Sóller fills up: Hotels almost fully booked for the 2026 solar eclipse

Sóller fills up: Hotels almost fully booked for the 2026 solar eclipse

In the alleys of Sóller it still smells of summery oil and sea, the tram clatters regularly from the Plaza toward the Port, and reservation lists are already being kept on the harbour promenade. Eight months before the event, hotels in the town on the west coast are about 80 percent occupied — not with package tourists, but with people arriving for one particular celestial event: the total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026.

Demand comes as expected from overseas and northern Europe: travellers from the USA, Scandinavia, France and the UK have requested rooms, according to local hoteliers. Many accommodations are keeping their usual August prices but require a minimum stay of two nights — a simple way to stagger arrival and departure days and make the flow of guests more predictable.

Why Sóller? The Tramuntana provides clear air and on the west of Mallorca the viewing angle is favourable: the total phase is expected around 8:00 p.m. and should be visible on the island for about two minutes. The time window is short, the fascination great — and therefore astronomy enthusiasts are specifically looking for places on the west coast that offer unobstructed views toward the sunset.

Hosts are already preparing: protective glasses have been purchased, some hoteliers are considering secured viewing platforms, others are checking the logistics for evening events. Municipalities and the island council are planning traffic regulations for the evening to avoid traffic jams on the MA-10 and on the access roads to popular viewpoints as much as possible. For residents this means: plan earlier, share routes and use parking spaces sparingly.

From the island's perspective this is a welcome change from the usual summer tourism. Cafés stay open later in town, there is more life in the small boutiques and restaurants see an additional source of income in otherwise quiet August evenings. At the same time opportunities open up for providers outside the hotels: bus companies could run shuttle services, local organisers could put together guided packages for stargazers, and small shops could sell protective glasses or picnic packs.

Practically this means for locals and visitors: those who want to come should book now — availability is already tight. Those living in Sóller should prepare for more traffic and visitors and reserve seats if something is planned in the evening. A few simple rules help keep the evening stress-free: prefer public transport, use only designated parking spaces, take your rubbish with you and be considerate of night-time quiet and the local infrastructure.

For those who want to observe the sky there is also a simple safety tip: refrain from direct eye contact with the sun without certified protective glasses. Although demand for purchases on site will be high, it is advisable to bring your own glasses, especially for larger groups.

In the end, the Mallorcan Tramuntana may on that August evening not only cool the mountains, but also sharpen the view into the distance. Two minutes of totality are short, but they are enough to bring an entire coastal town together for an evening — and for Sóller this can be a small, special event both economically and personally in an otherwise busy August.

A short tip: Those who are flexible should choose a viewpoint outside the main access roads — miradors with sea views or small bays on the west coast often offer more relaxed skies and less traffic.