Total Solar Eclipse
Total Solar Eclipse — August 12, 2026, Spain
123
days
:
08
hrs
:
42
min
:
58
sec
Path of Totality
Path of totality crosses northern Spain from west to east
Exact Times by City
| City | Totality starts | Duration | Sun altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Coruña | 20:20 CEST | 1m 50s | 8° |
| Oviedo | 20:22 CEST | 1m 55s | 7° |
| León | 20:23 CEST | 2m 00s | 7° |
| Bilbao | 20:24 CEST | 2m 05s | 6° |
| Zaragoza | 20:28 CEST | 2m 15s | 5° |
| Valencia | 20:30 CEST | 2m 10s | 4° |
| Palma de Mallorca | 20:32 CEST | 1m 45s | 4° |
⚠ Low sun warning. The sun is only 4–10° above the horizon during totality. You need a clear, unobstructed view to the west.
How to Watch Safely
- Use ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses during all partial phases
- Only during totality (when the sun is completely covered) is it safe to look with the naked eye
- Camera, binoculars, or telescope: solar filter required at all times except totality
- Alternative: make a simple pinhole projector from cardboard
◐ ✦ Eclipse + Perseids — The Same Night
New moon = pitch-dark skies after the eclipse.
Perseids peak Aug 12–13: up to 150 meteors per hour.
The best night for sky watching in a generation.
Best Viewing Locations
Quick picks: Valencia coast (best weather + long totality) and Zaragoza hilltops (longest totality).
City-by-city guide →Set Your Eclipse Reminder
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Frequently Asked Questions
The total solar eclipse crosses Spain on August 12, 2026. Totality occurs between approximately 20:20 and 20:32 local time (CEST), depending on your location along the path.
The path of totality crosses northern Spain from A Coruña on the Atlantic coast through Oviedo, León, Bilbao, Zaragoza, and Valencia, ending at Palma de Mallorca. Cities in this path will experience total darkness for up to 2 minutes and 15 seconds.
Totality lasts between 1 minute 45 seconds (Palma de Mallorca) and 2 minutes 15 seconds (Zaragoza). Valencia and Bilbao get about 2 minutes 5-10 seconds of totality.
You MUST use ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses during all partial phases. Only during totality (when the sun is completely covered) is it safe to look with the naked eye. Never look through cameras, binoculars, or telescopes without proper solar filters.
Yes! The 2026 eclipse falls on August 12, exactly when the Perseid meteor shower peaks. After the eclipse, the new moon means pitch-dark skies — perfect for meteor watching. You could see up to 150 meteors per hour. This is a once-in-a-generation coincidence.
August is typically dry in Spain, especially along the Mediterranean coast. Valencia and eastern cities have 75-85% clear-sky probability. The Atlantic coast (A Coruña, Bilbao) is less predictable at 50-55% clear-sky odds.
The last total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe was on August 11, 1999, which crossed parts of England, France, Germany, and other countries. The 2026 eclipse is the first in 27 years.
Yes! Click the "Remind me" button anywhere on this page. You'll receive reminders 7 days, 3 days, and 1 day before the eclipse. Free, no app needed.