The Moon's shadow crosses southern Spain, North Africa and the Red Sea, and near Luxor it stays for 6 minutes 22 seconds. No land on Earth will see a longer total eclipse until 2114.
A total eclipse usually gives you two or three minutes. This one gives some places more than six, because the Moon is close to Earth and the shadow crosses near the tropics, where it moves slowest. Where you stand decides how long you get, and also how hot it is, how likely clouds are, and how hard the trip is to arrange.
Durations are for each city itself. Moving toward the centre line of the path adds time.
Easiest to reach; shorter totality and some risk of coastal cloud
Close to the centre line, with Spain and Morocco both a short hop away
Nearly five minutes, with good flight links from Europe
Over five minutes; check visa rules well in advance
Long totality with a milder summer climate than Egypt
The longest totality on the path, and the clearest skies
Nearly six minutes on the Red Sea coast
Málaga city sits near the edge of the path and gets only about 2 minutes. Benghazi in Libya gets over 6 minutes, but most governments currently advise against travel to Libya, so check your own government's advice. Mecca is in the path, but only Muslims may enter the city. Times are predictions from NASA eclipse data and may shift by a few seconds.
The easiest choice for travellers from Europe, with frequent flights and plenty of hotels. Totality comes in late morning and lasts 3 to 4.5 minutes near the coast. Morning sea cloud is the main weather risk.
A middle path between Spain's convenience and Egypt's duration. Tangier is a ferry ride from Spain, and central Tunisia gets more than five minutes with a milder August climate than Egypt.
The longest totality on the path, near-cloudless August skies, and the temples of ancient Thebes around you. The cost is heat: daytime highs around 41°C, with the Sun almost overhead at totality.
Hotels in parts of southern Spain and Morocco were already reporting sell-outs in late 2025. Choose free-cancellation rates so you can change plans if forecasts shift.
Look at the partial phases only through eclipse glasses meeting the ISO 12312-2 standard. Remove them only during totality, and put them back on the moment the Sun reappears. Sunglasses are not safe.
In Egypt and Libya, August temperatures regularly pass 40°C. Bring shade, water and a hat, and choose a viewing spot you can reach without a long midday drive.
Look for ISO 12312-2 and buy from a seller on the American Astronomical Society's reputable vendors list, since fakes circulate before every big eclipse.
Search optionsCameras and binoculars need a proper solar filter over the front for the partial phases. Without one, they can damage both the camera and your eyes.
Search optionsThe partial phases last about 80 minutes either side of totality, often in full midday sun.
Search optionsYou'll be in one spot for nearly three hours, and comfortable seating makes the wait much easier.
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Last verified 5 October 2026. Contact times and durations come from NASA-derived eclipse predictions as published by timeanddate and NASA's interactive map. Weather notes draw on Jay Anderson's climate analysis at Eclipsophile.
Unlike a rocket seat, this trip needs only an ordinary flight and a hotel room, and you can book both today.
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