Solar eclipse 2027 in Morocco: where to watch it and how to plan

On 2 August 2027 there will be a total solar eclipse whose path of totality crosses northern Morocco, taking in Tangier and Tetouan, as well as southern Spain on the other side of the Strait. In Tangier, according to published calculations, the sun would be completely covered for about four minutes and fifty seconds, at around 9:45 in the morning, Moroccan time. If you want to see it from here, book early: it is high season in the north and places are going to run out.

All the times and durations in this article are approximate. They come from eclipse maps and calculators we consulted in 2026 and may vary by a few seconds depending on the source and the exact spot where you stand. Before you finalise your plan, check them with an official astronomical source or on an interactive eclipse map.

What will happen on 2 August 2027

A total eclipse happens when the Moon moves exactly in front of the Sun and covers it completely. It is only total from a narrow strip of the Earth, a few hundred kilometres wide; outside it, the eclipse is partial. The 2027 eclipse begins over the Atlantic, comes in over the south of the Iberian Peninsula and northern Morocco, crosses North Africa from west to east and reaches its maximum duration, just over six minutes, in Egypt, near Luxor.

For northern Morocco this means something unusual: a long total eclipse, in the morning, in the middle of summer and an hour by boat from Spain.

Approximate times in Tangier

According to the calculations we have checked, this would be the sequence of the morning in Tangier, in Moroccan time, which in August is GMT+1:

1. At around 8:40, the Moon starts to bite into the edge of the Sun. This is the partial phase and can only be watched with eclipse glasses.
2. Over the next hour, the covered part grows. The light turns strange and flatter, and the temperature drops.
3. At around 9:45 totality arrives. The sky darkens, the solar corona appears and you may see some stars and planets.
4. About four minutes and fifty seconds later the light returns on the other side of the disc.
5. At around 11:00 the partial phase ends.

In mainland Spain, which in August is an hour ahead, add one hour to the same times: totality in Tangier coincides with 10:45 in Cádiz or Tarifa. Bear this in mind if you cross the Strait that morning or arrange to call someone on the other side.

At that hour the sun is still only halfway up the sky, towards the east. That matters when choosing your spot: you need a clear sky looking east, with no tall buildings or mountains in front.

Where to watch the eclipse in Morocco

Tangier

It is the best-placed large city, with one of the longest durations in the country. It has hotels at every level, good ferry and air connections, and open spaces facing east, such as the bay and the area around Cape Malabata, with the sea in front. The downside is that it will be the busiest place in Morocco that morning. If you are staying in the medina, look for a roof terrace with a clear view to the east or head out early to an open spot. We cover the city in our Tangier guide.

Tetouan and the Mediterranean coast

Tetouan has a very similar duration to Tangier. The advantage of the coast running from Martil to M'diq and Cabo Negro is that it faces straight out over the Mediterranean, to the east, exactly where the sun will be. A beach in the early morning, with the sea as your horizon, is one of the best places we can think of to watch the eclipse. In August this is a holiday area for many Moroccan families, so book your accommodation well in advance. We describe the city in Tetouan.

Chefchaouen

The blue town is also inside the path, although with a slightly shorter totality, around four minutes according to the figures we have seen. As it sits in the Rif Mountains, you need to find a high point with a clear view east, such as the outskirts of the medina. It is a good option if you prefer a small-town atmosphere to a big city, and it combines well with the rest of the north. There is more information in Chefchaouen: what to see and how to get there.

Asilah and Larache

On the Atlantic coast, south of Tangier, Asilah and Larache also fall within the path, according to the maps we have consulted. They are quieter towns with fewer hotels, so they will fill up sooner. On the Atlantic coast the sea is to the west, behind you as you face the sun, so the beach matters less than having a clear view east.

What falls outside the path

Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir and the south of the country are outside the path of totality and will see a partial eclipse. In Rabat it will be very deep, close to 98% according to the calculations we have seen, but a 98% partial eclipse is nothing like a total one: the darkness, the corona and the sudden change in light only happen inside the path. Fez is outside the path or, at most, right on its edge, so we don't recommend staying there to wait for totality without checking a detailed map first.

