One more reminder about the biggest event of the week. On August 12, Portugal will witness a total solar eclipse (we covered everything you need to know here). Watching it without certified eclipse glasses is dangerous: the retina can be permanently damaged without any pain or warning. If you don’t have a pair yet, there’s still a chance to get them for free.

Step 1. Register online.
Go to clubdavisao.pt/campanha/eclipse2026, choose a participating optical store, enter your details, and confirm your reservation. Each person can reserve one pair, which you’ll collect from the selected location.
Step 2. Make sure your reservation is confirmed.
Just because there’s a participating optician near you doesn’t mean they still have glasses in stock. Availability varies from store to store. If the registration form won’t let you book a pair, move on to Step 3.

Step 3. Have a backup plan.
Centros Ciência Viva are also distributing the same ZEISS eclipse glasses during their events, although each center has its own rules, so it’s worth calling ahead. You can also buy certified glasses for around €3 at Aldi, Leroy Merlin, many pharmacies, Astroshop, and solaroptics.co.

Step 4. Check the certification.
Your glasses should be marked with ISO 12312-2 and the CE symbol. Regular sunglasses, X-ray films, smoked glass, or dark plastic sheets do not protect your eyes. Even when the Moon covers almost the entire Sun, harmful solar radiation still reaches your retina. Before using the glasses, inspect the filters carefully—any scratches, holes, or punctures make them unsafe.

And a few words about the eclipse itself. Only Bragança will experience totality, making it the only place in Portugal where the Sun will be completely covered (see the map). Everywhere else the eclipse will be partial, ranging from 74% to nearly 100%, depending on the region. Outside the path of totality, you must keep your eclipse glasses on at all times. The eclipse is expected to begin at around 6:30 p.m. and end at about 8:30 p.m. The last total solar eclipse visible from mainland Portugal was in 1912. The next one won’t happen until 2144.

One last thing: your phone needs protection too. Ciência Viva warns that photographing the Sun without a proper solar filter can permanently damage your camera sensor.