Save the date. The Iceland Solar Eclipse of 2026 is coming soon. This rare event will happen in one of the world’s most stunning places. During a total solar eclipse, the moon entirely obscures the sun, briefly transforming daylight into darkness. It’s an amazing and rare sight that’s worth seeing. We’ve gathered all the key information you need: how eclipses work, where the blackout will be visible, and the best spots to watch it.
During the total eclipse, the moon completely blocks the sun, turning day into night for a few minutes.
The total eclipse of the sun on August 12, 2026, is a rare opportunity to see one of nature's most impressive phenomena. For the first time in over 70 years, Iceland will be directly in the zone where the moon fully conceals the sun, turning day into night momentarily. This means that in Iceland, you can get the best views of this astronomical event!
Total solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth roughly every year or two in a very narrow area. That’s why seeing one from a specific spot is extremely rare. Iceland's last total eclipse was in 1954, making the upcoming event a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many.
A solar eclipse happens when the moon shades the sun’s light. At the start and end of the event, there is a partial eclipse, where just part of the sun is covered, making it slightly darker. In the middle, during the total eclipse, the moon fully covers the sun, bringing a few minutes of darkness and cooler air. You can also see a glowing ring around the moon, which is the sun’s outer atmosphere.
Even if you’re not usually interested in space events, watching the day briefly turn dark is something you’ll remember! This is a very rare chance to have a unique experience in a beautiful location.
The eclipse path shows where the total solar eclipse will be visible on August 12, 2026. Source: eclipse2026.is
The path of totality is where you can see the moon completely cover the sun, turning day into night for a short while. To see this full effect, you must be in a specific area, usually about 100 miles (160 km) wide. This line moves across the Earth, changing each event's location.
The 12 August 2026 eclipse path starts in Greenland and moves through Western Iceland, Spain, and a small part of Portugal.
>The longest time of complete darkness will be just off the coast of Iceland, between the Westfjords and the Snæfellsnes peninsula. This area will have the best view!
Outside the Iceland eclipse 2026 path of totality, you can see a partial shadowing instead. This means the moon will cover only part of the sun, making it look like someone took a bite out of it. The sky will get a bit darker, but not as dark as during the full eclipse. For the most impressive view, being in the regions mentioned above is the best choice.
If you want to be one of the lucky ones to experience the next solar eclipse in Iceland 2026, you need to know a few key details. Here's a quick guide to help you plan your trip and catch this amazing astronomical event.
The Iceland eclipse date is Wednesday, August 12, 2026. It starts all around the country at around 16:47 GMT (4:47 PM) when the moon begins to cover part of the sun.
The full effect, where the moon completely hides the sun, will be visible only in certain regions. It starts in the Westfjords at about 17:43 GMT (5:43 PM) and moves east, reaching the Reykjanes Peninsula around 17:50 GMT (5:50 PM).
The partial shadowing finishes around 18:47 GMT (6:47 PM) everywhere in Iceland.
Timeline of the full solar eclipse in the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik. Data source: timeanddate.com
Overall, the Iceland Eclipse 2026 will last about 6 minutes and 48 seconds, but the experience will vary depending on where you are. While everyone across the country will see part of this event, only people in certain areas will get to experience the 100% dramatic darkness.
The best Iceland Solar Eclipse 2026 location will see 100% obstruction of the sun. To experience this effect in Iceland on August 12, you'll want to head west. The Westfjords and Snæfellsnes Peninsula will get the earliest and longest views of the eclipse, with total darkness lasting over 2 minutes.
As the eclipse progresses, it will move across Iceland, reaching the Reykjanes Peninsula last, where the total darkness will be shorter but still impressive.
For the best experience, find an unobstructed spot with a clear view of the horizon in one of these western regions. The farther west you are, the earlier and longer you’ll see the total eclipse.
When watching a solar eclipse, always prioritize eye safety and use proper solar eclipse glasses. Regular sunglasses are not enough to protect your eyes from sun rays.
Eclipse glasses protect your eyes from the sun’s intense rays.
> Never look at the sun with bare eyes or through binoculars, telescopes, or cameras without proper filters. This can seriously harm your vision in seconds.
