Croatia is set to experience a partial solar eclipse at sunset on August 12. Pula will see the greatest coverage at 82%, with the best viewing spots being the peak of Učka and the northwestern Istrian coast.
On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, Croatia will experience a partial solar eclipse in the early evening. The Moon will cover part of the Sun's disk just before sunset, creating a crescent-shaped Sun on the horizon. The path of totality, where the Moon completely obscures the Sun, passes over Greenland, western Iceland, and northeastern Spain, ending in the Balearic Islands. Although Croatia lies in the Moon's penumbra, a spectacular sight is still expected here, provided the weather cooperates.
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth. The Moon's orbit is tilted about five degrees relative to Earth's orbit around the Sun, which is why the Moon usually appears to pass above or below the Sun. If the Moon's orbit were not tilted, we would have eclipses every month, sometimes even twice a month. Instead, they occur only when the Moon passes through one of the points, called nodes, where its orbit crosses the ecliptic.
Interestingly, the Moon is about 400 times smaller than the Sun, but it is also about 400 times closer to Earth. This coincidence allows for total solar eclipses, but they won't last forever-as the Moon slowly drifts away from Earth, total eclipses will no longer be possible in the distant future.
The first contact of the Moon's disk with the Sun will occur between 7:25 PM and 7:30 PM local time (UTC+2), depending on the location. The eclipse will last about half an hour to 45 minutes for Croatia, but not because the Moon will leave the Sun-rather, because the Sun will set below the horizon.
Western parts of Croatia will have a better view because the Sun sets later there. At the moment of contact with the horizon, the percentage of the Sun covered by the Moon will be 48% in Osijek and Split, 64% in Zadar, 71% in Zagreb, and 82% in Pula. It is Istria, with Pula at the forefront, that is the best place to observe this celestial spectacle in Croatia.
Since the eclipse occurs just before and during sunset, it is crucial to find a spot with a completely open view of the western horizon. Buildings, hills, and trees can ruin the experience, so it is advisable to move away from urban areas.
The optimal locations in Croatia are the peak of Učka and the northwestern Istrian coast. Učka offers the added advantage of altitude, while the coast provides a low horizon. However, any open field, clearing, or lakeshore will work well, as long as the view to the west-northwest is unobstructed.
The biggest enemy for observers will be clouds. The eclipse cannot be seen through clouds, except for the thinnest ones. Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms over the Alps that can cast dark shadows across the sky at dusk. If that happens on August 12, the Sun could set behind clouds before reaching the horizon, ruining the experience.
A partial solar eclipse cannot be observed without protection. The Sun is too bright to look at safely with the naked eye, and it is especially dangerous to use binoculars, telescopes, or camera telephoto lenses without appropriate filters.
There is an exception: at the very moment of sunset, in conditions of thick haze, thin cloud cover, dust, or smoke in the atmosphere, the Sun may be dimmed enough to see its unusual crescent shape with the naked eye. However, caution is still necessary because the Sun, even on the horizon, can be bright enough to damage vision, especially if optical aids are used. If atmospheric conditions are favorable, this will also be an excellent opportunity to photograph the sunset.
For those who want complete safety, special eclipse glasses are recommended. As reported by the French newspaper Le Figaro, in France these glasses can be purchased online, at pharmacies, or toy stores. The magazine Ciel et Espace is offering two pairs of Stelvision-brand glasses with purchase this summer.
Although the eclipse will not be total in Croatia, in France the occultation rate will be between 90% in the northeast and over 99% in the Basque Country, with an average of 95%. Le Figaro notes that although the eclipse in France will not be total, the spectacle at sunset could still be beautiful.
