Eclipse mania seems to be gripping the world, with the first total solar eclipse visible over Europe for 27 years due in 2026. While the Icelandic seas and peninsulars and the western coast of Europe, particularly Spain, could be set for a spectacular show bundling the northern lights, the Perseid meteor shower and the eclipse into one package, many enthusiasts are already planning ahead for eclipse-based tourism beyond Europe’s limits.
For those who can only afford one shot at an eclipse-based vacation, the risk of cloudy conditions or indeed volcanic eruptions obscuring the view from the northern edge of Europe in 2026 might be too much, especially as that eclipse will take place just 26 degrees above the horizon. Luckily eclipses happen nearly every year somewhere in the world, so the idea of booking a holiday to coincide with one is not unrealistic.
Egypt 2027
Bearing that in mind, it could be better to hold off until August 2027, when a total eclipse will occur over the Mediterranean, North Africa, and – tantalisingly – Egypt. With the weather “a slam dunk” according to one tour operator, and the pyramids, Luxor and the Valleys of the Kings and Queens bang in the path of totality for a full 6 minutes 23 seconds, the 2027 eclipse is sure to be a hair-raising experience.
“People who have never seen it before, the first words out of their mouth after the totality ends is ‘I’ve got to see another one, this is incredible, this is unbelievable.’ That is when you become addicted to these things and end up traveling no matter where the next one is,” said Joseph Rao, eclipse lover and guest lecturer at the Hayden Planetarium, speaking to the New York Times.
Sydney 2028
If an eclipse over the tombs of the ancient Pharaohs is not doing it for you however, or you are concerned about “Level 3 Reconsider Travel” official warnings for Egypt due to terror threats in the region, then perhaps the 2028 eclipse will be better for you.
The moon will cast its shadow over Sydney, Australia, its iconic Opera House and harbour skyline for just under four minutes. The last time a total eclipse of the sun occurred over Sydney, in 1857, the Opera House was still over a hundred years from construction. Although August is considered winter in Sydney, cloud cover is not considered a high risk.
Beyond that, in 2030, a total eclipse will again hit Australia and slide across central southern Africa, meaning you could have the chance to witness the skies darkening at the Okavango Delta, considered by many the cradle of life on earth, or at Namibia’s eerily beautiful Skeleton Coast.
