Photo: Giorgio Galeotti / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Florence

Florence is a genuine edge case: the eclipse reaches its deepest phase almost exactly as the Sun touches the horizon. About 93.5% of the Sun is covered at that moment — but in practice you will be watching a heavily eclipsed Sun setting behind the Tuscan hills, and from low ground it may already be gone.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~20:22 CESTTuscany · 12 Aug 2026 · maximum eclipse

Duration~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.

Sun altitudeat the horizon — maximum falls at sunsetmaximum occurs as the Sun sets

Coverage93.5% (partial)Florence is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 93.5% 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.

Clear-sky odds 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.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Below: Florence's exact timings, why the hills to the west are the deciding factor, the viewpoints that give you a fighting chance, and the safety rule throughout.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~19:29 CESTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~20:22 CESTPartial — ~1h 42m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~20:23 CESTPartial ends ~21:11 CEST

The partial eclipse runs from about 19:29 to 21:11 CEST, with maximum coverage of 93.5% at around 20:22. Maximum technically occurs just below the horizon, so what you can actually see is the deepest phase before sunset at 20:23 — arrive early and watch the Sun descend rather than waiting for a single moment.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Piazzale Michelangelo

Elevated · iconic

Classic panorama west over the city

The famous terrace looks north-west across the Arno and the whole city — the obvious choice, with enough height to see over the valley floor. Expect it to be extremely busy.

Fiesole

Hilltop town · high

Best elevation near Florence

The hill town above Florence gives significantly more height than Piazzale Michelangelo and a long view west over the Arno valley — the strongest option for catching the deepest phase before the Sun sets.

Forte di Belvedere / Bardini Gardens

Elevated · in city

Height without leaving town

The fort and terraced gardens above the Oltrarno give real elevation within walking distance of the centre and a wide western outlook.

Open ground west toward Sesto Fiorentino

Flat · open

Lower western skyline

Moving west out of the basin reduces the height of the hills between you and the Sun — less scenic, but it can buy you the last few minutes.

North to Milan or the Alps for a higher Sun

Better geometry

More time above the horizon

Northern Italy sees the eclipse with the Sun slightly higher and setting later. If catching the maximum matters more than the setting, heading north improves your odds.

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?

Tuscany is usually dry and clear in mid-August, and the hills around Florence give easy access to elevation.

This is the tightest timing of any major Italian city — maximum coincides with sunset.

From the valley floor you will likely lose the Sun before the deepest phase. Height is essential, not optional.

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
A clear view to the west-northwest
Arrive before 19:29 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

Florence eclipse FAQ

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

No. Florence is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 93.5% 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 Florence?

The partial phase begins at about 19:29 CEST and maximum — 93.5% coverage — comes at roughly 20:22 CEST. Maximum technically occurs just below the horizon, so what you can actually see is the deepest phase before sunset at 20:23 — arrive early and watch the Sun descend rather than waiting for a single moment.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Florence?

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 93.5% 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 Florence?

Maximum falls essentially at sunset, so height and a completely open western horizon are essential — from low ground the Sun will already have set.

Will I actually see the eclipse maximum in Florence?

It is genuinely marginal. Maximum falls almost exactly at sunset, so from low ground in the city the Sun will likely already be behind the hills. Elevated viewpoints — Fiesole, Piazzale Michelangelo, Forte di Belvedere — give you the best chance. Arrive early and watch the whole descent rather than waiting for a specific moment.

Will the weather be clear in Florence 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.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Lähteet: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (sää) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Ajat ovat paikallisia (CEST).