Photo: Dr. Thomas Liptak / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Funchal

Funchal (Madeira) sees a partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 77.4% of the Sun covered at around 19:46 WEST, with the Sun a comfortable ~13° above the horizon.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~19:46 WESTMadeira · Portugal · 12 Aug 2026

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~13° above the WNW horizonhigh enough that cloud, not terrain, is the risk

Coverage77.4% (partial)Funchal is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 77.4% of the Sun is covered at maximum — a substantial partial eclipse, but not a total one. The corona never appears and the sky does not go dark.

Clear-sky odds Oceanic and changeable · ≈58%Mid-Atlantic weather is mild but changeable, with cloud arriving and clearing quickly.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Funchal (Madeira) sees a partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 77.4% of the Sun covered at around 19:46 WEST, with the Sun a comfortable ~13° above the horizon.

Below: Funchal's exact timings, the best open viewpoints, why your eclipse glasses never come off here, and where the real totality is.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~18:49 WESTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~19:46 WESTPartial — ~1h 50m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~20:55 WESTEclipse ends ~20:39 WEST

The eclipse runs from about 18:49 to 20:39 WEST, with maximum at around 19:46 and the Sun ~13° above the west-northwest horizon. The eclipse finishes before sunset at 20:55 WEST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Pico dos Barcelos

Elevated · viewpoint

Panorama over the city and sea

The classic Funchal viewpoint gives height above the amphitheatre of the city with an open ocean horizon.

Cabo Girão skywalk

Cliff · dramatic

One of Europe's highest sea cliffs

The glass platform hangs above the Atlantic with an unbroken western horizon far below.

Funchal seafront promenade

Coast · accessible

Open sea, easy access

The promenade gives an open low outlook over the ocean with room to gather.

Ponta do Pargo

Headland · westernmost

Madeira's western tip

The island's far west has open ocean horizons and the cleanest low sightline available.

Mainland Portugal sees far more

Deeper coverage

Porto ~98%

Madeira sees the shallowest coverage in these guides at around 77%; mainland northern Portugal sees far more.

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?

Mid-Atlantic weather is mild but changeable, with cloud arriving and clearing quickly.

The deciding factor here is simply whether the sky is clear at the right moment. Check the forecast in the final 48 hours and, if you can, keep the option of moving to a gap in the cloud.

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 ~13° up, so gaps in cloud are enough
Arrive before 18:49 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

Funchal (Madeira) eclipse FAQ

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

No. Funchal is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 77.4% of the Sun covered at maximum. It is a striking sight through eclipse glasses, but the corona does not appear and the sky does not go dark. The path of totality crosses northern Spain.

What time is the eclipse in Funchal?

The partial phase begins at about 18:49 WEST and maximum — 77.4% coverage — comes at roughly 19:46 WEST. The eclipse finishes before sunset at 20:55 WEST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Funchal?

Yes, for the entire eclipse without exception. Because the Sun is never fully covered, there is never a safe moment to look with the naked eye. Even at 77.4% 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 Funchal?

With the Sun about 13° above the horizon at maximum, a break in the cloud matters more than a perfect horizon — though higher, open ground still gives the best view.

How much of the eclipse will Madeira see?

Around 77% of the Sun covered — noticeably less than mainland Portugal, because Madeira lies far out in the Atlantic and well south of the path. It is still a clear, obvious partial eclipse through eclipse glasses, with the Sun a comfortable 13° above the horizon, but northern Portugal sees far more.

Will the weather be clear in Funchal on eclipse day?

Mid-Atlantic weather is mild but changeable, with cloud arriving and clearing quickly.

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).