On August 12th, 2026, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Iceland for the first time since 1954. For a brief, breathtaking moment, the western part of the country, including Reykjavík, the Westfjords, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and the Reykjanes Peninsula, will fall under the moon’s shadow and experience a total eclipse of the sun. The temperature will drop, the sky will darken as if before dawn, and the sun will appear as a glowing circle behind the moon.
If we’re lucky, stars may become visible in the middle of the day. It’s a moment of transcendent beauty that seems to lift you out of time, and Iceland has a front-row seat to the spectacle. With its wide skies and minimal light pollution, it’s the perfect place to witness this stunning natural phenomenon.
At Hidden Iceland, we craft luxury private tours across the country. And many travellers are already securing their spots for travel itineraries that pair Iceland’s most remarkable landscape and experiences with the solar eclipse. Here’s our guide to experiencing the eclipse, and Iceland, to its fullest.
Where to see the total solar eclipse in Iceland
Where is the best place to experience the solar eclipse in Iceland?
For the precise edge of the solar eclipse, you can check out Eclipse2026, which is connected with google maps and can zero in on whether you are in the line of totality or just outside it.
The further west you go, the longer you will be treated to the ‘Total Solar Eclipse’, though the time difference (ranging from 30 seconds to just over 2 minutes), is quite minor. At Hidden Iceland, we simply recommend staying within the line of totality and opting to find the place with the clearest skies (and easiest driving routes).
As you can see from the map, you can witness the solar eclipse from almost anywhere in Western Iceland. However, accommodation across the country is already booking up fast and driving distances, particularly with anticipated traffic backlogs, means that on the day, it is best to plan early or stay put.
How rare is the 2026 solar eclipse in Iceland?
A total solar eclipse occurs somewhere on Earth roughly every eighteen months, but it rarely graces the same place twice. This will be the first total eclipse visible from Reykjavík since June 17, 1433, more than 600 years ago!
The eclipse gives us a reminder of our place in the solar system, pairing science and wonder into one unforgettable experience. It’s the same sense of awe-inspiring scale that Iceland specialises in, but taken to cosmic heights, with the sky above you offering a spellbindingly, unique experience. And when paired with Hidden Iceland’s expert planning, the experience is sure to be the adventure of a lifetime.
How long will the 2026 solar eclipse last?
The total eclipse itself ranges from 30 seconds at the edge of the ‘totality zone’ to around 2 minutes and 14 seconds at the most western point. This is when the sky fades into darkness and it becomes safe to take off your glasses.
The partial eclipse, where the sun is partially obscured by the moon, lasts for around two hours, during which daylight softens and casts an ethereal glow over the landscape. During this period, you should wear your solar glasses at all times (when staring towards the sun).
Total Solar Eclipse vs Partial Eclipse
While a partial eclipse, even at 99% alignment, sounds incredibly close to total, the visual and physical experience is fundamentally different from a 100% total solar eclipse. The sun is so intensely bright that even a tiny fraction of a percent of exposed solar disc (the photosphere) is enough to flood the sky with light, making the grand spectacle of totality hidden. And although a partial eclipse has many exciting features, despite this, it is, we dare say, not what you travelled to Iceland for. So if your accommodation or activity is situated outside of the totality zone, we recommend travelling to your desired spot within it early in the day to allow time to reposition based on cloud cover.
With that said, if you find yourself stuck outside of the totality zone due to restrictions or it being the only place with clear skies, here are some of the differences below.
Total Solar Eclipse
- Up to 2 minutes and 14 seconds without solar glasses, staring directly at the sun (safely).
- Full coverage of the sun with a mysterious glow.
- Full darkness, with stars expected to be visible.
- Noticeable drop in temperature (up to 5 Celsius), with wildlife being momentarily affected and going ‘quiet’.
- The solar corona is fully visible as a shimmering, ghostly white atmosphere around the moon.
