After an intensive search for a site with all-year-round clear, dark skies, La Palma was chosen as the perfect place for this observatory, composed of international telescopes stretching over 2 square kilometres.
It is located at an altitude of 2400m, in an area belonging to Garafía. It can be reached through a 40km road from Santa Cruz de la Palma. However there is another road connecting it with Garafía
The remoteness of the island and its lack of urban development have made La Palma into one of the best places in the world for an astrophysics observatory as there is little artificial light pollution. This quality of the sky has been ensured by the so-called "Ley del Cielo".
The Roque de los Muchachos enjoys a stable atmosphere the whole year round thanks to its position on a mountain-top. The sky is cloudless for at least 90% of the nights in summer.
In 1979 different countries signed agreements to set up this observatory and it was officially inaugurated in 1985. it is controlled by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, which is also in charge of the Observatory in El Teide, Tenerife.
VISITING THE ASTROPHYSICS OBSERVATORY
Planning to visit the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory: Generally speaking, the Observatory is not open to visitors. However, people are allowed to visit the observatory on specific days in summer, the "Jornadas de Puertas Abiertas" (normally, one or two days in July and one or two days in August. Previous on-line registration is necessary).
Guided tours are organized in Spanish, English and German and visitors can go inside the telescopes.
However, the area where the Observatory is located (Roque de los Muchachos) can be visited in the mornings and afternoons the whole year round. What is more, it is one of the most beautiful parts of the island and from this point you can obtain a superb view over the Caldera de Taburiente National Park or Cumbre Vieja. On clear days you can even see other islands.
We recommend you check on the road status before driving to this part of the island. Despite of the mild weather of the island, Roque de los Muchachos is located at an altitude of 2400m over the sea level and in winter there may be snow or black ice. Please do drive carefully.
