On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will cross the Earth. The moon will block the sun completely along a narrow path stretching from northern Siberia, across the Arctic Ocean, over Greenland and Iceland, and ending in northern Spain and Portugal. This is the first total solar eclipse visible in Europe since 2015.
If you are planning to see it, now is the time to prepare. Hotels in the path of totality are already booking up, especially in Iceland and northern Spain.
The path of totality
The eclipse begins in far northern Siberia, near the North Pole, where totality starts at approximately 17:31 UTC. The shadow then moves southwest across the Arctic Ocean, reaching Greenland's northern coast around 17:37 UTC.
From Greenland, the path crosses the North Atlantic to Iceland. In Iceland, totality lasts about 2 minutes and 5 seconds, with the path covering the Westfjords, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and the Reykjanes Peninsula. Even Reykjavik will see totality, though only for about 1 minute and 45 seconds.
After Iceland, the shadow continues south to the Iberian Peninsula. Northern Spain and parts of Portugal will experience totality in the late afternoon, with the sun low on the horizon. The path crosses Galicia, Asturias, and the Basque Country before the eclipse ends at 18:34 UTC near the Balearic Islands.
The entire eclipse path lasts over 92 minutes and covers 5,157 miles (8,300 km). But at any single location, totality lasts only about 1 to 2 minutes and 18 seconds at most.
Timing by location
- Northern Siberia: totality begins around 17:31 UTC
- Greenland (north coast): totality around 17:37 UTC
- Iceland (Reykjavik): totality around 17:46 UTC, lasting about 1m 45s
- Iceland (Westfjords): totality around 17:45 UTC, lasting about 2m 5s
- Northern Spain (A Coruna): totality around 18:31 UTC, with the sun 15 degrees above the horizon
- Northern Spain (Bilbao): totality around 18:33 UTC, with the sun 10 degrees above the horizon
In Spain, the eclipse happens in the late afternoon, which means the sun will be low on the western horizon. This creates a unique viewing experience but also means you need a clear western view without mountains or buildings blocking the sightline.
Partial eclipse visibility
Even outside the path of totality, a partial eclipse will be visible across most of Europe, northeastern North America, and northern Africa. In London, about 55% of the sun will be covered. In Paris, about 65%. In New York, the partial eclipse will not be visible because it occurs after sunset there.
In Lisbon, the partial eclipse reaches about 80% coverage before totality begins just to the north. In Madrid, coverage reaches about 74% with totality visible by traveling north to Galicia or Asturias.
How to watch safely
Looking directly at the sun without proper protection can cause permanent eye damage, including blindness. Regular sunglasses are not safe for viewing an eclipse, even during partial phases.
- Use ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses. These are about 1,000 times darker than regular sunglasses.
- If you do not have eclipse glasses, use a pinhole projector: punch a small hole in a piece of cardboard and project the sun's image onto a flat surface about 3 feet away.
- During totality only (the 1-2 minutes when the sun is completely covered), it is safe to look at the corona with your naked eyes. But the moment the sun reappears, put your glasses back on immediately.
- Do not look through a camera, telescope, or binoculars while wearing eclipse glasses. The concentrated light can melt the filter and damage your eyes instantly.
What makes this eclipse special
This eclipse is notable for several reasons. It is the first total solar eclipse visible in mainland Europe since 1999, when millions of people watched the eclipse across France, Germany, and Eastern Europe. For Iceland, it is the first total solar eclipse since 2024, but the 2026 event has a much longer duration of totality.
The low sun angle in Spain also makes this eclipse unusual. Most eclipses happen with the sun high in the sky. In northern Spain, the sun will be only 10 to 15 degrees above the horizon during totality, which means the corona will appear alongside the landscape rather than overhead. Photographers can capture the eclipsed sun alongside mountains, buildings, and people.
Weather prospects
August is generally a good month for eclipse viewing in the northern hemisphere, but weather is always a factor. Iceland in August has about a 40% chance of clear skies, with cloud cover coming from the Atlantic. Northern Spain in August is typically clearer, with about a 70% chance of good conditions along the Atlantic coast.
Greenland's north coast has variable weather in August, with Arctic fog being the main concern. Siberia is the most challenging location due to its remoteness, but August typically offers clear skies in the Arctic regions.
Planning your trip
If you want to see totality, you need to be inside the path. Being just a few miles outside the path means you will only see a 99% partial eclipse, which is not the same as totality. The difference between 99% and 100% is the difference between a bright sunny day and darkness in the middle of the afternoon.
Northern Spain is the most accessible location for most Europeans. A Coruna, Oviedo, and Bilbao are all within the path and have good infrastructure. Book accommodations now, as hotels in the path are filling up quickly.
Iceland is the second most accessible option, with flights from major European and North American cities. The Westfjords region offers the longest totality but is remote. Reykjavik is easier to reach and still gets nearly 2 minutes of totality.
Use our Eclipse Calculator to check visibility details for your city, and our Sunrise and Sunset Calculator to understand the sun's position on August 12.