Roque de los Muchachos Visitor Centre

The Roque de los Muchachos Visitor Centre is located around a unique landscape environment at an altitude of 2426 meters that guarantees the best conditions for astronomical observation, housing in its proximity the most important Astrophysics observatories in the world.

The main objective of the visitor centre is to bring and publicize the importance of Astronomy on the Island of La Palma, promoting the natural and cultural heritage of the highest point on the island of La Palma.

This project was born from the collaboration through a management agreement for this space in the hands of the Cabildo de la Palma, the Garafía City Council and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias IAC.

The Visitor Center is divided into several rooms:

Welcome Room: where we will find the reception, the auditorium, the store and the large interactive table where we will discover with the entrails of the telescopes of the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory.
Room 1 “The Canary Islands, a window to the Universe”: where we will discover the reasons why the Canary Island has been strategically chosen to house the most important telescopes in the world.
Room 2 “Exploring the Universe”: in this point we delve into the depths of the cosmos, thus exploring every corner of science and our Universe.
Room 3 “Back to Earth”: in this living room we return to the Villa de Garafía municipality, which is the place where the Visitor Center is located. We will know their traditions, their way of life, natural and cultural heritage.

Previous information

Additional Information

Winter:
Monday to Sunday:
10.00 – 16:30

Summer:
Monday to Sunday:
10.00 – 17:30

The center will be closed on the following days:

December 24th.
December 25th.
December 31st.
January 1.

Public price entrance fees for social, cultural or public interest reasons will be applicable from 06th June 2022:

Standard rate: 15.00 euros per person

Discount rate: 7,50 euros per person

The following people can benefit from discount rates:

Canary Island residents
Large families
Spanish residents who are retired or older than 65
Tourist groups and cultural groups of at least ten people, who made made a reservation 3 days in advance and are accompanied by their own certified tour guide.

Free entrance for the following:

Children up to 12.
Retired and elderly residents of La Palma.
People with disabilities .
Unemployed of the Spanish territory.
Journalists visiting as part of their work
A guide who accompanies a group of tourists.
Educational groups consisting of students in any level of education, including teaching staff and personal who accompany the said group, with prior reservation.

In order to benefit from the bonuses and exemptions detailed above, it is essential to present valid and current supporting document for each person at the entrance of the centre.

No other financial benefits or exemptions will be conceded other than those contained in this ordinance and those expressly provided for in the laws, or those derived from the application of international treaties.

As a payment method and for security reasons, we only accept payments with bank cards.

We advise you to purchase one of the vouchers available to visit 2 centers or 3 centers at our reception desk.

You will be able to benefit from a saving of 50% in the price of the second and the third center.

Ask us at the reception.

We inform you that the free, unguided visit to the El Tendal center may last approximately 45 minutes.