Total solar eclipse darkens Spain, draws up to 15 million viewers across Europe

Eclipse path and timing

The total solar eclipse began around 19:00 in northern Siberia, with the moon's umbra tracing an arc along Greenland and Iceland before reaching Spain. In A Coruña, the sun disappeared behind the moon at 20:27:41, the first total eclipse over the Spanish mainland since 1905. Totality there lasted 1 minute and 18 seconds. The shadow then swept across Castile and León, Aragón, and Valencia to the Balearic Islands, with totality lasting between roughly 30 seconds and nearly two minutes depending on location. In Germany, where the moon covered 85 to 90 percent of the sun, the partial phase began at 19:15, reached maximum coverage at 20:08, and ended around 20:37 as the sun set. In Switzerland, the peak came shortly after 20:00. In Reykjavik, it was the first total solar eclipse since 1433, though clouds and rain spoiled the view.

Millions watch across Europe

Estimates put the number of viewers at up to 15 million people between A Coruña and the island of Formentera. The roughly 300-kilometer-wide totality zone stretched from Galicia to the Balearics. Hundreds of official observation sites were set up by regions and municipalities. In Germany, millions gathered at vantage points such as the Olympic Hill in Munich's Olympiapark. In Berlin, about 3,000 people crowded in front of the Zeiss Grand Planetarium in Prenzlauer Berg, prompting police to close the nearby S-Bahn station Prenzlauer Allee. In Switzerland, elevated viewpoints like the Rigi and the Kronberg in Appenzell Innerrhoden drew crowds, though protective glasses sold out at the Kronberg entrance.

Travel surge and economic boost

The eclipse triggered a travel wave days in advance. Hotels in the totality zone were booked months ahead, and private individuals rented balconies and rooftops for several hundred euros. In Madrid, rental cars were available only from 2,800 euros per day. Authorities anticipated up to 1.5 million additional car trips. On Mallorca, traffic jams formed early in the morning around Sóller and along the Serra de Tramuntana, with parking lots filled hours before the eclipse and some access roads closed. Many visitors had to reach their observation spots on foot. The rural "España vacia," the sparsely populated interior that rarely features in international tourism, benefited particularly from the influx.

Security and incidents

Spain deployed more than 35,000 police officers, reinforced by the army, primarily because of extreme wildfire risk on a day when temperatures reached nearly 40 degrees in places. Authorities soon reduced alert levels as no major incidents materialized. Near Peñíscola in Castellón, a car caught fire at an observation point parking lot, and the flames spread to 33 other vehicles. Firefighters contained the blaze quickly. Fears that the mass of visitors in rural areas could trigger additional wildfires did not materialize.

Reactions

Sara García, a young astronaut, spoke to state broadcaster RTVE with tears in her eyes.

I got goosebumps. I would never have thought it would be so overwhelming. It was truly one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had in my life.

Óscar Pérez, a 24-year-old physics student who traveled from Germany to Medinaceli in central Spain, said it was the first time he would witness a total solar eclipse in Spain and that he did not know when the next one would take place. A German tourist on Mallorca described the experience as absolutely magical, saying the two minutes were worth the flight and the 90-minute drive to the observation point. The next total solar eclipse visible in Switzerland is not expected until 2081, and the next annular eclipse until 2075.