Best Places to See the Iceland Eclipse 2026 & Where to Stay

Total solar eclipses happen somewhere on Earth every couple of years. But the path of totality—the narrow strip where you can see the eclipse in its full glory—covers only a tiny fraction of the planet. Most eclipses pass over remote oceans or uninhabited regions, and the odds of it happening in an easily accessible, breathtakingly beautiful location are even slimmer.

On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will sweep across the Arctic, casting parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal into brief darkness in the middle of the afternoon. But Iceland isn’t just in the path of totality—it’s close to the point of maximum eclipse, making it one of the best places on Earth to watch this celestial event.

For a total solar eclipse to occur in one of the most spectacular countries on Earth - with its capital city enjoying the totality - during its best travel season: this is pure luck. So, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Don’t miss your chance—start planning your trip now!

While all of Iceland will witness some level of the 2026 solar eclipse, only the western regions will experience totality—and the farther west you go, the longer the duration of darkness.

The path of totality will pass over the Westfjords, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the capital area and Reykjanes Peninsula, with totality lasting over two minutes in some areas.

In Reykjavík, the eclipse will also be total, though slightly shorter than in more western locations. The rest of Iceland, including the Eastfjords, North Iceland, and the Highlands, will see a partial eclipse, where a portion of the sun remains visible.

So, if you’re the type who likes to escape the crowds, heading east during the eclipse days could be a smart move. While the masses—locals and visitors alike—will flock to the west for totality, the Eastfjords will remain far quieter, offering stunning scenery, remote landscapes, and a peaceful escape from the eclipse rush.

Accommodations in prime eclipse-viewing areas are already booking up fast, and options in Reykjanes, Snæfellsnes, and the Westfjords are extremely limited. If your main goal is to witness totality in the best possible location, now is the time to secure your stay—waiting too long may mean missing out entirely.

If you prefer more flexibility, Reykjavík is a solid choice. It is within the path of totality, offers the largest selection of accommodations, and provides easy access to tours to optimal eclipse viewing spots.

In the next section, we’ll break down exact locations where you can experience the Iceland eclipse 2026, ensuring you find the perfect vantage point for this once-in-a-lifetime event.

If you're looking for the most practical and convenient place to stay during the 2026 Iceland eclipse, Reykjavík is your best bet. While totality will last slightly longer in western regions, the capital offers by far the largest selection of accommodations, meaning more availability and a wider range of prices—including affordable options.

Since demand for accommodation will be sky-high, many locals are expected to list their apartments specifically for this event, increasing your chances of finding a place to stay.

But that’s not the only advantage—Reykjavík is also the hub for guided eclipse tours.

Why Join a Guided Eclipse Tour?

Unlike a fixed-location tour, guided eclipse tours will take you to the best possible viewing spot based on the latest weather and cloud cover forecasts. These tours will prioritize areas with the clearest skies and longest totality duration, giving you the best chance of seeing the eclipse in its full glory.

Car rentals are expected to be extremely limited, and with excitement running high, Iceland’s roads could be pretty hectic on eclipse day. A guided bus tour ensures a safe, hassle-free experience, with locals who know exactly where to go—avoiding mountains and other obstructions that could block your view.

Watching the Eclipse from Reykjavík

If you’d rather stay put and experience the eclipse from the city, you won’t miss out—Reykjavík is within the path of totality, offering a unique urban eclipse experience. Here are the best viewing spots in Reykjavík:

• Grótta Lighthouse – length of totality: 1 min 7 sec. A scenic coastal spot with open views over the ocean.
• Perlan – length of totality: 1 min 1 sec. A panoramic hilltop location in the heart of the city, with a 360-degree view over the entire city and surrounding mountains.

For those arriving in Iceland, the Reykjanes Peninsula is your first stop—it’s home to Keflavík International Airport, making it one of the most accessible places to watch the 2026 Iceland eclipse. But this dramatic volcanic landscape is a fantastic eclipse viewing destination in its own right.

Reykjanes offers a good number of accommodations, making it another excellent alternative to Reykjavík if you want to stay closer to nature while still having plenty of lodging options.

A Possible Eruption During the Eclipse?

The Reykjanes Peninsula is one of the most active volcanic regions in Iceland, with multiple eruptions in recent years. While the timing of these eruptions is unpredictable, hiking across these otherworldly landscapes to watch the eclipse would still be an incredible experience—even without an active eruption.

If relaxation is more your style, picture experiencing totality while soaking in the Blue Lagoon, with steam rising around you as the sky darkens—a truly unforgettable way to witness this celestial event—but be sure to book your ticket as soon as possible!

