On 12 August 2026, the sky over Minho put on a rare show: a near total solar eclipse right at sunset. If you are looking for a calm, open air spot away from city lights to watch it, Casa do Xico, an 18th century rural estate in Guardizela, about 15 minutes from Guimarães, is the ideal place.
Updated after the eclipse. The eclipse of 12 August 2026 has now passed. This guide keeps the record of what happened, along with the dates of the next eclipses visible from Portugal, in 2027 and 2028.
What happened during the 12 August eclipse
On that day, the Moon covered most of the Sun’s disc in an eclipse that crossed Greenland, Iceland and Spain, reaching Portugal too. Across the country the event was visible as a partial eclipse, except for a very narrow strip near Bragança, where there were a few seconds of totality. Across most of mainland Portugal, and particularly in Minho, the Sun’s coverage was very high, making the solar eclipse look almost total to the naked eye. NASA lists it on its future eclipses page, with the regions where it will be visible.
The event began in the mid afternoon and reached its deepest point around 19:30, coinciding with sunset. At that time the Sun sat very low on the horizon, to the west, creating an unusual visual effect.
How much was seen from Minho
In the Braga region, home to Guimarães and Casa do Xico, the Sun’s coverage reached around 99%. It was one of the best areas in the country to view the phenomenon, outside the narrow path of totality near Bragança. As with any eclipse at sunset, a clear sky and an open view to the west make for the best experience.
How to watch a solar eclipse safely
These rules apply to any eclipse, including the ones still to come. Looking directly at the Sun, even during a near total eclipse, can cause serious and permanent eye damage. To watch safely:
- Always use certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2 standard). Regular sunglasses do not protect your eyes.
- Do not look at the Sun through a camera, phone or binoculars without a proper solar filter, even while wearing eclipse glasses.
- A simple, safe alternative is pinhole projection (a small hole in a card projecting the Sun’s image onto a surface).
- Buy eclipse glasses in advance from certified sources, as demand tends to spike close to the date.
Why Casa do Xico is a good place to experience this moment
Watching the eclipsed sunset away from city bustle, with no artificial lights nearby, changes the experience. Casa do Xico is an 18th century wine estate in Guardizela, with a garden, an organic vegetable patch and a saltwater pool, a peaceful setting to gather family or friends in the late afternoon of 12 August and watch the phenomenon together before heading in for dinner.
The best spot on the estate to watch the eclipse. Around the house, the garden and the pool, the view opens out over the vines and the valley, but there are tall trees on the side where the Sun sets. To follow the Sun all the way down, the best place is the highest part of the estate, a vineyard with a far clearer horizon. It is worth walking up there in the late afternoon of 12 August.
More to see and do in the region in August
| Destination | By car |
|---|---|
| Historic centre of Guimarães | about 15 min |
| Braga | about 30 min |
| Porto | about 30 min |
| Porto airport (Sá Carneiro) | about 30 min |
| Gerês mountains | about 1 hour |
- Explore the city at your own pace with our guide to things to do in Guimarães.
- Cool off at the river beaches near Guimarães and Braga.
- Discover the estates of the region with our guide to wine tourism in Minho.
- Extend your trip with our 3 to 5 day Minho getaway.
The next eclipses visible from Portugal
The eclipse of 12 August 2026 has passed, but it was not the last. Two more dates are already set, and one repeats every year:
- 2 August 2027, partial eclipse. The path of totality crosses the far south of Spain and North Africa. From Portugal it is seen as a partial eclipse, deepest in the south (close to 99% of the Sun covered around Faro) and less so further north.
- 26 January 2028, annular eclipse. The “ring of fire”: the Moon sits at the centre of the Sun without covering it completely, leaving a ring of light around it. The band where the full ring is visible crosses the south of the country, mainly the Alentejo and the Algarve, shortly before nightfall. In Minho it is seen as partial.
- The Perseids, every year in mid August. The best known meteor shower of the year peaks around 12 August. No equipment needed, just a dark sky and patience, and this is where the countryside makes the difference: away from city lights you see many more.
The exact figures for Minho are confirmed closer to each date, as they depend on where you are watching from.
Frequently asked questions
On 12 August 2026, in the late afternoon, with the deepest point around 19:30, coinciding with sunset.
No. It was partial, but very deep, with around 99% of the Sun covered in the Braga and Guimarães area. It was only total for a few seconds in a narrow strip near Bragança.
No, even with the Sun almost entirely covered. You need certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2 standard) or indirect methods such as pinhole projection.
Casa do Xico is in Guardizela, about 15 minutes by car from the centre of Guimarães.
On 2 August 2027, as a partial eclipse, deepest in the south of the country. On 26 January 2028 there is an annular eclipse, the “ring of fire”, whose path crosses the Alentejo and the Algarve.
Stay in the countryside, under an open sky
A sky with no lights nearby changes the way you see everything above, from an eclipse to an August night. Book your stay at Casa do Xico and stay on an 18th century estate, 15 minutes from Guimarães.