How to Watch the 2026 Solar Eclipse: What Time and Where in Italy. Smartphones at Risk

Wednesday, August 12, is the day of the partial solar eclipse in Italy: the astronomical event will take place at sunset, with the start of the eclipse phase expected around 7:30 p.m. and the peak of totality around 8:20 p.m.

However, the peak and the greatest percentage of solar obscuration will vary from city to city: in Milan and generally in the north, the eclipse will begin at 7:27 p.m. and peak at 8:20 p.m., with 92% of the sun obscured. In Rome and central Italy, the eclipse will begin at 7:31 p.m., peak at 8:21 p.m., with a maximum coverage of 74%. In Palermo and the South, coverage will be around 60%, beginning at 7:36 p.m. and peaking at 8:22 p.m.

The best viewing locations will be the northwestern regions and Sardinia: in these areas, the sun will be covered by up to 92–93%. Since the sun will be very low on the horizon (it’s sunset), it’s best to choose west-facing beaches, terraces unobstructed by buildings, or mountain towns to the west.

How to view the eclipse safely: Use only ISO 12312-2 certified solar eclipse glasses (available at optical stores), or welder’s goggles with a protection rating of 14 or higher. Do not use sunglasses—even when worn over each other—X-rays, old rolls of film, tinted glass, or CDs, and of course, do not look at the sun with the naked eye.

We do not recommend pointing your cell phone directly at the sun without a solar filter in front of the lens: the camera sensor could burn out.