On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will travel south through eastern Greenland, across the western edge of Iceland, and over northern Spain. For the uninitiated, a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly over the sun, briefly bringing viewers on earth into total darkness as a ring of light appears in the sky. A total eclipse passes over earth on average every 18 months, but strikes a particular destination on average just once every 360 years. The first total eclipse to visit mainland Europe since 1999 may seem distant in both time and space. But anyone who’s traveled to view this rare celestial phenomenon before knows that early planning pays off.

This is a lesson I learned in 2017, during the Great American Eclipse. As Americans and travelers flocked to destinations on the path of the total eclipse (known as the “path of totality”), hotels sold out and heavy traffic ensued. Unable to find any good campsites, Airbnbs, or lodging in Rexwell, Idaho, my friends and I booked a “campsite” in a shade-less municipal park. That was nothing, however, compared to the four additional hours of traffic we encountered on the drive back to Utah. Did I mention I was eight months pregnant and had to pee every 30 minutes?

By the time a total eclipse rolled through North America again last year, I was ready. I reserved an Airbnb over a year in advance—before property owners thought to raise rates for the occasion. I booked flights and rented a car six months ahead. And I created travel buffer days around the eclipse to avoid all traffic. As a result, my 2024 eclipse experience went infinitely more smoothly than my first time around. This isn’t just my take, however. Others, like travel news outlet Skift, agree that planning a total eclipse trip well in advance is a good idea.

So, if you’re interested in taking a trip to catch the 2026 total eclipse, the time to start planning is now.

Here’s the Outside guide to planning your 2026 total solar eclipse trip, from the best destinations for adventurous eclipse chasers, to tips for making the most of this rare celestial event.

The Best Places to Watch the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse

On August 12, the moon will eclipse the sun first in northern Russia. From there, the path of totality, which is the arc across earth that experiences a total eclipse, leads north over the Arctic Ocean, then down through the eastern edge of Greenland. It kisses western Iceland before descending through Spain.

So where to watch? First of all, it’s important to be in the path of totality. The locations in this path experience a total eclipse, while destinations outside the path of totality experience only a partial eclipse. The difference between a partial eclipse and a total eclipse is, well, like day and night. Quite literally. During a partial eclipse, you can use eclipse glasses to watch as the moon passes over the sun, but since it won’t totally eclipse the sun, the sky will remain bright. You also won’t be able to see the “ring of fire” (i.e., the corona) when the moon is perfectly positioned over the sun. The eerie moments of darkness by day and the awe-inspiring sight of the corona are what make a total eclipse experience so incredible.

Portugal and Greenland? Think Again.

You may have heard that the 2026 total solar eclipse passes through Portugal. While the smallest sliver of northeastern Portugal just barely touches the path of totality, the eclipse time here is minimal. There also aren’t any established towns or cities in this sliver of Portugal to watch from. All of Portugal is in the path of the partial eclipse, but it’s not a viable total eclipse destination.

Don’t get excited about an Arctic-themed eclipse, either. The eastern half of Greenland—and much of the country, is uninhabitable. To the east, in the path of totality, you’ll find only military bases, frozen tundra, and polar bears. For the same reasons, I wouldn’t recommend a Siberian solar eclipse trip in Russia  either.

That said, if you have your heart set on a polar eclipse experience, several companies are offering eclipse-centered cruises through the Arctic. The company Eclipse Travel is running a whopping 17 different 2026 eclipse cruises and tours, including several that travel through the Arctic Ocean. Albatros Expeditions also has an Arctic expedition cruise available. These multi-day voyages are quite pricey (starting at around $8,550 per person), but they do let you take in the eclipse at sea, and some even allow you to visit isolated Eastern Greenland.

Iceland vs. Spain

With trips to Greenland so logistically challenging (and pricey), Iceland and Spain are the top destinations for 2026 eclipse travelers. In choosing between the two countries, NASA recommends considering the weather, since overcast skies can all but wreck an eclipse experience. Iceland typically sees moderate temperatures between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit in mid-August. But Reykjavik usually only experiences around 40 sunny days a year. With an annual average of five sunny days in August, Iceland runs the risk of cloudy skies on August 12. You’ll also want to consider that Iceland experiences only a few hours of darkness in mid-August—this might be a pro or con, depending on your sleep preferences.

Compared to Iceland, bluebird skies are far more likely in Spain. But it will also be hot—August is usually Spain’s most sweltering month, with daytime temperatures ranging from 80 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll usually find cooler temperatures on the coast or islands, or up in the mountains.

With that in mind, here are a few specific spots in both countries that are on our list for maximum totality time and proximity to adventure.

Iceland 2026 Eclipse Destinations and Events

A total solar eclipse hasn’t graced Iceland since 1954—and one won’t return for well over a century, until 2196. For the 2026 event in the Land of Fire and Ice, the moon eclipses the sun in the evening, around a quarter before 6 P.M. But don’t expect a sunset soon after, since the sun doesn’t set in mid-August until nearly 10 P.M. This time of year, the annual month-long Perseid Meteor Shower is peaking, so once the sun does finally set, gaze upward again to see a flurry of shooting stars.

