A “magical” total solar eclipse has drawn excited crowds to locations across Europe, with millions keen to take in a rare celestial spectacle that sent parts of the continent into darkness.

A rare total solar eclipse involves the moon gliding precisely between the sun and earth.

The result is that the moon completely blocks the face of the sun, briefly leaving the sky dark as if it were dusk or dawn, and revealing the sun’s corona.

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The best views of Wednesday’s one were in Spain and Portugal, and parts of Greenland and Iceland.

“It’s the first time in my lifetime that I’ll get to see a total eclipse in Spain,” said one German physics student who travelled from to Medinaceli in northeast Spain to witness the event.

“I’m not sure where the next one is, so it’ll be great to see it.”

Beachgoers gather before a total solar eclipse set to begin around sunset near Valencia, Spain. Credit: Alberto Saiz/AP Photo

A total solar eclipse is seen from Berlanga de Duero, central Spain. Credit: Bernat Armangue/AP Photo

There were also mesmerising views in the UK, northern Italy, France, Switzerland and Belgium, although the moon never completely obscured the sun.

“It’s an event — once in a blue moon,” one witness told 7NEWS from the Royal Observatory in London.

“It’s important, it’s magical, it’s fantastic, so I’m here to see it.”

When is Australia’s next total solar eclipse?

The total solar eclipse in the first on mainland Europe in more than two decades.

Australians will not have to wait that long, with the next one due here on July 22, 2028.

The “path of totality” — where observers can witness the moon muscle out views of the sun — will take in WA’s Kimberley, the NT, southwest Queensland and NSW, passing directly over Sydney.

Significantly, it will be Sydney’s first total solar eclipse since 1857, and the second eclipse in a series of five in Australia between 2023 and 2038.

But all of Australia will experience at least a partial solar eclipse.

The path of the total solar eclipse in July, 2028. GD refers to Greatest Duration (This is the location where the eclipse lasts the longest) and GE refers to Greatest Eclipse (This is the location where the moon appears the largest and more of the sun is covered). Credit: National Solar Observatory

“As totality approaches the temperature will gradually decrease and the light will fade, confusing birds and animals,” the Astronomical Association of Queensland explained.

“In the last few minutes, the moon’s shadow may be seen approaching.

“As this is a long eclipse with a wide path the shadow may be well defined and is likely to appear as a very dark thunderstorm approaching swiftly and silently from a generally north-west direction.

“In Western Australia the umbra will reach down to earth somewhat vertically but towards Sydney and the end of the path near New Zealand, the shadow will become more inclined and this is likely to make it more defined and darker.

“A wind may spring up, and it may feel as if there is a chill in the air.

“Viewing through your safe solar filters, if the sky is clear, you can see the very thin crescent shape of the sun decreasing to the last few points of light shining through valleys around the edge of the moon, then winking out as the surrounding light suddenly goes dark.”