A total solar eclipse will cross southern Spain on 2 August 2027, followed by an annular eclipse on 26 January 2028. Both are expected to attract large numbers of visitors, particularly in areas along the path of totality. The events will offer distinct sights: during a total eclipse, the Moon completely covers the Sun for a short time; an annular eclipse leaves a bright ring of sunlight visible around the Moon.
The next major event will take place on 2 August 2027, when the total solar eclipse, dubbed the “eclipse of the century” for its exceptional duration, crosses southern Spain. The path of totality will move from west to east, passing over Ceuta and Melilla, most of Cádiz, large parts of Málaga, and the southernmost areas of Granada and Almería. Totality will last four minutes and 48 seconds in Ceuta and four minutes and 34 seconds in Melilla. Cádiz will see two minutes and 45 seconds, while Málaga will experience one minute and 48 seconds. Elsewhere in Spain, the eclipse will be partial, with at least 70% of the Sun obscured.
Interest is already high after the recent total solar eclipse drew crowds across the country. The Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) says the 2027 eclipse will occur at around 10:50 a.m., when the Sun is high enough for favourable viewing conditions. The narrow path of totality will limit the best viewing opportunities to a small area, and authorities expect impressive congestion there. Visitors planning to travel south are advised to make arrangements well in advance.
For international eclipse travellers, Egypt will offer the longest totality, with Luxor experiencing six minutes and 23 seconds. Other impressive locations include Tangier in Morocco, where totality will last four minutes and 51 seconds, and Lampedusa in Italy, with two minutes and 56 seconds. Eclipse chasers are also expected to travel to Saudi Arabia, where Jeddah will experience nearly six minutes of totality and Mecca nearly five.
Before the 2027 solar eclipse, a partial lunar eclipse will be visible across Spain on the night of 28 August 2026. Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse can be watched with the naked eye and requires no special equipment. It will come before the two major solar events expected in the following years.
The final event in this sequence will be the annular solar eclipse on 26 January 2028. The Moon will pass in front of the Sun but appear too small to cover it completely, leaving the characteristic “ring of fire” visible. The eclipse will cross Spain from southwest to northeast late in the afternoon, affecting Andalucía and southern Extremadura, as well as Castilla-La Mancha, parts of Madrid, Aragón, Murcia, Comunidad Valenciana, sections of Cataluña, and the westernmost Balearic Islands. The eclipse will be partial elsewhere in the country.
Eye safety is impressive during both solar events. During the 2027 eclipse, looking at the Sun without protection is safe only during the brief period of complete totality and only from within the path where the Sun is fully covered. Protective solar-viewing glasses are necessary during the partial phases. During the 2028 annular eclipse, the visible ring remains direct sunlight, so it is never safe to look at the Sun without proper eye protection.
The eclipses are expected to affect tourism and local infrastructure, especially in regions along the path of totality. The influx of visitors will require careful coordination by local authorities to manage crowds and ensure safety. Public interest in these phenomena was also evident during the recent eclipse in Spain, covered in reports on the recent total solar eclipse in Spain.
Solar and lunar eclipses have long fascinated scientists and the public. Spain’s upcoming events offer rare opportunities to observe these phenomena within the country. The 2027 total eclipse stands out for its duration and the regions it will cross, while the 2028 annular eclipse will bring the contrasting sight of a ring of sunlight. Both events make safe viewing and preparation for increased visitor numbers impressive for residents and travellers, as well as local authorities.