Reykjavik, Iceland

The capital may not have the longest totality time. But what it lacks in eclipse length, it makes up for in convenience and cultural vibes, if that’s what you’re searching for.

☀️🌚Totality time: 1 minute, 1 second

📍Where to watch: From the rooftop bar atop the Reykjavik EDITION Hotel, where you can take in 360-degree views of the surrounding sea and mountains. No events have been announced here yet, but rooftop bars in the path of totality often host parties for guests and others to watch the show in the sky.

⛰️Local adventures: Plunge into the frigid Atlantic from 33 feet (10 meters) up at Hoppland, then warm back up at Hvammsvík Hot Springs.

Grindavik, Iceland

Home to the Blue Lagoon, Grindavik is a fishing village on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Active volcanoes and lava fields nearby create a stunning landscape—but also mean you could be evacuated at a moment’s notice.

☀️🌚Totality time: 1 minute, 37 seconds

📍Where to watch: Straight from a geothermal pool. I can only imagine how majestic and eerie an eclipse appears from within the water.

⛰️Local adventures: Stroll over to the nearby Hrafn Sveinbjarnarson shipwreck, marooned on the peninsula’s shores. Or take a guided hike to Fagradalsfjall, an active volcano just a few miles away.

Arnarstapi, Iceland

Located on the Snæfelsnes Peninsula, the village of Arnarstapi is one of the host destinations of the Iceland Eclipse Festival (more about this below). Tickets are limited, but even if you can’t snag a ticket, Arnarstapi—and the peninsula where it’s located—remain an awesome spot to catch the show in the sky.

☀️🌚Totality time: 2 minutes, 3 seconds

📍Where to watch: On the beach along the coast of the Greenland Sea

⛰️Local adventures: Arnarstapi sits less than an hour’s drive from Snæfellsjökull National Park, which has dozens of hiking trails. Trek along the Hólahólar ancient craters, or take a guided descent into Vatnshellir Cave, a lava tube accessible via a spiral staircase.

Patreksfjörður. Iceland

The most remote location on this list, Patreksfjörður may feel small, but it’s the largest community in the southern part of the Westfjords, Iceland’s northwesternmost peninsula. Since Patreksfjörður is the furthest town to the west, it boasts the longest totality time across Iceland.

☀️🌚Totality time: 2 minutes, 4 seconds

📍Where to watch: On the rare red sand beach of Rauðasandur along the Greenland Sea

⛰️Local adventures: Go birdwatching on the Látrabjarg cliffs to catch a glimpse of a rare puffin, or take a 15-minute hike to what’s arguably Iceland’s most beautiful waterfall: Dynjandi.

Iceland Eclipse Festivals

If you’re an extroverted eclipse-goer who wants to watch in good company and chase the experience with live music, the main event is the Iceland Eclipse Festival. Staged on Snæfelsnes Peninsula, the festival has dozens of musicians and speakers lined up. Running from August 12-15, the festival offers live electronic and Icelandic music and talks with scientists. The festival is currently in its second round of ticket sales—you can buy a pass here, or if it’s sold out, you can add your name to a waiting list.

Spain 2026 Eclipse Destinations

It’s been well over a century since an eclipse graced Spain. But those in Spain won’t need to wait another 100 years for another solar hurrah.The country will see another total solar eclipse in 2027, as well as an annular solar eclipse—wherein the moon doesn’t totally cover the sun, creating a ring of fire in the sky—in 2028. To manage what will surely be a busy three years of astrotourism, Spain even established Eclipse262728, a dedicated organization. In Spain, what the country has dubbed “The Grand Spanish Eclipse” reaches totality around 8:30 P.M., followed soon after by sunset.

Ibiza, Spain

The 2026 total eclipse will grace three Spanish islands: Mallorca, Menorca to the north, and Ibiza, to the south. If you’d like your eclipse experience with a side of stunning beaches, world-class yoga classes, and rowdy nightlife, Ibiza is the place to be.

☀️🌚Totality time: 1 minute, 4 seconds

📍Where to watch: The Cala S’Illlot d’en Rencli is a lesser known beach with clear, jade-hued waters in northern Ibiza, where the totality time will be just a hair longer than to the south.

⛰️Local adventures: Go SCUBA diving at a UNESCO World Heritage site. Not SCUBA certified? Enroll in an intro dive course, go snorkeling, or take a boat out to explore the island’s remote caves and beaches.

Porto Cristo, Mallorca, Spain

The island of Mallorca (also spelled Majorca) sits dead center on the path of totality. Stay along the coast for the best access to beaches, legendary local climbing, and seaside views of the eclipse.

☀️🌚Totality time: 1 minute, 34 seconds

📍Where to watch: From a boat on the Balearic Sea, or one of the island’s white sand beaches like Cala Varques or Sa Coma

⛰️Local adventures: Experience the Mallorca’s world-famous deep water soloing with a local guide, or explore the “dragon caves” (Cuevas del Drach)

Peñíscola, Spain

For a coastal experience on mainland Spain, consider the seaside town of Peñíscola, which sits right along the east coast. This historic town is also close to Serra d’Irta National Park, which preserves a coastal mountain range of the same name.

