Segovia, Spain at the traditional Roman aqueduct.
The first total solar eclipse on mainland Europe since 1999 is just 850 days away. Where will you be? As excitement over the “Great American Solar Eclipse” fades, eclipse chasers are turning their attention to Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when a 183-190 mile wide lunar shadow moves across distant Siberia, Greenland, Iceland and Spain.
About 15 million people continue to exist the trail – a few third of last Monday – but this might be a special eclipse for the countries it passes through. For Iceland it’ll be the primary total solar eclipse since 1954, while for Spain it’ll be the primary of two in a row, with the south of the country falling into the Moon’s umbra again on August 2, 2027. The path touches Russia and Portugal.
The path of totality sweeps near Iceland and over Spain on August 12, 2026.
Things to think about with this eclipse include clouds – as all the time (tip: steer clear of the coast for the most effective views of clear skies) – and the altitude of the eclipsed sun, which can never be higher than 26 degrees . In Spain, the solar eclipse occurs just before sunset, when the sun is between 10 and a pair of degrees above the horizon. Therefore, a transparent view to the southwest is required. That excludes the east coast of Spain – mockingly, where there are many hotels.
You can see the 2026 total solar eclipse here:
1. Scoresby Sund, Greenland
Total 1 minute and 46 seconds, 55% likelihood of cloud cover
The coasts of Greenland and Iceland and the northern coast of Spain are expected to be cloudy, but cruise ships at Scoresby Sun – west of Ittoqqortoormiit – can have clear visibility.
2. Grótta Lighthouse, Reykjavik, Iceland
1 minute, 1 second total, 76% likelihood of cloud cover
This lighthouse is positioned near the middle of the Icelandic capital, making it a well-liked spot for viewing the Northern Lights (which you’ll see for those who stay awake very late on the nights on either side of the eclipse).
3. Akranes Lighthouse, Iceland
Total 1 minute and 9 seconds, 76% likelihood of cloud cover
This cute lighthouse offers loads of space for commentary and an amazing view of the ocean.
Black church in Budir, Iceland
4. Búðakirkja, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Iceland
Total 1 minute and 56 seconds, 75% likelihood of cloud cover
The “black church” was featured in so many photos of the Northern Lights. Now it is the turn of the solar eclipse.
5. Gijon, Spain
Total 1 minute and 45 seconds, 54% likelihood of cloud cover
It’s just a little dangerous being on the northern coast of Spain, but this city of 270,000 will still be ready for total failure.
6. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
30 seconds total, 58% likelihood of cloud formation
This iconic art museum, designed by architect Frank Gehry, features 250 contemporary works. There is just a brief totality.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
7. Tower of Hercules, A Coruña, Spain
Total 1 minute and 15 seconds, 54% likelihood of cloud cover
This medieval old town on the northwest coast is Galicia’s second largest city and is thought for its Roman lighthouse, the Tower of Hercules
8. Palencia, Spain
Total 1 minute and 42 seconds, 23% likelihood of cloud cover
The areas of Castile-La Mancha and Castile and León might be busy precisely because clear skies are forecast there.
9. Burgos, Spain
Total 1 minute and 44 seconds, 31% likelihood of cloud cover
This Castile and León city might be a base for a lot of eclipse chasers. It has a fantastic cathedral and is a step on the Way of St. James.
Parterre with beautiful flowers at the tip of summer within the square of the Elizabethan Gothic church of … [+]
10. Valladolid, Spain
Total 1 minute and 28 seconds, 19% likelihood of cloud cover
One of the cities most certainly to have clear skies, Valladolid is legendary for its medieval religious sites and the Royal Palace, which was the residence of Spanish kings within the early seventeenth century. The Christopher Columbus Museum can also be positioned here. The explorer died here.
11. Segovia, Spain
54 seconds total, 19% likelihood of clouds
This beautiful city is home to a spectacular Roman aqueduct with greater than 160 arches. It is near the southern fringe of the trail, but only an hour’s drive from Madrid. It might be filled with people, especially photographers.
12. Guadalajara, Spain
Total 1 minute and 6 seconds, 17% likelihood of cloud cover
This city northeast of Madrid in Castile-La Mancha is positioned on the Henares River. The essential attraction is the Infantado Palace.
Sigüenza is a town within the Comarca Serranía de Guadalajara, Guadalajara Province, Castile-La … [+]
13. Sigüenza, Spain
Total 1 minute and 38 seconds, 21% likelihood of cloud cover
Declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1965, this city is home to the famous Sigüenza Castle, a cathedral and the Plaza Mayor.
14. Barranco del Río Dulce Natural Park, Spain
Total 1 minute and 38 seconds, 21% likelihood of cloud cover
This park south of Sigüenza features waterfalls, caves, gorges and other spectacular limestone formations. There are also many vultures, eagles and falcons here.
15. Almazan, Spain
Total 1 minute and 44 seconds, 22% likelihood of clouds
Almazan, positioned on the banks of the Duero River, was for a very long time almost exactly on the middle line and has stays of a wall, two entrance gates and several other churches from the twelfth century.
Plaza de España, Town Hall (XVIth), Lonja (XVIth). Alcaniz. Teruel. Aragon. Spain
16. Alcaniz, Spain
Total 1 minute and 33 seconds, 20% likelihood of cloud cover
It’s essential to steer clear of the east coast of Spain, where there are many hotels but no views of this low eclipse. So head inland, perhaps to Alcañiz, Aragon, on the banks of the Guadalope River, where the prospect of clear skies can also be superb.
17. Mallorca, Spain
Total 1 minute and 36 seconds, 36% likelihood of cloud cover
From this Spanish island it’ll be possible to see a “sunset total” – a golden corona because the eclipsed sun sinks into the ocean – although visibility conditions make this difficult.
18. Cala Vadella, Ibiza, Spain
59 seconds total, 33% likelihood of clouds
Although it lies south of the middle line and is subsequently shorter, the west coast of Ibiza is a wonderful location for this eclipse for nature lovers and partygoers.
I wish you clear skies and massive eyes.
