On 12 August 2026, a total solar eclipse will cross northern Spain, plunging parts of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, Navarra, Aragón and Catalonia into darkness for up to 2 minutes. The rest of Spain will see a partial eclipse with over 70% coverage.
The last total eclipse visible from mainland Spain was in 1959, and the next will not come until 2060. This guide covers everything you need to know.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, casting its shadow on the Earth's surface. Although the Sun is about 400 times larger than the Moon, it is also about 400 times farther away, giving both an almost identical apparent size in the sky.
Types of solar eclipse
- Total: the Moon completely covers the solar disc. The solar corona becomes visible. Only seen from a narrow path (100-250 km wide).
- Partial: the Moon covers only part of the Sun. Seen outside the totality path.
- Annular: the Moon is farther than usual and does not fully cover the Sun, leaving a visible "ring of fire".
The 12 August 2026 eclipse: key facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, 12 August 2026 |
| Type | Total (partial across the rest of Spain and Europe) |
| Totality path | ~160 km wide, crossing northern Spain from west to east |
| Maximum totality | ~2 minutes 18 seconds (at the centre of the path) |
| Time of maximum (Spain) | ~20:30 local time (18:30 UTC) — sunset eclipse |
| Sun altitude | Low (~15-25° above horizon) |
Estimated times by city
Times in Spanish peninsular time (CEST, UTC+2):
| City | Partial start | Maximum | End | Coverage | Totality? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oviedo | 19:32 | 20:31 | 21:14 | 100% | Yes (~1 min 40 s) |
| Santander | 19:33 | 20:32 | 21:13 | 100% | Yes (~1 min 50 s) |
| Bilbao | 19:34 | 20:33 | 21:12 | 100% | Yes (~2 min) |
| Madrid | 19:35 | 20:33 | 21:06 | ~80% | No (partial) |
| Barcelona | 19:40 | 20:37 | 21:05 | ~85% | No (partial) |
| Seville | 19:33 | 20:30 | 21:02 | ~72% | No (partial) |
Safe observation: essential rules
Looking directly at the Sun without proper protection can cause irreversible retinal damage, even during a partial eclipse.
Safe methods
- Certified eclipse glasses: must meet ISO 12312-2:2015. Do not use regular sunglasses, X-rays, CDs or smoked glass.
- Solar filters for telescopes/binoculars: ALWAYS placed on the front (aperture), never on the eyepiece.
- Pinhole projection: make a small hole in cardboard and project the Sun's image onto a flat surface. Safe and educational.
During totality (path only)
The only moments when you can look at the Sun without protection are during totality. As soon as the first flash of sunlight reappears (the "diamond ring"), put your glasses back on immediately.
Weather factor: will skies be clear?
Historical August climatology in northern Spain shows that while partial cloud is common on the Cantabrian coast, the eclipse will occur at sunset (~20:30), when cloud cover is typically lower. Inland areas (Madrid, Castile and León) have a high probability of clear skies.
Upcoming eclipses visible from Spain
| Date | Type | Coverage in Spain |
|---|---|---|
| 12 August 2026 | Total | 100% in the north, 70-95% elsewhere |
| 2 August 2027 | Total | Total in the south (Gibraltar, Málaga, Almería) |
| 26 January 2028 | Annular | Partial ~45% |
Spain has an exceptional opportunity: two total eclipses in two consecutive years (2026 in the north, 2027 in the south). This will not happen again until well into the next century.
Sources: NASA Eclipse Predictions (Fred Espenak), Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España.