Summer 2026 is set to be made memorable by an astronomical event not seen since 1999: a total solar eclipse is expected for August 12 and will be partially visible even from Italy… but the most magical places where the solar disk will be completely covered by the Moon are many and have already become the stars of the season.
There are already some who call it the eclipse of the century and the interest seems to confirm it. In the locations involved, lodging searches have surged up to 250%, while some cruise lines have altered routes to position themselves in the right spot at the exact moment. Here is everything you need to know to prepare for the spectacle.
Here is a complete guide to know all there is to know about the phenomenon.
Where the total solar eclipse of 2026 will be visible: the path of totality
Before booking any last-minute trip to be able to see the total solar eclipse of 2026, it’s worth knowing that totality is a phenomenon that involves only a few territories; only those located precisely in that “narrow” strip of land will see the Sun fully obscured. Those who move, even by as little as fifty kilometers, will witness a partial eclipse… still a show not to be missed.
Calculations from the National Observatory of Spain explained that the phenomenon will be visible from 17:34 Italian time over the Bering Sea and will end at 21:58 over the Atlantic. It will last 264 minutes and will cross the northeast of Greenland, skim the west of Iceland, cut across the Atlantic before striking the Iberian Peninsula from west to east.
The peak will occur at 19:46 off the coast of Iceland, where the darkness will last for 2 minutes and 18 seconds.
Greenland
The first landmass to enter the shadow cone is the northeastern coast of Greenland. Around the Northeast Greenland National Park and the settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit, on Scoresby Sund, the natural spectacle will leave everyone breathless. To observe it in this area, ships and charter flights have been arranged months in advance; the location is extraordinary because the horizon is incredibly clear and the contrast with glaciers and fjords is unrivaled. Be careful not to stop in the capital Nuuk, which is not included in the path.
Iceland
A few minutes after Greenland, the show moves to Iceland: the total eclipse will affect the western fjords, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and the area around the capital, with durations varying depending on how close you are to the center of the path. Reykjavík and the nearby Kópavogur are within the route, though on the periphery: here total darkness lasts a little over a minute. Moving toward Ísafjörður and the coasts of Snæfellsnes buys precious seconds. The only unknown remains the weather: Icelandic skies in August are highly changeable, and one should plan for a last-minute move with a rental car to be sure not to miss it.
Spain
The true star of the 2026 total solar eclipse? Spain, which is experiencing a surge of bookings for the big event. The country just a stone’s throw away is the only place in the world where one can see the final phase of totality at sunset, with the black sun almost resting on the horizon line. A poetic scene photographers have chased for years. The path enters from Galicia around 19:31 and continues to the Balearic Islands by 19:38. In between, numerous regional realities:
- A Coruña,
- Lugo,
- Oviedo,
- Santander,
- León,
- Zamora,
- Palencia,
- Valladolid,
- Segovia,
- Burgos,
- Soria,
- Bilbao
- Vitoria-Gasteiz,
- Logroño,
- Guadalajara,
- Cuenca,
- Zaragoza,
- Teruel,
- Lleida,
- Tarragona,
- Valencia,
- Castellón de la Plana,
- Palma de Mallorca.
The two major metropolises of Madrid and Barcelona remain just outside the path; those on holiday there can enjoy a partial eclipse… or plan a trip to one of the destinations we just listed.
Portugal
Portugal also participates, albeit in a reduced form because the path touched is minimal. The region of Trás-os-Montes will experience the total eclipse at Bragança and Miranda do Douro. Though it lies outside mass tourism, with plateaus and stone villages it is attracting curious visitors precisely for this unmissable appointment. Lisbon and Porto? From these two cities one will only be able to observe a partial eclipse, albeit quite pronounced.
Total Solar Eclipse of 2026 in Italy: will it be visible?
