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A once-in-a-century total solar eclipse will sweep across 10 countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East on Aug. 2, 2027.
Already being hailed as the “Eclipse of the Century,” next year’s eclipse is especially notable for what’s being touted as an exceptionally long duration, offering up to six minutes and 23 seconds of totality, significantly longer than recent total solar eclipses, including the 2024 Great North American Eclipse.
While there is a total solar eclipse somewhere in the world roughly every 18 months, the maximum duration of totality is often two to four minutes in areas near the center of the path. The length of the 2027 eclipse is just one of the reasons this is being hailed as an eclipse of epic proportions.
“It’s a long time before something this long happens again,” says Dr. Kelly Korreck, program scientist for eclipses at NASA Headquarters, who adds an eclipse of this length won’t occur again until 2114.
The 2027 eclipse path will cross Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia, with the longest totality happening in Luxor, Egypt.
The latter is sure to be a spine-tingling spectacle when the Valley of the Kings and the Nile River will be shrouded in over six minutes of midday darkness, with the eclipse taking place there around high noon. Other enticing destinations include sunny resort towns in southern Spain and Morocco’s bohemian port city, Tangier.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, blocking the sun’s light. Viewers experience the swift transition from day to night during totality as temperatures drop and the sky turns dark. Only the sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona (“crown” in Latin), can be seen, like a halo. To experience the total phase of the eclipse, or “totality,” viewers must be within the narrow “path of totality,” an approximately 160-mile-wide path for the 2027 eclipse.
The 2027 total solar eclipse’s length can be attributed to three factors, says Korreck. The moon will be at its closest to Earth, giving it a wider ability to block the sun, while Earth will be at its farthest from the sun, making it easier for the moon to cover the sun. The path of totality is near the equator, where the Earth’s rotation and the moon’s shadow are moving at about the same rate, resulting in a slower-moving shadow.
“The joy of this is we get more time to stare at the corona, more time to feel the awe that you get with an eclipse, because it really is special. Our whole body experiences it, not just our eyes,” says Korreck.
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Best places to see the 2027 total solar eclipse
The path of totality crosses through many historically significant and typically tourist-friendly locations, but we do recognize that war with Iran is causing unrest in the region. Be sure to sign up for the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program before traveling and consider purchasing “cancel for any reason” travel insurance.
Currently, the following destinations are at a State Department Level 2 travel advisory or lower. Be sure to do your own research and know where to exercise increased caution and avoid areas with higher security risks.
While most hotels have not yet opened reservations, many tours and cruises along the path of totality, especially on the Nile River, are booking up rapidly. Most hotels are expected to release reservations in August, about a year in advance. We will continue to update this story as more information about bookings becomes available.
Egypt
Luxor, the site of the ancient Egyptian capital of Thebes, is home to a dizzying array of ancient Egyptian temples, tombs and monuments. The city is split by the Nile River into the East Bank (Karnak Temple Complex and Luxor Temple) and the West Bank (the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens). The West Bank, burial site of multiple pharaohs including Tutankhamun and Ramses II, will be a prime, though likely crowded, location for viewing the total solar eclipse.
Here are some points hotels to bookmark for when reservations are released this summer:
Cruising the Nile River in a motorized cruise vessel or luxury sailboat known as a dahabiya is on many travelers’ bucket lists. Many Nile cruises during the total solar eclipse are already sold out, but there are still a few with availability:
- Alluring Africa’s Solar Eclipse Over Egypt with astrophysicist and eclipse veteran Dr. Jay White still has availability for a 10-day journey on the Royal Ruby II from Luxor to Aswan.
- Scientific American’s 10-day 2027 Solar Eclipse Egyptian Cruise, which begins in Cairo and crescendos with a total solar eclipse on the Nile, also still has space.
- New Scientist Discovery Tours’ Total Solar Eclipse 2027: Nile Cruise, Egypt, from Aswan to Luxor aboard a ship with a rooftop pool, is sold out, but offers a waitlist.
Related: Nile River cruises: The ultimate guide to Egypt cruising and cruise tours
Southern Spain
The Costa del Sol in Spain’s Andalusia region is known for beaches, golf courses and over 320 days of annual sunshine. Resorts in coastal cities like Cadiz, Malaga and the tony town of Marbella will make for comfortable getaways for the total solar eclipse. While not in the path of totality, the Alhambra in Granada is an easy day trip to round out an eclipse vacation.
Korreck says it’s notable that Spain is getting total solar eclipses in both 2026 and 2027. “For any location on earth, it’s normally between three and 400 years until you get your next eclipse,” says Korreck.
