Hotel prices surge in European cities ahead of total solar eclipse

Hotel prices are soaring in several European cities as thousands of tourists flock to witness the upcoming total solar eclipse. Reykjavik, Iceland, is experiencing one of the most significant price hikes, with average hotel room costs reaching $793 for Wednesday, a 98% increase compared to the same day last year.

Iceland's capital is a prime location for viewing the total solar eclipse due to its accessibility. The surge in prices is based on data from travel and hotel data firm Lighthouse Intelligence, as reported by The Guardian.

Spain is also bracing for a large influx of visitors, anticipating 460,000 foreign tourists for the celestial event. The country is considered one of the best viewing spots on the European continent. In A Coruña, northwestern Spain, hotel room prices have jumped 135% year-on-year, now averaging $451.

Other Spanish cities are also seeing substantial increases: prices in Mallorca have risen 24%, while Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao have experienced hikes of 34% and 67%, respectively. Accommodation in smaller towns and villages has been fully booked for months in anticipation of the event. Meanwhile, Denmark will experience a partial solar eclipse, with over 80% of the sun expected to be covered by the moon.