Photo: Acp / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Marrakesh

Marrakesh sees a partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 82.9% of the Sun covered at around 19:46 WEST, with the Sun only ~6° above the horizon.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~19:46 WESTMarrakesh-Safi · Morocco · 12 Aug 2026

Duration~1h 46m 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~6° above the WNW horizonlow in the west — an open horizon is essential

Coverage82.9% (partial)Marrakesh is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 82.9% 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 Reliably clear · ≈80%North Africa in mid-August is hot, dry and almost always cloud-free — among the best odds anywhere for this eclipse.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Marrakesh sees a partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 82.9% of the Sun covered at around 19:46 WEST, with the Sun only ~6° above the horizon.

Below: Marrakesh'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

~18:51 WESTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

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

~20:18 WESTEclipse ends ~20:37 WEST

The eclipse runs from about 18:51 to 20:37 WEST, with maximum at around 19:46 and the Sun ~6° above the west-northwest horizon. The Sun sets at 20:18 WEST, during the eclipse, so the later stages happen below the horizon — an open west-northwest view is essential.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Menara gardens

Gardens · open basin

Reflecting pool and Atlas backdrop

The great reflecting pool with the Atlas mountains behind gives an open western outlook and Morocco's most photogenic foreground.

Rooftop terraces of the medina

Rooftop · city-wide

Above the low skyline

Marrakesh is low-rise, so almost any rooftop terrace clears the skyline for an open western view.

Palmeraie open ground

Rural · palm groves

Space and open sky

The palm groves north of the city give open ground away from the walls.

Agafay desert

Desert · vast open

Unbroken horizons

The stony desert south-west of Marrakesh gives completely unobstructed horizons and dark surroundings.

North for deeper coverage

More of the Sun covered

Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier

Marrakesh sees the shallowest Moroccan coverage in these guides; the north sees considerably 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?

North Africa in mid-August is hot, dry and almost always cloud-free — among the best odds anywhere for this eclipse.

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
An open west-northwest horizon — the Sun is only ~6° up
Arrive before 18:51 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

Marrakesh eclipse FAQ

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

No. Marrakesh is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 82.9% 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 Marrakesh?

The partial phase begins at about 18:51 WEST and maximum — 82.9% coverage — comes at roughly 19:46 WEST. The Sun sets at 20:18 WEST, during the eclipse, so the later stages happen below the horizon — an open west-northwest view is essential.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Marrakesh?

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 82.9% 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 Marrakesh?

The Sun is only about 6° above the horizon, so you need an open, unobstructed view to the west-northwest. Buildings, hills and trees in that direction will hide the deepest phase.

Will the weather be clear in Marrakesh on eclipse day?

North Africa in mid-August is hot, dry and almost always cloud-free — among the best odds anywhere for this eclipse.

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).