2026 archive

The 12 August 2026 eclipse has passed

The information below describes the 2026 event. For the next total solar eclipse, use our guide to 2 August 2027: the path and timings are different.

Lisbon, Portugal

Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Partielle Sonnenfinsternis · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Lisbon

Lisbon sees a deep partial eclipse of around 94.5% on 12 August 2026, with the Sun 10° above the horizon over the Atlantic — a fine sight from the city's famous viewpoints, though the path of totality lies well to the north.

Partielle Finsternis Get certified eclipse glasses
Maximum~19:35 WESTLisboa · 12 Aug 2026 · maximum eclipse
Dauer~1h 49m 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~10° above the WNW horizonhigh enough that cloud, not terrain, is the risk
Bedeckungsgrad94.5% (partial)Lisbon is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 94.5% 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.
Heiterkeitschance Usually clear · ≈70%Central and southern Portugal are reliably dry and sunny in mid-August, with clear evening skies the norm.
Countdown bis zum Maximum
—Tage —Std. —Min. —Sek.

Lisbon sees a deep partial eclipse of around 94.5% on 12 August 2026, with the Sun 10° above the horizon over the Atlantic — a fine sight from the city's famous viewpoints, though the path of totality lies well to the north.

Below: Lisbon's exact timings, which miradouros actually face the right way, why glasses stay on throughout, and how far the real eclipse is.

Die Zeitleiste

Wann die Finsternis stattfindet

~18:39 WESTPartielle Phase beginnt — erster "Biss" aus der Sonne
~19:35 WESTPartiell — ~1h 49m of partial eclipse. Brille nur bei totaler Finsternis ablegen.
~20:34 WESTPartial ends ~20:28 WEST

The partial eclipse runs from about 18:39 to 20:28 WEST, with maximum coverage of 94.5% at around 19:35. The whole eclipse finishes before sunset at 20:34 WEST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Wo man sich aufstellen sollte

Die besten Beobachtungsplätze

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

Elevated · highest miradouro

Widest western panorama

The highest of Lisbon's viewpoints, with a broad sweep west over the castle, the city and the Tejo — the best combination of height and direction.

Cristo Rei, Almada

Elevated · across the river

Panorama back over Lisbon

The statue's platform across the Tejo gives a commanding view back over the city and the river mouth toward the ocean.

Cabo da Roca

Headland · westernmost

Continental Europe's western tip

The most westerly point of mainland Europe, with completely open Atlantic horizons — the definitive setting for a sunset eclipse, about 45 minutes from the city.

Praia do Guincho / Cascais coast

Coast · open ocean

Unobstructed sea horizon

The exposed Atlantic coast west of Lisbon gives wide open sea views and beach space.

North for deeper coverage

More of the Sun covered

Porto ~98%

Coverage increases markedly toward the north — Porto and Braga see around 98%, and the path of totality clips the far north-east near Bragança.

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?

Lisbon has reliably clear August evenings and no shortage of elevated west-facing viewpoints — the city is practically designed for watching a low western Sun.

Coverage here is lower than the north of the country at around 94.5%.

Atlantic haze on the horizon is the main local risk.

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
  • A reasonable view west — the Sun is ~10° up, so gaps in cloud are enough
  • Arrive before 18:39 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

Beobachten Sie in einer Gruppe? Familien- & Einzelhandelspacks → Zertifizierter Lagerbestand wird knapper, je näher der 12. August rückt.

Schnelle Antworten

Lisbon Sonnenfinsternis FAQ

Will Lisbon see a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?
No. Lisbon is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 94.5% 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 Lisbon?
The partial phase begins at about 18:39 WEST and maximum — 94.5% coverage — comes at roughly 19:35 WEST. The whole eclipse finishes before sunset at 20:34 WEST, so you are not racing the horizon here.
Do I need eclipse glasses in Lisbon?
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 94.5% 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 Lisbon?
With the Sun about 10° above the horizon at maximum, you have some flexibility — a break in the cloud matters more than a perfect horizon. Higher, open ground still gives the best view.
Is Lisbon a good place to watch the 2026 eclipse?
It is a pleasant one, but not the best in Portugal. Lisbon sees about 94.5% coverage — noticeably less than Porto's 98% — though it does have the Sun 10° up, dependable August weather and outstanding west-facing viewpoints. If depth matters most, head north.
Will the weather be clear in Lisbon on eclipse day?
Central and southern Portugal are reliably dry and sunny in mid-August, with clear evening skies the norm.

Den Pfad weiter erkunden

Nahegelegene Regionen zur Beobachtung

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