Seasonal travelBy Clever Tourists · Published · Last updated
Northern Morocco is in the path of the total solar eclipse on Monday 2 August 2027. Tangier gets about 4 min 51 s of totality starting at about 09:44 Morocco time, longer than anywhere on the Spanish mainland. Tetouan and Chefchaouen are also in the path. Rabat and Fes are not, at about 98%. Morocco is one hour behind Spain in summer, which is why you'll see both 09:44 and 10:44 quoted for the same moment. We spent 3 days in Tangier and 3 in Chefchaouen around the end of August 2022, the same season.
These are Morocco time (UTC+1), from sonnenfinsternis.com. Check the figure for your exact location, because totality shortens away from the centre line.
| Place | Partial begins | Totality begins | Duration | Partial ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tangier | 08:41 | 09:44:38 | 4 min 51 s | 11:00 |
| Tetouan | 08:41 | 09:45:07 | 4 min 51 s | 11:01 |
| Chefchaouen | 08:41 | 09:45:25 | 4 min 13 s | 11:01 |
• Tangier has the transport: an airport, ferries from Spain and the high-speed train from Casablanca. Our Tarifa to Tangier ferry guide covers the crossing.
• Tetouan matches Tangier's duration on the figures above and is a smaller city.
• Chefchaouen is the most scenic stay but gets about 40 seconds less, and it's in the mountains. Our Tangier to Chefchaouen guide covers the road.
Sonnenfinsternis.com says the main weather risk around the Strait is local cloud and haze on the easterly Levante wind, so being able to move on the morning is worth more than a perfect hotel. The sun will be about 38° up in the east-southeast.
• Rabat: 98.6%
• Fes: 98.3%
A partial eclipse is interesting, but it isn't the same thing. If you're on a wider Morocco trip, reach the north by 1 August. Casablanca to Tangier takes a little over 2 hours on Al Boraq.
• Watch the time zone. Morocco is on UTC+1, one hour behind Spain. If you cross from Tarifa, your phone may change, and tours may quote either time.
• Don't rely on a same-morning ferry. Totality comes early, so a same-day crossing leaves no margin for a delay. Sleep on the side you want to be on.
• Bring certified eclipse glasses. Pack them from home, since we can't vouch for what's on sale locally.
• Book early and flexibly. August is busy on the Strait, and we found no official figures for expected visitors.
• Check entry rules. See our Morocco visa guide.
Yes. Tangier is in the path of totality, with about 4 min 51 s starting around 09:44 Morocco time.
Not from Rabat, which gets about 98.6%, or Fes, which gets about 98.3%. Marrakech is further south, so head north to Tangier, Tetouan or Chefchaouen for totality.
Tangier gets about 12 seconds more than Tarifa on these figures, so it comes down to weather on the day and how you want to travel.
Morocco uses UTC+1, one hour behind Spain in summer. Totality in Tangier begins about 09:44 Morocco time, which is 10:44 in Spain.
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