Photo: REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
Interest in travel surged immediately after the August 2026 solar eclipse, Euronews reports, citing data from easyJet. Bookings to the Spanish cities of Seville, Almería, and Málaga have increased by 69%, while demand for trips to Gibraltar has risen by 29%.
The reason for this interest is the duration of the next eclipse. The maximum total phase on August 2, 2027, will last 6 minutes and 23 seconds. This will be the longest total solar eclipse visible from land until 2114.
The path of totality will pass through southern Spain, Gibraltar, North Africa, and the Middle East. In Europe, the most notable viewing locations include Cádiz, Marbella, and Gibraltar. In Marbella, the total phase will last 3 minutes and 21 seconds; in Cádiz, 2 minutes and 56 seconds; and in Gibraltar, 4 minutes and 28 seconds.
The longest duration of the total phase is expected in Egypt. In the Luxor area, the eclipse will last more than six minutes, making this region one of the main attractions for astro-tourists.
The rise in demand is already being reflected in the lodging market. In early August, Euronews Travel reported that when searching for accommodations in Seville for the period around the eclipse, Booking.com showed that 87% of options were already unavailable. In Gibraltar, about 98% of listings were unavailable.
It is already becoming clear that the 2027 eclipse is emerging as a significant driver of tourism demand in its own right. As August 2 approaches, the shortage of accommodations in cities along the path of totality is likely to only intensify.
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