On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will sweep across the far North Atlantic and into Europe — the first total eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999. The countdown to the moment of greatest eclipse (17:46 UTC) is ticking on our live 2026 total solar eclipse countdown.
Where will the 2026 eclipse be visible?
The narrow path of totality crosses a remote part of Siberian Russia, eastern Greenland, the west coast of Iceland, and northern Spain, clipping a tiny corner of Portugal. A partial eclipse will be visible across much of Europe, the North Atlantic and parts of North America and Africa.
Totality in Iceland and Spain
In Iceland the eclipse is a mid-afternoon event, with totality over the Reykjavík area at roughly 5:48 PM local time. In Spain it arrives about an hour before sunset, with totality passing over cities including A Coruña, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Valencia and Palma — though Madrid and Barcelona sit just outside the path. The maximum duration of totality is 2 minutes and 18 seconds.
Why this eclipse is special
It is the first total solar eclipse over mainland Europe since the famous one of August 1999, and the first visible from Spain since 1905 — making it a once-in-a-lifetime event for millions of Europeans. Eclipse-chasers are already planning trips to Iceland and northern Spain. Remember: only view the Sun through certified eclipse glasses, never with the naked eye.
Count down to the eclipse
Watch the live total solar eclipse countdown, see the longer August 2, 2027 eclipse that follows, browse more eclipse countdowns, or create your own countdown to the big day.