Portugal will be part of the total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026, though only a small area of the country will fall within the path of totality.
For a few brief seconds, day will turn to darkness and the Sun’s pale outer atmosphere, or corona, may become visible. Elsewhere, the eclipse will remain partial, including in major cities.
Where totality will be visible in Portugal
The path of totality during the total solar eclipse in Portugal crosses a very small section of north-east Portugal near the Spanish border.
The village of Guadramil, in the municipality of Bragança and close to Montesinho Natural Park, is expected to be the only Portuguese settlement within the totality zone. Totality there should last around 26 seconds.
Bragança city lies just outside the path of totality, although around 99.8% of the Sun is expected to be covered. It remains the most practical city base for exploring the nearby viewing area, thanks to its accommodation, services and road connections. Much of the rest of Portugal will see a partial solar eclipse.
Rural north-east Portugal: quieter viewing with a few trade-offs
The countryside around Bragança suits travellers who would rather avoid town-centre crowds. Trás-os-Montes has rolling hills, small villages and broad open views, though it needs a little more preparation than a city break.
A rural base has some practical drawbacks:
- Public transport is limited, so a car is generally essential
- Shops and restaurants can keep shorter hours outside Bragança
- Mobile signal may be patchy in remote areas
- Narrow roads can become difficult when traffic and parked cars build up
- Fields and tracks are not automatically public access land
Porto and the near-total partial eclipse
Porto will not experience totality, but around 98% of the Sun is expected to be covered. That is still an unusual and memorable sight, particularly for people already spending time in northern Portugal.
The city has clear advantages: international transport links, a broad choice of accommodation and no need to navigate remote roads. The trade-off is that the solar corona will not be visible, as it only appears when the Sun is completely covered.
Crowds are likely around riverfront areas, parks and viewpoints, so a location with an unobstructed view towards the setting Sun will be more useful than a packed central square.
Things to do around Bragança
Bragança is worth more than a quick overnight stop. Its old walled citadel includes Bragança Castle, which looks out across the town, and the Domus Municipalis, an unusual Romanesque civic building.
This part of Portugal also has hearty regional cooking. Alheira, a smoked sausage traditionally associated with the area, regularly appears on local menus alongside cheeses, mushrooms and olive oil. The surrounding Trás-os-Montes countryside works well for a slower itinerary, with small villages and less-visited historic places adding some substance to an eclipse trip.
If you're planning on seeing the total solar eclipse but can't make it to Portugal, there are other places in the Iberian Peninsula where you can watch it on 12 August.