If you’re wondering what we can observe from Italy, the answer is clear: the Bel Paese will not allow a total eclipse to be observed but only a partial one. Of course, you won’t be left empty-handed… indeed. On August 12, the Italian sky will offer a splendid show from various viewpoints. The percentage of coverage increases toward the northwest with Piedmont, Aosta Valley, and Liguria as the favored regions. Toward the south and east the effect diminishes progressively. Our challenge is the Sun’s height, which will be quite low and could hide the show if the horizon isn’t completely clear. In short, in big cities with buildings and trees you risk missing the wonder… better to move to panoramic spots. Those who want to know where to watch the solar eclipse in Italy must settle for a partial viewing, but it will still be worthwhile.
How to choose the best spot to watch the eclipse
Choosing the viewing spot weighs more than you might think; to pick the best place to witness the eclipse you should consider your starting area. Those already on vacation in affected zones, such as Spain, could plan a road trip with a rental car. In the Iberian Peninsula, the number of overnight stays and the demand for accommodations for that period have surged, with a 7.4% higher interest than in other years.
Areas like Saragossa (Zaragoza) report even a +123%. The destinations at the center of the activity are those being booked, even the more expensive ones; looking around while staying on the route can yield real discoveries. In Spain a city like A Coruña represents an interesting alternative, while in Iceland country inns and rural guesthouses near the capital still have availability.
A few essential rules apply at the observing site:
- Look for a free western horizon, because the Sun will be very low;
- Have a Plan B within a few kilometers, for clouds or excessive crowds;
- Arrive well in advance, better the day before, avoiding traveling on the 12th as roads, airports, and trains will be crowded;
- Bring water and an extra layer, because temperatures drop during totality.
How to observe the eclipse: the indispensable tool
There is only one truly indispensable tool for seeing the total eclipse, and that is ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses, whose lenses made of black opaque or metallized polymer allow only a minuscule fraction of sunlight to pass. The price is not high; they can be found in optical shops and in the days of interest will be easy to purchase.
Regular sunglasses should not be used because they do not provide sufficient protection, and smoked glass, CDs, or photographic films are not suitable either. Great care must be taken because looking at the Sun without proper protection could cause permanent retina damage.
A safe and also fun alternative is projection: just a piece of card with a small hole, held at a distance from a light surface, to see the image of the eclipsed Sun in miniature. It even works with a colander. Anyone using binoculars or a telescope should mount a certified solar filter in front of the objective, never behind the eyepiece, and eclipse glasses must never be used when looking through an optical instrument that lacks a filter.
There is only one exception: during the seconds of totality, when the Sun is completely covered, you may remove the filters and observe the corona with the naked eye, but you will need to shield your gaze as soon as the first sliver of Sun reappears.
How to watch it from home
Not everyone will be able to travel, but the European Space Agency has organized a live broadcast that starts at 19:30 on August 12 and can be followed in streaming on YouTube through their official channel; free from anywhere in the world, the images will be transmitted directly from the Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory in Teruel, one of Spain’s sites with the best sky conditions, while León is slated to host a schedule of educational events for much of the day.
We all agree that watching it on a screen isn’t the same, but this option could be an alternative for those who don’t want to miss the magic of such a rare event while perhaps being on vacation elsewhere or still in their Italian towns waiting for holidays to begin. That said, those who miss this show will have a chance to make up for it soon: on August 2, 2027 the Mediterranean will again take center stage with another eclipse… and there is a full year to prepare. In the meantime, let’s enjoy a remarkable August of astronomical phenomena: meteor showers and the lunar eclipse complete this period’s offerings.
Among impulsive trips, rooftops, and sunset toasts, many people are changing their summer travel routes to be able to witness this spectacle in person, savoring a natural wonder that nature offers only a few times in each person’s life. Spain, Iceland, Greenland, and Portugal promise a total experience, or Italy for a partial view, ready to captivate travelers’ attention with an unmissable appointment for August 12… and for those who truly cannot leave, there is the online live: digital viewing is still a good alternative.
