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.

Venice, Italy

Photo: kallerna / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Partielle Sonnenfinsternis · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Venice

Venice sees a partial eclipse of around 91% on 12 August 2026, with the Sun setting into the lagoon during the deepest phase — a low, atmospheric sunset eclipse over the water.

Partielle Finsternis Get certified eclipse glasses
Maximum~20:19 CESTVeneto · 12 Aug 2026 · maximum eclipse
Dauer~1h 42m 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~0° above the WNW horizonlow in the west — an open horizon is essential
Bedeckungsgrad91.2% (partial)Venice is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 91.2% 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 Often clear, haze on the horizon · ≈64%Northern Italy is usually dry in mid-August, but the Po valley is prone to summer haze — and with the Sun setting into the eclipse, that haze sits exactly where you need to look.
Countdown bis zum Maximum
—Tage —Std. —Min. —Sek.

Venice sees a partial eclipse of around 91% on 12 August 2026, with the Sun setting into the lagoon during the deepest phase — a low, atmospheric sunset eclipse over the water.

Below: Venice's exact timings, why the lagoon is an advantage, the west-facing viewpoints, and the safety rule that applies throughout.

Die Zeitleiste

Wann die Finsternis stattfindet

~19:27 CESTPartielle Phase beginnt — erster "Biss" aus der Sonne
~20:19 CESTPartiell — ~1h 42m of partial eclipse. Brille nur bei totaler Finsternis ablegen.
~20:23 CESTPartial ends ~21:09 CEST

The partial eclipse runs from about 19:27 to 21:09 CEST, with maximum coverage of 91.2% at around 20:19. The Sun sets at 20:23 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

Zattere promenade

Waterfront · south-west facing

Open water, wide sky

The long southern promenade looks out over the Giudecca canal with open water and sky to the west — the most reliable low sightline in the city centre.

Campanile di San Marco

Tower · maximum height

The only real elevation

The bell tower is essentially the only significant height in Venice, giving a view over the rooftops and lagoon. Check the closing time — this eclipse happens late.

Fondamente Nove / northern lagoon

Waterfront · open lagoon

Wide open horizon

The northern quays look across the open lagoon toward Murano and the mainland, giving one of the widest uninterrupted horizons accessible on foot.

Lido beaches

Beach · open

Sea-level but unobstructed

The Lido's western shore faces the lagoon and the mainland sunset, with beach space and an open outlook away from the crowds of the centre.

Mainland heights toward the Euganean Hills

Elevated · inland

Height above the haze

If haze threatens, the low hills inland from Padua give elevation and a clearer view of the horizon than anywhere in the lagoon.

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?

The open lagoon to the west gives Venice a flat, unobstructed horizon — valuable when the Sun is barely above it.

August evenings are usually dry.

Adriatic haze frequently sits on that horizon.

Venice is also almost entirely at sea level, so there is very little height available anywhere.

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 ~0° up
  • Arrive before 19:27 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

Venice Sonnenfinsternis FAQ

Will Venice see a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?
No. Venice is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 91.2% 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 Venice?
The partial phase begins at about 19:27 CEST and maximum — 91.2% coverage — comes at roughly 20:19 CEST. The Sun sets at 20:23 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 Venice?
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 91.2% 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 Venice?
The Sun is only about 0° 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.
Is Venice a good place to watch the 2026 eclipse?
It is atmospheric rather than optimal. Venice sees about 91% coverage — the lowest of the major northern Italian cities — and the Sun is barely above the horizon at maximum, setting during the eclipse. The lagoon does give a flat, open western horizon, which helps. For deeper coverage and a slightly higher Sun, Milan or Turin are better.
Will the weather be clear in Venice on eclipse day?
Northern Italy is usually dry in mid-August, but the Po valley is prone to summer haze — and with the Sun setting into the eclipse, that haze sits exactly where you need to look.

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).