Mirador Barranco del Carmen

Mirador Barranco del Carmen is a viewpoint in the northern part of Santa Cruz de La Palma, the capital of La Palma in the Canary Islands. Located on Calle Moraditas, it serves a double purpose: a terrace overlooking the town and one of sixteen astronomical viewpoints spread across the island.

How do you get there?

The mirador sits on a hillside above the historic centre of Santa Cruz de La Palma, so driving is the easiest option — there's parking right at the site. On foot, it's a steady uphill walk of around fifteen minutes from downtown, which explains the wide-open views once you arrive. By bus, the closest stops are Barriada Mirca and La Encarnación, both roughly a five-minute walk from the viewpoint. Two nearby fortifications make a natural pairing with a visit: Castillo de la Virgen, about 660 metres away toward the centre, and Castillo de Santa Catalina, around a kilometre further on.

What will you see?

By day, the terrace opens onto a panorama of Santa Cruz de La Palma — the rooftops of the old town, the harbour, and the coastline below. After dark, though, the mirador reveals its real purpose. La Palma is known for having one of the clearest night skies on the planet, and this particular spot was set up to observe the eastern and southern sky, including Canopus, the second-brightest star visible from Earth and the principal star of the old constellation Argo Navis, the Ship.

Information panels on site include four star charts to help identify constellations, a marker pointing toward Polaris, and a rotating star wheel that makes it easier to locate circumpolar constellations such as the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia. The theme running through the viewpoint isn't arbitrary — it draws on old mythological ideas about the sea and on the religious traditions of the Canary Islands' inhabitants, both tied symbolically to the star Canopus.

When should you visit?

The town view works at any hour, but the point of this place really comes through after sunset, on a clear, calm night — and La Palma has plenty of those, which is why the island holds Starlight Reserve status. Bring a torch, ideally with a red filter so it doesn't spoil your night vision, and something warm to wear, since evenings cool down noticeably even in summer. If you want to see the nearby castles too, do that in daylight and save the mirador for the evening.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No, it's a public viewpoint, open at all times and free to visit.

Do you need a telescope to see anything? No — the information panels and star wheel are designed for naked-eye observation. This is a spot built for accessible stargazing, not for professional astronomy equipment.

Is parking available? Yes, there's parking right at the site, which makes an evening visit much easier.

Can this be combined with other sights in Santa Cruz de La Palma? Yes. Castillo de la Virgen and Castillo de Santa Catalina are both within a kilometre, so you can plan a route that takes in the historic fortifications by day and ends at the mirador in the evening.