SPAIN · TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE · 12 AUGUST 2026
Solar Eclipse in Spain — 12 August 2026
Spain is the main European land opportunity for the 12 August 2026 total solar eclipse.
The eclipse happens late in the day, so the exact direction and height of the Sun matter as much as the headline time. A blocked western horizon can ruin an otherwise excellent viewing location.
Use SunPoint to check the eclipse direction from the exact place where you intend to stand.
The total solar eclipse reaches Spain during the evening.
Several Spanish areas lie within the path of totality; wider areas see a partial eclipse.
Azimuth, altitude and the real horizon are unusually important.
SunPoint links the eclipse to a practical direction line on the map.
Stand here. Look this way.
SunPoint supports Eclipse mode for the 12 August 2026 event. Drop a pin or use your location to check local eclipse direction, solar azimuth, altitude and the map direction line where the calculation layer supports it.
- Local eclipse type where supported
- Maximum phase direction
- Solar altitude and azimuth
- Horizon planning from your pin
Totality crosses parts of Spain, not all of Spain. Use exact-location calculation before treating a town, beach or viewpoint as inside the path.
Where totality crosses Spain
The path of totality enters the Iberian Peninsula and crosses parts of northern and eastern Spain. Do not assume that every Spanish city is in totality.
Zaragoza and Valencia are listed by NASA among Spanish locations with total-eclipse circumstances, while Madrid and Barcelona require clearer qualification by exact coordinates and authoritative data before being described as total.
Why the low Sun matters
In Spain, the eclipse takes place in the evening. The Sun may be low enough that buildings, hills, trees, mountains or the coastline shape the actual view.
Check the Sun's azimuth and altitude before choosing a viewing point. The correct timing alone is not enough.
Totality versus partial eclipse
Inside the narrow path of totality, the Moon completely covers the bright solar surface for a short time.
Outside that path, the eclipse remains partial. A deep partial eclipse can look dramatic, but it is not the same as totality and still requires eye protection.
Choosing a viewing position
Look for a clear western or west-northwestern horizon in the direction SunPoint shows for your pinned location.
Open coastlines, elevated ground and wide open spaces can help, but no named location should be treated as suitable without checking the exact bearing and horizon.
Solar viewing safety
Direct viewing during partial phases requires suitable solar-viewing protection. Ordinary sunglasses are not sufficient.
Only observers confirmed to be inside totality can treat the brief total phase differently, and protection is needed again as soon as the bright Sun reappears.
Authoritative sources and safety
Use authoritative eclipse data before travel and use proper solar-viewing protection during partial phases.
Photography and horizon tips
- Check the exact bearing before eclipse day.
- Inspect the real horizon, not just the sky overhead.
- Allow time to move if a building, ridge or tree line blocks the Sun.
- Use appropriate solar filters for cameras, binoculars and telescopes.
- Do not rely on cloud as eye protection.
Frequently asked questions
Find your eclipse direction
Stand here. Look this way.
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