By Sabir, Morocco Extra Tours. I have been driving and guiding travellers across Morocco since 2004.
The short answer: on the morning of Monday 2 August 2027, a total solar eclipse crosses northern Morocco. Tangier, Asilah, Tetouan, M'diq, Fnideq and Chefchaouen are all inside the path of totality, with the Sun fully covered for between about 4 and 5 minutes, at around 08:45 Morocco time. Our private tours that include Tangier can stop in whichever of these towns you prefer, and we can also build a trip around the eclipse from scratch.
Important: check the time zone in any eclipse guide you read
Morocco changed its legal time on 20 September 2026. The country left GMT+1 and went back to GMT (UTC+0) all year round. Many eclipse guides were written before that change and still give times one hour later (09:44, 09:45…). If you plan your morning with one of those guides, you will arrive an hour late. On eclipse day, Moroccan clocks will show the eclipse one hour earlier than those older guides say.
Here are the approximate times in Morocco's new legal time (GMT), from published eclipse calculations:
- Partial eclipse begins: about 07:40
- Totality in Tangier: about 08:44:40 to 08:49:30 (around 4 min 50 s)
- Totality in Chefchaouen: about 08:45:30 to 08:49:45 (around 4 min 15 s)
- Partial eclipse ends: about 10:00
Spain is two hours ahead of Morocco in summer, so totality in Tarifa is shown as about 10:45 Spanish time. If you are crossing from Spain, be careful not to mix up the two clocks.
Where to watch: five towns near Tangier
The good news is that you don't have to fight for one famous spot. The path of totality covers the whole Tangier–Tetouan region, so we can choose a quieter place on the morning itself, depending on the weather and the crowds. Between Tangier and M'diq, passing by Fnideq, the road runs along beaches and through small mountain villages, and there are many places to stop with a wide view to the east.
Tangier
The easiest base, with the airport, the train from Casablanca and Rabat, and the ferry from Spain. Totality lasts almost 5 minutes. On the hills above the city or along the coast towards Cap Spartel you can watch with the sea in front of you, looking towards the east, where the Sun will be.
Asilah
About 40 km south of Tangier on the Atlantic coast. A small, calm, whitewashed town, and a good choice if you want to avoid the busy Tangier city centre. Totality here is also more than 4 and a half minutes.
Tetouan, M'diq and Fnideq
Fnideq is about 70 km from Tangier and Tetouan about 100 km by road. This stretch of the Mediterranean coast is very close to the centre line of the eclipse, which means the longest totality in Morocco, close to 5 minutes. There are many open places with a clear view to the east, so we are not tied to one crowded viewpoint.
Chefchaouen
The blue town of the Rif mountains, about 140 km and 2 hours' drive from Tangier. Totality is a little shorter, around 4 minutes 15 seconds, but the setting is unforgettable: the blue streets going dark in the middle of the morning. Being inland, it is also a useful backup if sea mist sits on the coast that morning. If you want to know more about the town before you come, read my guide to the best viewpoints in Chefchaouen.
What I know about the north in August
This part is not in the astronomy tables, it comes from working on these roads:
- Hotels fill up early. August is already the busiest month in the north, with Moroccan families and visitors from Europe on holiday. With the eclipse, rooms in Tangier, Tetouan, M'diq and Chefchaouen will be very hard to find. Book as early as you can.
- Traffic is heavy. The coast roads are busy in summer, and on eclipse morning many people will be driving to the same places. A driver who knows the small roads makes a real difference.
- It can be hot and humid. Temperatures can be high in August, with some humidity near the sea. Bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water: you will be outside for about two hours if you want to see the whole eclipse.
- Morning mist is possible on the coast. Nobody can promise a clear sky. That is why we keep the plan flexible and can move inland on the morning if needed.
Can I come on a day trip from Casablanca, Rabat or Fes?
Yes. Because hotels in the north will be full, this is a real option. We pick you up very early, drive north to a viewing place inside the path, watch the eclipse, and drive you back the same day.
- From Rabat: about 2 hours to Asilah by motorway.
- From Casablanca: about 3 hours to Asilah by motorway.
- From Fes: about 3 and a half to 4 hours to Chefchaouen.
Remember that totality is at about 08:45 Morocco time, so the departure is in the middle of the night. We plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before totality, to find a calm place and settle in. If you can, spending the night before in the north is more comfortable, but the day trip works well for travellers who could not find a room. If you are starting from Casablanca, my Morocco itinerary from Casablanca shows the route and the driving times.
How our eclipse tours work
All our tours are private, with your own driver, and the itinerary follows your wishes. You can:
- Join one of our tours that already include Tangier, timed so that you are in the north on the morning of 2 August, and choose the town where you want to watch: Tangier, Asilah, Tetouan, Fnideq, M'diq or Chefchaouen.
- Ask for a tailor-made trip, short or long, built around the eclipse: for example, arriving in Tangier, watching the eclipse, then continuing to Chefchaouen, Fes and the Sahara.
- Book a day trip from Casablanca, Rabat or Fes just for the eclipse.
Our tours that include Tangier:
- 4 Days Fes to Tangier via Chefchaouen
- 5 Days Tangier to Marrakech: Imperial Cities and Blue Mountains
- 5 Days Morocco Tour from Casablanca to Tangier
- 8 Days from Tangier to Casablanca
- 13 Days Morocco Tour from Tangier to Marrakech via the Sahara
- 16-Day Morocco Tour: Cities, Sahara and Atlantic Coast
- 16 Days Morocco Grand Tour: Cities, Desert and Ocean
See also all our tours from Tangier, or build your own private trip around the eclipse.
Eclipse safety in one paragraph
Wear certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2) during all the partial phases. You can only take them off during totality, when the Sun is completely covered, and you must put them back on as soon as the first bright light reappears. Ordinary sunglasses do not protect your eyes. Eclipse glasses are hard to find in Morocco, so bring them from home, one pair per person.
Quick answers
What time is the eclipse in Tangier?
Totality starts at about 08:44 and lasts nearly 5 minutes, in Morocco's legal time (GMT) on 2 August 2027. Older guides that say 09:44 use the GMT+1 time Morocco no longer follows.
Where is the longest totality in Morocco?
On the Mediterranean coast around Tetouan and M'diq, close to 5 minutes. Tangier is almost the same.
Will the eclipse be total in Marrakech, Casablanca or Fes?
No. These cities only see a partial eclipse, and the sky stays bright. To see the Sun fully covered, you need to be in the north, inside the path of totality.
Can you organise a private eclipse tour for my dates?
Yes. Tell us your dates, where you arrive and how many days you have, and we will propose a private itinerary that puts you in the right place on the morning of 2 August.
Ready to plan your eclipse trip? Contact us or write to us on WhatsApp, and I will answer you personally.