Partial Solar Eclipse (at 99%)
- 2 hours of partial eclipse where you can safely experience the event with solar glasses on at all times.
- Partial coverage (almost all of it) at its peak with a wonderous view.
- You will see the edge of the moon clearly obscuring the sun and tracking across its surface.
- An eerie twilight will engulf you with a small drop in temperature.
- Shadows will sharpen and animals may become temporarily confused.
- Although it is 99% covered, it will not appear 99% darker.
How to wear Solar Glasses and when?
Wearing solar eclipse glasses properly is the only way to protect your eyes from permanent and immediate damage (solar retinopathy).
The Only Exception: If you are in the path of 100% totality (where the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face), you can briefly remove your glasses only during the few minutes of darkness. The moment the sun begins to reappear, the glasses must go back on immediately. If it is a partial or annular eclipse, the glasses must stay on the entire time.
Before the Eclipse
- Inspect the Glasses: Check the filters for any scratches, punctures, tears, wrinkles, or separation from the frame. If you find any damage, discard them immediately.
- Verify Safety Compliance: Ensure your glasses are certified to meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. This text is usually printed somewhere on the inside frame.
Putting Them On and Taking Them Off
- Look Down First: Turn your face away from the sun before putting the glasses on.
- Secure the Glasses: Put the eclipse glasses over your eyes while looking down or away from the sun.
- Look Up at the Sun: Once the glasses are securely covering your eyes, you can look up at the eclipse.
- Look Down to Remove: When you want to look away, look down toward the ground before removing the glasses from your face. Never remove the glasses while looking directly at the sun.
Important Safety Rules
- Prescription Eyeglasses: If you wear regular prescription glasses, wear your solar eclipse glasses over them. Do not put the solar glasses underneath your regular frames.
- Cameras, Telescopes, and Binoculars: Never look through a camera, telescope, or binoculars while wearing solar eclipse glasses. The concentrated solar rays will burn right through the filter and cause instant, severe eye injury. These devices require specialized, front-mounted solar filters.
- Regular Sunglasses Are Not Safe: Standard sunglasses,no matter how dark or polarized, transmit thousands of times too much harmful ultraviolet and infrared light.
- Take regular breaks: While certified solar eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2) block 99.99% of intense light and harmful radiation, they are not designed for hours of uninterrupted, continuous staring. Treat the eclipse like a movie with frequent intermissions, with 5 to 10 minute breaks to give your eyes some rest.
What if it’s cloudy in the area of totality?
A full, blanket coverage of thick clouds will sadly have a very big impact on your experience, though all hope is not lost. If it is a thin layer or broken up clouds, it is likely that you can still see some effects of the moon crossing the sun, especially if the clouds are thin and high (it can act as a filter, still allowing you to see the outline).
If full cloud cover, you will not see the Eclipse directly in this case, but you will still experience the following:
- Total darkness
- Stars and planets will be on show (if there are parts of the sky still visible).
- A severe drop in temperature.
- Wildlife being temporarily confused and quiet.
Partial eclipse with clear skies vs Total Eclipse with thick clouds?
This is a judgement call that we can’t answer for you, sadly.
If there is even a slim chance that the forecast is wrong, we always bet on staying in the Total Eclipse zone, just in case. As noted, you will still be treated to instant darkness, which is an experience in itself.
However, if it is certain that you will see nothing in the total zone, then a partial eclipse with clear skies is quite incredible and may be worth venturing east. Seeing the moon track across the sun, with solar glasses on, is a once in a lifetime experience.
Should I drive around Iceland in search of clear skies?
The first thing to consider is how big Iceland is. It is deceptively large, with a drive from the Reykjanes Peninsula (near the airport) to the western part of the Westfjords taking around 7 hours, one way, without stops. Add in expected slow moving traffic, and your Eclipse experience could be from the backseat of your car, instead of in front of an iconic waterfall.
