Notitur July 20, 2026
Destinos y TendenciasPublished July 19, 20261 min read

The other two places to see the solar eclipse (and it's not Spain)

JSBy Joan SanzCurated by Joan Sanz. · July 19, 2026 · Follow on LinkedIn
Voice reading · ~1 min
The other two places to see the solar eclipse (and it's not Spain)
The other two places to see the solar eclipse (and it's not Spain) · AI-generated illustration · notitur.com

The August 12, 2026 solar eclipse is being marketed as Spain's big tourism event. And it partly is: the path of totality crosses the northern peninsula. But according to Preferente, it's not the only place. There are two competitors where the eclipse will also be total, and they are quite remote.

One is Greenland. The other, Iceland. Logistically complicated and expensive, for sure. But for travelers who have already seen an eclipse or want exclusivity, it could be a niche. Now, Spain has the weather, connectivity and hotel supply. That counts.

My take: let's not get distracted. The eclipse is a massive marketing opportunity for Spanish tourism, but we have to work it. Just having it pass overhead is not enough. Tour operatorsTour operatorA tour operator is the company that bundles flight, hotel and transfers into a single organised trip and sells it, usually through travel agencies. It buys in bulk and in advance, which gives it price but loads it wit... and specialized agencies should have a clear argument against anyone asking about Greenland or Iceland: infrastructure, access, relative weather certainty. Mind you, it can cloud over in Spain in August too, but the odds are better.

Quick questions

Which countries compete with Spain for the 2026 solar eclipse?
Greenland and Iceland. Both will have totality, though with worse access and more uncertain weather than Spain.
When is the 2026 total solar eclipse?
On August 12, 2026. The path of totality crosses northern Spain, plus Greenland and Iceland.
Why is it sold as a Spanish eclipse if other countries are involved?
Because of connectivity, tourism infrastructure and better weather in Spain compared to the alternative destinations.
Should travel agencies prepare packages for Greenland or Iceland?
Only if they have clients with high budgets seeking exclusivity. The niche exists, but the volume is in Spain.
What advantage does Spain have over Greenland and Iceland for the eclipse?
Better flight networks, hotels, restaurants and statistically more sunshine in August. It is a viable mass product.

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