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Partielle Sonnenfinsternis · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Berlin

Berlin sees a partial eclipse of around 85% on 12 August 2026 — the shallowest of the major German cities, but still a noticeable bite out of the low evening Sun.

Partielle Finsternis Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~20:08 CESTBerlin · 12 Aug 2026 · maximum eclipse

Dauer~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.

Sonnenhöhe~4° above the WNW horizonlow in the west — an open horizon is essential

Bedeckungsgrad84.8% (partial)Berlin is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 84.8% 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.

Heiterkeitschance Changeable · ≈52%Northern Germany in August is genuinely changeable — sunshine and showers in the same evening are normal. Check the forecast the day before and have a backup plan.

Countdown bis zum Maximum

—Tage —Std. —Min. —Sek.

Berlin sees a partial eclipse of around 85% on 12 August 2026 — the shallowest of the major German cities, but still a noticeable bite out of the low evening Sun.

Below: Berlin's exact timings, the open viewpoints across the city, why glasses stay on throughout, and how far the real eclipse actually is.

Die Zeitleiste

Wann die Finsternis stattfindet

~19:15 CESTPartielle Phase beginnt — erster "Biss" aus der Sonne

~20:08 CESTPartiell — ~1h 43m of partial eclipse. Brille nur bei totaler Finsternis ablegen.

~20:37 CESTPartial ends ~20:58 CEST

The partial eclipse runs from about 19:15 to 20:58 CEST, with maximum coverage of 84.8% at around 20:08. The Sun sets at 20:37 CEST, during the eclipse — so the later stages happen below the horizon and an open west-northwest view is essential.

Wo man sich aufstellen sollte

Die besten Beobachtungsplätze

Teufelsberg

Elevated · artificial hill

Best height in Berlin

The rubble hill in the Grunewald is the highest accessible point in the city, with a wide western panorama over the forest and beyond.

Tempelhofer Feld

Vast open space

Completely unobstructed horizon

The former airport is a huge flat expanse with genuinely uninterrupted views in every direction — probably the easiest place in Berlin to see a low Sun.

Viktoriapark, Kreuzberg

Elevated · central

Height near the centre

The hill in Kreuzberg gives a modest but useful elevation and an open western outlook without leaving the inner city.

Müggelberge, east Berlin

Elevated · wooded

Height and dark surroundings

The hills above the Müggelsee offer the greatest natural elevation in the city area, with long views west across the lakes.

Southern Germany sees more

Deeper coverage

Freiburg ~90%

Coverage increases steadily toward the south-west. Freiburg and the Black Forest see around 90%, and the totality path itself is in northern Spain — a flight, not a drive.

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.

Die Wetterprognose

Wird der Himmel klar sein?

Berlin is flat, with plenty of open parkland and long western sightlines — easy terrain for a low Sun.

Northern German August weather is genuinely changeable.

Coverage here is also the lowest of the big German cities, at around 85%.

Den Tag planen

Ihre Checkliste für den Finsternistag

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 19:15 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

Sicher beobachten

Wie auch immer Sie beobachten — tun Sie es sicher

Alle Absolute-Eclipse-Produkte sind unabhängig zertifiziert und in der EU hergestellt. Hier gibt es keinen sicheren Moment ohne Augenschutz — zertifizierte Sehhilfen die ganze Zeit tragen.

ISO 12312-2 zertifiziert
CE · EU 2016/425 PSA
Hergestellt und versandt in der EU

Berlin Sonnenfinsternis FAQ

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

No. Berlin is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 84.8% 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 Berlin?

The partial phase begins at about 19:15 CEST and maximum — 84.8% coverage — comes at roughly 20:08 CEST. The Sun sets at 20:37 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 Berlin?

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 84.8% 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 Berlin?

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.

How much of the Sun will be covered in Berlin?

About 85% at maximum — the lowest figure of the major German cities, because Berlin is furthest from the path. The light will dim slightly and the crescent Sun will be obvious through eclipse glasses, but it will not get dark. Southern Germany sees noticeably more.

Will the weather be clear in Berlin on eclipse day?

Northern Germany in August is genuinely changeable — sunshine and showers in the same evening are normal. Check the forecast the day before and have a backup plan.

Den Pfad weiter erkunden

Nahegelegene Regionen zur Beobachtung

● Partiell

Quellen: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (Wetter) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Zeiten sind lokal (MESZ).