Last Updated on August 10, 2026
More than 446,000 tourists are expected to visit Spain this week, as it is predicted to be the country with the best sightings of the much-anticipated solar eclipse.
Wednesday 12 August, 2026, will bring the country its first visible eclipse in about 120 years. And the Balearics and northern Spain are right in the ‘path of totality’ where the moon completely blocks the Sun. If you’ve already booked your summer holiday to Spain or its islands, you’re in for a memorable trip.
However, there are a few common mistakes that could cause you to miss it completely.
Here’s what to watch out for, and how to make sure you catch the eclipse during your holiday.
#1. 99.9% is not quite good enough
If you’re travelling to Madrid or Barcelona next week, you narrowly miss the path of totality.
According to Instituto Geográfico Nacional, Madrid will have 99.98% coverage, and Barcelona will have 99.81%. That might sound close enough, but it’s not.
Even a tiny bit of Sun keeps the sky bright and hides the eclipse’s corona. This is the Sun’s outermost layer, which looks like a glowing white halo during a total solar eclipse.
If you want to experience the full effect, anyone in Barcelona or Madrid will need to travel directly into the path.
Luckily, full visibility is only 90 minutes away in Zaragoza, which can be reached by AVE from Madrid or Barcelona.
#2 The low-Sun trap
When full eclipse totality happens, the Sun will be very low in the sky, just 4 degrees above the horizon near the Balearics. At that height, almost anything can block your view.
This means that heading to a scenic, secluded spot might not help if a mountain, tall hotel, or even a row of trees is in your line of sight.
Mallorca is the obvious risk, and the Tramontana mountains, with one peak even higher than Ben Nevis, already regularly cast shadows over Palma and nearby resorts.
With this in mind, make sure your hotel, beach, or balcony has a clear, low view to the west-north-west, with no mountains, buildings, or trees blocking its view.
There’s another thing to keep in mind on the Mediterranean coast. The sea is to your east, so the setting Sun will drop over the land behind you.
To get a clear view, look for a west-facing shore (like Mallorca’s west coast), or find a spot that’s higher up.
#3 Don’t get stuck on the day
More than 2.2 million UK holidaymakers visited Spain last August, and the Balearics were the country’s busiest region, with the UK as its dominant market.
With it already being the height of tourist season, you’ll need to arrive at your viewing spot several hours early. Roads will be busy and journey times will be longer, so driving may not be the best idea.
Whether you drive or take public transport, allow plenty of travel time.
The eclipse lasts less than two minutes, so there’s no room for being late.
#4 Keep eclipse glasses on throughout
Following the 1999 total solar eclipse, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported around 70 cases of people experiencing vision problems in the UK, after watching the eclipse. So, it’s clear we need to be mindful of protecting our vision on the day.
Ordinary sunglasses, no matter how dark, do not give enough protection for viewing a solar eclipse.
Eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers are one of the safest ways to watch the eclipse but make sure they are from a trusted retailer and have filters that meet the international safety standard ISO 12312-2:2015(E).
#5 Beat the crowds
Although Spain will be busy everywhere, some less touristy places may offer full solar eclipse totality and a more peaceful atmosphere.
Gijón, the beautiful, historic fishing town, might be your best bet. Filled with narrow cobbled streets and lively squares, it’s also predicted to offer 1 min 46 sec of eclipse totality.
The city is famous for its San Lorenzo Beach, where tourists can take a walk along the mile-long golden sand shore and see the iconic La Escalerona steps.
You can also step back in time and view its remarkably well-preserved 1st-century Roman thermal ruins or climb the Tour Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura for stunning panoramic city views.
Other alternative options for good eclipse sightings in Spain include:
- Burgos, Castilla y León, which will offer 1 min 44 sec of totality
- Peñíscola, Castellón, which will offer 1 min 39 sec of totality
- Zaragoza, Aragón, which will offer 1 min 24 sec of totality
- Valencia city, which will offer 1 minute of totality.
Special to www.BookCottages.com by Nicholas Smith, Dynamic Packages Director at Thomas Cook