The only time you can safely look at the eclipse without special glasses is during the moments of complete darkness when the moon fully hides the sun. Just remember to put them back on as soon as you see the sunshine coming back. For detailed safety tips, we suggest following NASA's Eclipse Safety guidelines.
For the best experience of the Western Iceland eclipse 2026, visit either of these regions: Westfjords, Reykjanes peninsula, or Snaefellsnes peninsula. These areas are in the path of totality, so you’ll see the full shadow rather than just a partial view.
For the best eclipse view, you need a location away from buildings and tall mountains.
The Westfjords are a remote and sparsely populated region in the northwest. The darkness here will last the longest, about 2 minutes and 13 seconds. You can catch the event from Látrabjarg, a massive cliff known for birdwatching. Other great places are Straumnes Lighthouse or Bolafjall, a mountain with an observation deck.
Reykjanes Peninsula is the most accessible area for visitors, with a great connection from Keflavík International Airport. The area is also world-famous for recent volcanic eruptions. A good spot here would be the Reykjanestá lighthouse on the tip of the peninsula, where you can catch the last moments of the sun being shaded.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula is known as "Miniature Iceland" because it has a bit of everything: glaciers, mountains, lava fields, and coastal cliffs. Hellissandur and Rif are tiny villages in the far north of the peninsula. They will be among the closest to where the eclipse is set to peak. You will have a clear view of the sky and about two minutes of darkness here.
In short, the best spots are by the ocean, giving you a clear view of the horizon. However, even if you’re not in these top locations, you’ll still see an impressive partial eclipse from anywhere in Iceland.
> Consider joining a guided tour to explore the region’s highlights and make the most of your visit.
The 2026 solar eclipse will be visible throughout all of Iceland. However, to see the sun completely covered, you need to be in the West. The best spots for this are the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Reykjanes Peninsula, and the Westfjords. From anywhere else in Iceland, outside these locations, you will see the moon shade just a portion of the sun.
August in Iceland is a transitional month between summer and winter. It’s relatively warm for Iceland, with temperatures around 57-59°F (14-15°C), but expect changing weather with occasional rain and cold winds. Even if it's cloudy on the eclipse day, you'll still experience total darkness when day turns to night. The clouds might block some details, but the eclipse will happen. Check with the Icelandic Meteorological Office for the most accurate weather updates as the date approaches.
For the 2026 eclipse, the world's best viewing spots will be along the zone of full solar coverage. This area stretches from Greenland through Iceland, Portugal, and Spain. Iceland stands out because it's closest to the center of the eclipse, so you'll get the longest viewing time there.
The 2026 solar eclipse in Iceland will take place in the late afternoon on Wednesday, August 12. It will begin around 16:47 GMT (4:47 PM) with a partial phase, reach total darkness at about 17:48 GMT (5:48 PM) in areas within the way of totality, and finish by about 18:47 GMT (6:47 PM). The exact times can vary depending on your location in Iceland.
In sum, it will be completely dark in Iceland for about 6 minutes and 48 seconds altogether. This is because the eclipse will pass over the island in a narrow band where you can experience total darkness.
Here’s how long totality will last at some of the best viewing spots:
Yes, Reykjavík will be on the edge of the area where the eclipse is total. This means it will briefly go completely dark for about 1 minute, starting around 17:48 GMT (5:48 PM). Before and after this short period of darkness, you will see a partial eclipse, where only part of the sun is covered.
You can see the partial solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 from anywhere in Iceland. For a memorable experience, consider watching it from Langjökull Glacier, Myvatn Nature Baths, or on the Laugavegur trek in the Highlands.
After the year 2026, Iceland won’t experience another total solar eclipse until 2196. On a global scale, the next total solar eclipse will occur on August 2, 2027. This eclipse will be visible across Northern Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
Seeing a total solar eclipse and the Northern Lights in one go is possible but not very likely. The lights start appearing in mid-August as nights get darker and days become shorter. During the eclipse, the sky might be dark enough for a faint glow of the Auroras, but don't expect a full display. Their visibility depends on solar activity and the strength of solar winds. To maximize your chances, it's best to book separate tours for the Northern Lights and the Eclipse.
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