Total solar eclipse in Spain, when and where to see it?
After the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, many people have wondered: when will another similar eclipse be observable? The answer is in Spain, and it will have a total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026.
The solar eclipse of August 12, 2026, will be visible as a total eclipse in parts of Greenland, Iceland, and the northern half of Spain. This is a unique opportunity for many people and is worth seeing.
Path of the solar eclipse on August 12, 2026. Source: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA's GSFC / Wikimedia Commons
Specifically, the total solar eclipse will move from A Coruña (at 8:30 PM) to Palma de Mallorca, where it will coincide with sunset.
The eclipse will be visible as a total eclipse from the following provincial capitals:
- Bilbao
- Burgos
- Castellón
- A Coruña
- Cuenca
- Guadalajara
- Huesca
- León
- Lleida
- Logroño
- Lugo
- Oviedo
- Palencia
- Palma de Mallorca
- Santander
- Segovia
- Soria
- Tarragona
- Teruel
- Valencia
- Valladolid
- Vitoria
- Zamora
- Zaragoza
The map below shows the path of the eclipse; the central red line marks the best location for observation.
Path of the total solar eclipse in Spain on August 12, 2026. Source: Wikicommons
"Madrid and Barcelona are completely outside the area of totality. Among all the mentioned Spanish provincial capitals, Oviedo will have the greatest magnitude and duration of the total eclipse phase (1m 48s)."
The spectacle won't just be in the sky. According to NASA, those in the eclipse path will experience variations in wind direction, drops in air temperatures, and changes in animal and insect behavior during totality—the period when the Moon completely blocks the Sun's surface.
The spectacle won't just be in the sky. According to NASA, those in the eclipse path will experience variations in wind direction, drops in air temperatures, and changes in animal and insect behavior during totality—the period when the Moon completely blocks the Sun's surface.
Recommendations for observing the total eclipse in Spain
Whether you live in the area or not, plan your trip. Where will you go to see it? Look for clear locations, bring an umbrella, water, and sunscreen to protect your skin, and most importantly, solar viewing glasses with an approved filter. Special glasses should be bought in advance; guarantee yours and your family's by purchasing early.
Simple solar observation glasses have a lifespan of approximately 10 years if stored properly and are sold in astronomy stores like Astro Telescopios.
Reusable glasses are also sold if you are looking for quality, a premium product with a long life, allowing for multiple uses for solar observation.
Can I view the solar eclipse with a telescope?
The answer is yes, as long as you have the appropriate filter to cover the entire aperture of the tube. Some telescopes are already sold with a filter as an accessory.
To see the full circumference of the Sun, lower magnification eyepieces are recommended, such as 20mm, and preferably 25mm for a larger field of view.
A 50mm to 70mm aperture telescope is sufficient to observe the event; they are also lighter, and some are sold with a carrying bag.
If you already have a telescope, you can see the different solar filters available on this page:
Purchase in advance; don't wait until days before the event, as you might run out.