Iceland Is One of the Best Places to View the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse — How to Plan the Perfect Trip

Staff Author, Jennifer Schwartz

21 September 2024 at 8:00 am·3-min read

You can descend into a lava chamber, fly over glaciers, and book a private villa situated directly on the path of totality.

<p>Arctic-Images/Getty Images</p> A camera set up in Iceland — Arctic-Images/Getty Images
A camera set up in Iceland's Thingveller National Park to capture the 2015 solar eclipse.

In 2026, a rare celestial event will bathe Iceland in an ethereal twilight: the first total solar eclipse to be visible in Europe in 27 years.

Weather permitting, Iceland will be one of the prime viewing locations, with the longest window of totality. During totality, the moon will completely obscure the sun, plunging the landscape into an eerie darkness punctuated by the sun's corona. This unforgettable sight will only last a couple of minutes, but the memory will linger for a lifetime. So, mark your calendars for Aug. 12, 2026.

<p>Olga Gavrilova/iStockphoto/Getty Images</p> A summertime view of the Reykjavik, Iceland skyline. — Olga Gavrilova/iStockphoto/Getty Images
A summertime view of the Reykjavik, Iceland skyline.

Arriving in Reykjavik

While the eclipse is the star of the show, this is also an ideal opportunity to explore the magic that is Iceland. With temperatures ranging from the mid- to high 50s, and occasionally peaking at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, you'll find relief in the cool Icelandic breezes — perfect for comfortable outdoor adventures.

Touch down in Reykjavik, a vibrant capital pulsating with young energy and a progressive vibe, mixed with mystical Huldufólk — Iceland’s folkloric elves. True adventure, however, awaits outside the city limits. The path of totality, which will peak at 5:45 p.m., cuts across a narrow swathe of western Iceland. Ideal locations include the northwest peninsula (around Ísafjörður) and the western fjords near Bíldudalur. These areas are not easily accessible, so it's best to plan accordingly by hiring a guide.

<p>iStockphoto/Getty Images</p> The popular Svartifoss waterfall in Vatnajökull National Park. — iStockphoto/Getty Images
The popular Svartifoss waterfall in Vatnajökull National Park.

In the days before or after the eclipse, you can visit a waterfall. Feel the spray on your face as you stand mesmerized by the raw power of cascading water, a hidden gem all to yourself. Breathe in the crisp Icelandic air and invigorate your senses.

Next, explore the volcanic underbelly of Iceland, a labyrinth carved by molten rock millennia ago. Descend into the only accessible lava chamber on earth, 400 feet down into a 4,000-year-old dormant volcano. Witness the mesmerizing play of light and shadow on the cavern walls, a testament to the island's fiery past. Prepare to be dazzled by the magic of these blue ice caves. The ice, embedded within glaciers and compacted over centuries, takes on a spectrum of blues that seems to defy reality.

Feeling adventurous? Board a helicopter and soar above the breathtaking Icelandic landscape. As you pass over Vatnajökull National Park, witness the stark beauty of glaciers contrasting with volcanic peaks. Your destination can be a pristine ice ridge or even a geothermal wonderland.

<p>Martin Zwick/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group/Getty Images</p> Ice chunks on Diamond Beach, near Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in Iceland. — Martin Zwick/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
Ice chunks on Diamond Beach, near Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in Iceland.

Finally, descend to the famed Diamond Beach. Here, colossal chunks of ice, polished smooth by the relentless ocean, litter the black volcanic sand like diamonds.

As the sun dips below the horizon around 10 p.m., casting long shadows across the landscape, take a moment to reflect. Iceland is a place that humbles with its power and inspires with its beauty. This is a trip that will stay with you long after you return home.

If you want to witness the 2026 total solar eclipse in Iceland, book accommodations soon, as places with optimal viewing locations will likely sell out. For the promise of privacy and exclusivity, consider a private villa situated directly on the path of totality.

Want to book an unforgettable trip to Iceland for the 2026 solar eclipse? Jennifer Schwartz is a featured A-List expert for Iceland, as well as Italy and France, and can be contacted at info@authentic-explorations.com.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.

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Arriving in Reykjavik

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