If clouds spoiled the August 2026 eclipse for you, there's a second chance — and it's a big one. On 2 August 2027, a total solar eclipse dubbed the 'eclipse of the century' will trace a narrow path across southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. It will be the longest total eclipse visible from land until 2114, so this is genuinely a once-in-a-lifetime viewing window.
The standout location is Luxor, Egypt. Here, totality lasts a full 6 minutes and 23 seconds — the maximum anywhere on the path. Watching the sky darken over the temples of Luxor and Karnak and the Valley of the Kings feels fitting for a city the pharaohs built along astronomical alignments.
Saudi Arabia comes close: Jeddah, the Red Sea port city with its lively Corniche and the King Fahd's Fountain, will see 6 minutes and 2 seconds of totality, the longest in the Kingdom, with coastal breezes that help keep skies clear.
Tunisia's Kerkennah Islands offer 5 minutes and 41 seconds of darkness over a slow-paced archipelago about 20km off Sfax, known for octopus fishing, shallow beaches and a heritage museum worth a wander. Morocco's best bet is Tangier, where totality begins around 9:45am and lasts 4 minutes 50 seconds — with beaches along the bay and Achakar likely to draw crowds.
Spain and Gibraltar get a shorter show but an easy one. Tarifa, mainland Europe's southernmost point, and the Rock of Gibraltar both expect around 4 minutes and 39 seconds of totality, with open coastal views towards North Africa. Tarifa pairs the eclipse with windsurfing and a Moorish old town; Gibraltar adds Barbary macaques and a British pub.
Why it matters: eclipse-chasing trips sell out fast and the best durations cluster in places that are otherwise superb winter-sun and culture destinations. Whether you want maximum darkness over ancient temples or a beach-and-tapas version of the event, booking a year ahead is not excessive for this one.