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It is now only weeks until the long-anticipated total solar eclipse, with some places plunged into momentary darkness as one of the Earth’s most astonishing natural events takes place.
On 12 August 2026, the eclipse’s “path of totality”, the narrow corridor directly within the Moon's deepest shadow, will sweep across the Arctic Ocean, then over parts of Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and Spain.
While enthusiasts will likely have had trips for this special day booked years in advance, there are still some last-minute holidays that you can book to witness the eclipse.
This is the first total solar eclipse that will be visible from Europe in the 21st century, so it’s an ideal moment to witness the cosmological phenomenon.
Even if not directly within the eclipse’s path of totality – although this would be the most outstanding experience – many across Europe will at least see a partial eclipse, weather depending.
Order your special eclipse safety glasses and check out these last-minute eclipse holidays.
Sail to Spain with Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries has sailings on and around the day of the eclipse, landing you in the ports under the path of totality just in time to witness the phenomenon. Both of the ferry company’s Spanish ports, Santander and Bilbao, are directly within the path of totality, allowing you to arrive in style ahead of the event.
Starting from £680, Brittany Ferries still has standard boarding passes available for its Portsmouth to Bilbao journey, arriving in the Spanish city on 11 August. Or you could spend from £654 for a Portsmouth sailing to Santander, which will land you in the city on the morning of 12 August. A Plymouth to Santander sailing from £684 will also transport you to Spain a couple of days before the eclipse, arriving on 10 August.
Read more: When is the solar eclipse 2026 and where is best to view it from?
New Scientist Discovery Tours to Spain, Greenland and Iceland
New Scientist’s Discovery Tours have been proving popular among eclipse-seekers, so the company has released some last-minute extra rooms and cabins for those hoping to join in on the science-led excursions.
On 7 August, New Scientist will be running a 13-day polar cruise departing from Iceland to watch the eclipse in the Scoresby Sund fjords in Greenland. The trip includes a cabin stay on a boutique polar expedition vessel, a chance to spot Arctic wildlife, exploration of glaciers and fjords, tundra hikes, and tours around Iceland’s Golden Triangle, all guided by eclipse expert Jamie Carter. Prices start from £14,595 per person.
New Scientist is also running a waitlist for a Spanish-based tour starting from £2,999 per person. If accepted, you will join the six-day Madrid to Valladolid small group tour from 9 August, which provides a private viewing site for the eclipse, as well as scientific talks, stargazing at Tiedra observatory, exploring historic sites in Madrid, Burgos and Valladolid, and witnessing the Perseids meteor shower. The trip is accompanied by astronomer Colin Stuart, and guests are provided with bed and breakfast accommodation.
Read more: The best cruises to see the 2026 total solar eclipse
Book a boutique getaway to Son Ermita in Menorca
Menorcan sister hotels, Son Ermità & Binidufà, are hosting a special eclipse experience as they are situated within the path of totality. The “Under the Eclipse” package that can be added during booking includes a welcome drink, live music, a dinner with wine pairings, and eclipse viewing glasses.
There’s still room left at both neighbouring hotels, which together make up almost 2,000 acres of estate with access to the rugged coast and stretches of nature-filled land. Both hotels are 18th-century fincas that have been renovated to offer bohemian-chic stays. Guests also have access to two restaurants, pools and a gym.
Read more: I went on a Barcelona food safari with ‘Spain’s best pastry chef’ to discover where the locals eat
See the eclipse from the comfort of the luxury Iberostar Selection Est Trenc in Mallorca
If action-packed tours are not your thing, then luckily the path of totality will cast over some of the most popular resort hotspots in Spain. Iberostar Selection Es Trenc on the island of Mallorca still has some rooms left over the eclipse period to watch when the moon completely covers the Sun.
The hotel has transformed some of its suites into “Eclipse Suites”, which give guests access to undisturbed panoramic views of the event on its rooftop. Booking these suites will also entitle guests to a signature massage, an eclipse-themed dinner, unique jewellery inspired by the cosmic event, and a guided visit to the nearby salt flats. The package is available for a minimum of four nights, with prices starting from £1,120. Cheaper rooms are available at the hotel on the same dates, but won’t provide you with the added extras, although you will still be able to witness the eclipse.
Read more: Mediterranean charm meets contemporary Japanese design at this Marbella hotel
Experience the eclipse festival style with Björk in Iceland
Icelandic singing sensation Björk is hosting a festival on 12 August, aligning with the time the eclipse passes over the Nordic island nation. More tickets have been added for any last-minute partiers who want to join Björk playing a DJ set and other performers at Echolalia in the Víðistaðatún park in Hafnarfjörðu. Víðistaðatún is in the western periphery of the Reykjavik area, where the 100 per cent total eclipse will be experienced for one minute and four seconds, with the total duration of the eclipse being two hours. Tickets start from £90.
Read more: The Volcanic Way – how to unlock Iceland’s magical landscape
Party after the eclipse at TRS Ibiza
On 12 August, five-star hotel TRS Ibiza will be hosting special festivities with a show, food and drinks during the solar eclipse. Guests staying at the hotel can enhance their holiday with the “Eclipse Essence” package, which includes rooftop viewing access, a hydrotherapy circuit and sound healing yoga. Additionally, in selected rooms, you can choose the Private Eclipse Romance rate, a package designed to allow you to enjoy the eclipse with greater privacy, better views, and an even more exclusive experience.
On the evening of the eclipse, guests will also be able to enjoy live music, DJs, a light show and a special menu with signature cocktails at a ticketed event from £65 per person. The adult-only hotel had direct access to a beach, three pools and a personalised butler service.
Read more: I took my toddler on holiday to Ibiza – here’s why the island is more family-friendly than you think
See the eclipse at an Icelandic gathering
There is a small number of tickets left for Iceland Eclipse, a festival gathering of musicians, artists, scientists and wellness experts as they celebrate the celestial event. Taking place over five days on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, there are plenty of things to see and do alongside the two minutes of darkness during the eclipse. Attend a talk led by astronauts and scientists, rave to DJ sets, take part in sound healing rituals and even take excursions organised by the festival to waterfalls, lava caves and glacier chambers.
Guests have access to campsites, glamping tents or the option to book off-site lodging. Tickets start from £669.
Read more: Reykjavik EDITION, Iceland, hotel review
See the eclipse from a riverboat in Mallorca
This Meliá hotel on the Mallorcan coast is offering a private eclipse experience aboard its boat, the Rivamare, on 12 August. The Hotel de Mar Gran Meliá sunset experience will depart from Port Adriano and sail along the southern coast of the island, passing through some of the coast’s most secluded coves. Running from 5pm to 9pm, the eclipse will occur in the middle of the experience, allowing plenty of time for swimming, caviar tasting and clinking champagne flutes. As one of the more premium experiences, the eclipse boat tour starts from €9,800 for up to seven guests and needs to be arranged by contacting the concierge.
Elsewhere around the hotel, guests can choose to experience the eclipse from some of the suites and rooms, or as part of restaurant offerings such as the exclusive Bombon Pool Club that was opened in partnership with designer Alberta Ferretti, and Arrels, serving traditional Mallorcan cuisine.
Read more: I went on my first cruise in my 30s – here’s why every millennial should take one
Have a cosmic city break in Madrid
Madrid is only just outside the path of totality, and the city is likely to experience a 99.9 per cent partial eclipse. Has there ever been a better time to plan a city break around one of the most outstanding events of the year that costs no extra to experience? TravelSupermarket recommends staying three nights at the NH Madrid Balboa for a mid-week break from 11 to 14 August, a four-star hotel with simple rooms, some of which have balconies.
If you want to travel outside the city for the main event, just an hour train-ride north is Valladolid, which is in the path of totality, while Burgos is just half an hour further.
Read more: These are Madrid’s 10 best LGBTQ-friendly hotels for Pride and beyond
