Photo: Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Hamburg

Hamburg sees a partial eclipse of around 85% on 12 August 2026, with the Sun still a comfortable 6° above the horizon — shallow coverage, but easy viewing geometry.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~20:07 CESTHamburg · 12 Aug 2026 · maximum eclipse

Duration~1h 45m 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 altitude~6° above the WNW horizonlow in the west — an open horizon is essential

Coverage85.3% (partial)Hamburg is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 85.3% 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.

Clear-sky odds 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.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Hamburg sees a partial eclipse of around 85% on 12 August 2026, with the Sun still a comfortable 6° above the horizon — shallow coverage, but easy viewing geometry.

Below: Hamburg's exact timings, the harbour and Elbe viewpoints, the safety rule throughout, and where coverage gets deeper.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~19:13 CESTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~20:07 CESTPartial — ~1h 45m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~20:54 CESTPartial ends ~20:58 CEST

The partial eclipse runs from about 19:13 to 20:58 CEST, with maximum coverage of 85.3% at around 20:07. The Sun sets at 20:54 CEST, during the eclipse — so the later stages happen below the horizon and an open west-northwest view is essential.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Elbphilharmonie Plaza

Elevated · public terrace

Open harbour panorama

The free public plaza gives height above the harbour with a wide western view over the water — the best combination of access and sightline in the city.

Landungsbrücken and the Elbe

Waterfront · open

Long open view down the river

The piers look west along the Elbe, giving a broad, low, unobstructed sightline as the Sun descends.

Stintfang hill

Elevated · above the harbour

Height over the water

The hill above the Landungsbrücken lifts you clear of the waterfront buildings for a wider panorama.

Övelgönne and the western Elbe beaches

Beach · west of city

Open river horizon

The Elbe beaches west of the centre face down the widening river with an open outlook and a relaxed setting.

Travel south for deeper coverage

More of the Sun covered

Freiburg ~90%

Hamburg is among the furthest German cities from the path. Coverage increases steadily southward, reaching about 90% in the far south-west.

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?

Hamburg keeps the Sun nearly 6° up at maximum and the Elbe and harbour give wide, open western sightlines — genuinely easy terrain.

Northern German weather in August is unreliable, and coverage here is among the shallowest in the country at around 85%.

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
An open west-northwest horizon — the Sun is only ~6° up
Arrive before 19:13 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

Hamburg eclipse FAQ

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

No. Hamburg is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 85.3% 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 Hamburg?

The partial phase begins at about 19:13 CEST and maximum — 85.3% coverage — comes at roughly 20:07 CEST. The Sun sets at 20:54 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 Hamburg?

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 85.3% 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 Hamburg?

The Sun is only about 6° 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 the eclipse worth watching from Hamburg?

Yes, with realistic expectations. About 85% of the Sun is covered — the crescent is dramatic through eclipse glasses, though daylight barely changes. Hamburg's advantage is geometry: the Sun is still nearly 6° up at maximum and the harbour gives wide open views, making it one of the easier German cities to watch from.

Will the weather be clear in Hamburg 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.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Források: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (időjárás) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Az időpontok helyi idő szerint (CEST) vannak megadva.