On 2 August 2027 the moon slides in front of the sun and, briefly, day turns to night. Our tour pages call it one of the longest total eclipses of the century, which makes it a fine excuse for a summer holiday with a very precise start time.
This guide is for anyone deciding where to watch it. We have two escorted tours timed for the eclipse: ten days in Tunisia, watching from a beach at Sfax, and fourteen days across Saudi Arabia, watching from the mountains of Al Bahah. Here is what each one includes, what it costs and who it suits.
The quick answer
- If you want a beach, Roman ruins and a shorter trip, pick Tunisia.
- If you want a big, unusual journey with AlUla and desert stargazing, pick Saudi Arabia.
- If you want to watch from a beach with a local astronomer, pick Tunisia.
- If you would rather be in the cooler mountains on the day, pick Saudi Arabia.
The two eclipse tours compared
| Tour | Days | Price from | Physical rating | Group size | Flights included | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tunisia Total Solar Eclipse 2027: Carthage & the Coast – 10 Days | 10 | On request | Not stated | Not stated | No | Eclipse, Roman sites and a beach |
| Saudi Arabia Total Eclipse Tour: Riyadh to Abha – 14 Days | 14 | £5,400 pp | Medium | Max 16 | No | Eclipse, AlUla and the Asir mountains |
Prices are per person, twin share, live from our tour pages (updated October 2026). The lowest price can apply to a later departure, so check the dates you want on each tour page.
Ask us about the eclipse tours →
Tunisia: eclipse on the beach (sun cream and eclipse glasses)
The beach at Sfax
Tunisia Total Solar Eclipse 2027: Carthage & the Coast – 10 Days
- Price on request
- Starts and ends in Tunis, Tunisia
- Flights not included
- Dates on request
The trip is built around Day 3. On eclipse day you watch from Chafar beach at Sfax, on the east coast, with a local astronomer, eclipse glasses, extra viewing equipment and weather support. The page says the shadow crosses Sfax mid-morning, with the sun high in the sky.
Around it is a full tour of Tunisia’s Roman and Islamic sites: the medina of Sousse and the ribat of Monastir, Mahdia, a night beside the vast amphitheatre of El Djem, Kairouan’s Great Mosque, Testour and the Roman town of Dougga, the Bardo Museum’s mosaics, Uthina, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said. The last four nights are at the Verdi Tunis Beach Resort or similar, with a pool and beach access.
Suits: anyone who wants the eclipse with history and a beach. The honest drawback: it is midsummer, Dougga has little shade, and there is a lot of walking on uneven ground. Flights, airport transfers and dinners are not included. Dates and prices are on request, so ask us for the latest.
Saudi Arabia: eclipse in the mountains
The Asir mountains
Saudi Arabia Total Eclipse Tour: Riyadh to Abha – 14 Days
- 14 days
- From £5,400 per person
- Max 16 people
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Physical rating: medium
- Flights not included
- Departures in July
This is the longer, bigger journey: fourteen days from Riyadh to Abha in a group of 6 to 16, with a Saudi tour leader. You see the Masmak Fortress and Diriyah in Riyadh, the Buraydah camel market and the rock art of Jubbah, then spend two nights in bell tents at the Mazham Boutique Farm or similar near AlUla, with Hegra, the mirrored Maraya building and stargazing with an expert. The high-speed train takes you from Medina to Jeddah’s old town of Al-Balad.
On Day 10 you travel into the mountains at Al Bahah to watch the eclipse with an astronomy specialist. Afterwards come Al Malad Castle, a night with a family in a mountain homestay at Al Shaaf, and Abha, capital of the green Asir region.
Suits: curious, open-minded travellers and eclipse chasers. The honest drawback: long travel days, summer heat in the lowlands and a medium physical rating. It is not a luxury trip, international flights and the e-visa are not included, and the single departure needs at least six travellers to run.
The single departure leaves on 24 July 2027, timed for the eclipse; the live price is in the comparison table above.
Eclipse day on each tour
In Tunisia, Day 3 is eclipse day. You stay two nights in Sfax at the Business Hotel Sfax or similar, so there is no long drive on the morning itself, and lunch is included that day. Eclipse glasses are provided; the page advises using them whenever any part of the sun is visible and following the local astronomer’s guidance.
In Saudi Arabia, Day 10 is eclipse day. You travel from Jeddah into the mountains at Al Bahah, watch with an astronomy specialist, and stay that night at the Swiss Spirit Cloud City or similar, with lunch included.
How to choose
By time available. Tunisia is ten days; Saudi Arabia is fourteen.
By budget. The Saudi Arabia tour’s live price is in the comparison table. The Tunisia tour is priced on request, so ask us for a quote.
By fitness. Both involve heat. Tunisia has a lot of walking on uneven ground at Roman sites; Saudi Arabia is rated medium, with long travel days.
By travel style. Tunisia mixes sightseeing with four nights at a beach resort. Saudi Arabia keeps moving, with bell tents, a homestay and two high-speed train journeys.
When to go
There is only one date that matters: 2 August 2027. Both tours are timed around it and run only for the eclipse, so it is worth asking early.
Before you travel, check the FCDO travel advice for Tunisia and Saudi Arabia, including entry requirements.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 total solar eclipse?
On 2 August 2027. Both of our eclipse tours are timed around it.
Where do the tours watch the eclipse?
The Tunisia tour watches from Chafar beach at Sfax; the Saudi Arabia tour watches from the mountains at Al Bahah.
Are eclipse glasses provided?
On the Tunisia tour, eclipse glasses are provided. On the Saudi Arabia tour, an astronomy specialist joins you on eclipse day with guidance on safe viewing.
Are flights included?
No. Both tours are land-only, and we can arrange flights for you.
How hot will it be?
Both tour pages warn of summer heat. In Saudi Arabia the Asir mountains are cooler than the lowlands; in Tunisia, some visits start early to avoid the midday heat.
How much do the eclipse tours cost?
The live price of the Saudi Arabia tour is in the comparison table on this page. The Tunisia tour is priced on request.
Want to see the 2027 eclipse?
Tell us which tour appeals and a Travelisto specialist will confirm availability and prices, and help with flights.
Keep planning
- All escorted tours in Tunisia
- All escorted tours in Saudi Arabia
- Tunisia holidays
- Saudi Arabia holidays
- Escorted tours in Jordan
Prices are live from our tour pages (updated October 2026). Tour details and dates can change; your specialist will confirm everything before you book.
