Europe solar eclipse live: millions flock to viewing spots in Spain, UK and Iceland

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Millions watching solar eclipse across Europe - in pictures

An enthusiast wears a pair of protective eclipse viewing glasses while awaiting the solar eclipse at the Temple of Debod in Madrid, Spain. Photograph: Sergio Pérez/EPAAngela, David and their son, Diego, 7, pose for a selfie with protective eclipse glasses during the watch party for the solar eclipse, in Buitrago del Lozoya, Spain. Photograph: Susana Vera/ReutersA fan of Arsenal puts a protective filter over their phone to watch the solar eclipse ahead of during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como 1907 at Emirates Stadium, London. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty ImagesA young fan of Arsenal wears protective glasses to watch the solar eclipse ahead of the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como 1907 at Emirates Stadium, London. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images

Look, I get it’s all about staying safe, but this is taking it a bit far, surely?

An artist uses self-made artefacts to observe a solar eclipse before totality near the small village of Castell de Cabres, Spain. Photograph: Eva Manez/Reuters

Paul writes in from Rhonda Valley in Wales, saying the sun “has gone all Pacman.”

“Absent any random cloud or wild fire should see the whole thing.”

He also has some advice for other eclipse watchers:

“Also pin hole camera made from Amazon box. Hint: use paper for pin hole not foil - foil tears around hole too easily so get wonky sun. I know, I tested mon and Tuesday :)

And a steel colander with white tea towl to project on, and second tea towel - SAFETY alert, cos a stainless colander gets bloody hot in sun and wrapping top part to hold it also reduces the number of suns projected on the white tea towel. Also tested.”

If you couldn’t get a pair of eclipse glasses, a bit of creativity still goes a long way – as this picture from Lewis in north London shows quite well.

Eclipse watchers near a pub in Kentish Town, north London Photograph: Lewis Williamson/The Guardian

Jokes aside, this is something very special.

Iceland’s broadcaster RÚV’s live stream is here.

A screengrab from the Icelandic public broadcaster’s stream of the solar eclipse 2026 showing the scene in Iceland Photograph: Icelandic public broadcaster RÚV

The Spanish airline Iberia is hosting a special flight IB1473 – the number is a nod to the birth year of Nicolaus Copernicus – and it will be showing us live pictures from its flight above Spain.

They are streaming live here.

Some places are better than others to watch the eclipse in Iceland, clearly, as per this shot from the country’s public broadcaster.

A screengrab from the Icelandic public broadcaster's stream of the solar eclipse 2026 showing the scene across Iceland Photograph: Icelandic public broadcaster RÚV

on Hampstead Heath, London

I am up on Hampstead Heath in north London, where my partner Melanie seems convinced I’ve picked up the wrong glasses for the occasion?

Martin Belam and his partner, Melanie, preparing to watch the solar eclipse from Hampstead Heath in north London. Photograph: Martin Belam/The Guardian

Only joking – we’ve got proper eclipse glasses and there is plenty of advice on the blog (18:07) and the website on how to view the event safely.

I’m expecting something like 92% coverage of the sun peaking at about 7.12pm local time.

Crowds gather to see social eclipse across Europe - in pictures

Some people aboard a boat get ready to observe the total solar eclipse at La Albufera coastal lagoon in Valencia, Spain. Photograph: José Jordan/AFP/Getty ImagesSpectators watch the beginning of a partial solar eclipse on the mountain Hoher Kasten in Bruelisau, Switzerland. Photograph: Gian Ehrenzeller/EPAGeneral view of people preparing to watch the solar eclipse in Madrid, Spain. Photograph: Sergio R Moreno/GTRES/ShutterstockPeople watching the solar eclipse at King's Stairs Gardens in Bermondsey, south London, the first total solar eclipse visible over mainland Europe since 1999. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA

And here’s the latest from Iceland, via the country’s public broadcaster RÚV.

A screengrab from the Icelandic public broadcaster's stream of the solar eclipse 2026 showing the scene in Látrabjarg, Iceland Photograph: Icelandic public broadcaster RÚV

Some cheeky clouds trying hard to spoil the moment, though.

And here’s the eclipse as seen from on board the Ambassador cruise ship Ambition, off the coast of Greenland.

The Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun during the total solar eclipse, as seen from on board the Ambassador cruise ship Ambition, off the coast of Greenland Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

Lots of people out to watch it:

Passengers on board the Ambassador cruise ship Ambition using special eclipse glasses to watch the total solar eclipse off the coast of Greenland. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA