Topline
A rare and spectacular total solar eclipse is now just weeks away. On Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, the moon’s central shadow will sweep across the Arctic, eastern Greenland, western Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean and northern Spain, with a tiny corner of Portugal also in the path. For those in the right place, daylight will briefly fade, the sun’s corona will appear, and eclipse glasses can come off — but only during totality. Totality could even see views of the northern lights and “shooting stars.” Here’s everything you need to know about the next total solar eclipse.
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Where And When To experience Totality
Dozens of expedition cruise ships will take eclipse chasers to Greenland, with the best land-based options in western Iceland (where aurora can be seen at night from around mid-August) and northern Spain (which is ideally placed to see the Perseids). In Iceland, totality will cross the west coast in the early evening, while Spain will see a total solar eclipse low in the northwestern sky just prior to sunset. The path ends just east of the Balearic Islands. In Spain and the Balearic Islands, eclipse chasers will search for clear skies and open countryside, coastlines, plateaus and elevated viewpoints with sightings low to the northwest horizon. The best viewing conditions are expected in Castile and León, La Rioja, Aragón, and the Balearics.
10 places to see the 2026 total solar eclipse
Here are 10 places to experience the 2026 total solar eclipse in eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain.
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- Scoresby Sund, Greenland (up to 2 minutes 17 seconds totality)
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Iceland (2 minutes 9 seconds)
- Reykjavík, Iceland (1 minute)
- Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland (up to 1 minute 46 seconds)
- A Coruña, Spain (1 minute 16 seconds)
- León, Spain (1 minute 44 seconds)
- Burgos, Spain (1 minute 44 seconds)
- Zaragoza, Spain (1 minute 22 seconds)
- Ebro Delta, Spain (1 minute 36 seconds)
- S’Arenal, Mallorca, Spain (1 minute 35 seconds)
How To Experience It Safely
A total solar eclipse has two very different viewing rules. During the partial phases, eclipse glasses or certified solar filters are essential at all times. During totality only, when the moon completely covers the sun, it is safe to look without eye protection and see the corona — the sun’s faint outer atmosphere — with the naked eye. As soon as totality ends, eclipse glasses must go back on.
The Last And Next U.S. Total Solar Eclipses
The last total solar eclipse on Earth occurred on April 8, 2024, when up to 4 minutes 28 seconds of totality were experienced within a narrow path of totality across Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. The next total solar eclipse in the U.S. will occur on March 30, 2033, in Alaska, but the next one visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044. Another major coast-to-coast U.S. eclipse follows on Aug. 12, 2045.
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Further reading
ForbesLuxury Last-Minute Options For The 2026 Total Solar EclipseBy Jamie CarterForbesYour Ultimate Travel Guide To The 2026 Total Solar EclipseBy Jamie CarterForbesArtemis Astronauts Just Saw A Total Solar Eclipse — Now It’s Your TurnBy Jamie CarterForbesIt’s 500 Days Until 21st Century’s Longest Total Solar EclipseBy Jamie Carter