10/22/2024 | 4:00 PM
Cosmic event fans – save the date!
In August 2026, there will be a total solar eclipse visible from many western parts of mainland Europe, including Iceland, Greenland, Spain, and Portugal. This is the first total solar eclipse in continental Europe since 1999, and this exact event hasn’t occurred in Iceland in over 70 years.
During a total solar eclipse, the moon’s apparent diameter appears larger than the sun’s, creating the effect of a complete blackout when the two celestial bodies align – an eerie yet spectacular sight that most people only get to experience once in a lifetime. The area on the earth’s surface where the moon completely obstructs the sun is called the path of totality – and it’s usually a relatively narrow region of a few hundred kilometers, while a partial solar eclipse is visible in the surrounding areas for thousands of miles.
The 2026 eclipse in Iceland is especially exciting because the path of totality is directly over many regions in the west of the country, including the capital, Reykjavík. It offers locals and tourists the unique opportunity to experience a major celestial event while enjoying the highlights of Iceland’s summer – including other natural wonders and attractions.
So, if you didn’t manage to catch a glimpse of the 2024 eclipse in the US, this is your chance to see this incredible event while checking a new destination off your bucket list! Read on to learn more about Iceland’s 2026 solar eclipse, including the best places to see the eclipse, travel planning tips, and more.
Photo below: A composite image of multiple exposures shows the progression of a total solar eclipse in Dallas, USA, on April 8, 2024. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber).
When is the next solar eclipse in Iceland?
The next total solar eclipse in Iceland will occur during the evening of Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Time and Date forecasts that the partial eclipse in Iceland will start at approximately 4:42pm, with totality (blackout) beginning at around 5:43pm.
Different Icelandic regions will experience totality at slightly different times within this window, and the duration of totality will also vary. On average, the whole event is predicted to last for around 2 hours, with totality only lasting for about 1 minute.
The next time a full solar eclipse will be visible over Iceland after this is in June 2196, and there won’t be another path of totality over Reykjavík until May 2245. That’s why Iceland’s August 2026 eclipse is so rare – and why it’s definitely worth traveling to see.
Where in Iceland will the 2026 eclipse be visible?
After the eclipse path crosses down from northeast Greenland, it will move over the western regions of Iceland, passing areas including the Westfjords, the Snæfellsnes peninsula, and the Reykjanes peninsula. Anyone in these regions will have the chance to see a total solar eclipse, while the rest of Iceland will experience a partial solar eclipse.
Check out the path of totality for Iceland’s 2026 eclipse:
Why choose Iceland?
In addition to being in the path of totality and having a huge range of amazing towns, attractions, and experiences on offer, here’s why viewing the 2026 eclipse from Iceland is a great option
- Low levels of light pollution: When compared to other eclipse destinations, like Spain or Portugal, Iceland’s vast wilderness and relatively small towns and cities mean that there are lower levels of light pollution than in other parts of the world.
- Mild August weather: August is one of the mildest months of the year in Iceland, with temperatures averaging around 54-57°F (14-16°C). While our climate isn’t quite Mediterranean, it’s definitely comfortable enough to be outside. And although Iceland has an average cloud coverage of 64% during August, the sun usually shines through and skies are typically clear during this time of year in comparison to other periods. We’d still recommend preparing for any unpredictable weather changes, however!
- Midnight sun: During the 2026 eclipse, Iceland will be reaching the end of its midnight-sun season – experiencing as many as 17 hours of daylight with sunsets as late as 10pm. The increased window of daytime means that there’s more time for activities like hiking, swimming, and exploring the outdoors in general. The sun will be sticking around after the eclipse vanishes too, so you can still enjoy an extended evening of fun.
- Possibility of the northern lights: Iceland’s proximity to the Arctic Circle means that it’s an aurora borealis hotspot. Typically, the lights are only visible on clear, dark nights between September to April, though very occasionally they’ve been known to appear in August. It’s unlikely, but possible that you could see the aurora on the same night as the eclipse – we certainly wouldn’t recommend planning your trip around this expectation, though.
