On August 12th, 2026, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Iceland for the first time since 1954. For a brief, breathtaking minute, the western part of the country, including Reykjavík, the Westfjords, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and the Reykjanes Peninsula, will fall under the moon’s shadow and experience a total eclipse of the sun. The temperature will drop, the sky will darken as if before dawn, and the sun will appear as a glowing circle behind the moon.
If we’re lucky, stars may become visible in the middle of the day. It’s a moment of transcendent beauty that seems to lift you out of time, and Iceland has a front-row seat to the spectacle. With its wide skies and minimal light pollution, it’s the perfect place to witness this stunning natural phenomenon.
At Hidden Iceland, we craft luxury private tours across the country. And many travellers are already securing their spots for travel itineraries that pair Iceland’s most remarkable landscape and experiences with the solar eclipse. Here’s our guide to experiencing the eclipse, and Iceland, to its fullest.
Where to see the total solar eclipse in Iceland
Where is the best place to experience the solar eclipse in Iceland?
You can witness the solar eclipse from almost anywhere in Western Iceland. However, accommodation across the country is already booking up fast. For those still looking to book a luxury trip, we recommend basing yourself in the cosmopolitan capital of Reykjavík.
The capital offers prime viewing and excellent visibility, effortless travel connections, and some of Iceland’s most sophisticated hotels, with several high-end options still available for the eclipse dates. Staying in the capital means that on the day of the eclipse, you have many options for beating the clouds, and we’ll be on hand to advise you, either by privately guiding you or advising you on your self-drive trip.
At Hidden Iceland, we partner with many of the city’s finest properties, including the luxurious The Reykjavík EDITION and the boutique Iceland Parliament Hotel. When we design your itinerary, we hand-select luxury accommodation that matches your preferences, ensuring your eclipse viewing is paired with comfort, ease, and a true sense of occasion.
How rare is the 2026 solar eclipse in Iceland?
A total solar eclipse occurs somewhere on Earth roughly every eighteen months, but it rarely graces the same place twice. This will be the first total eclipse visible from Reykjavík since June 17, 1433, more than 600 years ago!
The eclipse gives us a reminder of our place in the solar system, pairing science and wonder into one unforgettable experience. It’s the same sense of awe-inspiring scale that Iceland specialises in, but taken to cosmic heights, with the sky above you offering a spellbindingly, unique experience. And when paired with Hidden Iceland’s expert planning, the experience is sure to be the adventure of a lifetime.
Planning your solar eclipse trip
Many travellers choose to explore Reykjavík and the south coast during the warmer summer months, whether that’s through a privately guided journey or a carefully planned self-drive trip. For those visiting around 12th August, we can seamlessly weave the solar eclipse into a fully bespoke itinerary that also includes Iceland’s most extraordinary experiences, like the nearby Golden Circle.
Our luxury, tailor-made tours highlight everything that makes Iceland extraordinary, and we can design your private itinerary around whatever will make your trip feel most magical. One particularly unforgettable option is witnessing the eclipse from a geothermal spa. A number of Iceland’s finest spas will become extraordinary viewing spots during the eclipse, offering comfort, warmth, and expansive horizons at the exact moment the sky starts to dim.
Add either the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon to your itinerary, as positioned perfectly for excellent views, given the solar eclipse’s position above Reykjavík. Our team can time your visit so you’re soaking in naturally heated waters as the moon moves across the sun. Blue Lagoon provides open views across the lava fields, while Sky Lagoon’s west-facing infinity edge creates a stunning vantage point. It’s one of the best ways to experience Iceland during this one-in-a-lifetime event.
How long will the 2026 solar eclipse last?
The total eclipse itself lasts for about a minute, this is when the sky fades into darkness. The partial eclipse lasts for around two hours, during which daylight softens and casts an ethereal glow over the landscape.
When will the solar eclipse in Iceland come again?
The eclipse hasn’t been visible from Iceland for over seventy years, and it won’t come again soon. The next time it’s expected is 2196, so this is the only chance to see a total eclipse above Iceland. But even if you can’t make these exact dates, there are still plenty of amazing things to do in Iceland.
What can I do in Iceland if I can’t make the eclipse?
While the total solar eclipse in Iceland may last only minutes, the country’s beauty lingers long after the sky returns to light. Even if you can’t visit during the eclipse itself, Iceland offers a world of wonder at any time of year. Reykjavík makes an irresistible starting point, with its inventive dining scene, vibrant culture, and world-class museums. But the true magic begins when you venture beyond the capital.
From glacier hikes and volcano viewing to horseback riding across black-sand beaches, soaking in hidden hot springs, exploring remote highlands, or sailing among icebergs on the south coast, there’s always another adventure to be had in Iceland.
Get in touch with our team to begin crafting your dream trip. Whether you join us for the solar eclipse or explore Iceland at another time of year, we’ll help you create an experience of a lifetime.
Contact us today at +354-770-5733 or email us at info@hiddeniceland.is to start planning a luxury trip.
