The President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, has confirmed that on the day of the solar eclipse, August 12, restrictions will be implemented to ensure safety and prevent traffic problems, especially in the Serra de Tramuntana, one of the areas where the largest number of people are expected to gather to observe the astronomical phenomenon.
During Tuesday’s plenary session of the Parliament of the Balearic Islands, Prohens stated that it will be the experts on the committee created to coordinate the eclipse operation who will ultimately determine the scope of the measures and how access to the most sensitive areas will be restricted or regulated.
The president has, for the time being, ruled out supporting proposals like the one presented by MÉS per Mallorca, which had called for restricting access to the Serra des from the day before to non-residents or those without lodging in the area. However, he acknowledged the concern over the large number of visitors expected on a day that will coincide with a peak tourist season in the islands.
“I agree with the analysis and concerns regarding the eclipse,” said Prohens, noting that the archipelago experiences its highest number of visitors of the year in August. It is precisely for this reason that she advocated for the creation, almost a year ago, of a specific committee to plan the management of an event that could attract thousands of people to certain observation points on the island. “All measures are on the table, and one is very clear: the protection of residents, safety of movement, and the protection of natural areas on days when there is also a risk of fire,” the president stated.
The August 12 solar eclipse is considered one of the most significant astronomical events to be observed in Europe in the coming years. Mallorca is one of the best places to observe it, especially from high-altitude locations with minimal light pollution, which has sparked interest among astronomy enthusiasts as well as visitors from both inside and outside the country.
In light of this situation, the regional government is considering several lines of action. As the president explained, the priorities include protecting residents, ensuring safe travel, and preserving natural areas, especially at this time of year, when there is also a high risk of wildfires.
For his part, MÉS per Mallorca spokesperson Lluís Apesteguia has called for more robust measures to protect the natural areas where spectators are expected to gather. In his opinion, beyond public health recommendations and calls to spread visitors across different points on the island, no measures proportional to the event’s scope have yet been announced.
At the same time, the tourism sector is also preparing for a day that could have a significant impact on the number of visitors. The Hotel Business Federation of Mallorca (FEHM) has begun coordinating information campaigns with its member establishments to provide guidance on travel, safety, and responsible eclipse viewing, in anticipation of an event that is shaping up to be one of the island’s most high-profile international events in 2026.
