Iceland Solar Eclipse 2026: Where and When to Watch

Circle August 12, 2026, on your calendar—this day brings a stunning total solar event that you won't want to miss. For the first time in over 70 years, Iceland will be in the sweet spot where the moon completely covers the sun, momentarily turning day into night. That makes Iceland the perfect place to witness this amazing spectacle.

Total solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth roughly every year or two, but only in a very narrow area. That’s why seeing one from a specific site is extremely rare. Iceland's last total eclipse was in 1954, making the upcoming event a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many.

During this celestial show, the moon blocks the sun's light. At the start and end of the process, you’ll experience a partial eclipse, which makes the sun look a bit like a cookie with a bite taken out of it. The total phase brings a few minutes of darkness and refreshing coolness, letting you see the sun's outer atmosphere glowing like a halo around the moon.

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 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 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.

Outside the path of totality of the 2026 Icelandic eclipse, you can see a partial shadowing instead. This means that the moon will only cover 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, it is best to be in the regions mentioned above.

If you want to be one of the lucky ones to experience the next solar eclipse in Iceland in 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 begins across 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 at roughly 17:50 GMT (5:50 PM).

The partial shadowing finishes around 18:47 GMT (6:47 PM) everywhere in Iceland.

In total, the eclipse 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 location for the 2026 solar eclipse in Iceland will see 100% blockage of the sun. You'll want to head west to experience this effect on August 12.

❯ The Westfjords and Snæfellsnes Peninsula will get the earliest and longest views of the eclipse, with total darkness lasting over 2 minutes.

As the event progresses, it will move across Iceland, reaching the Reykjanes Peninsula last, where the total darkness will be shorter but still impressive.

For the best sight, 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.

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.

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 occurrence 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 far north of the peninsula. They will be among the closest to where the eclipse will peak. You will have a clear sky view and about two minutes of darkness here.

In short, the best zones 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.

❯ Join a guided tour to explore the region’s highlights and make the most of your visit along with the eclipse event.