Where to watch the eclipse in the Reykjavík area

On August 12, 2026, Reykjavík will get its first total solar eclipse since June 17, 1433 — and its last until May 26, 2245. Almost the entire Greater Reykjavík area will experience it, with roughly 1 minute of totality beginning around 5:48 pm GMT, with partial phases for an hour on either side. 

Although the eclipse will take place relatively high (24.5 degrees) above the southwest horizon, be sure to avoid being in the shadow of tall buildings. Private eclipse events will take place at iconic locations in central Reykjavík, such as Harpa, Reykjavík EDITION, Perlan and Sky Lagoon. Still, there are plenty of open, free places to watch in the Greater Reykjavík area. All of these locations have a clear view of the southwest sky where, for precious seconds, a new moon will totally eclipse the sun for the first time in 593 years and the last time for 219 years. 

• Number of residents within the path of totality: ~240.000

• Number of cruise ships in Reykjavík due to the eclipse: Information coming

Interactive eclipse map of the Reykjavík area

Press anywhere on the interactive map below. Arrow appears that points towards where the eclipse will be visible in the sky. Window appears that shows exact timings, duration of totality and altitude of the Sun. The map also shows shadows cast by mountains during maximum eclipse at 17:45 on Wednesday August 12. Viewpoints are also marked on the map. Press the markings to learn more.

Eclipse timings for the Reykjavík area

Timings miðast við tiltekna útsýnisstaði. Lengd almyrkva er talsvert breytileg innan höfuðborgarsvæðisins. Notaðu gagnvirka kortið til að sjá nákvæmari upplýsingar.

Traffic control and road closures

• Mosfellsbær: No road closures expected. Heavy traffic expected on Vesturlandsvegur.

• Seltjarnarnes: Information coming

• Reykjavik: Suðurgata next to Hringbraut will be closed to control traffic to Ægissíða. Side streets next to Suðurgata will also be closed. Ægissíða will be closed by Hofsvallagata in the west and Dunhagi. In the closed area, services like food trucks and toilets will be available. Closure of Suðurgata will not affect traffic into Vesturbær except to Skerjafjörður south of the airport. That neighborhood will be closed for traffic for 4 to 5 hours.

• Kópavogur: No road closures expected.

• Garðabær: No road closures expected. In Álftanes, Norðurnesvegur and Suðurnesvegur will be one way.

• Hafnarfjörður: No road closures expected. Heavy traffic on Reykjanesbraut to the Reykjanes peninsula.

Advice for eclipse chasers in the Reykjavík area

• Prepare for large crowds if weather allows.

• Prioritize access and good weather instead of the duration of totality. The difference in duration between Patreksfjörður and Látrabjarg is only 9 seconds. In Patreksfjörður, however, all service is available, i.e food, parking and toilets.

• Stay longer after the eclipse and wait for the traffic to subside.

• Fill up your tank or the car battery.

• Bring snacks and drinks.

• Bring outdoor clothes and sunscreen.

• Watch the cloud cover forecast and satellite views at icelandatnight.is

• Learn simple methods to watch the eclipse safely. Use our eclipse glasses and safe solar filters.

• If you're experiencing a total solar eclipse for the first time we do not recommend you take images.

• Do not fly drones. In protected areas, drones are not allowed. Drones are very unpopular among eclipse chasers.

• Do not play music during totality.

• Celebrate afterwards, no matter how the weather is. You'll never experience a total solar eclipse again in Iceland.

Total solar eclipses in the Reykjavík area from the settlement to the year 300

• July 16 1330 – 30s total eclipse in Kópavogur, Garðabær and Hafnarfjörður, partial eclipse in Reykjavík

• June 17 1433 – 56s, partial eclipse in Mosfellsbær

• August 12 2026 – 1m 00s

• May 26 2245 – 0m 47s

Where to watch the eclipse from Reykjavík area

Researched and written in association with Visit Reykjavík.

