Thinking about traveling to the totality belt for this year’s August solar eclipse? If you were lucky enough to witness the 2024 solar eclipse that reached totality across various locations in the Northeastern U.S., you’ll find an even more magical experience awaiting at the beautiful and striking destinations within this year’s viewing belt. Here are some of the most interesting destinations for viewing the solar eclipse on August 12, 2026.
Altafulla, Catalonia, Spain
This year’s solar eclipse sees its widest path of totality across mainland Spain. And the conditions are nearly perfect for those looking to merge this cosmic event with a summer vacation. Various coastal locations across Spain will be perfecting viewing locations for full totality which is slated to occur in Spain in the late evening, prior to sunset. Altafulla is a beachside town in Catalonia just outside Tarragona, known for its largely preserved sandy beaches and historic old town. Less popular than other Spanish coastal cities like nearby Barcelona, Altafulla offers a more laid back less touristy destination for relaxed eclipse viewing.
Llacuna de l’Encanyissada, Spain
This is the largest lagoon in Spain’s Delta del Ebro between Tarragona and Valencia. The marshy land looks out on the Balearic Sea, and on the mainland the peaks of limestone mountains can be seen at Parc Natural dels Ports de Tortosa-Beseit, home to Mount Caro. This area is perfect for nature lovers who enjoy hiking to summits with gorgeous views, and a taste of seaside life with nearby beaches just a short drive away.
Montesinho Natural Park, Portugal
Though the belt of totality does not stretch through a large portion of Portugal, a full eclipse can still be viewed at this national park. This protected stretch of land is home to a small population of about 9,000 people across 92 small villages in northeastern Portugal. This is one of Portugal’s largest national parks and during your stay when you’re not watching the eclipse you can enjoy various outdoor activities such as hiking, observing local wildlife and visiting small villages to get a taste of the well-preserved small town culture.
The Westfjords, Iceland
The eclipse merges with a piece of ecological history in the Westfjords this August. This ancient peninsula in northwest Iceland is famous for its stark scenery. Towering cliffs contrasted with quaint fishing villages and impressive geographic formations along an indented coastline, though this region is just as beautiful as the remainder of Iceland, it is still less traveled. When you’re not viewing the eclipse, there are plenty of activities to enjoy here including puffin watching, kayaking tours, and scenic drives along winding roads. Visit beautiful natural sites like the Dynjandi Waterfall, Rauðisandur Beach or Látrabjarg Cliffs.
Scoresby Sund & Blosseville Coast, Greenland
A total solar eclipse can also be viewed in eastern Greenland, across the Scoresby Sund, the largest fjord system in the world, as well as the Blosseville Coast that stretches 500 miles down King Christian IX Land, or the Sermersooq Municipality. Though this trip will surely suit cold weather travelers best, this is the place to go for other-worldly solar scenery. Watch the steeping fjords around you fade to black as the eclipse reaches totality from a cruise expedition in fjordland or at various locations along the coast.
