Unusual Stays in Prime ‘Total Solar Eclipse’ Viewing Position for August 2026

Astro-enthusiasts rejoice: this August heralds a total solar eclipse, which will be visible along a path sweeping from Russian Siberia to northern Portugal and Spain.

If you’ve noticed people getting excited, it might be because the eclipse is the first of its kind to hit mainland Europe this century! The total eclipse will peak at two minutes and 18 seconds, with a partial eclipse visible an hour before and after totality.

For those who crave front-row seats to the August sky, the best locations include western Iceland, northern Portugal, and northern Spain. It will also be possible to see the eclipse in the UK, but wherever you choose, setting is key. Think open landscapes, clear skies, and low light pollution for optimal viewing pleasure.

We’ve rounded up some unusual retreats that sit on (or close to) the eclipse path, for those who plan to make the most of this rare celestial event! We also canvassed our lovely UK property owners, and included those who are confident you’ll be close to a good viewing point when the moment comes.

(As with all types of eclipse, never look directly at the sun. Sunglasses of any kind are not safe, and the National Solar Observatory recommends “special-purpose solar filters, such as ‘eclipse glasses’”. We also strongly recommend doing your own research before booking, to ensure you’ll have the best possible view of the eclipse from your chosen retreat).

Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: El Puente Al Amore | Menorca

El Puente Al Amor

San Jaime, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

A soulful, off-grid private villa on the island of Menorca, with a feature saltwater pool, magnificent sea views, and interiors curated in soft island tones for deep comfort and blissful reconnection.

Bedrooms: 4

Sleeps: 8

From

£4295 /week

El Caracol

Lledó, Aragón, Spain

A cutting-edge Spanish mountain holiday home and swimmers' paradise, nestled within a Mediterranean pine forest and surrounded by unspoilt villages.

Bedrooms: 3

Sleeps: 8

From

£230 / night

DistrictHive Colony

Gorafe, Andalucia, Spain

Recharge your batteries in the world's first five-star, self-sufficient Podtel, blissfully secluded amidst a breath-taking backdrop of Granada's iconic Sierra Nevada range.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2 (+2)

From

£322 / night

Paradiso Ibiza Art Hotel

Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain

A vibrant, wow-factor, Ocean Drive-style Art Deco retreat on the shores of San Antonio, with Instagrammable outdoor pools, live music, and jaw-dropping art everywhere you look

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£199 / night

Grindavik Water Tower

Grindavik, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland

A three-storey Icelandic retreat with spectacular top-floor views, surrounded by mountains and lava fields just a few minutes’ drive from the iconic Blue Lagoon

Bedrooms: 2

Sleeps: 4

From

£499 / night

Barge Aground

St.Ouen's Bay, Jersey, Channel Islands

A unique Jersey seaside folly, rich in art deco style and captivating history, dog-friendly and boasting direct access to the vast, scenic beach in St. Ouen’s Bay.

Bedrooms: 2

Sleeps: 6

From

£218.40 /nt

Kempt Tower

St Ouen's Bay, Jersey, Channel Islands

Indulge in a laughter-fuelled ‘sleepover' with your favourite people (and dogs) in an elegantly converted Martello tower that boasts magnificent 360-degree views of Jersey's longest beach.

Bedrooms: Open plan

Sleeps: 12

From

£707 2 nights

Radio Tower

Saint Brelade, Jersey, Channel Islands

Stay in one of Jersey's most iconic and unique buildings, with dramatic 360-degree coastal views all around that promise to take you far away from everyday life.

Bedrooms: 3

Sleeps: 6

From

£190 / night

Kosel Treehouses

Helston, Cornwall, England

Distinctive, lovingly hand-crafted retreats for couples and families, with sumptuous delights including log fires and al fresco bathing, gloriously secluded in a picture-perfect Cornish waterside village.

Bedrooms: 1-2

Sleeps: 2-5

From

£198/ night

Three Tree Lodge

Bishopsteignton, Devon, England

A lovingly-crafted, comfort-filled South Devon hideaway for couples and solo escapes, beautifully elevated above the Teign Estuary for superlative hot tub views at sunset.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£155 /nt

Wild Meadow

Presteigne, Radnorshire, Wales

Welcome to Wild Meadow - a heavenly spot of orchards and meadows on the English-Welsh border, home to the eco-friendly Meadow Cottage and Shepherd's Hut.

Bedrooms: 3

Sleeps: 7

From

£85 / night

Erwain Escapes

Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, Wales

A cwtch-infused cabin with an indulgent bathtub, nestled in its very own four-acre, river-fronted wildflower meadow and beautifully secluded in the “garden of Wales”.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£170 / night

Solebay

Pendeen, Cornwall, England

Gaze at seals and seabirds on the North Cornwall coast, from the comfort of a stunning lighthouse cottage set within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Bedrooms: 2

Sleeps: 4

From

£401 (3 nights)