Visits to ESO Sites

This page is available in Spanish on our Chilean web site.

Visits to the Facilities in Chile

ESO is happy to welcome tourists, students, journalists and TV crews at its La Silla, Paranal and ALMA sites in Chile. The capacity of the facilities is limited, therefore visits are organized in such a way that they do not disturb the work at the observatories.

Please note that all media visits require authorization in advance by the ESO Department of Communication. You can find guidelines for media visits here.

ESO Observatories Topographic Route Map
ESO Observatories Topographic Route Map. Credit: ESO

Public Visits to Paranal Observatory

Tourist and student visits to Paranal Observatory are scheduled every Saturday at 10:00 or 14:00. Prior registration is always necessary. Please check the Weekend Visits to Paranal page for further information and the registration form.

Public Visits to La Silla Observatory

La Silla Observatory is open to the public:

  • Between September and March, every Saturday at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
  • Between April and August: Saturdays at 10:00 AM and Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Prior registration is required for all visits. You can find all the information regarding public visits to the La Silla Observatory and the registration form here.

Public Visits to the ALMA OSF

The ALMA Observatory's website provides all the information regarding public visits. For safety reasons, the Array Operations Site (AOS) on Chajnantor plateau (where antennas are located) is not open to visitors.

Public Visits to ESO Vitacura Offices in Santiago

Unfortunately, no public visits to ESO Vitacura Offices are currently possible. Media representatives should contact the ESO Department of Communication in advance to obtain an appointment.

Public Visits to ELT/Cerro Armazones

 

Unfortunately, no public visits to ELT/Cerro Armazones are currently possible. Media representatives should contact the ESO Department of Communication in advance to obtain an appointment.

Visits to ESO Headquarters in Garching, Germany

Public visits to ESO Headquarters in Garching are possible. Our ESO Supernova is open Wed-Sun. Media representatives should contact the ESO Department of Communication in advance to obtain an appointment.