Solar eclipse holidays 2027: a hosted week in Vejer, inside the path of totality

If you are looking at solar eclipse holidays 2027 and want the whole thing arranged, Spice Escapes runs one hosted week for it: Chasing the Eclipse, based in the white town of Vejer de la Frontera, inside the path of totality in southern Spain, with a Cambridge astronomer as the expert for the week. You book it online on the holiday page, you travel with a small group and a host, and places are limited because beds inside the path are the hard part.

Below: why this eclipse is worth planning around, why the far south of Spain, what the week offers and how booking works.

Why the eclipse of 2 August 2027 is worth the trip

The total solar eclipse of 2 August 2027 is a long one. At its greatest point, far to the east, NASA gives totality as a little over six minutes, which is exceptional for any eclipse this century. You do not have to stand on that exact spot to see something remarkable, though. Anywhere inside the narrow band of totality, the Moon covers the whole bright face of the Sun, and for a few minutes in the middle of the morning you can look up without protection and see an eclipse as it really is.

Outside that band you only get a partial eclipse, which is a different experience. That is why people travel, and why the real question is where to sleep the night before, inside the path.

Spain's national mapping and astronomy service, the Instituto Geográfico Nacional, says the band of totality crosses the Strait of Gibraltar from west to east and covers almost the entire province of Cádiz, part of Málaga, and the southernmost edges of Granada and Almería. It also says it will not be possible to see another total solar eclipse from Spain for more than a quarter of a century after this one. Beyond Spain the shadow carries on along the North African coast and into the Middle East.

Why the far south of Spain makes sense from the UK

For a UK traveller, Cádiz province is the closest place on the path. A few things work in its favour.

• The time of day. The Junta de Andalucía puts totality between about a quarter to eleven and ten to eleven in the morning, local time. The IGN notes that this puts the Sun fairly high in the sky, which makes it easier to watch than an eclipse low on the horizon.
• The length of totality. It varies across the band. The IGN gives Cádiz city just under three minutes and Ceuta, across the Strait, close to five, the longest anywhere in Spain. Towns nearer the middle of the band get longer than towns near its edge.
• The cloud record. The IGN's climate summary, based on average August cloud cover over many years, says the areas on the path have a low chance of cloud, slightly higher in western Cádiz because of humid air coming in from the Atlantic. That is a statistic, not a forecast, and nobody can promise you a clear sky on the day.

The Junta de Andalucía describes it as the first total eclipse seen from Andalucía in more than a century, and 115 towns across four provinces are in the path. Vejer de la Frontera is one of them. If you want some background on the region itself, our piece on where Andalusia is and what it is known for is a good start, and our holidays in Spain page shows everything else we run there.

Chasing the Eclipse: the hosted week in Vejer

Chasing the Eclipse is 7 nights, departing 31 Jul 2027 – 7 Aug 2027, from £2,899, with Rob Thompson as your host. Places left: 18 places left.

In the listing's own words, Spice has been incredibly fortunate to secure accommodation in the path, and the week is spent in the company of the expert for the week, Dr Matthew Bothwell, the University of Cambridge Public Astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy.

The stay is Hotel Tugasa Convento San Francisco, a restored former Franciscan monastery from the 17th century, right in the heart of Vejer. The listing describes original mosaics and religious frescoes, a peaceful, rustic feel, panoramic views across the countryside, a restaurant serving traditional Andalusian food and a reception open around the clock. Beaches are a short journey away.

The eclipse day itself is the centre of the week. The plans are built around it, with time to enjoy the atmosphere and the excitement of being there together.

The rest of the week, as it is offered

The eclipse lasts minutes and the holiday lasts a week. The itinerary sets out what the group can do around it.

• Jerez de la Frontera. The group can spend a day in Jerez, home of the sherry bodegas and of flamenco, and could visit a traditional bodega before seeing flamenco.
• Cádiz. There is the opportunity to visit Cádiz, the old city almost surrounded by the Atlantic, with its old town, squares and a stop for lunch or a drink in the sea breeze.
• Vejer with a local guide. A guided walking tour of the town can be arranged, taking in its history, its Moorish influences and its views.
• An evening at Casa del Califa. The group could have dinner at this popular spot in the heart of Vejer, with Moroccan-inspired food and the possibility of live music.

