Photo: Jiuguang Wang / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Milan

Milan sees a deep partial eclipse of around 92% on 12 August 2026 — and it happens as the Sun is setting. Maximum comes with the Sun barely 2° above the horizon, just minutes before it disappears altogether.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~20:20 CESTLombardy · 12 Aug 2026 · maximum eclipse

Duration~1h 43m 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~2° above the WNW horizonlow in the west — an open horizon is essential

Coverage92.3% (partial)Milan is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 92.3% 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 Often clear, haze on the horizon · ≈64%Northern Italy is usually dry in mid-August, but the Po valley is prone to summer haze — and with the Sun setting into the eclipse, that haze sits exactly where you need to look.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Below: Milan's exact timings, why height is everything here, the viewpoints that clear the Po valley haze, and the safety rule that never lifts during a partial eclipse.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~19:27 CESTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~20:20 CESTPartial — ~1h 43m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~20:35 CESTPartial ends ~21:10 CEST

The partial eclipse runs from about 19:27 to 21:10 CEST, with maximum coverage of 92.3% at around 20:20. The Sun sets at 20:35 CEST, during the eclipse — so the later stages happen below the horizon and an open west-northwest view is essential.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Monte Stella

Elevated · artificial hill

Best open western view in Milan

The hill built from the city's wartime rubble is Milan's best natural eclipse viewpoint — it rises clear of the flat cityscape and looks west across the plain. Local astronomy groups have already proposed it as a gathering point.

Duomo rooftop terraces

Elevated · iconic

Height plus the skyline

The cathedral roof gives height above the centre and an unforgettable foreground. Book ahead, and check closing times against the eclipse — this happens late in the evening.

Torre Branca, Parco Sempione

Tower · panoramic

360° view over the city

The observation tower in the park lifts you well above the rooftops for a clear westward view.

Parco Nord / open ground north-west

Park · open

Flat, open, accessible

The large parks on the city's northern edge give open sky and a clear low horizon without needing a ticket or a booking.

Toward the Alps or the lakes

Elevated · escape the haze

Above the valley murk

Heading north toward Como or the Alpine foothills lifts you out of the Po valley's summer haze, which is the single biggest threat to seeing a Sun this low.

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?

Northern Italy is usually dry in mid-August, and Milan gets one of the deeper partial eclipses in the country.

The Sun is only ~2° up at maximum and sets during the eclipse.

Po valley haze sits exactly on that horizon — elevation is the only real defence.

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
An open west-northwest horizon — the Sun is only ~2° up
Arrive before 19:27 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

Milan eclipse FAQ

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

No. Milan is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 92.3% 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 Milan?

The partial phase begins at about 19:27 CEST and maximum — 92.3% coverage — comes at roughly 20:20 CEST. The Sun sets at 20:35 CEST, during the eclipse — so the later stages happen below the horizon and an open west-northwest view is essential.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Milan?

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 92.3% 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 Milan?

The Sun is only about 2° above the horizon at maximum, so you need an open, unobstructed view to the west-northwest. Buildings, hills and trees in that direction will hide the deepest phase.

Will I see the eclipse maximum in Milan?

Only just. Maximum occurs with the Sun about 2° above the horizon, and it sets very shortly afterwards. In practice you need genuinely open ground or elevation to the west-north-west — from street level among buildings you may lose the Sun before the deepest phase. Get high, and get there early.

Will the weather be clear in Milan on eclipse day?

Northern Italy is usually dry in mid-August, but the Po valley is prone to summer haze — and with the Sun setting into the eclipse, that haze sits exactly where you need to look.

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).