Top Viewing Locations on the Reykjanes Peninsula

Reykjanes offers some of Iceland's most extended durations of totality, with stunning open views of the sky and the Atlantic Ocean. Here are three of the best eclipse viewpoints on the peninsula:

• Garðskagi Lighthouse – length of totality: 1 min 45 sec. A scenic coastal spot in a tiny fishing village with panoramic ocean views.
• Reykjanesvíti Lighthouse – length of totality: 1 min 49 sec. The oldest lighthouse in Iceland, set in a rugged volcanic landscape on top of a hill.
• Sandgerði Harbor – length of totality: 1 min 46 sec. A charming coastal town with unobstructed views.

Snaefellsnes peninsula is a photographer’s dream. A glacier-topped volcano, rugged, mossy lava fields, black sand beaches, and towering sea cliffs—this wild, cinematic peninsula has it all. If you’re chasing that perfect, once-in-a-lifetime shot, this is the place to be.

But beyond its beauty, there’s something more about this place. Some believe Snæfellsjökull, the glacier-covered volcano at its heart, is one of the world’s seven energy centers—where the earth’s power is almost tangible.

If spirituality is your thing, Saefellsnes can give you an experience that resonates beyond the visible. Whether you believe in that or not, watching the eclipse here will feel nothing short of otherworldly.

Stay Here—If You Can

This is one of Iceland’s most jaw-dropping places to witness the eclipse, but there aren’t many places to stay. If you want this experience, you need to book now—because once the accommodations are gone, they’re gone.

The Best Eclipse Viewpoints on Saefellsnes

This wild peninsula offers some of the most extended totality durations in Iceland and some of the most unreal backdrops you could ask for. Here’s where to go:

• Lóndrangar – length of totality: 2 min 8 sec. Towering volcanic sea stacks rising from the ocean.
• Dritvík Djúpalónssandur – length of totality: 2 min 9 sec. A haunting black sand beach scattered with lava formations.
• Öndverðarnesviti – length of totality: 2 min 11 sec. A remote lighthouse at the world's edge, with endless views of the Atlantic.
• Stykkishólmur – length of totality: 1 min 30 sec. A charming coastal town with colorful houses and sweeping fjord views.

If you’re chasing the longest possible totality on land, the Westfjords is where you want to be. This remote, untouched region offers some of the wildest, most dramatic landscapes in Iceland, and on August 12, 2026, it will also provide the longest duration of totality anywhere on land.

Want even longer? You’ll need to charter a boat and head into the open Atlantic, where totality lasts a few seconds more. But if you’d rather keep your feet on solid ground, the Westfjords delivers an unforgettable experience—no boat required.

Látrabjarg: The Westernmost Point in Iceland

The westernmost tip of the Westfjords is also the westernmost point of all Iceland—and it’s already famous for its breathtaking cliffs and its colony of puffins. Come August, those puffins will likely still be here, preparing for their journey out to sea.

But if you plan to watch the eclipse from Látrabjarg, we have to say this now: be careful.

Puffins dig their nests into the soil, making the cliff edges unstable. If you walk too close, the ground could collapse—taking you down. And even if you don’t fall, disturbing their burrows could have serious consequences. If a puffin couple returns next spring to find their home destroyed, they won’t lay an egg that year. So, for your safety and theirs, sit, don’t stand, and keep a respectful distance from the edges.

Other Incredible Viewing Spots in the Westfjords

Beyond Látrabjarg, the Westfjords offer a front-row seat to the eclipse in some of the most striking landscapes imaginable. Here are the best places to watch:

• Látrabjarg – length of totality: 2 min 14 sec. Towering cliffs, puffins, and an open Atlantic horizon—stay safe!
• Rauðisandur – length of totality: 2 min 5 sec. A surreal red-sand beach with endless sky and sea views.
• Bolungarvík – length of totality: 1 min 36 sec. A stunning fjord-side village that offers a thrilling mountaintop viewing platform with glass floors.

If you want the longest eclipse on land and a setting that feels genuinely at the edge of the world, the Westfjords is where you need to be. Just book early, because accommodations here are even more limited than anywhere else.

And one more time—please be careful on those cliffs.

A total solar eclipse is always special. But a total eclipse in Iceland? That’s something else entirely.

Here, beneath skies that have seen volcanic eruptions, Northern Lights, and endless summer midnights, the 2026 eclipse will be yet another extraordinary moment in a land built for wonder. Whether you watch from the cliffs of Látrabjarg, the glacier-capped peaks of Snæfellsnes, or the steaming lava fields of Reykjanes, this will be a sight unlike anything you’ve ever seen—or will ever see again.

The eclipse may last minutes, but Iceland will give you a lifetime of stories and memories—and might even gift you the aurora borealis before you go.

August 12, 2026. Where will you be when the world goes dark?