In pictures: Europe's best solar eclipse since 1999
A total solar eclipse crossed parts of Europe on Wednesday, drawing millions of spectators to watch the once-in-a-generation spectacle.
Parts of Greenland, northern Spain, and Iceland saw a total solar eclipse, while other parts of Europe, including the U.K. and France, saw a partial eclipse.
During the eclipse, the Moon passed between the Earth and the Sun, temporarily submerging parts of the region in darkness.
The region's first total solar eclipse since 1999 saw retail and hospitality businesses capitalize on the opportunity, with some hotels in parts of Iceland and northern Spain charging over $1,000 a night.
Meanwhile, a rush to buy solar eclipse glasses saw hundreds queuing in shops.
A total solar eclipse occurs over Embalse de Tortoles de Esgueva in Tortoles de Esgueva, Spain, on August 12, 2026.
Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images
People view the partial solar eclipse besides the historic St. Michael's Church tower, a Grade I listed building at the top of Glastonbury Tor on August 12, 2026 in Glastonbury, England.
Matt Cardy | Getty Images News | Getty Images
A group of people during the total solar eclipse of 2026, on 12 August, 2026 on 12 August 2026, on 12 August, 2026 in Cantabria, Spain.
Europa Press News | Europa Press | Getty Images
The moon passes in front of the sun shortly before sunset during a partial solar eclipse on August 12, 2026 in Augsburg, Germany.
Marcus Hartmann | Getty Images News | Getty Images
A man holds up a stainless steel kitchen colander to project crescent-shaped pinhole shadows onto a white sheet of paper to watch a solar eclipse in Krakow, Poland, on August 12, 2026.
Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images
A spectator watches a partial solar eclipse on the Olympiaberg in Munich's Olympiapark.
Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images
The partial solar eclipse is seen from Aras de los Olmos, Spain on August 12, 2026.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images
The Baily's beads effect appears as the Sun begins to emerge from behind the Moon following totality of the solar eclipse as seen from Buspol in northern Spain, on August 12, 2026.
Paul Hanna | Afp | Getty Images
A person takes a photograph during the total solar eclipse of 2026, on 12 August, 2026 on 12 August 2026, on 12 August, 2026 in Cantabria, Spain.
Europa Press News | Europa Press | Getty Images
View during the total solar eclipse sunset on the Mediterranean sea of 2026, on August 12, in Port de Soller, Mallorca, Spain.
Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images
A total solar eclipse darkens the skies over northeastern Spain, with Corbera dâEbre, in Tarragona, Spain, on August 12, 2026, among the locations along the path of totality.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images
Children observe a partial solar eclipse in Piran.
Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images
A partial solar eclipse, seen over Liverpool Bay from Crosby Beach on August 12, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Christopher Furlong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Reporting from CNBC contributed to this story.
