Total Solar Eclipse 2 August 2027: Top 10 Places to See Totality

The 2 August 2027 total solar eclipse: where and when

On Monday 2 August 2027 a total solar eclipse crosses the Strait of Gibraltar, southern Spain, northern Morocco, North Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Totality lasts up to 6 minutes 23 seconds near Luxor, Egypt (NASA), up to 4 minutes 48 seconds in Ceuta, Spain's longest, and 2 minutes 54 seconds in Cádiz (Spain's national geographic institute, IGN). In Spain it happens mid-morning, around 10:45 local time; the global maximum is at 12:06 Spanish time (13:06 in Egypt).

Updated October 2026. What happened in 2026: the 12 August 2026 eclipse crossed Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain at sunset, with up to 2 minutes 18 seconds of totality, the first total eclipse on mainland Europe since 1999 (NASA). This page now covers the next one, which is longer, earlier in the day and has better weather odds.

2027 eclipse at a glance

Place	Totality	Totality starts (local time)	Source
Luxor, Egypt	6 min 20 s (maximum 6 min 23 s nearby)	about 13:00	Eclipse Atlas, NASA
Ceuta, Spain	4 min 48 s	10:45	IGN
Melilla, Spain	4 min 34 s	10:48	IGN
Cádiz, Spain	2 min 54 s	10:45	IGN
Málaga, Spain	1 min 48 s	10:48	IGN
Northern Morocco, south of Tangier	up to 4 min 50 s	mid-morning	Eclipse Atlas
Jeddah and Makkah, Saudi Arabia	inside the path	early afternoon	Eclipse Atlas

Spanish times are CEST (UTC+2). In Spain the path covers Ceuta, Melilla, almost all of Cádiz province, part of Málaga province and the southern tips of Granada and Almería (IGN). Weather odds are very good along most of the path; in Luxor clear skies are close to certain in August, and the risks are heat and dust (Eclipse Atlas). Cairo and the Giza pyramids are outside the path and see only a partial eclipse.

Top 10 places to see the 2027 total solar eclipse

1. Luxor, Egypt

Luxor sits close to the centre line and the point of greatest eclipse, with about 6 minutes 20 seconds of totality around 13:00, the sun high in the sky and near-certain clear weather (Eclipse Atlas). Karnak and Luxor temples are inside the path. Expect August heat above 40°C, very high demand for hotels and Nile cruises, and plan shade and water for the whole day. (Egypt eSIM plans; Egypt eSIM guide)

2. Luxor's West Bank and the Valley of the Kings, Egypt

The West Bank (Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut's temple) is also inside the path, a few kilometres across the Nile from Luxor. Check access rules and opening hours for eclipse day with the Egyptian authorities closer to the date: crowd controls at major sites are likely.

3. Ceuta, Spain

Ceuta, the Spanish city on the African side of the Strait, has Spain's longest totality: 4 minutes 48 seconds from 10:45 (IGN). Ferries from Algeciras make it a day trip from mainland Spain, but book early: crossings will be in high demand.

4. Tarifa and the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain

Tarifa, Algeciras and the Strait coast sit near the centre line in Cádiz province, with mainland Spain's longest totality, well above the 2 minutes 54 seconds in Cádiz city. IGN publishes contact times for each municipality: check your exact spot.

5. Cádiz, Spain

Cádiz has 2 minutes 54 seconds of totality from 10:45 (IGN), a historic old town and long beaches, which makes it a good city base if you also want summer beach time.

6. Gibraltar

Gibraltar is inside the path (Eclipse Atlas), with the Rock as a backdrop. It is a British Overseas Territory outside the EU, so check roaming rules on your plan (Gibraltar eSIM plans).

7. Málaga and the Costa del Sol, Spain

Málaga city is near the northern edge of the path, with 1 minute 48 seconds (IGN); towns further south-west along the coast, towards the Strait, get longer totality. Málaga's airport makes it the easiest arrival point.

8. Melilla, Spain

Melilla, Spain's other North African city, has 4 minutes 34 seconds from 10:48 (IGN), with fewer crowds than the Strait. Flights and ferries are limited, so book early.

9. Tangier and northern Morocco

Totality first reaches land in Morocco south of Tangier, with up to 4 minutes 50 seconds (Eclipse Atlas). Tangier and Tetouan have hotels and are a short ferry ride from Tarifa or Algeciras (Morocco eSIM plans).

10. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The shadow crosses the Red Sea and darkens Jeddah and Makkah (Eclipse Atlas). Jeddah is the practical base for visitors; non-Muslims cannot enter Makkah. Check Saudi tourist-visa rules before booking (Saudi Arabia eSIM plans).

Booking timeline

Book flights and hotels as early as you can: totality crosses popular summer destinations in peak season, and the ferries across the Strait and Luxor hotels and Nile cruises will be in heavy demand. Choose refundable rates, and keep a second viewing spot within driving distance in case of cloud or crowds.

Eclipse safety basics

Use eclipse glasses or viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard during all partial phases; ordinary sunglasses are not safe. Remove them only during totality, and put them back on as soon as the first bright light returns (American Astronomical Society). Cameras, binoculars and telescopes need a proper solar filter on the front.

How to photograph the 2027 eclipse

Put a solar filter on the lens for the partial phases, take it off only during totality, and rehearse your settings before the day. With up to 6 minutes of totality in Egypt there is time for both photos and simply watching; in Málaga, under 2 minutes, decide in advance what you will shoot.

Staying connected on eclipse day

On the day, mobile data lets you follow live cloud and traffic updates, book ferries and rides, and switch viewing spots. Networks can slow down where large crowds gather, so download offline maps and agree a meeting point. A trip that combines Spain with Ceuta, Morocco or Egypt crosses several countries: Spain is covered by EU roaming rules, but Morocco and Egypt are not, so check your home plan or install a travel eSIM before you fly. MobiMatter offers eSIMs from several vetted carriers for each country on the path: Spain eSIM plans (Spain eSIM guide), Morocco eSIM plans, Egypt eSIM plans, Saudi Arabia eSIM plans, or Europe eSIM plans for multi-country European trips.

Frequently asked questions

When is the next total solar eclipse?

Monday 2 August 2027. Totality crosses southern Spain, Gibraltar, northern Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia (NASA, Eclipse Atlas).

Where is the longest totality in 2027?

Near Luxor, Egypt: up to 6 minutes 23 seconds (NASA); Luxor itself gets about 6 minutes 20 seconds.

Can I see the 2027 total eclipse from Spain?

Yes. Totality covers Ceuta (4 min 48 s), Melilla (4 min 34 s), most of Cádiz province, Cádiz city (2 min 54 s) and part of Málaga province (Málaga city 1 min 48 s), starting around 10:45 (IGN). The rest of Spain sees a partial eclipse.

Is Cairo in the path of totality?

No. Cairo and Giza see a deep partial eclipse; head south to Luxor for totality.

Do I need special glasses?

Yes, ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses for every partial phase. You can remove them only during totality.

What happened at the 2026 eclipse?

On 12 August 2026 totality crossed Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain near sunset, with up to 2 minutes 18 seconds (NASA). The 2027 eclipse is longer and happens earlier in the day.