The eclipse, in questions

A total solar eclipse. The Moon covers the Sun completely over Gibraltar from 10:45:33 to 10:50:01 local time, turning mid-morning to darkness for 4 minutes 28 seconds. Partial phases run either side, from 09:41 to 12:01.

For any single place, very. Totality touches a given spot on Earth roughly once every few centuries on average. Gibraltar happens to sit almost dead on this path; the next chance here is not in any living person's diary.

4 minutes 28 seconds, which is most of what this eclipse offers anywhere: the maximum on European soil, at Tarifa across the bay, is 4 minutes 39 seconds. This is among the longest totalities Europe will see this century.

Yes. Not quite midnight, but a deep twilight: bright planets and stars come out, the horizon glows like sunset in every direction at once, street lights trigger, and the temperature drops noticeably.

Only during totality itself. For every partial phase you need filters certified to ISO 12312-2; sunglasses do nothing. Our glasses guide covers what to buy and how to check it. During the 4 minutes 28 seconds of totality the naked eye is safe, and the sight is the point of the whole trip.

Not for the sky. Europa Point, the beaches and the quaysides are public. The Nature Reserve and Skywalk sit inside the paid Upper Rock ticket as on any other day; how the day itself is managed will be the Government of Gibraltar's call nearer the time.

The darkness still comes: the light dies and returns above any cloud, and you feel the temperature fall. But the record favours you. timeanddate's data has this date cloudy in Gibraltar 17% of years since 2000, which is why the path's forecasters like this stretch of coast.

Anywhere with open sky sees everything: the event is high to the south-east. Europa Point for the Strait and the arriving shadow, the Upper Rock for a horizon in every direction, the marinas for comfort through the long partial phases. The viewing guide takes each in turn.

Nobody can put a number on it honestly, so we won't. What can be said: Gibraltar is six square kilometres, sits on one of the longest totalities of the century, and is one of the easiest points on the path to reach from Britain. Book the bed early and pick a spot you can hold for the morning.

Years out, not months. Roughly 140 places take guests here and the path towns will fill in order of fame. The stays guide covers how to choose; the rankings are real guest scores and nobody pays to move up.

Physically, yes: the land border is a walk. But every path town within reach shares the same eclipse and the same morning traffic, and you would be gambling the four minutes on a queue. If Gibraltar is your spot, sleep in Gibraltar.

We wrote an honest comparison, including the eleven seconds Tarifa has over the Rock. Short version: pick for the setting and the logistics you want, because the sky is near enough the same.