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A rare solar eclipse on 12 August will sweep across parts of Europe, offering the first chance to see a total solar eclipse on the continent since 1999. Travel expert Ed Finn, speaking on Today with David McCullagh, has picked out a few places he thinks will give viewers the best chance of the full spectacle.
What the event will look like
The eclipse’s path of totality is expected to cross Iceland and parts of Atlantic Spain before moving over Ibiza and the Balearic Islands. Within that narrow corridor the Moon will fully obscure the Sun, briefly revealing the star’s outer atmosphere, the corona. Outside the band—cities such as Barcelona and Madrid—spectators will see only a partial eclipse.
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Finn described the phenomenon as more than a visual curiosity. “There’s a small band of the world that gets basked in this darkness, and it really is quite incredible.” He said many who have witnessed total eclipses recall an unusual hush: “People that have gone to it over the years have remarked about the silence, birds stop singing, everything goes quiet.”
Top viewing destinations
Reykjavík, Iceland
Finn recommends Iceland as a prime option. He suggested the country is worth visiting in any case, with dramatic landscapes packed into a compact island. You can cycle the coast in about two weeks, he noted, and attractions such as the Blue Lagoon and volcanic parks add to the appeal.
“It’s like as if the world was beginning there,” Finn said. Iceland can be an expensive destination, but he argued the scenery alone justifies the cost for many travellers hoping to see the eclipse.
A Coruña, Spain
On Spain’s Atlantic coast, A Coruña offers a less crowded alternative to big cities. The port town is known for the Tower of Hercules, a Roman lighthouse dating from the second century that still operates today. Its seafood and maritime character make it an attractive, quieter spot for an eclipse view.
Finn pointed out that Irish travellers can reach the region via flights to Santiago de Compostela, which is roughly a 30–40 minute journey from A Coruña.
Bilbao, Spain
Finn says he has booked a place in Bilbao to watch the eclipse. The Basque city combines acclaimed food, notable architecture and accessible cultural attractions. He joked about the value for visitors: “I mean, where can you get a glass of wine and a pinxto for €3?”
He described the Basque Country as “one open-air restaurant” and warned that the climate there is closer to Ireland’s, so rain remains a possibility.
Finn also reminded listeners that locations outside the central corridor, including Ireland, will still experience some of the eclipse’s effects—though not the full, total phase. For anyone planning to travel, he advised factoring in weather, travel time and local viewing conditions when choosing a spot.
