leading up to your trip to confirm visibility conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 Solar Eclipse in Tenerife
The beginning of a historic astronomical cycle in the Canary Islands
The eclipse of August 12, 2026 is just the starting point. This major event is part of the so-called "Iberian eclipse triad," an exceptional sequence that will continue in the coming years with two more unmissable dates on the calendar:
The solar eclipse of August 2027: A new milestone that will offer an even greater magnitude from the Canary Islands archipelago.
The annular solar eclipse of January 2028: Another unique opportunity to enjoy the cosmic dance between the Sun, the Moon and the Earth from our islands.
As the dates approach in the coming months, Discover Experience will publish specific guides and articles with detailed maps, exact times, safety tips, and the best viewpoints so you don't miss a thing about these historic phenomena.
Calendar of Events for the rest of 2026 in Tenerife
If you're looking to enjoy the sky with the peace and professionalism that characterizes us, these are the key dates when our regular routes take on a special value.
Perseids (August)
The Perseids are debris, rocks, and ice left behind by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle as it passes through the Solar System. Every year in August, the Earth passes through this cloud of particles, and these disintegrate in the atmosphere, creating the famous meteor shower.
The activity extends approximately from July 17 to August 24, but the peak occurs between the night of August 11 and 13. Under optimal conditions and dark skies like those of Mount Teide, up to 100 meteors per hour (theoretical) can be seen.
Although meteors can be seen throughout the night, the greatest activity usually occurs after midnight and until dawn, when the radiant (the constellation of Perseus, from which they appear to originate) is highest in the sky.
As with the rest of meteor showers, we do not offer specific “Perseid hunting” tours, since it is an unpredictable phenomenon in intensity. However, if you book your astronomical observing experience on these dates, you will enjoy meteors as an extra while we explore galaxies, nebulae and clusters with our telescopes.
The Geminids (December): The most intense and colorful meteor shower
With peaks of up to 120 meteors per hour, the Geminids are the most spectacular meteor shower. Furthermore, the cold, dry winter air in Tenerife allows for exceptional clarity when observing planets and galaxies.
👉 If you prefer to enjoy Teide at night, without crowds and with professional telescopes, you can book your experience and secure your place on any other date of the year.
About Meteor Showers:
It is important to note that at Discover Experience we do not carry out specific "star shower observation" activities.
The reason? Meteors are unpredictable events and don't always provide a consistent spectacle. We don't want to sell a service that depends on luck.
We maintain our professional astronomy tours on their scheduled dates. Our main goal is to show you the deep universe (galaxies, nebulae, and planets) using high-end telescopes and astrophotography.
The best part? If your booking coincides with the peak nights of a meteor shower and conditions are right, we'll enjoy watching the meteors streak across the sky together as an extra gift from nature, while always maintaining the high standard of our guided observation.
Frequently Asked Questions about astronomical observation in Tenerife