☀️🌚Totality time: 1 minute, 39 seconds

📍Where to watch: From along a cliff or on a rock beach at Serra d’Irta National Park

⛰️Local adventures: Go for a bike tour of the region. The national park offers several suggested routes, ranging from 16km (10 miles) to 25.6km (16 miles). Rent a ride from a local shop in town like Multimarcas Motos, which offers road bikes, mountain bikes, and e-bikes for kids and adults alike.

Oviedo, Spain

Prefer the mountains to the coast? This city in northern Spain has the longest totality time of our top eclipse destinations in Spain. Nestled in the Cantabrian Mountains, Oviedo is also close to several national parks and reserves for day trips or longer adventures during your eclipse trip. A few of these parks include Picos de Europa, Parque Natural de Redes, and Parque Natural Las Ubiñas-La Mesa. 

☀️🌚Totality time: 1 minute, 49 seconds

📍Where to watch: From atop Mount Naranco, which you can hike to from the city center within an hour and a half. More of a large hill than a mountain, Naranco delivers bird’s eye views of the city and surrounding peaks.

⛰️Local adventures: Hike or mountain bike through the Cantabrian Mountains on the Picos de Europa trails.

Spain Eclipse Festivals

While the solar eclipse festival of Iceland is already sold out, several eclipse festivals will celebrate the 2026 event across Spain, and some have yet to release lineups and tickets. A rustic viewing event will take over a historic castle. The Astralplane Eclipse Festival promises to transport attendees to “another dimension.” And the vibe-centric SolEclipse festival, boasts artwork, dancing, hypnotic rituals, and “radical expression” (lineup and more details forthcoming).

2026 Eclipse Trip Tips

Picking the perfect spot is half the battle. Based on my two eclipse trip experiences, here are some planning pointers to be prepared, avoid crowds, and maximize your trip.

Book everything early

Eclipses have been known to create sellouts and shortages. Flights, lodging, and rental cars all saw a surge in demand and rates, for example, during the 2024 eclipse, according to Matador Network. As soon as you lock down your trip dates, it’s time to book flights, rent a vehicle (if you need one), and reserve lodging right away. If there’s an eclipse festival or event you have your eye on, the same logic applies when it comes to ticket purchases. Book whatever you can well ahead, from guides for adventures, to restaurant reservations.

Avoid travel the day of the eclipse

Unless you want to experience traffic that will all but kill your eclipse buzz, park yourself in your viewing destination at least a day or two before the event. And don’t plan to head out right after the eclipse occurs, or early the next morning. If you want to watch the eclipse from a scenic spot that’s a bit of a drive from where you’re staying, give yourself plenty of time to get situated so you don’t miss the show. Also, show up to your viewing site prepared with your eclipse glasses, a blanket or camp chairs if you’re watching in nature, sun protection, water, and plenty of snacks.

Stay a while

Another eclipse killjoy? Having to rush out of the country to board an airplane. Don’t plan to battle traffic the night of or the morning after the eclipse. If you can, stay put for at least a day or two to give yourself time to process the experience. For some, eclipses can be quite emotional, triggering unexpected feelings. Viewing a total eclipse can even be life-changing, as one astronomy professor explains. My first total eclipse certainly was—it turned me into a total umbraphile (the term for someone who chases total eclipses). Years later, I got an eclipse-inspired tattoo with a friend with whom I’d witnessed two total eclipses. So give yourself a buffer to process the experience—and avoid the rush out of the path of totality.

Eclipse Planning Resources

Since 2017, online resources for eclipse planners have proliferated. Here are a few I’ve found helpful:

• Interactive eclipse map: This Google Map of the path of totality lets you zoom in and out to see exactly which areas and towns will experience totality and when. Whether you want to choose your exact watch spot, or pick a different destination than the spots on our list, this is a super helpful tool. This mapping tool was created by information-technology professional and eclipse enthusiast Xavier M. Jubier.
• Static eclipse maps: To get less in the weeds, check out the eclipse maps at the National Eclipse website. While this online resource formed for the 2017 American eclipse, it has continued to provide eclipse maps and information for total and annular eclipses around the world.
• Time and date database: Look up the exact time the eclipse starts and the length of totality by location at Time and Date. 
• Eclipse store: Get your eclipse glasses, which experts recommend for eye safety, before any sort of worldwide shortage (or price hike) kicks in. This eclipse store run by National Eclipse stocks everything you need. Leading up to the Great American Eclipse, these safety spectacles became a bit hard to find, so buy them and more eclipse gear and merch early.

If you can’t make a trip happen for the 2026 eclipse, look on the bright side: The year after, another total solar eclipse will deliver the longest totality on land of the 21st century. On August 2, 2027, the path of totality will experience up to six minutes and 22 seconds of darkness. Spain is lucky enough to sit in the path of totality once more, along with several Middle Eastern countries, from Morocco to Egypt. And of course, it’s never too early to start planning for the eclipse of the century.