The Sundarban 
The total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026, will provide some fabulous go alternate choices. Here are some adventures to handle in mind.
(Image credit: Background photos by the employ of Getty left to exact Smartshots Global, Ashley Cooper, imageBROKER/Harry Laub and Carlos Fernandez. Graphic made in Canva by Daisy Dobrijevic.)
There is no longer any better excuse to go than to are waiting for a total solar eclipse, and the next one occurs on Aug. 12, 2026. Though a total solar eclipse is an unforgettable experience, totality lasts finest a few minutes. So what form you form before and after the eclipse?
Boredom obtained’t be a state for the 2026 total solar eclipse, with some certainly spectacular areas and trendy vacation areas in or cessation to the route of totality. From Greenland to Spain, there are myriad atypical experiences and off-the-crushed-song itineraries that present a lot extra than nature’s supreme spectacle.
Linked: Easiest total solar eclipse 2026 cruises for the ultimate go
1. Astrophotography and an eclipse plug
The Picos de Europa within the Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain. (Image credit: Carlos Fernandez by the employ of Getty Photos)
With a total solar eclipse and the top of the Perseid meteor shower taking place the identical evening, Aug. 12, 2026, is poised to be a well-known day for astrophotographers. The core of this tour, led by British astrophotographer Ollie Taylor, is centered around astrophotography, with professional tuition supplied where mandatory — and newcomers are welcome. Taking reveal from Aug. 10 to Aug. 19, 2026, the tour will behold the eclipse between Madrid and Zaragoza — wherever there is a undeniable sky — before visiting the Cantabrian Mountains and the flit for sunset shoots, extra astrophotography and, as soon as at the northern flit, seascapes and lighthouses.
2. Totality from a geothermal pool
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon will protect an eclipse-viewing match. (Image credit: Alex Walker by the employ of Getty Photos)
With an eclipse, the top of the Perseid meteor shower and the chance of northern lights, Aug. 12, 2026, is all about the sky in Iceland, where warm geothermal waters and volcanic landscapes could perhaps maybe present the ideal backdrop. Guided by Canadian astronomer and astrophotographer Stéphane Picard at Cliff Valley Astronomy, this cramped-community tour from Aug. 10 to 16, 2026, explores southwestern Iceland, offering the different to transfer wanting for the eclipse from the Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula, adopted by the Perseids from the nation-reveal near Vík.
Evenings characteristic stargazing sessions and professional-led astronomy briefings, accompanied by day journeys to classic Icelandic landmarks, together with Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and the shadowy-sand beaches of Reynisfjara.
3. A sunset eclipse with Bill Nye “The Science Guy”
A sunset eclipse will grace Sant Elm in Mallorca, Spain. (Image credit: imageBROKER/Harry Laub by the employ of Getty Photos)
The eclipse in Spain occurs cessation to sunset, which makes mountainous terrain unhealthy, unless an astronomer has checked out the leer lines upfront. Then again, from Spain’s Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, Formentera and some smaller islands) in the Mediterranean Sea, there’s one thing else on provide: a sunset eclipse. Yes, there will be clouds on the horizon, as considered from the west coasts of these trendy vacation islands, nonetheless a uncommon golden corona is the prize.
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Somewhat few tours focus on over with these islands, nonetheless Betchart Expeditions is an exception. The company is offering an go from Aug. 3 to 13, 2026, with The Planetary Society’s Bill Nye (“The Science Guy”). It begins off on mainland Spain, with visits to Madrid’s historic Royal Observatory, the Castile La Mancha Science Museum in Cuenca, and the City of Arts and Science Center in Valencia, before transferring to Mallorca (additionally spelled Majorca) to heart of attention on a total solar eclipse at sunset.
4. Whales and uncommon plants and fauna in northern Spain
A dolphin in the sure waters of the Bay of Biscay off the northern flit of Spain, near Bilbao. (Image credit: Dr John A Horsfall by the employ of Getty Photos)
Starting from Plymouth in the U.Okay., Naturetrek’s 10-day go from Aug. 9 to 18, 2026, provides a particular mix of astronomy and plants and fauna observing. After crusing across the Bay of Biscay to Santander — with alternatives to station fin and minke whales, dolphins and shearwaters — the community will go inland to the Cantabrian Mountains to talk over with Las Loras Geopark and Palentina Mountain Natural Park.
On Aug. 12, totality will be experienced from a fastidiously chosen web reveal near Peña Ulaña, with 1 minute, 42 seconds of totality considered merely before sunset, adopted by put up-eclipse stargazing below darkish mountain skies for the length of the top of the Perseid meteor shower. The outing will then reach the dramatic limestone peaks of the Picos de Europa, dwelling to Alpine choughs, griffon vultures, and elusive wall creepers.
5. Iceland’s faraway Westfjords
Látrabjarg in the Westfjords, Iceland. (Image credit: Smartshots Global by the employ of Getty Photos)
With Greenland the handle of cruise ships for this eclipse, the first of us on land to experience totality will be in Iceland’s lonely Westfjords attach. Organized by Betchart Expeditions and led by astronomer Joe Llama of the Lowell Observatory, a particular expedition to Iceland from Aug. 8 to 16, 2026, will gape totality near Ísafjörður, weather permitting, with preparations and images attach up on-web reveal. On every aspect, there will be an in-depth gaze at Iceland’s volcanic geology and mid-Atlantic tectonic atmosphere, with the itinerary additionally together with Lake Mývatn’s lava fields and the rift between the Eurasian and North American plates.
6. Totality from the plains of Spain
The cathedral in Burgos, Spain, is cessation to the centerline of the route of totality. (Image credit: Gonzalo Azumendi by the employ of Getty Photos)
Or no longer it is one of the least-visited areas of Spain — at the least for world travelers — nonetheless the north central plains of Spain are the highest and driest of the total eclipse song.
