El Teide

Teide National Park, located in the heart of Tenerife, is a place of extraordinary beauty and geological significance. Dominated by Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain at 3,718 meters, this park is one of the most important natural attractions in the Canary Islands archipelago. Teide, an active volcano, has been the center of numerous eruptions, the last of which occurred in 1909. The park's landscape is a spectacular expanse of craters, solidified lava rivers, and surreal rock formations that resemble a lunar landscape. The Las Cañadas caldera, which surrounds Teide, has a diameter of about 17 kilometers, creating a vast area of volcanic terrain characterized by vibrant colors, ranging from deep black to fiery red. One of the most iconic places within the park is Los Roques de García, a group of uniquely shaped rock formations rising from the desert-like ground. These rocks, sculpted by wind and erosion, are among the most photographed spots in the park. For more adventurous visitors, there is the opportunity to reach the summit of Teide via a cable car that ascends to 3,555 meters, followed by a short but challenging trail to the summit crater. From there, on clear days, the view extends across the entire archipelago, offering breathtaking panoramic views that include other Canary Islands and the vast Atlantic Ocean. In addition to its natural beauty, Teide National Park is of great scientific interest. Its altitude, arid climate, and particularly clear skies make it one of the best places in the world for astronomical observation, which is why the Teide Observatory, one of the most important astronomical observatories in the Northern Hemisphere, is located here. The park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007, is a true natural treasure that attracts millions of visitors from all over the world each year.