An expert guide to seeing the 2026 solar eclipse
A total solar eclipse will be passing over Spain in 2026 - Cesar Manso/AFP
On August 12, a total solar eclipse will pass over western Europe, with the “path of totality” falling across Spain, the Balearic Islands and Iceland. This path is the narrow band of Earth’s surface over which the moon will completely block the sun, and viewers will experience several minutes of daytime darkness. It’s an opportunity to combine a summer holiday with a rare and captivating sight.
“You must be within the path of totality – the 185-mile-wide central shadow of the moon – to experience a total solar eclipse and see the sun’s corona, which is what it’s all about,” says Jamie Carter, author of Complete Guide to the Total Solar Eclipse 2026 and editor of whenisthenexteclipse.com.
In 2026, the timing of the eclipse over Spain will start around 19:30 CEST, reaching totality from 20:26 to 20:33 and ending at 20:46 (timings may be slightly different depending on exact location).
The next total solar eclipse will pass over North Africa and the Red Sea in 2027, with Australia having a total eclipse in 2029. We will not see one in the UK for decades, so now is the time to do it if you don’t want to travel too far.
When to book
As soon as possible – don’t put it off for too long as prices are likely to increase as availability reduces. Spanish hotel group Paradores has already seen a surge in eclipse-related reservations from British and American travellers. Meanwhile, booking site Opodo’s data reveals a surge in interest from the UK, with a significant uptick in searches for travel to Reykjavik (+444 per cent year-on-year), Valencia (+168 per cent) and Palma de Mallorca (+56 per cent).
Sunset in Formentera, Spain, minutes before the solar eclipse in 2017 - NurPhoto
Hard-core eclipse chasers often book speciality tours several years in advance, but many local hotels and tour operators are opening their booking availability in January. Accommodation, transport, car hire and roadways are likely to be extremely busy, so, again, book as early as possible in order to avoid disappointment.
Where to go
Due to the timing of the 2026 eclipse, which will occur in the early evening, the sun will be very low along the horizon line rather than directly overhead – essentially being eclipsed as it sets. According to David Galadí Enríquez from Spain’s National Eclipse Commission, this will create unique views of landscape, shadow and sunset, but it will also come with special challenges.
“A good viewing location needs to have a wide, low aspect facing west, either high up or along an open beach or field,” he says.
The path of totality will cross Spain from northwest to southeast. Plan to stay overnight at or near your eclipse-watching location, arrive the day before and stay an extra night to avoid the traffic.
A partial solar eclipse in Barcelona, Spain - Albert Llop/NurPhoto
The length of a solar eclipse’s totality (complete coverage) is specific to location and varies depending on the event and the viewer’s location. Because of this, Kevin Currie, director of New Scientist Discovery Tours which offers specialist eclipse tours, suggests using an eclipse-specific app or website alongside a topographical map to get the timing right and identify potential viewing locations.
Independent travellers should aim to be as close as possible to the centre line for maximum viewing time.
“And have a backup plan,” says Currie. “​​Spain has a population of 49 million, and a lot of them will likely travel to watch the eclipse, so good viewing spots may become busy on the day. Be prepared for traffic and limited parking, and have alternative locations in mind.”
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'Northern Spain
The north of Spain is likely to be the quietest place to see the eclipse, with portions of Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria falling in the path of totality, including Bilbao. Cities like A Coruña and Gijón are surrounded by hills and offer potential coastal viewing points. The main challenge here is the potential for cloud cover, due to northern Spain’s cooler, rainier climate.
Tour operator Pura Aventura offers a self-drive trip in Bilbao and La Rioja, staying in a four-bedroom house, with canyoning and waterfall excursions and a guided hike to watch the eclipse (from £2,750pp).
In Galicia, Mountain Kingdoms has a week-long trek along one of the quieter and lesser-walked parts of the Camino de Santiago, staying in an authentic parador on the eclipse night (from £1,875pp).
For families, KE Adventures is offering a special version of their “On the Tapas Trail” package, with active adventures like canyoning and kayaking, plus a guided mini-trek and overnight stay in a mountain cabin on eclipse night (from £1,395pp).
KE Adventures is offering a special solar eclipse package - KE Adventure
Central Mesa
Spain’s inland mountains and central plateau will offer a good balance of high aspect and clear skies. The regions of Castilla y León, La Rioja, Navarra and Aragón range from high flatlands up into the foothills of the Iberian mountains.
According to Jamie Carter, “clear skies are most likely in Castile and León on the northern plateau, where the eclipse will be about 10 degrees above the horizon – the width of your fist held at arm’s length against the sky”.
View of Valencia from the tower Torre del Miguelete - Anton Petrus/Moment RF
This is a good region to opt for a small hotel and drive to a nearby viewing location, or book into one of the region’s traditional paradores – castle-like hotels, such as the Parador de Santo Domingo de la Calzada in La Rioja, along the Way of St. James (doubles from £262 per night on August 12; paradores.es).
If you’re keen to photograph the eclipse and expense is not a problem, Capture the Atlas’s four-day “Eclipse Photo Summit” tour in Castilla y León includes a private viewing location, photography and editing workshops, wine tastings and lectures (photographers from £4,410pp).
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'Mediterranean
The path of totality will cross Spain’s Mediterranean coast through Valencia and southern Catalonia, which will be among the busiest areas with day-trippers from Barcelona.
The city of Valencia will be a handy entry point for UK visitors, with Wizz Air launching a new flight from London Luton in March 2026. According to Paula Llobet, Valencia’s city minister for tourism, Albufera Natural Park, 10 kilometres outside the city, has a more rural setting to watch the eclipse unfold. If you’d prefer to stay in town, aim for the Mirador Felipe VI viewing platform at Cabecera Park, or one of Valencia’s many rooftop bars, such as at Veles e Vents, a striking David Chipperfield and Fermín Vázquez-designed building with views over the marina towards sunset.
Jumeirah Mallorca will host a four-day celestial celebration for the solar eclipse - Jumeirah Mallorca
The eclipse will also be visible from the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera), where several hotels have eclipse-specific packages. Jumeirah Mallorca will host a four-day celestial celebration with eclipse-inspired cocktails, gala dining, live entertainment and starlit parties (double rooms from £300; jumeirah.com).
On Ibiza, Six Senses Ibiza will host a “Cosmic Alignment Eclipse Week” from 10-16 August, with a guided eclipse experience plus wellness and meditation activities like sound baths and workshops on cosmic themes (double rooms from £895; sixsenses.com). Meanwhile, Nobu Ibiza Bay will offer a special “Beyond the Sun” package from 9-16 August, including an eclipse sunset hike, Perseid meteor shower viewing, wellness activities and a seven-course dinner at their Nobu restaurant (from £1,676 per night).
Iceland
In addition to Spain, the path of totality will pass over a section of western Iceland, starting at 17:48 local time. The best regions to see the event include the Westfjords, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the capital city of Reykjavik and the Reykjanes Peninsula, home to Iceland’s international airport.
Thanks to its northerly geography, Iceland offers the longest duration of totality (2 minutes, 18 seconds). And while Iceland is known for its changeable and often-cloudy weather, August offers the best chance for clear skies. Avoid heavy traffic on Iceland’s narrow, singular roads by arriving several days in advance and hunkering down at a hotel or campsite.
Hotel Buðir on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula offers old-world charm and access to walking trails through a coastal nature reserve where the eclipse will be visible to the west (double rooms from £209; hotelbudir.is).
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