If your trip starts in Marrakech or Casablanca, head north at least the day before. From Fez, Chefchaouen is about four hours by road, and from Casablanca there is a high-speed train to Tangier.

The weather in early August

August is one of the driest months of the year in northern Morocco, and the chances of a clear sky are good, though never certain. In the Strait, the easterly levante wind and some morning haze over the sea can cause problems on particular days. Have a plan B: a vehicle available that morning so you can move a few kilometres if a cloud or haze settles right overhead.

On the coast, the heat is moderate thanks to the sea. Inland it is another story: in Fez and Meknes 35 to 40 °C is normal in early August, and in the desert it goes above 40 °C. We go through it month by month in the best time to visit Morocco.

For the morning of the eclipse, bring water, a hat and sunscreen. You are going to spend more than two hours outdoors looking towards the sun.

How to protect your eyes

Looking at the sun during the partial phase can damage your retina without you noticing at the time. These rules are not negotiable, and we repeat them to every traveller we organise trips for on dates like this.

Use eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard, bought from a reliable shop. Buy them in your own country before you leave; in Morocco, in the days beforehand, there will be people selling glasses on the street and you won't know whether they are any good. Check that they have no scratches or holes.

Sunglasses, smoked glass, X-rays or photo negatives are no use.

Only during totality, when the sun is completely covered, can you take your glasses off and look with the naked eye. As soon as the first point of light appears at the end, put them back on.

Never look at the sun through a camera, binoculars or a telescope without a proper solar filter in front of the lens. They concentrate the light and the damage is immediate. With your phone, take photos with a filter or stick to photographing totality and the landscape.

With children, watch them the whole time and make sure they keep their glasses on during the partial phase. It is easy for them to take them off out of curiosity.

Logistics and booking

Why you should book now

Early August is high season in northern Morocco even without an eclipse. It coincides with Operación Paso del Estrecho, when huge numbers of Moroccans living in Europe cross over to spend the summer with their families, and with the holidays in Spain. Ferries from Tarifa and Algeciras to Tangier are full and queues at the ports can last hours. Add to that the travellers coming for the eclipse from Europe and America. Hotels will sell out, and shortly afterwards so will vehicles with drivers and guides.

Our recommendation is to secure accommodation and transport by early 2027 at the latest, and earlier if you want a specific hotel in Tangier or on the Tetouan coast.

Arrive one or two days early

Don't plan to arrive on the morning of the eclipse itself. A delayed ferry or flight could make you miss it. Arrive at least the day before, ideally two, and sleep close to where you plan to watch it.

After the eclipse, the roads between Tangier, Tetouan and Chefchaouen and the approaches to the ports will be busy. If you can, stay that night in the same place or plan your transfer for the afternoon.

If you are coming from Spain

The ferry is the quickest option from Andalusia: Tarifa to Tangier city takes about an hour and Algeciras to Tanger Med a little longer. Book your ticket in advance and, in August, allow plenty of time at the port. We explain all the options in how to travel from Spain to Morocco.

One idea we find interesting is to watch the eclipse in Morocco rather than in Spain: the duration in Tangier and Tetouan is longer than in Cádiz, where according to the calculations it would be around three minutes, or in Málaga, where it would be under two.

How to combine the eclipse with a trip around the north

The eclipse lasts a morning, and northern Morocco has enough for several more days. What we usually suggest is arriving in Tangier a couple of days before, watching the eclipse in Tangier or on the Tetouan coast and then continuing to Chefchaouen, Asilah or Fez.

Our 4-day northern Morocco tour from Tangier fits these dates very well, and if you have more time, the 8-day trip from Tangier to Chefchaouen, Fez and the desert then heads south. Bear in mind that in August the desert is fierce: if you include Merzouga, we schedule the driving for the middle of the day and arrival at the dunes for sunset.

For a group of friends, an association or a group of astronomy enthusiasts, we can organise transfers, accommodation and an observation spot with Spanish-speaking drivers. Take a look at our event trips and write to us with the number of people and where they are travelling from; the sooner you tell us, the more accommodation options we can offer you for that week.