The Total Solar Eclipse Brings a Surge of Tourists to Europe, with Hotel Prices Rising by up to 135%

Hundreds of thousands of tourists are arriving in Europe to witness the first total solar eclipse visible from the continent this century, driving significant increases in accommodation prices in several major destinations.

Reykjavik is among the cities where prices have risen most sharply. The Icelandic capital is one of the limited number of places where the total eclipse can be seen on Wednesday, before sunset.

Data from Lighthouse Intelligence, a group that analyzes the travel and hospitality sectors, shows that visitors paid an average of $793 (£587) for a hotel room in Reykjavik on Wednesday night. Compared with the same day last year, this represents an increase of 98%.

Spain is also expected to experience a large number of arrivals, as it is considered one of the most suitable locations in Europe for observing the total eclipse. Spain’s Finance Ministry said on Monday that around 460,000 foreign tourists are expected to travel to the country specifically for the phenomenon.

In A Coruna, in northwestern Spain, the average rate for a hotel room has risen to $451, or 135% more than a year ago. In Majorca, where the eclipse is expected to be visible near the horizon at sunset, prices have increased by 24%, reaching around $448.

Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao have also recorded considerable increases in hotel rates, of 34% and 67%, respectively.

Meanwhile, hotels and other accommodation facilities in the small towns and villages along the eclipse’s path have been booked for months. Temporary viewing spots set up by local enthusiasts have also attracted considerable interest.

According to reports, some travelers from the United States have turned to home-exchange platforms to secure accommodation in Castilla y León, one of the Spanish regions with the most favorable conditions for viewing the eclipse.

The large number of visitors has increased concerns among Spanish authorities about the possibility of forest fires. Police estimate that there will be around 1.5 million additional vehicle journeys on Wednesday.

Authorities have warned that the unusually dry conditions make the terrain particularly vulnerable, as even a small spark could trigger major fires. Heavy traffic could also make it more difficult for emergency vehicles to reach rural areas.

To manage the situation, Spain has drawn up a large-scale security operation involving around 35,000 police officers.