Where to See the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse with Kids

By Rhonda Carrier

The solar eclipse of 12th August 2026 has done the decent thing and fallen in the main summer holidays, meaning you can combine your summer holiday next year with a fantastic and unique trip - and perhaps even a bucket-list holiday. We’re shared some ways to see the 2026 total solar eclipse with children of different ages. But first…

What is a Total Solar Eclipse?

During a total solar eclipse, the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, fully blocking out the Sun. The total solar eclipse of 2026 in mid August passes over the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal and northern Spain, so from the UK you’ll need to travel to one of these regions. Luckily, we can book you great holidays in all of these.

'Activities at the Iceland Eclipse Festival will include nature expeditions, sauna rituals, cold plunges, yoga, meditation, sound healing, Icelandic mythology, nightly fire ceremonies and interactive labs.'

What Will I See During a Total Solar Eclipse?

When the disc of the Sun's disk is fully blocked by the Moon, there’ll be a brief moment of darkness and you’ll see the Sun’s wispy, pearly-white corona (outer atmosphere) as a glowing halo or ‘ring of fire’. Also visible are features such as pink solar prominences (loops or bumps of plasm) and Baily's beads (bright spots created by sunlight shining through lunar valleys and around the Moon's edges at the very beginning and end of totality). Stars and planets may also become visible when the sunlight is block. On the ground you may perceive temporary shadow bands – faint, wavy lines of light and dark.

Is it Safe to Look at a Total Solar Eclipse?

During totality you can view the Sun without proper eye protection (preferably certified ISO 12312-2 solar eclipse glasses), but during the eclipse’s other phases you need to protect your eyes in order to look at the Sun.

What if It’s Cloudy During a Solar Eclipse?

Even with cloud cover, a solar eclipse is an atmospheric experience, with significant fall in temperature and a strange twilight on the horizon. Animals start behaving differently as they sense the sudden darkness and temperatures drop (birds might stop chirping, for instance). Thin, high-altitude cirrus clouds might still allow some views, and cumulus clouds may clear during the eclipse because of the fall in temperatures.

Where is the Best Place to See the Total Eclipse in 2026?

It will all depend on cloud cover on 12th August, but geographically the best places to see the 2026 total solar eclipse are western Iceland, especially the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Greenland, northern Spain including the cities of A Coruña and Zaragoza, and Spain’s Balearic Islands.

Where Can I see the Eclipse in the Arctic?

One of our favourite family cruise partners, HX is running a special Solar Eclipse Expedition 2026 – Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard itinerary. The departure date of 3rd August for this thrilling 17-day trip means you’ll be able, weather permitting, to witness the fabulous celestial event over East Greenland – one of the world’s most remote regions, visited by very few people.

You’ll set out from the spectacular Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, a land of polar bears, reindeer and huskies – bewitching in itself. Crossing to Greenland – hopefully with sightings of whales and dolphins to savour en route – as well as seeing the solar eclipse you’ll explore the world’s largest national park and biggest fjord system (Scoresby Sound), where polar bears, muskox and Arctic hares and foxes roam, amidst fields of icebergs and geological features that will truly take your breath away.

From there it’s over to the western fjords of Iceland and the country’s hip capital Reykjavik. The minimum recommended age for this family-friendly expedition cruise is five years; it’s best with older kids, who can best benefit from the busy program of onboard science talks and workshops with active scientists funded and hosted by HX. You even get to go out in a science boat to help them collect samples that are analysed and shared with climate change researchers around the globe.

Ask us about booking you an Arctic adventure cruise with HX by calling us on 020 3633 0653 or using our enquiry form.

Where Can I See the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse in Iceland?

Our Iceland holidays and breaks include something to suit all families. We can provide everything from cosy cabins and cottages – some with outdoor hot tubs ideal for stargazing, eclipse ogling, and in season, gazing spellbound at the Aurora Borealis – to self-driving family adventures or organised small-group family adventures. Then you can decide for yourself where to station yourself for the Eclipse!

Alternatively, book your spots at the Iceland Eclipse Festival from 12th to 15th August. Hosted on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, a windswept terrain of jagged coastlines, lava fields, glaciers and soaring mountains, it will overflow with music, art, wellness and tech. The eclipse here at the westernmost edge of Iceland will embrace more than two full minutes of darkness, making it one of the longest totalities in the world. The Perseids meteor shower will also peak during the festival.

Home-bred songstress Emilíana Torrini alongside big dance names including Booka Shade, Zero 7 and Nightmares on Wax are just some of the stellar live acts, while speakers will include astronauts from NASA, Space for Humanity, the United Nations, ReWildingIceland and more. But best of all, perhaps, are the activities, which include nature expeditions, sauna rituals, cold plunges, yoga, meditation, sound healing, Icelandic mythology, nightly fire ceremonies and interactive labs. Children’s tickets are available, and accommodation options include glamping and tent and campervan spaces, although we can also book you something nearby as part of your Iceland family holiday.

Where Can I see the 2026 Total Eclipse in Portugal and Spain?

You won’t experience totality in Portugal except in a very tiny sliver of the north-east, but you’ll be able to see a significant partial eclipse from the rest of the country, including family-friendly cities such as Lisbon and Porto. See our selection of Portugal family holidays or contact us by phone 020 3633 0653 or via our enquiry form.

Northern Spain is in the path of the totality but avoid the coast for the best chance of escaping cloud cover – with the exception of A Coruña in Galicia, where you may get lucky and see the sun setting over the ocean during the eclipse. Gijón is also close to the maximum duration of totality, as is inland Oviedo. Burgos, Léon and Zaragoza near the centreline also offer lots of history to soak in. In eastern Spain, Valencia could be a winner, as could the Spanish Balearic Islands including Mallorca. 

Ask us about our family holidays in Spain.


If you can’t time your holiday with the 2026 total eclipse, check out our other exciting family adventure holidays all around the world at various times of year.