This is for the United States section... as a reminder that anyone planning a trip to Europe, OR who could be nudged to take interest, should know well in advance that on the evening of August 12, 2026, a total eclipse of the sun will occur across a wide swath of Northern Spain.

(putting it in the Spain section would be useless, as those already IN Spain surely are reminded of it quite often) (and people in Spain probably don't so often view the "Spain" section on Fodors, unlike Americans who do view the United States section a great deal)

It can't be too difficult for Americans along the eastern seaboard to get their paperwork in order and take that easier/shorter trip across the pond, and find reason to be not far away on Eclipse day.

With the event happening in the evening, it is very possible to stay far enough away to be able to afford the hotel costs and then drive in on eclipse day.

The catch on this is that the period of totality is remarkably short... but the build-up and slow... uh, eclipse will go for plenty of time before and after the minute of totality.

It appears that there will be such a wide swath across northern Spain that it shouldn't be too difficult to find spots that aren't jam-packed.

I'd go away from cities, and toward spots with a higher view of surrounding areas, in part to watch as the shadow of the moon crosses the nearby terrain.


Anyway, if this reaches one interested soul before it is moved to some stupid spot that makes no sense at all... (and then goes completely unnoticed)... it will be a moral victory.


August 12 - Eclipse day in Spain.

I wasn't very smart as this was one my radar. As soon as air pricing for Spain was released I've been tracking it. It was a bit pricey at first and I thought too early but I should have bought it. I didn't and now it's gone a few hundred dollars more. Darn! I really want to go so I keep checking, fingers crossed.

Thank you for this post, while I am away from Spain, but still helps the community, stay safe everyone.

My home city was in the path of totality in the 2024 eclipse. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. This thread is a great reminder for anyone who wants to see it.

Please be advised there are other places to see the eclipse, and a few cruises that will sail to the path of totality in the ocean. Be sure to wear your eclipse glasses and hope for a day without clouds. It's quite a sight.

I just looked at the map for the eclipse and it will also be visible in far western Iceland and eastern Greenland. I was in both Iceland and Greenland this year, and I think the chances of clear skies are better in Spain. I'm betting the cruise ships will watch the forecast and try to sail into clear skies during the eclipse.

Since I was fortunate enough to see it last year, I won't be traveling to see it in 2026. But I hope everyone else will have a chance to see a total eclipse once in a lifetime.

I saw one when I was about eight. It was great. Done.

... I was aware that the eclipse will be visible from other places, but I thought that "Spain" was the most (potentially-convenient) to Americans who might be inclined to travel to see it.

(but hey, if you're going to Iceland/Greenland on business at about that time - by all means...)

I'm not sure that to target "Spain" for airfare is the most cost effective. With the European Union being what it is these days, one might do best to fly to some other, random city/country, and then be driving in the area of Spain in the days leading up to the eclipse.

...making sure that you are not greatly delayed by any border concerns on eclipse day.

A cursory read suggests that crossing country borders in the area of Spain is NOT too challenging provided one has all of the correct paperwork, etc.


Looking ahead at the eclipse possibilities is quite different when thinking/writing of a country to which I've never been ("They say Spain is pretty, though I've never been...") vs. the recent American eclipses where I'd visited most of the territory without the madness of the eclipse.

Probably also challenging to research the countryside there in hope of a remote-ish spot that might enhance the experience.

It is OK to be with hundreds of people for the event... but you might not want tens of thousands... or even thousands...


I can't say enough about my experience watching the 2017 eclipse from the Painted Hills in central Oregon. (though I knew I didn't want to be among the 50,000 a couple of counties over, in Madras, OR) (normal pop. 7800)

Lots of people (hundreds, I mean) but they were all there for one purpose, and nearly all had to make an effort to get there (better company than somebody who sleeps in the same garbage can every night and just happens to be under the band of totality).


Here's a video attempting to view the moon's shadow as it approached and then passed over the gathering of people.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-nokyJMtHo


Most noteworthy about the video are the sounds and human reactions to the phenomenon.

(I am quite confident that it will sound just about the same in Espanol)


When you really boil it down, perhaps the single best element of a total eclipse of the sun is the mere math which allows man to know in advance just when such a thing will occur.

In that way especially, it is a great experience for teaching your kids.


Lastly, probably better to be on land while awaiting the eclipse vs. in the water, in a boat. Because you'll be free to adjust your path/destination for eclipse viewing based on anticipated cloud cover.

In the water, the captain has the final say, and who knows whether he'll make the right choices.

When contemplating the recent U.S. eclipses, it was always a wise move to stay away from large bodies of water given the greater probability of cloud cover. Not sure how that thinking should be adjusted for the middle of the ocean.


I recall that even the most probable clear-sky viewing spots only boasted a "70% chance" of clear skies on eclipse days gone by.


I continue to hope this thread inspires a few people... maybe even some Europeans who are looking at U.S. travel sites for other reasons???