A total solar eclipse crossed parts of Europe on Wednesday, drawing millions of spectators to watch the once-in-a-generation spectacle.
Parts of Greenland, northern Spain, and Iceland saw a total solar eclipse, while other parts of Europe, including the U.K. and France, saw a partial eclipse.
During the eclipse, the Moon passed between the Earth and the Sun, temporarily submerging parts of the region in darkness.
The region’s first total solar eclipse since 1999 saw retail and hospitality businesses capitalize on the opportunity, with some hotels in parts of Iceland and northern Spain charging over $1,000 a night.
Meanwhile, a rush to buy solar eclipse glasses saw hundreds queuing in shops.
A total solar eclipse occurs over Embalse de Tortoles de Esgueva in Tortoles de Esgueva, Spain, on August 12, 2026.
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People view the partial solar eclipse besides the historic St. Michael’s Church tower, a Grade I listed building at the top of Glastonbury Tor on August 12, 2026 in Glastonbury, England.
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A group of people during the total solar eclipse of 2026, on 12 August, 2026 on 12 August 2026, on 12 August, 2026 in Cantabria, Spain.
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The moon passes in front of the sun shortly before sunset during a partial solar eclipse on August 12, 2026 in Augsburg, Germany.
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A man holds up a stainless steel kitchen colander to project crescent-shaped pinhole shadows onto a white sheet of paper to watch a solar eclipse in Krakow, Poland, on August 12, 2026.
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A spectator watches a partial solar eclipse on the Olympiaberg in Munich’s Olympiapark.
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The partial solar eclipse is seen from Aras de los Olmos, Spain on August 12, 2026.
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The Baily’s beads effect appears as the Sun begins to emerge from behind the Moon following totality of the solar eclipse as seen from Buspol in northern Spain, on August 12, 2026.
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A person takes a photograph during the total solar eclipse of 2026, on 12 August, 2026 on 12 August 2026, on 12 August, 2026 in Cantabria, Spain.
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View during the total solar eclipse sunset on the Mediterranean sea of 2026, on August 12, in Port de Soller, Mallorca, Spain.
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A total solar eclipse darkens the skies over northeastern Spain, with Corbera dâEbre, in Tarragona, Spain, on August 12, 2026, among the locations along the path of totality.
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Children observe a partial solar eclipse in Piran.
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A partial solar eclipse, seen over Liverpool Bay from Crosby Beach on August 12, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
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