Photo: Olga Ernst / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Total solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 total solar eclipse in Reykjavík

Reykjavík is inside the path of the 12 August 2026 total solar eclipse, with about 1 minute 2 seconds of totality at about 17:48 GMT and the Sun a comfortable ~24° above the west-northwest horizon.

In the path of totality Get certified eclipse glasses

Totality begins~17:48 GMTCapital Region · Iceland · 12 Aug 2026

Durationabout 1 minute 2 secondsMeasured for the city centre; a few seconds either way depending on exactly where you stand.

Sun altitude~24° above the WNW horizonhigh enough that cloud, not terrain, is the risk

Coverage100% (total)Reykjavík is INSIDE the path of totality — the corona is briefly visible with the naked eye during the ~1m 02s of totality itself, and only then.

Clear-sky odds Cloud is the main obstacle · ≈38%Iceland in August is frequently overcast and the weather changes fast. The Sun is high, so cloud is the only real enemy.

Counting down to totality

—days —hrs —min —sec

Reykjavík is inside the path of the 12 August 2026 total solar eclipse, with about 1 minute 2 seconds of totality at about 17:48 GMT and the Sun a comfortable ~24° above the west-northwest horizon.

Below: exactly what Reykjavík sees and when, where to stand for the low western Sun, an honest read on the August cloud odds, and the safety rules for the partial phases.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~16:47 GMTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~17:48 GMTTotality — about 1 minute 2 seconds. Glasses off only if total.

~21:53 GMTEclipse ends ~18:47 GMT

The eclipse runs from about 16:47 to 18:47 GMT, with maximum at around 17:48 and the Sun ~24° above the west-northwest horizon. The eclipse finishes before sunset at 21:53 GMT, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Grótta lighthouse, Seltjarnarnes

Headland · open ocean

Best western horizon in the capital

The lighthouse point at the city's western tip has an open Atlantic horizon and is Reykjavík's classic spot for watching the sky.

Perlan and Öskjuhlíð

Elevated · panoramic

Height above the city

The dome on its wooded hill gives a 360° view over Reykjavík and out to sea.

Hallgrímskirkja tower

Tower · central

Height in the middle of town

The church tower gives the best central elevation, though space is limited.

Þingvellir national park

Rift valley · open

Wide skies and geology

The great rift east of the city gives huge open horizons and an extraordinary setting.

West to Reykjanes for longer totality

Longer totality

Keflavík ~1m 43s

Reykjavík gets about a minute of totality; the Reykjanes peninsula to the west gets 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?

Iceland in August is frequently overcast and the weather changes fast. The Sun is high, so cloud is the only real enemy.

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
A clear view west — the Sun is ~24° up
Arrive early — totality lasts only ~1m 02s
Scout your viewpoint the evening before, at the same time of day

Glasses ON for every part of the eclipse except totality itself
Glasses back on the instant the Sun's edge reappears
Don't spend ~1m 02s of totality fiddling with a camera
Check the cloud forecast in the final 48 hours

Watch it safely

However you’re watching, watch it safely

Every Absolute Eclipse product is independently certified and made in the EU. Glasses come off only during totality — keep them on for the whole partial phase.

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

Reykjavík eclipse FAQ

Does Reykjavík get a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?

Yes. Reykjavík is inside the path of totality and sees a genuine total eclipse lasting about 1 minute 2 seconds, with 100% of the Sun covered. Outside the path — even a short distance away — the eclipse is only partial, which is a completely different experience.

What time is the eclipse in Reykjavík?

The partial phase begins at about 16:47 GMT and totality is centred on roughly 17:48 GMT, with the Sun about 24° above the west-northwest horizon. The eclipse finishes before sunset at 21:53 GMT, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Reykjavík?

Yes. Throughout the partial phases — over an hour before and after totality — you must wear certified ISO 12312-2 / CE eclipse glasses. You may remove them only during the ~1m 02s of totality itself, and must put them back on the instant the Sun's edge reappears.

Where should I watch from in Reykjavík?

With the Sun about 24° 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.

Will the weather be clear in Reykjavík on eclipse day?

Iceland in August is frequently overcast and the weather changes fast. The Sun is high, so cloud is the only real enemy.

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).