Mallorca is preparing to witness one of the great natural phenomena of the coming years. The total solar eclipse of 2026, which on 12 August will darken the island for approximately 1 minute and 36 seconds from 8:31 p.m., will turn the Balearic Islands into one of the world’s reference points for observing it.
And not all eclipses are the same. In this case, the sky will change completely for a few minutes and capture the attention of residents and visitors — many visitors — drawn to a phenomenon that is already generating great curiosity around its observation.
“The eclipse will occur when the sun is very low, barely two fingers above the horizon, which limits its scientific relevance due to the density of the atmosphere,” explains Amado Carbonell, director of the Foundation of the Institute of Astronomy and Astronautics of Mallorca (FIAAM). “But precisely that position makes it especially attractive from a visual and tourist point of view.”
Interest in this type of event continues to grow. According to Carbonell, Mallorca is already beginning to feel this effect: “Expectation is gradually rising on the island, and globally as well. Everything related to space is in the spotlight: missions such as Artemis II, advances by China, Japan and the United States themselves are helping to increase it.”
This context has even boosted specialised tourism. “We have asked different establishments and they have confirmed that, since 2022, there have already been hotel bookings in the Serra de Tramuntana to see the eclipse. It is going to be crazy,” he anticipates, referring to the “astronomical lottery” that has fallen on the archipelago.
A transformative experience
Beyond its visual impact, the eclipse is, above all, an experience. “The sun is covered, the sky darkens, the stars appear, the temperature drops, the birds react… everything comes together, nature responds… and then you realise it is not a photograph, it is real,” Carbonell describes.
The astronomer himself witnessed the eclipse in Munich in 1999 and remembers that “it was incredible”. “Something changes inside those who observe it,” he adds.
With a high turnout expected, the Govern and Consell are already working on the organisation of the event. “Observation points will have to be marked out, because many people will want to see it,” he says.
A trio of eclipses
The 2026 eclipse will not be the only phenomenon visible in Mallorca’s sky in the coming years. On 2 August 2027, southern mainland Spain will be able to witness what scientists have called the “eclipse of the century”, due to its unusual maximum duration of up to six minutes.
“In Mallorca it will be partial and will be visible from across the island high in the sky,” Carbonell points out.
On 26 January 2028, another remarkable phenomenon will arrive: an annular eclipse that will offer observers the well-known “great ring of fire” around the silhouette of the moon. “The sun will look like a doughnut,” the astronomer concludes.
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