Eclipse Whisperer
Spain or Egypt for the 2027 eclipse?
If seeing totality is all that matters, go to Egypt, because its totality is about a third longer than the best in Spain and its sky has almost always been clear at that hour. Spain is easier for most Europeans, with simpler travel, more comfort and a lower cost of getting there, although the eclipse is shorter and cloud is a real possibility.
How the countries compare
| Country | Longest totality | Typical clear-sky chance | Best expected totality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 4 min 48 s (Ceuta) | 83% | 3 min 28 s (La Línea de la Concepción) |
| Gibraltar | 4 min 30 s (Gibraltar) | 71% | 3 min 12 s (Gibraltar) |
| Morocco | 4 min 53 s (Mdiq) | 76% | 3 min 48 s (Dar Chaoui) |
| Tunisia | 5 min 43 s (Mahires) | 94% | 5 min 33 s (Mahires) |
| Egypt | 6 min 23 s (Girga) | 98% | 6 min 15 s (Girga) |
"Typical" is the middle value across all towns in the path in that country. Expected totality is the length of totality multiplied by the clear-sky chance, which gives a rough idea of how much totality you can expect to actually see.
Egypt: the longest eclipse, and the heat
The longest totality on land anywhere on August 2, 2027 is in Upper Egypt, along the Nile between Sohag and Luxor, where it lasts up to 6 min 23 s. In Luxor totality lasts 6 min 21 s and starts at 13:02 local time (EEST, UTC+3), with the Sun 82° up, almost overhead. In past years the sky at that hour was clear 96% of the time.
The price of that long, clear eclipse is heat. Early-August afternoons in Luxor are usually around 40 °C, and because the Sun is nearly overhead you will be looking straight up. Hotels and Nile cruises are likely to book up early.
Spain: shorter, cooler and closer
In Spain the path crosses only the southern tip, which includes the Strait of Gibraltar, Cádiz province and the Costa del Sol, plus Ceuta and Melilla on the African coast. The longest totality on Spanish soil is 4 min 48 s in Ceuta, and on the mainland Tarifa has 4 min 39 s. The eclipse comes mid-morning, around 10:47 local time, with the Sun 38° up in the east.
The weather in Spain is good, but it cannot match Egypt's. Clear-sky chances run from 70% to 86% across Spanish towns in the path. The Strait itself is the cloudiest part (70% in Tarifa) because the Levante wind can pile up low cloud and sea fog against the coast, so a little inland or east along the Costa del Sol does better (85% in Marbella, although totality there is shorter at 3 min 16 s). August is also peak holiday season on that coast.
Morocco and Tunisia as middle options
Tunisia has up to 5 min 43 s of totality and a typical clear-sky chance of 94%, which is close to Egypt's weather with a much shorter flight from Europe. Morocco has up to 4 min 53 s along its northern coast, a few kilometres across the water from Spain, and a typical clear-sky chance of 76%. Before planning a day trip, read our guide to crossing the Strait, because the two shores are two hours apart on the clock.
How to choose
- For the longest totality and the clearest sky: Upper Egypt, between Sohag and Luxor.
- For long totality, very good odds and an easier trip: Tunisia's east coast.
- For a short trip from Europe with decent odds: Spain's Costa del Sol or Ceuta, with a car so you can move on the day if the Strait is cloudy.
Every town is ranked by length of totality and clear-sky chance on our ranking page.