Planning Your View of the 2027 ‘Eclipse of the Century’ Across the Mediterranean and Middle East

If you missed this summer’s solar eclipse, another extraordinary opportunity awaits in 2027. On August 2, a total solar eclipse—widely dubbed the “eclipse of the century” for its exceptional duration—will trace a path across 10 countries and several territories bordering the Mediterranean Sea, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Imagine standing beneath a blackened sun amid the ancient tombs of Egypt’s Valley of the Kings or overlooking the Nile at the Temple of Hatshepsut. The eerie midday darkness evokes a primal blend of terror, awe, and wonder—an experience many describe as perfection.

The path of totality spans a 160-mile-wide, nearly 9,500-mile-long corridor. In optimal locations, totality will last an incredible six minutes and 23 seconds. The high probability of clear skies, combined with a roster of spectacular destinations—from the Rock of Gibraltar and Morocco’s Caves of Hercules to Algeria’s beaches of Oran, the temples of Luxor, and the holy sites of Mecca—makes this a bucket-list event.

Securing a prime viewing spot requires planning, persistence, and often a premium budget. Many top-tier tours and hotels are already sold out, with extensive waiting lists. However, opportunities remain. Here is a guide to experiencing the spectacle:

Spain, Gibraltar, and the Mediterranean

The Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia near Tarifa, Spain, will be among the first sites plunged into daytime darkness, with totality lasting approximately four and a half minutes. Gibraltar offers a similar duration, though viewers should avoid the Rock’s summit, where cloud cover is common. New Scientist is accepting registrations for a five-day tour covering both locations, with eclipse viewing from a private terrace at a resort in Conil de la Frontera.

For those preferring a maritime vantage point, several cruises are available. Celebrity Cruises offers an 11-night Italy and Spain itinerary (eclipse on Day 8, from $3,121 per person) and a seven-night Spain and Morocco voyage (eclipse on Day 3, from $4,883 per person). VACAYA LGBTQ+ Vacations has limited availability on a 10-day eclipse cruise sailing from Trieste, Italy, to Barcelona (from $18,963 double occupancy), where totality reaches up to five minutes.

Morocco

Tangier, a historic gateway for European travelers, will experience four minutes and 51 seconds of totality. Visitors can explore the historic casbah and cafes once frequented by literary figures like William S. Burroughs. Tours of Distinction offers an 11-day “Magical Morocco” trip beginning in Casablanca, pausing for the eclipse in Tangier, then continuing to Fez and the Sahara (from $3,999). National Geographic Expeditions operates a 13-day voyage from the Azores to Barcelona, stopping off the Tangier coast for the eclipse ($27,181 per person).

Tunisia

While the path of totality passes south of Tunis, “Star Wars” enthusiasts can still witness over four minutes of darkness in the desert landscapes that doubled for Tatooine. Galaxy Tours offers a six-day itinerary covering the Tatooine filming locations and “Indiana Jones” sites ($3,295 per person).

Algeria

Oran—named one of The New York Times 52 Places to Go—provides five minutes and eight seconds of totality alongside beaches, a historic theater, and an annual raï music festival. For a broader exploration, Algeria Travel & Tours has openings on a nine-day journey to UNESCO World Heritage sites, with eclipse viewing at Timgad, a remarkably preserved Roman military colony near the Aurès Mountains (pricing available via the company website).

Egypt

Egypt offers the longest duration on land: up to six minutes and 23 seconds of darkness, viewable from Luxor, the Siwa Oasis, or the ancient port of Berenice Troglodytica. Limited spots remain on tours from operators such as Sirius Travel, Astro-Trails, and Sky & Telescope (ranging from $2,950 to $11,680). Luxury operator Kemetale has booked one dahabiya (a traditional Nile sailboat) for an eclipse cruise and plans to release a second later this year.

This event is not to be missed: the next total solar eclipse with a comparable duration will not occur until June 3, 2114.

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