Hreystivöllur, Skerjafjörður

1 minute

Here’s the only designated viewing spot in Reykjavík. Suðurgata, the main road from the city center to its southern coast, will be closed off for the eclipse, creating a safe space for perhaps 10,000 people along the coast. Suðurgata leads to Hreystivöllur, near the end of the airport runway, where food stalls will be available. 

Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach, Nauthólsvegur

58 seconds

If you ever fancied sunbathing in Iceland — albeit with a short interruption when the sun completely vanishes from the sky — come to Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach, Reykjavík’s own bit of Ibiza, complete with golden sand, steam-baths and hot tubs. Expect a special eclipse program of DJs and food stalls. 

Grounds of the Perlan Museum

57 seconds

Although it won’t be open for the eclipse, nature exploratorium, the Perlan Museum — high up on Öskjuhlíð hill — is sure to be popular with eclipse chasers after a little height. There are several paths from all sides leading up to open ground on the top. It could be a key location for photographers and for views of the moon’s shadow sweeping across the landscape. 

Northern Light Viewpoint, Seltjarnarnes

1 minute 2 seconds

At the westernmost part of the Greater Reykjavík Area, totality will last a little longer than in Reykjavík. Although the popular Grótta Lighthouse will be closed for the eclipse (it’s a breeding ground for Arctic terns and, besides, the tide will be high during the eclipse), the Northern Light Viewpoint — a popular destination for aurora-hunters that has a car park — lies at the end of the Norðurströnd Trail from central Reykjavík. 

Ráðagerði Veitingahús, Seltjarnarnes

1 minutes 2 seconds

This restaurant, at the northwest extremity of Seltjarnarnes and close to the Northern Light Viewpoint, is sure to be popular on the day of the eclipse. However, there’s plenty of space in the nature reserve behind the restaurant to watch the eclipse. 

Náttúruhús, Seltjarnarnes

1 minute 2 seconds

Close to Ráðagerði Veitingahús is the Icelandic Museum of Natural History, where you can learn about Iceland’s natural history, use of natural resources and nature conservation. From here, you can access the same open space. 

Sculpture and Shore Walk, Seltjarnarnes

1 minute 2 seconds

The peninsula west of Seltjarnarnes will be busy on eclipse day, with many observers expected to line the Sculpture and Shore Walk, a waterfront path along the beach offering a perfect view of the eclipse. Sudarstrond (South Beach Road) will be closed to vehicular traffic and open only to pedestrians. 

Golfklúbbur and Suðurnes beach, Seltjarnarnes

1 minute 4 seconds

Whether or not the golf club itself is open (it already sells eclipse glasses), there are no fences in this part of the peninsula, rounded by the Sculpture and Shore Walk. World War II relics line the path, such as Suðurnesvarða and the Ljóskastarahúsið (Spotlight House)

Mount Úlfarsfell

32 seconds

Popular with hikers and hang gliders, Úlfarsfell is 296 meters high and has a wooden observation deck perfect for setting up a camera — albeit for a very short totality. Hiking trails lead up to the top from parking lots to the west, north (at Skarhólamýri) and south (close to Leirtjörn swimming lake). 

Mount Helgafell, Hafnarfjörður

55 seconds

Just south of Reykjavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, there is a mountain in the middle of a lava field with an ocean view.  — and a perfect view of the eclipse. Mount Helgafell is 338 meters above sea level and a popular hiking destination. Several routes lead to the summit from Kaldársel.  

Hallgrímskirkja, central Reykjavík

57 seconds

Central Reykjavík isn’t the place to be for totality itself, but there is one exception. An iconic church offering 360-degree views of Reykjavík’s colorful rooftops, Mount Esja and the Atlantic Ocean, Hallgrímskirkja’s 74.5-meter (244-foot) tower’s open-air viewing deck nevertheless only has room for a handful of lucky eclipse chasers. 

More information on the eclipse in the Reykjavík area

• Markaðsstofa höfuðborgarsvæðisins

• Vegagerðin

• SafeTravel