Those days are described as possibilities rather than fixed bookings, so ask if one of them matters a lot to you. The type of trip this is sits under our culture and discovery holidays.

Going to see it on your own

Most people who travel with Spice Escapes book on their own. Groups are around fifteen people, and some reach twenty, and the host is there from the first evening to make introductions, sort out the logistics and make sure nobody is left wondering where everyone has gone for dinner.

That matters more on an eclipse trip than on most. Totality is the sort of moment you want to turn to someone afterwards and say "did you see that". If this would be your first trip with a group, our page for first-time solo travellers explains how the first day works, and our guide to over 50s solo holidays covers the wider picture.

Every holiday carries a single supplement or a cost for having a room to yourself. Our single supplement page explains how it works and what it pays for.

Looking after your eyes

NASA's advice is clear. Looking at the Sun is only safe without protection during totality itself, when the Moon completely covers its bright face. For every other part of the eclipse you need certified solar viewing glasses that meet the international standard ISO 12312-2, and ordinary sunglasses, however dark, are not safe.

The moment even a sliver of bright Sun comes back after totality, the glasses go back on. Spice does not sell eclipse glasses, so buy a certified pair before you travel. The kit notes for the week point you to a guide from the BBC's Sky at Night Magazine on choosing them.

Why booking early is the whole point

Every hotel room inside the path will be in demand for that one night, and the band is only so wide. The convent hotel in Vejer is already secured for this group, which is what makes the week possible at all. Places on it are limited: 18 places left.

There is nothing to register or wait for. The Chasing the Eclipse holiday page shows the live dates and price and has a Book button that takes you straight into Spice's own booking, so you can secure your place online today.

If you cannot make that week

There is only one departure for the eclipse. If it is Spain with a host and a group that appeals, these two are honest alternatives.

Surprising Seville

Surprising Seville is a city break of 4 nights, departing 4 Mar 2027 – 8 Mar 2027, from £549, hosted by Jackie Whyte. It includes a city bus tour, with the Alcázar, the cathedral and an evening of flamenco as optional extras, and a central hotel minutes from the Barrio de Santa Cruz. Places: 23 places left.

Read, Relax and Restore in Spain's green north

Read, Relax & Restore: A Week in Spain's Green North is 7 nights in a large house in Cantabria, departing 6 Jun 2027 – 13 Jun 2027, from £969, hosted by Jackie Whyte. Every room is sole occupancy, meals are shared, and there are bikes and walking routes from the door. Places: 13 places left.

Questions people ask

Do I need to bring my own eclipse glasses?

Yes. Spice does not sell them, so buy a certified pair that meets ISO 12312-2 before you travel. You only take them off during totality itself and put them back on as soon as bright Sun reappears.

Is the weather guaranteed to be clear?

No one can promise that. Spain's Instituto Geográfico Nacional says the chance of cloud along the path is low in August, slightly higher in western Cádiz because of Atlantic air. It is a good bet, not a certainty.

Can I book the eclipse week on my own?

Yes, and most people do. You book online on the holiday page, a host travels with the group, and a single supplement or room-to-yourself cost applies.

Who is the astronomer on the trip?

The expert for the week is Dr Matthew Bothwell, the University of Cambridge Public Astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy. He spends the week with the group in Vejer.

Why not just book a hotel in the path myself?

You can try, but rooms inside the path of totality are in heavy demand for that one night. The Spice week has its accommodation secured, plus a host, an expert and days out arranged around the eclipse.

See the dates and book online, or ask Rob first

Go to the Chasing the Eclipse holiday page, check the live dates and price, and book online with the Book button while places remain.

If you have a question before you book, ask Rosie, the chat on the holiday page, or get in touch through our contact page and ask for Rob Thompson. Rob owns Spice Escapes and is the host for this week, so he is the right person to talk to.