Spain lives this Wednesday, August 12, 2026 the first total solar eclipse visible from the Peninsula in over a century. The shadow of the Moon will travel across the territory from west to east and will allow the totality to be seen from a good part of the northern half and the Balearic Islands. In the rest of Spain, the phenomenon will be observable as a partial eclipse.
The most awaited moment will arrive around 8:30 PM, although the exact time will depend on each locality. Since it occurs at sunset, with the sun very low on the horizon, the choice of location will be especially important. It will also be essential to use appropriate eye protection during the partial phases.
When the solar eclipse of 2026 starts and where it will be total
The solar eclipse of August 12, 2026 will begin at sunset. The path of totality will first cross the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, and Iceland, then cross the Atlantic and enter the Iberian Peninsula through Galicia before continuing eastward to reach the Balearic Islands.
In Spain, the path of totality will cover part of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country, Castile and León, La Rioja, Navarre, Aragon, Catalonia, Valencian Community, and the Balearic Islands.
In the southern half of the Peninsula and in the Canary Islands, the eclipse will be partial, so in these areas the solar disk will not be completely covered by the Moon.
What time the solar eclipse will be seen in Spain
There is no single time for the entire territory. The start, maximum, and end of the solar eclipse of 2026 will vary depending on the point from which it is observed.
In A Coruña, for example, it will start at 7:31 PM and reach its maximum at 8:28 PM. In Burgos, it will begin at 7:33 PM and reach the maximum at 8:29 PM, while in Palma it will start at 7:38 PM and reach its central point at 8:32 PM.
The most awaited phase will therefore arrive approximately at 8:30 PM. The duration of totality will also change: it will be around 76 seconds in A Coruña and will reach approximately 104 seconds in Burgos.
Where to look to see the eclipse
The eclipse will have a particularity that will especially condition its observation in Spain: it will occur with the sun very close to the horizon.
One will have to look towards the west, the direction in which the star will be setting. Experts from the National Geographic Institute (IGN) recommend choosing an open space and checking beforehand that buildings, trees, mountains, or other obstacles do not block the horizon.
The height of the sun during the maximum will also change significantly depending on the location. It will be approximately 12 degrees in A Coruña, eight degrees in Burgos, and barely two degrees in Palma. Therefore, an elevated place does not have to be automatically the best option, and factors such as access, capacity, mobility, and the possibility of leaving the area in an orderly manner should also be evaluated.
Official points to observe the solar eclipse
The autonomous communities located within the areas with the best visibility conditions have enabled official observation points for the eclipse to facilitate organized public viewing.
The choice of these locations does not depend solely on the duration of totality. Issues such as access, capacity, mobility, and the ability of emergency services to act are also taken into account.
Authorities recommend avoiding improvised travel, using public transport when possible, and following the established traffic and emergency guidelines.
What glasses to use to see the eclipse
To observe the eclipse directly, specific solar observation glasses that comply with the EN ISO 12312-2:2015 standard must be used. If they are marketed within the European Union, they must also include the CE marking, identify the manufacturer, and include instructions on their use and maintenance.
Before using them, it is necessary to check their condition. They should not have scratches, perforations, bends, or discolored areas, as any deterioration could compromise their protective capacity.
Conventional sunglasses are not suitable for observing an eclipse, regardless of how dark they are. X-rays, compact discs, smoked glasses, photographic negatives, or other improvised filters should also not be used.
Why looking at an eclipse without protection can damage the retina
Observing the sun directly without proper protection can cause eye damage and even loss of vision, warns the National Geographic Institute.
The decrease in ambient light during the eclipse can also create a false sense of security. As explained by the Knowledge Transfer Office of the Complutense University of Madrid, when ambient light decreases, the pupil dilates, but solar radiation continues to reach the eye.
This exposure may provoke a solar retinopathy. Ultraviolet radiation can cause damage to photoreceptor cells, while infrared energy can generate a thermal effect on the retinal tissue.
When glasses can be removed during a total eclipse
Even using proper protection, the IGN advises not to look at the sun for more than one minute in a row. The glasses should be put on before directing the gaze towards the star and removed only after averting it.
There is an exception during a total eclipse. Only those within the path of totality will be able to remove their glasses during the brief moments when the Moon completely covers the solar disk.
During all partial phases, it will be necessary to maintain protection, and the glasses will have to be put back on before any bright part of the sun reappears. In places where the eclipse is only partial, they must be used throughout the observation.
Care with cameras, binoculars, and telescopes
Eclipse glasses do not allow safe observation of the sun through a camera, binoculars, a telescope, or a telephoto lens.
These instruments concentrate solar radiation and require specific filters placed correctly in front of the lens. Looking through them using only eclipse glasses can be dangerous for the eyes.
Those who do not have proper protection can also resort to methods of indirect observation, such as a pinhole camera, which allows projecting the image of the sun without having to look at it directly.
What the weather will be like during the eclipse on August 12
The weather will be another of the decisive factors to enjoy the solar eclipse 2026 in Spain. The forecast from the State Meteorological Agency for this Wednesday points to a generally stable situation in much of the country, although there will be areas where clouds may hinder observation.
According to the forecast collected for this August 12, it will probably be very cloudy in areas of northern Galicia, the Cantabrian Sea, the Pyrenees, and northern Canary Islands. Clouds will also grow in mountainous areas of the eastern peninsula, although their final impact on observation presents greater uncertainty.
Therefore, in addition to checking the schedule and looking for a clear west horizon free of obstacles, it will be advisable to consult the updated weather forecast for the locality before traveling.
What will be seen during totality
As the Moon covers the solar disk, the ambient lighting will begin to change and the temperature may drop. In the moments immediately before totality, what are known as Baily's beads may appear, small points of light caused by the passage of sunlight through the irregularities of the Moon's surface.
When the disk is completely hidden, the solar corona can be observed, the faint halo that surrounds the sun and is normally hidden by the enormous brightness of its surface.
The darkness will last from a few seconds to nearly two minutes depending on the location. Afterward, sunlight will reappear and the reverse process will begin, at which point it will be necessary to immediately use the protective glasses again.