Spain distributed about 2 million free certified eclipse glasses
The Spanish peninsula is set to witness its first total solar eclipse since 1999, with a meteor shower to follow.
Parts of Spain and Iceland will be able to see the eclipse around sunset this evening.
The rare celestial event is drawing eclipse chasers from around the world to Europe.
Cities along the path of totality are bracing for a surge of eclipse tourists, with Valencia, Bilbao, Zaragoza, and Iceland’s capital Reykjavík among the prime viewing spots.
The eclipse rush has prompted Icelandair and Delta to add US–Reykjavík flights, while hotel prices have jumped 140% from a year ago.
- In rural parts of Spain, occupancy in the eclipse path is up 15%, with visitors projected to spend about $418 million, according to an Airbnb survey.
- Hotel rates have skyrocketed, with some in Medinaceli charging over $1,000 per night, compared to their typical rate of around $138.
- In Iceland’s Westfjords, where totality will last just over two minutes, Hotel Breidavik has sold out its 40 rooms and stocked up to feed 800 people.
As many as 15 cruise ships are heading to Scoresby Sound in Greenland, the world’s longest fjord, where visitors hope to capture the eclipse with icebergs in the background.
With millions of visitors expected, Spain handed out about 2 million free certified eclipse glasses. Tourism officials are betting the event will fuel a broader astrotourism boom, with more such celestial events coming in 2027 and 2028.
The eclipse is bringing big business, and big headaches. Visitors are pouring into dry, fire-prone areas, prompting some authorities to restrict parking, close rural footpaths, and ban barbecues.