There are 3 main areas that are heavily inside the totality zone, with each having their own benefits:
- Reykjanes & Reykjavík: Plenty of accommodation and unique viewing options to choose from, with short distance driving being the easiest, with few road restrictions.
- Snæfellsnes & West Iceland: Further into the totality zone, with many iconic spots to base yourself for the day. The drawback is that this region will be turned into a ‘one way’ road with heavy traffic expected. Take food, water and lunch with you and travel early. Do not expect to be able to shift locations quickly as you approach the partial eclipse due to parking and road restrictions.
- Westfjords: At its most western point, you have the longest exposure (2m 14 seconds), but this remote area provides little options for toilet breaks, cafés and easy driving. We do not recommend driving to this location unless you have accommodation in the area for the night and have brought plenty of provisions with you.
Planning your solar eclipse trip
Many travellers choose to explore Reykjavík and the south coast during the warmer summer months, whether that’s through a privately guided journey or a carefully planned self-drive trip. For those visiting around 12th August, we can seamlessly weave the solar eclipse into a fully bespoke itinerary that also includes Iceland’s most extraordinary experiences, like the nearby Golden Circle.
Our luxury, tailor-made tours highlight everything that makes Iceland extraordinary, and we can design your private itinerary around whatever will make your trip feel most magical. One particularly unforgettable option is witnessing the eclipse from a geothermal spa. A number of Iceland’s finest spas will become extraordinary viewing spots during the eclipse, offering comfort, warmth, and expansive horizons at the exact moment the sky starts to dim.
Add either the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon to your itinerary, as positioned perfectly for excellent views, given the solar eclipse’s position above Reykjavík. Our team can time your visit so you’re soaking in naturally heated waters as the moon moves across the sun. Blue Lagoon provides open views across the lava fields, while Sky Lagoon’s west-facing infinity edge creates a stunning vantage point. It’s one of the best ways to experience Iceland during this one-in-a-lifetime event.
For those still looking to book a luxury trip last minute, we recommend basing yourself in the cosmopolitan capital of Reykjavík, which is firmly within the totality zone.
The capital offers prime viewing and excellent visibility, effortless travel connections, and some of Iceland’s most sophisticated hotels, with several high-end options still available for the eclipse dates. Staying in the capital means that on the day of the eclipse, you have many options for beating the clouds, and we’ll be on hand to advise you, either by privately guiding you or advising you on your self-drive trip.
At Hidden Iceland, we partner with many of the city’s finest properties, including the luxurious The Reykjavík EDITION and the boutique Iceland Parliament Hotel. When we design your itinerary, we hand-select luxury accommodation that matches your preferences, ensuring your eclipse viewing is paired with comfort, ease, and a true sense of occasion.
When will the solar eclipse in Iceland come again?
The eclipse hasn’t been visible from Iceland for over seventy years, and it won’t come again soon. The next time it’s expected is 2196, so this is the only chance to see a total eclipse above Iceland. But even if you can’t make these exact dates, there are still plenty of amazing things to do in Iceland.
What can I do in Iceland if I can’t make the eclipse?
While the total solar eclipse in Iceland may last only minutes, the country’s beauty lingers long after the sky returns to light. Even if you can’t visit during the eclipse itself, Iceland offers a world of wonder at any time of year. Reykjavík makes an irresistible starting point, with its inventive dining scene, vibrant culture, and world-class museums. But the true magic begins when you venture beyond the capital.
From glacier hikes and volcano viewing to horseback riding across black-sand beaches, soaking in hidden hot springs, exploring remote highlands, or sailing among icebergs on the south coast, there’s always another adventure to be had in Iceland.
Get in touch with our team to begin crafting your dream trip. Whether you join us for the solar eclipse or explore Iceland at another time of year, we’ll help you create an experience of a lifetime.
Contact us today at +354-770-5733 or email us at info@hiddeniceland.is to start planning a luxury trip.
