Rare solar eclipse sends Spanish hotel prices soaring

MADRID - A rare total solar eclipse will cross parts of Europe on Wednesday, August 12, with Spain, Iceland and part of Portugal among the few places where the Sun will be completely covered by the Moon.

The event is attracting large numbers of visitors to Spain, particularly to areas within the path of totality, and the surge in demand has pushed accommodation prices sharply higher.

An analysis of more than 5,500 Spanish accommodations found price increases in more than half of the municipalities surveyed. Zaragoza recorded the largest rise, with average prices around 807% higher than one week earlier. Soria, León and Burgos also saw increases of more than 500%.

Around 70% of accommodations inside the path of totality increased their prices. Travelers who booked months in advance generally faced much smaller increases than those searching for rooms shortly before the eclipse.

Totality in Spain will occur at around 8:30 p.m. local time and will last less than two minutes in many locations. Experts stress that certified eclipse glasses are essential when looking at the Sun.