On August 12, 2026, Portugal will host its first total solar eclipse on national territory since 1912.
In Lisbon, the phenomenon will be visible as a very deep partial eclipse, with approximately 94% to 96% of the Sun’s disk covered by the Moon in the late afternoon.
After this one, the next total eclipse visible in Portugal isn’t expected until 2144.
What, exactly, is a total solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow onto the Earth’s surface and blocking sunlight in a given region. When this alignment is perfect and the Moon completely covers the Sun’s disk, a total eclipse occurs.
In this case—and only in this case—it is possible to observe phenomena such as the “Diamond Ring,” “Baily’s Beads,” and the solar corona, the Sun’s outer atmosphere, which is normally invisible.
In Portugal, totality will occur only within a very narrow strip of the Montesinho Natural Park, in the district of Bragança, mainly near the village of Guadramil and close to Rio de Onor, where it will last only about 25 to 26 seconds.
Throughout the rest of the mainland, including Lisbon, the eclipse will be partial, though deep.
Why is this eclipse so special?
This is the first total solar eclipse visible from continental Europe since 1999. The path of totality also crosses Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and the Balearic Islands.
According to NASA, it is also a “sunset eclipse”: for much of its path, the Sun will disappear below the horizon while still partially eclipsed. In Portugal, the phenomenon coincides with the late afternoon hours, with the Sun very low in the sky (between about 3° and 12° in altitude, depending on the region).
What will be visible in Lisbon
The eclipse is expected to occur approximately within this time window across the entire mainland ( with slight variations from place to place):
- Start: around 6:30–6:40 p.m.
- Maximum: around 7:30–7:40 p.m.
- End: around 8:20–8:30 p.m.
In the Algarve, coverage is expected to be around 90–93%, and in Porto, 97–98%. Even without reaching totality, the decrease in brightness in Lisbon should be quite noticeable and may even cause a temporary drop in temperature.
How to Observe Safely
You should never look directly at the Sun, even during a total eclipse— neither with the naked eye, nor with regular sunglasses, nor through binoculars or telescopes without a proper solar filter.
It is essential to wear eclipse glasses certified to the ISO 12312-2 standard. The Directorate-General for Health and NASA emphasize this precaution, even when more than 90% of the Sun’s disk is covered.
Where to get eclipse glasses and what activities are happening in Lisbon
ZEISS, in partnership with the Club da Visão chain (more than 600 optical stores nationwide), was distributing free eclipse glasses upon prior registration , but it appears they are already sold out.
In Lisbon, there are also several events related to the eclipse, including:
- Guided tours of the Royal Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon, at Tapada da Ajuda
- Planetarium sessions and observation activities at the Pavilion of Knowledge – Centro Ciência Viva
The complete list of activities by district, including Lisbon, can be found on the official website eclipse2026.pt, which also features a tool to check the exact percentage and times of the eclipse by municipality.
Useful Information
Date: August 12 (Wednesday)
Only location in Portugal where totality will be visible: Montesinho Natural Park , Bragança (~25–26 seconds of totality)
More information and activities in Lisbon: on the website
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