Tips for planning your Iceland solar eclipse trip
Although the eclipse is two years away, we recommend preparing in advance to make sure you’re ready when the time rolls around. Here are some important things to keep in mind ahead of your visit to Iceland for the 2026 eclipse:
Research destinations before booking
As we’ve explored, there are many different locations in western Iceland that you can view the total solar eclipse from. Although most tourists will be staying around the Reykjavík area, you may want to broaden your horizons and visit other destinations on the list of eclipse hotspots. It’s important to consider how much extra travel you’re willing to factor into your trip since remote locations require a little more effort to reach.
Enquire about accommodation in advance
Iceland is a relatively small country, and although there are plenty of accommodation options in the capital, they’ll likely fill up fast for the August 2026 eclipse.
Planning ahead is even more important if you’re thinking about staying in sparsely populated areas with limited options, like the Westfjords. We’d recommend getting in touch with accommodation providers as soon as possible to find out if they’re taking early bookings to avoid disappointment.
For maximum flexibility on your accommodation in Iceland, you can hire a motorhome which gives you the freedom to explore the great outdoors and find the best eclipse-viewing spot for yourself.
Look out for flight releases
Booking your flights to Iceland as soon as they’re released is also advised, since they’re likely to get booked up quickly as well. Typically, airlines release flight schedules 12 months in advance, so the best plan of action is to set a reminder in your calendar for August 2025.
Buy some protective eyewear
Perhaps one of the most important things you can do to plan for the eclipse is to get some protective eyewear. Looking directly at the sun – even while wearing UV-protective sunglasses – can seriously damage your vision.
So, number one on your packing list should be a pair of eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer, which are specially made with advanced solar filters. These devices must be used up until the moment of totality, since even gazing at a near-full eclipse can affect your vision. For more tips on how to safely view a solar eclipse, visit the NASA website.
Plan other tours and activities
Although the eclipse is worth traveling to Iceland for, it only lasts for a couple of hours. Luckily, there are plenty of summer activities to fill your time in the Land of Fire and Ice.
We have a range of tours available to help you build out your Iceland itinerary, including whale watching, puffin spotting, and horseback riding. We’d recommend making a note of your favorites and booking them ahead of time as they may also sell out during this busy period.
Iceland eclipse 2026 tours
On the topic of tours, we’ll be releasing our 2026 Iceland eclipse tour packages next summer. We partner with local experts who will ensure that your visit to see the eclipse in Iceland is a memorable and magical one. You’ll also have the option to book flights and accommodation as part of a full tour package.
With all your trip planning in one place, as well as the flexibility to customize your itinerary, our vacation packages are ideal for taking the stress out of booking. Stay tuned for their release on our vacations hub in 2025, and be the first to hear about the new packages by signing up for our newsletter.
In the meantime…
The total solar eclipse is still a while away, but there are plenty of ways you can experience celestial phenomena in Iceland before then.
The northern lights are one of Iceland’s most famous natural wonders, with prime viewing season running from September to April. Scientists have forecast that 2024-2025 is the peak of solar activity in our current solar cycle, meaning your chances of viewing the aurora will be much higher! We offer many different tours and vacation packages for the aurora borealis, so you have plenty of options for planning a trip to see this phenomenon.
In June next year, you can also experience the near-24-hour daylight of the midnight sun, something that only occurs in select parts of the world.
Plus, if you can’t wait to get your eclipse fix, we have good news! In March 2025, Iceland has a double whammy of eclipses – with a total lunar eclipse on March 14, followed by a partial solar eclipse on March 29.
Iceland has a wealth of natural wonders to discover and experience, and these celestial events are just the tip of the iceberg. From unique natural landscapes to world-renowned attractions, learn more about why Iceland is a fantastic destination to visit all year round.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Iceland! Get inspired for planning your next vacation, and browse flights from Canada today.