Related: The 5 best places to see the 2026 total solar eclipse
Keep these points hotels in mind for when reservations open up for August 2027 later this year:
If you’d prefer to see the eclipse on a ship, consider booking Ponant’s A Solar Eclipse at Sea: Voyage Along the Iberian Peninsula in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys. It departs round-trip from Lisbon on July 30, 2027, for a seven-night cruise starting at $9,830 per person. Guests aboard Le Boreal will see the rare celestial event over the Mediterranean Sea while in Malaga. Other highlights include exploring Portugal’s Algarve and stops in Marbella and Cadiz.
Gibraltar
The small British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, on Spain’s southern coast, famous for the Rock of Gibraltar, wild Barbary macaques and a mix of British culture and Mediterranean scenery, will experience four minutes and 32 seconds of totality starting at around 9:45 a.m. on Aug. 2, 2027.
With open squares, nature reserves and marinas, there are plenty of places to take in unobstructed eclipse views. Gibraltar is easily accessible by rail, by driving from Spain, and by British Airways and EasyJet flights from airports in London; Manchester, England; and Bristol, England.
At just 2.6 square miles, Gibraltar doesn’t have many hotel options, but you can book the Holiday Inn Express Gibraltar with IHG One Rewards points. It’s right next to the Rock of Gibraltar and within walking distance of the Moorish Castle. Summer rates typically start at 36,000 IHG One Rewards points per night. Though it doesn’t belong to any points programs, the Sunborn Gibraltar is a unique floating yacht hotel with multiple restaurants and a spa that will make for a memorable stay. Summer rates generally start at around $227 per night.
Northern Morocco
With rich culture, history and beautiful landscapes from the coast to the Atlas Mountains, Morocco is an exceptional location for the Aug. 2, 2027, total solar eclipse. The northern part of the country will experience almost five minutes of totality, while the rest of the country will have a partial eclipse.
Prime viewing locations in the north include Tetouan, known for whitewashed buildings and a UNESCO-protected medina, and the coastal city of Tangier, where good vantage points include spots on the Mediterranean Sea and the city’s kasbah. Located at the medina’s highest point, the kasbah offers views of the Strait of Gibraltar and Spain on a clear day.
Bookmark the following points hotels for when reservations open later:
- Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier is in a 1920s palace surrounded by lush gardens in the hills above the medina. You can book with points through the Accor Live Limitless loyalty program or through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts if you hold select American Express cards. Cash rates generally start at around $365 per night in the summer.
- Hilton Garden Inn Tanger City Center is a short walk to the beach, and rates typically start at around 35,000 Hilton Honors points per night in the summer.
- For a more upscale stay in the same area with amenities like a rooftop pool, the Hilton Tangier City Center has rates starting at around 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night in the summer.
- Hilton Tangier Al Houara Resort & Spa is a beach resort on the Atlantic about 8 miles from the city center with a spa and a golf course. Nightly rates in the summer start at around 60,000 Hilton Honors points.
- La Fiermontina Ocean is a breezy hotel with a beach club north of Larache within the path of totality. As part of Hyatt’s Mr & Mrs Smith partnership, you can book this hotel in the summer starting at around 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
For those who’d like to explore the country via a group tour, New Scientist Discovery Tours is offering four Morocco eclipse tours that meet up in Marrakech and Tangier. The tours include: Introduction to Morocco, Best of Morocco, Archaeology of Morocco and Astronomy in Morocco. The tours range from eight to 11 days and start at around $5,000 per person.
Algeria and Tunisia
The North African countries of Algeria and Tunisia are not on the typical tourist track, but both lie in the path of the eclipse’s totality. Both countries offer desert landscapes, Mediterranean beaches, and abundant Roman and Islamic history and ruins, such as Tunisia’s ancient ruins of Carthage. While Tunisia is predominantly Muslim, it is generally considered less conservative than some neighboring countries.
The cities of Oran, Algeria, and Sfax, Tunisia will both experience over five minutes of totality. Here are some points hotels in both cities to bookmark:
- Ibis Sfax is a no-fuss hotel with a fitness center and outdoor pool that can be booked with points through the Accor Live Limitless loyalty program.
- The upscale Le Meridien Oran Hotel & Convention Centre has rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies. It can be booked starting at 21,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
- Four Points by Sheraton Oran is near popular attractions, including Fort Santa Cruz. It can be booked starting at around 14,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Tips for eclipse viewing
Taking place in sultry August in destinations with a high probability of clear skies, this eclipse promises plenty of drama and high temperatures. In Egypt, it could easily be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so make sure to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water. Always use certified eclipse glasses to view the eclipse’s partial phases, although during totality, it’s safe to watch without them.
Korreck recommends selecting a viewing location away from tall buildings, such as a field or a hilltop, to ensure a clear line of sight. And note that while the total eclipse will not pass over the U.S. mainland, a partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Maine.
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