Solar eclipse in Rotterdam: the best places to watch

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking part of the sunlight. Because the Moon's orbit does not perfectly line up with the Earth's, a solar eclipse is only visible from certain places and does not happen very often.

From Rotterdam, you'll be able to see a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 August 2026. The eclipse begins at 7.16 pm, reaches its maximum at 8.11 pm, and ends at 9.03 pm, shortly before sunset. At its peak, almost 89% of the Sun will be covered, leaving only a thin crescent of sunlight visible.

As the Sun sinks towards the horizon, daylight will briefly become dimmer, creating a striking atmosphere across the city. Some animals may also react to the changing light. Birds, for example, can become quieter, although this varies by species and may not always be noticeable.

While parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Portugal will experience a total solar eclipse, this will be the largest partial solar eclipse visible from the Netherlands since 1999. A similar eclipse is not expected here again until 2081. Choose a location with an uninterrupted view of the horizon and always watch the eclipse using certified eclipse glasses.

Did you know there is even more to see in the sky that same night? The Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak on the night of 12 to 13 August 2026. These shooting stars appear when Earth passes through a trail of dust and debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle. The tiny particles heat up in the atmosphere and create bright streaks of light. As there is a new moon, the meteors will be particularly easy to see if the sky is clear. After midnight, find a dark place in or around Rotterdam with little artificial light.

Never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection, even when it is almost completely covered. Always use certified eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard. Ordinary sunglasses do not protect your eyes. If you use a camera, binoculars or a telescope, make sure they are fitted with a certified solar filter placed in front of the lens.