Photo: C. M. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Freiburg

Freiburg sees the deepest partial eclipse of any major German city — around 90% of the Sun covered — thanks to its position in the far south-west corner of the country.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~20:17 CESTBaden-Württemberg · 12 Aug 2026 · maximum eclipse

Duration~1h 45m 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~4° above the WNW horizonlow in the west — an open horizon is essential

Coverage90.2% (partial)Freiburg is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 90.2% 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 Mixed, better in the south · ≈58%Southern Germany tends to be warmer and clearer than the north in August, though Alpine and Black Forest convection can throw up evening cloud.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Freiburg sees the deepest partial eclipse of any major German city — around 90% of the Sun covered — thanks to its position in the far south-west corner of the country.

Below: Freiburg's exact timings, the Black Forest viewpoints, why glasses stay on throughout, and how close you are to genuinely deeper coverage.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~19:23 CESTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~20:17 CESTPartial — ~1h 45m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~20:47 CESTPartial ends ~21:08 CEST

The partial eclipse runs from about 19:23 to 21:08 CEST, with maximum coverage of 90.2% at around 20:17. The Sun sets at 20:47 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

Schlossberg

Elevated · above the old town

Best in-city height

The hill directly above Freiburg's centre gives quick access to real elevation and a wide westward view over the Rhine plain — the obvious local choice.

Schauinsland

Mountain · highest local point

Major elevation, long views

The mountain above Freiburg, reachable by cable car, offers the widest horizon in the region and lifts you well above any valley haze.

Open Rhine plain west of the city

Flat · open

Lowest western horizon

The plain between Freiburg and the Rhine is flat and open, giving an unobstructed low sightline toward the setting Sun.

Kaiserstuhl hills

Elevated · vineyards

Height plus open outlook

The volcanic hills north-west of Freiburg rise out of the plain with vineyard slopes facing west — excellent for a low Sun and a beautiful setting.

Into France or Switzerland

Marginal gain

Slightly deeper coverage

Coverage increases a little further south and west — the Basel area and Alsace see marginally more, though the difference is small. Real totality remains in northern Spain.

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?

Freiburg is Germany's warmest and sunniest city, and gets the country's deepest coverage at around 90%.

The Black Forest heights are minutes away.

The Sun is only ~4° up at maximum and the Vosges lie to the west across the Rhine.

Black Forest cloud can also build in the evening.

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 ~4° up
Arrive before 19:23 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

Freiburg eclipse FAQ

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

No. Freiburg is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 90.2% 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 Freiburg?

The partial phase begins at about 19:23 CEST and maximum — 90.2% coverage — comes at roughly 20:17 CEST. The Sun sets at 20:47 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 Freiburg?

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 90.2% 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 Freiburg?

The Sun is only about 4° 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.

Where in Germany will the eclipse be deepest?

In the far south-west corner. Freiburg and the surrounding Black Forest and Rhine plain see around 90% coverage — the highest in the country — compared with about 85% in Berlin and Hamburg. The difference reflects distance from the path of totality, which runs across northern Spain.

Will the weather be clear in Freiburg on eclipse day?

Southern Germany tends to be warmer and clearer than the north in August, though Alpine and Black Forest convection can throw up evening cloud.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Kilder: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (vejr) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Tidspunkter er lokale (CEST).