Cologne cathedral at sunset — the 12 August 2026 partial solar eclipse in Germany

Total solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Germany

Germany sees a deep partial eclipse on the evening of 12 August 2026 — around 88–89% in the west, easing to about 80% in Berlin and the east. Low in the western sky toward sunset; not totality, which lies south over Spain.

Partial eclipse
Maximum~20:10 CESTMaximum · 12 Aug 2026 (Berlin ~20:06; varies)
Sun altitude~5–10°low in the west, near sunset
Coverageup to ~89%west highest (~88–89%); ~80% Berlin; lower further east/north
Clear-sky odds Mixed · ≈55%August skies over Germany are hit-and-miss, and with the Sun low in the west the main risk is cloud or haze near the horizon. The south and west tend to fare a little better than the north.
Counting down to totality
—days —hrs —min —sec

On the evening of 12 August 2026, all of Germany sees a deep partial eclipse — the Moon taking a huge bite out of the low evening Sun. The west, around the Rhineland and the French border, sees the most: close to 88–89% of the Sun hidden. It eases towards the north-east, with Berlin around 80%. It is a striking sight, but nowhere in Germany does the Sun fully disappear — for totality you would head south to Spain.

Below: how deep the partial runs across Germany, the best places to watch the low eclipsed Sun, and how to do it safely.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~19:10 CESTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun
~20:10 CESTPartial. Glasses off only if total.
~20:45The eclipse runs toward sunset — lower and later the further east you go.

The Sun is low in the west during the eclipse, so an open western horizon matters. Coverage is deepest in the west (the Rhineland) and shallowest in the north-east; everywhere it stays daylight.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Cologne & the Rhineland

~88%

Deepest partial in Germany · the west

The Rhineland in the far west sees Germany's deepest eclipse — close to 88% of the Sun covered, low in the west. Cologne, Düsseldorf and the Rhine give plenty of open river views toward the western horizon.

Munich & the south

~85%

Southern Germany · Alpine foreland

Munich and Bavaria see a deep partial with generally better August weather odds than the north, and high ground nearby for a clean western horizon.

Frankfurt & the centre

~86%

Central · deep partial

Frankfurt and the central Rhine-Main area sit in the deeper-coverage western half — find an open western viewpoint clear of the skyline for the low evening Sun.

Hamburg & the north

~82%

Northern Germany · lower coverage

Hamburg and the north see a slightly shallower partial than the west, the Sun low over the western horizon — the coast and the Elbe offer open sightlines.

Berlin & the east

~80%

The capital · ~80% near sunset

Berlin sees about 80% coverage with maximum around 20:06, the Sun low in the west close to setting. Head for an open western viewpoint such as the Tempelhofer Feld.

Coverage rises steadily towards the west — the Rhineland (Cologne, Düsseldorf) and the south-west see the most; Berlin and the north-east the least.

The weather call

Will the sky be clear?

German weather in August is genuinely unpredictable, and that is the honest headline here. Clear or cloudy, it can go either way on the day.

Because the Sun is low in the west at maximum, even broken cloud sitting near the horizon can spoil the view, so the forecast for the western sky in the final 48 hours matters more than the general outlook.

Give yourself the best chance with an open, elevated view to the west — a hill, a field edge, a west-facing riverbank.

The south and west of the country tend to have slightly better odds, and are also where the eclipse is deepest. For genuine totality, the realistic move is a trip south to Spain.

Plan the day

Your eclipse-day checklist

  • Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE eclipse glasses — keep them on the whole time (a partial is never safe unaided).
  • An open, flat western horizon — the Sun is low toward sunset.
  • The west of Germany sees the deepest eclipse — head that way if you can.
  • Arrive early and scout your western sightline beforehand.
  • A solar filter on any camera or phone for the whole partial.
  • No glasses-off moment in Germany — keep them on throughout.
  • For totality, plan a trip south to Spain rather than a local drive.
  • Check the western-horizon forecast (low cloud, haze) in the final 48 hours.

⚠ Never look without certified glasses

There is no safe moment to look unaided here — keep certified glasses on for the entire eclipse. Ordinary sunglasses do nothing.

Shop ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses →

Quick answers

Germany eclipse FAQ

Will Germany see a total solar eclipse in 2026?
No — Germany sees a deep partial on 12 August 2026, not totality. The path of totality runs far to the south, over northern Spain. Germany's deepest partial is in the west (around 88–89%), easing to about 80% in Berlin.
How much of the Sun will be covered in Germany?
Between roughly 80% and 89% depending on where you are. The west (the Rhineland) sees the most — close to 88–89% — while Berlin and the north-east see around 80%.
What time is the eclipse in Germany?
In the evening. Maximum is around 20:00–20:15 local time (CEST) — Berlin peaks near 20:06 — with the Sun low in the western sky toward sunset. Exact times vary by location.
Where is the best place to watch in Germany?
The west — the Rhineland and the south-west — gets the deepest eclipse and slightly better weather odds. Wherever you are, choose an open, flat western horizon, as the Sun is low toward sunset.
Do I need eclipse glasses in Germany?
Yes, for the whole eclipse. A partial never fully covers the Sun, so there is no safe moment to look unaided. Use certified ISO 12312-2 glasses throughout, and never look through a camera, phone or binoculars without a solar filter.
Where can I see totality from Germany?
Travel south to Spain. Germany is well north of the path; the nearest totality runs across northern Spain — Zaragoza, Valencia, Burgos and the Balearics. See our Spain guides to plan a totality trip.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

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Sources: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (weather) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Times are local (CEST).