With only weeks to go until the highly anticipated total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026, UK travellers still have opportunities to book last-minute trips to witness this extraordinary celestial phenomenon. The eclipse's path of totality, where the moon completely obscures the sun, will sweep across the Arctic Ocean before moving over parts of Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, and Spain.
For those seeking a direct route to the path of totality, Brittany Ferries offers sailings from UK ports to Spain. Journeys from Portsmouth to Bilbao, arriving on 11 August, start from £680. Alternatively, a Portsmouth to Santander sailing, arriving on the morning of 12 August, is available from £654. A Plymouth to Santander option, arriving on 10 August, is priced from £684, providing a couple of days to settle in before the event. Both Santander and Bilbao are situated directly within the eclipse's optimal viewing corridor.
More adventurous travellers might consider New Scientist Discovery Tours, which has released additional spaces for their science-led excursions. A 13-day polar cruise departing from Iceland on 7 August will head to Greenland's Scoresby Sund fjords for eclipse viewing, offering Arctic wildlife spotting and exploration of glaciers. Prices for this expedition, guided by eclipse expert Jamie Carter, start from £14,595 per person. A waitlist is also open for a six-day Spanish tour from Madrid to Valladolid, starting 9 August, which includes a private viewing site and talks from astronomer Colin Stuart, priced from £2,999 per person.
In Menorca, the sister hotels Son Ermità & Binidufà are offering an 'Under the Eclipse' package for guests staying within the path of totality. This includes a welcome drink, live music, a dinner with wine pairings, and eclipse viewing glasses. These 18th-century fincas offer bohemian-chic accommodation across nearly 2,000 acres, with access to the coast and natural landscapes.
This marks the first total solar eclipse visible from Europe in the 21st century, making it a unique opportunity for many to witness such a rare event. Even if not directly in the path of totality, many areas across Europe are expected to experience a partial eclipse, weather permitting. Travellers are reminded to acquire certified eclipse safety glasses for direct viewing.