Photo: Leandro Neumann Ciuffo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Coimbra

Coimbra sees a deep partial eclipse of around 97% on 12 August 2026, with the Sun 10.5° above the horizon — a strong showing from central Portugal, and a straightforward city to watch from.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~19:33 WESTCentro · 12 Aug 2026 · maximum eclipse

Duration~1h 50m of partial eclipseThis is the full partial eclipse from first to last contact. There is no totality here — the Sun is never completely covered, so there is no corona and no moment when it is safe to look without protection.

Sun altitude~10° above the WNW horizonhigh enough that cloud, not terrain, is the risk

Coverage97.1% (partial)Coimbra is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 97.1% of the Sun is covered at maximum — a deep partial eclipse, but not a total one. The corona never appears and the sky does not go dark.

Clear-sky odds Usually clear · ≈70%Central and southern Portugal are reliably dry and sunny in mid-August, with clear evening skies the norm.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Coimbra sees a deep partial eclipse of around 97% on 12 August 2026, with the Sun 10.5° above the horizon — a strong showing from central Portugal, and a straightforward city to watch from.

Below: Coimbra's exact timings, the university heights and riverside viewpoints, why glasses stay on throughout, and where coverage runs deeper.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~18:36 WESTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~19:33 WESTPartial — ~1h 50m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~20:34 WESTPartial ends ~20:26 WEST

The partial eclipse runs from about 18:36 to 20:26 WEST, with maximum coverage of 97.1% at around 19:33. The whole eclipse finishes before sunset at 20:34 WEST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

University of Coimbra terraces

Elevated · UNESCO

Height above the city

The historic university sits on the hilltop above Coimbra with terraces looking west over the Mondego valley — the best combination of height, access and setting.

Penedo da Saudade

Elevated · viewpoint

Open westward panorama

A classic city viewpoint with a wide outlook over the valley and the country beyond.

Mondego riverbank and Parque Verde

Riverside · open

Flat open corridor west

The river gives a broad, low, unobstructed sightline with room for crowds along the banks.

Figueira da Foz coast

Coast · Atlantic

Open sea horizon

The coast west of Coimbra gives full Atlantic horizons and beach space, about 45 minutes away.

North for deeper coverage

More of the Sun covered

Porto ~98%, Braga ~99%

Coverage deepens northward — Porto and especially Braga see considerably more, and the path of totality clips the far north-east.

Local astronomy societies and science centres often organise safe public viewing with filtered telescopes — worth checking closer to the date.

Plan your trip

Where to stay near the eclipse

Accommodation around the viewing area for eclipse night (11–13 Aug 2026). Compare hotels and rentals live on the map below.

The weather call

Will the sky be clear?

Central Portugal has dependable August weather, and Coimbra's hilltop university gives easy elevation with a clear westward outlook.

Coverage is a little below the far north at around 97%.

River-valley haze can affect the low horizon on still evenings.

Plan the day

Your eclipse-day checklist

Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE eclipse glasses — one pair per person
Glasses stay ON for the entire eclipse — there is no safe moment here
A reasonable view west — the Sun is ~10° up, so gaps in cloud are enough
Arrive before 18:36 to catch first contact

Check the cloud forecast in the final 48 hours
Never look through a camera, phone or binoculars without a proper solar filter
Pinhole projection is a safe way for groups to watch together
If you want totality, it is northern Spain — not here

Watch it safely

However you’re watching, watch it safely

Every Absolute Eclipse product is independently certified and made in the EU. There’s no safe moment to look unaided here — keep certified eyewear on the entire time.

ISO 12312-2 certified
CE · EU 2016/425 PPE
Made & shipped in the EU

Coimbra eclipse FAQ

Will Coimbra see a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?

No. Coimbra is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 97.1% of the Sun covered at maximum. That is a striking sight through eclipse glasses, but it is not totality — the corona does not appear, the sky does not go dark, and there is no moment when it is safe to look without protection. The path of totality crosses northern Spain.

What time is the eclipse in Coimbra?

The partial phase begins at about 18:36 WEST and maximum — 97.1% coverage — comes at roughly 19:33 WEST. The whole eclipse finishes before sunset at 20:34 WEST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Coimbra?

Yes, for the entire eclipse without exception. This is the most important difference from a total eclipse: because the Sun is never fully covered, there is never a safe moment to look with the naked eye. Even at 97.1% coverage the remaining sliver is dangerously bright. Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE glasses stay on from start to finish.

Where should I watch from in Coimbra?

With the Sun about 10° above the horizon at maximum, you have some flexibility — a break in the cloud matters more than a perfect horizon. Higher, open ground still gives the best view.

How does Coimbra compare with Porto and Lisbon for the eclipse?

Coimbra sits between them at about 97% coverage — deeper than Lisbon's 94.5%, slightly less than Porto's 98%. The Sun is at a similar height in all three. If you are already in central Portugal, Coimbra is a perfectly good place to watch; if you are travelling anyway, further north is better.

Will the weather be clear in Coimbra on eclipse day?

Central and southern Portugal are reliably dry and sunny in mid-August, with clear evening skies the norm.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Zdroje: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (počasí) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Časy jsou místní (CEST).