Stargazing & the 2027 Solar Eclipse in Morocco: Where and When to See It
On the morning of 2 August 2027, the Moon will completely cover the Sun over the Strait of Gibraltar, and northern Morocco is one of the best places on Earth to see it. In Tangier and Tetouan the sky will go dark for close to five minutes, one of the longest total eclipses visible from Europe and North Africa in a generation.
We are a small Moroccan team from the Sahara, and the night sky has always been part of our lives. Below is everything you need to plan an eclipse trip to Morocco: where totality falls, what time it happens, how to watch safely, and how to turn it into a bigger journey under some of the darkest skies in the world.
The 2027 eclipse in Morocco at a glance
- Date: Monday, 2 August 2027
- Type: total solar eclipse
- Where it is total in Morocco: the far north, including Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Al Hoceima and Nador
- Time: mid-morning; totality begins at about 9:45 am local time in Tangier
- Length of totality: about 4 minutes 50 seconds in Tangier and Tetouan
- Rest of Morocco: a deep partial eclipse (not total) in Rabat, Fes, Casablanca and Marrakech
Where in Morocco can you see the total eclipse?
The path of totality, the band where the Sun is completely covered, crosses from the Atlantic over the Strait of Gibraltar and runs east along Morocco’s Mediterranean side. Inside it you will find:
- Tangier: the easiest to reach, with an international airport, ferries from Spain and the high-speed train from Rabat and Casablanca.
- Tetouan: a whitewashed UNESCO medina between the sea and the Rif Mountains, with one of the longest totalities in Morocco.
- Chefchaouen: the famous blue town, up in the Rif Mountains, and a beautiful place to watch the sky go dark.
- Al Hoceima and Nador: quieter spots further east along the Mediterranean coast.
Rabat, Fes, Casablanca and Marrakech are outside the path. They will see a large partial eclipse, but the Sun will never fully disappear, and you will not see the corona, the stars at midday or the sudden darkness that make totality so special. If you are coming for the eclipse, make sure you are in the north that morning.
What time is the eclipse in Morocco?
Approximate local times on 2 August 2027 (exact seconds depend on your viewing spot):
| Place | Totality | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Tangier | 9:44:47 – 9:49:38 am | 4 min 50 s |
| Tetouan | 9:45:15 – 9:50:07 am | 4 min 50 s |
| Chefchaouen | from 9:45 am | just over 4 min |
The partial eclipse begins about an hour earlier, at around 8:40 am. The whole show, from the first bite out of the Sun to the end of the partial phase, lasts a little over two hours. Totality itself is the short, unforgettable part in the middle.
The best places to watch
Tangier is the simplest choice: easy to reach, plenty of hotels and terraces looking over the Strait. August in northern Morocco is dry and usually sunny, but the coast can have morning sea haze, so it is worth having a plan B.
Tetouan and the hills behind it give you almost the same long totality with a little more distance from the sea.
Chefchaouen, in the Rif Mountains, is our favourite for atmosphere: watching the blue town fall into darkness mid-morning is something you will never forget. Being inland, it is also a good alternative if the coast is hazy.
Whatever you choose, book early. Hotels in Tangier, Tetouan and Chefchaouen are small and will fill up long before August 2027, and so will drivers and guides.
How to watch the eclipse safely
- Never look at the Sun without proper protection during the partial phases. Use certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2) or a solar viewer; ordinary sunglasses are not safe.
- Only during totality, when the Sun is completely covered, is it safe to look with the naked eye. Put your glasses back on as soon as the first bright point of sunlight reappears.
- In Rabat, Fes, Casablanca and Marrakech the eclipse is only partial, so you need eye protection the whole time.
- Cameras, binoculars and telescopes need a proper solar filter on the front.
- August mornings are warm: bring water, a hat and some shade.
After the eclipse: stargazing in the Sahara
A solar eclipse can only happen at new moon, which means the nights around 2 August 2027 will be moonless, the darkest nights of the month. That is perfect timing to continue south to the Sahara, where there is almost no light pollution and the Milky Way stretches from one side of the dunes to the other.
From the north, a typical route goes through Chefchaouen and Fes, then crosses the Middle Atlas to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga. Be ready for the heat: early August is the hottest time of year in the desert, so we plan the camel ride for late afternoon, keep the middle of the day for rest, and make the most of the warm, starry nights in camp.
If you cannot come in 2027, the Sahara sky is worth the trip in any season. The most comfortable months for desert nights are October to April, when the days are pleasant and the air is crisp and clear. Plan your camp night close to a new moon for the best view of the stars.
Plan your eclipse trip with us
We run private tours with our own drivers, so we can build a trip around the eclipse: arrive in Tangier, watch totality from a quiet spot in the north, then continue through Chefchaouen and Fes to a night under the stars in the Sahara. Have a look at our tours from Tangier such as the 7 Day Morocco Tour from Tangier, or send us a message and we will plan dates around 2 August 2027 for you.
Frequently asked questions
When is the total solar eclipse in Morocco?
On Monday, 2 August 2027, in the morning. Totality starts at about 9:45 am local time in Tangier.
Will Marrakech or Fes see the total eclipse?
No. Marrakech, Fes, Rabat and Casablanca will see a large partial eclipse only. To see totality you need to be in the far north: Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Al Hoceima or Nador.
How long will totality last in Morocco?
About 4 minutes 50 seconds in Tangier and Tetouan, and a little over 4 minutes in Chefchaouen.
Is it too hot to visit Morocco in August?
The north and the coast are warm but comfortable in August. The Sahara is very hot in the middle of the day, so we plan desert activities for early morning and evening.
Where is the best stargazing in Morocco?
The Sahara dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga and the desert around Zagora, far from city lights. Go on nights close to the new moon for the darkest skies.
