August 12, 2026
Solar Eclipse 2026 in Portugal
The path of totality passes just to the north of Portugal on August 12, 2026 — the eclipse here will be a deep partial.
On August 12, 2026, Portugal will see a deep partial solar eclipse. The path of totality crosses just to the north — the closest cities in Portugal are within minutes' drive of full totality. The deepest partial in Portugal is in Bragança at 99.93% obscuration. Peak eclipse occurs around 19:30 local time. To experience full totality you'd need to travel into the umbral path; to watch a deep partial from Portugal, find a spot with a clear western horizon — the sun will be low.
Best places in Portugal to watch the 2026 eclipse
| City | Totality | Obscuration |
|---|---|---|
| Bragança | — | 99.93% |
| Chaves | — | 99.57% |
| Monção | — | 99.36% |
| Arcos de Valdevez | — | 99.15% |
| Cabeceiras de Basto | — | 99.04% |
| Custoias | — | 98.98% |
| Ponte de Lima | — | 98.96% |
| Vila Real | — | 98.95% |
| Fafe | — | 98.86% |
| Bairro Novo | — | 98.82% |
| Braga | — | 98.82% |
| Guimarães | — | 98.77% |
| Felgueiras | — | 98.75% |
| Viana do Castelo | — | 98.72% |
| Barcelos | — | 98.67% |
| Baião | — | 98.61% |
| Esposende | — | 98.57% |
| Bougado | — | 98.49% |
| Trofa | — | 98.48% |
| Paredes | — | 98.47% |
| Pedroso | — | 98.44% |
| Póvoa de Varzim | — | 98.40% |
| Alfena | — | 98.38% |
| Vila do Conde | — | 98.37% |
| Sequeira | — | 98.37% |
| Valongo | — | 98.34% |
| Ermesinde | — | 98.33% |
| Vermoim | — | 98.33% |
| Guarda | — | 98.32% |
| Maia | — | 98.31% |
149 more cities listed → browse all
Heliora simulates the 2026 eclipse from any GPS coordinate in Portugal with the real terrain horizon. Find out if mountains will block your view.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What time is the 2026 solar eclipse in Portugal?
- Maximum eclipse occurs around 19:30 local time on August 12, 2026. The partial phase begins about 1 hour earlier and ends about 1 hour after maximum. Times vary slightly by location within Portugal — see your specific city's page for exact times.
- Where is the best place in Portugal to watch the 2026 eclipse?
- The longest totality in Portugal is in Bragança (null). Anywhere along the centerline of the path of totality offers the longest experience. The sun will be fairly low above the horizon, so a viewing spot with a clear, unobstructed western horizon is essential — coast lines, hilltops, and west-facing fields are ideal.
- How long does totality last?
- Totality (when the sun is completely covered) lasts about 1-2 minutes for cities on the centerline of the path. Cities on the edge see only seconds. Maximum centerline totality globally is 2m 18s. Local duration depends on how close to the centerline a viewing spot is.
- Do I need eclipse glasses?
- Yes — ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses are required during the partial phases (before and after totality). Only during totality itself can you safely look at the sun without protection. Looking at any portion of the uneclipsed or partially-eclipsed sun without certified glasses can cause permanent eye damage.
- What's the weather like in Portugal in August?
- August is generally settled and clear in most of Portugal, but verify the forecast 24-48 hours before. Coastal areas can see morning fog. Inland areas tend to be clearer. Have a backup viewing spot in mind in case clouds form over your primary location.
- Why does terrain matter for this eclipse?
- The sun will be at low altitude (under 10° in many places) when totality occurs. At low altitude, even small hills, ridges or buildings on your western horizon can block the view entirely. Heliora uses Mapbox elevation data + 360° ray-casting to show the real terrain horizon from any GPS coordinate, so you can verify your spot has a clear sight line before traveling.