On Wednesday 12 August 2026, a total solar eclipse will cross northern Spain and the Balearic Islands. The rest of Spain will experience a partial eclipse—but because the Sun will be extremely low in the evening sky, a mountain, building or badly chosen viewpoint could hide it completely.

Prefer to watch rather than read? Click the image below for the YouTooSpain video—and watch Walter discover why expensive sunglasses, binoculars and one closed eye are not an eclipse-safety plan.

Spain’s first total solar eclipse for more than a century

This will be the first total solar eclipse visible from the Iberian Peninsula since 1912.

The path of totality enters Spain through Galicia and crosses much of the northern half of the country before continuing towards Valencia and the Balearic Islands. Places within the band include parts of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, Castilla y León, La Rioja, Aragón, Castilla-La Mancha, Cataluña, the Valencia region and the Balearics. Southern Spain will see a partial eclipse.

The precise edge of the totality zone matters. Being close to the line is not enough.

Madrid and Barcelona, for example, are extremely close to the path, but most of both city centres remain outside it. Check the exact point where you intend to stand rather than relying on a general map of your province.

What time is the eclipse in Spain?

The eclipse begins in most Spanish locations between approximately 7:30 and 7:45 pm, reaching its maximum between roughly 8:27 and 8:38 pm. Exact times depend on location.

Some examples are:

• A Coruña: begins at approximately 7:31 pm and reaches maximum at 8:28 pm. Totality lasts around 76 seconds.
• Burgos: begins at approximately 7:33 pm and reaches maximum at 8:29 pm. Totality lasts around 104 seconds.
• León: totality occurs at about 8:28–8:30 pm.
• Zaragoza: totality occurs at about 8:29–8:30 pm.
• Valencia: totality occurs at about 8:32–8:33 pm.
• Palma: maximum eclipse arrives at around 8:32 pm, shortly before sunset.

These times are approximate. Even official calculations can differ by a few seconds depending on the coordinates, terrain height and astronomical model used. Use the official IGN eclipse visualiser for your exact address or intended viewing point.

A 99.9% partial eclipse is not totality

A very deep partial eclipse will still be an impressive sight, but it is not the same as a total eclipse.

During true totality, the bright face of the Sun is completely covered. The sky darkens dramatically and the solar corona becomes visible around the Moon.

Outside the path of totality, even a tiny uncovered piece of the Sun remains intensely bright. You will not see the full corona, and you must continue using safe eclipse glasses.

The difference between 99.9% and totality is rather like Walter’s chances of winning the lottery: remarkably close is not the same as actually receiving the money.

Why your western horizon matters

Spain lies near the end of the eclipse’s global path, so the Sun will be low and approaching sunset.

In A Coruña, the Sun will be about 12 degrees above the horizon at totality. In Burgos it will be around eight degrees. By the time the eclipse reaches Palma, the Sun will be only about two degrees above the horizon.

That means you need a clear view towards the west or west-northwest.

Possible obstructions include:

• Mountains and ridges
• Apartment blocks and houses
• Trees
• Church towers
• Walls and terraces
• A badly positioned campervan arriving two minutes before maximum eclipse

Being high above sea level does not guarantee a view. A mountain ridge can still rise above your location in the direction of sunset.

The IGN recommends finding an elevated place with an open western horizon and visiting it before eclipse day to check for unexpected obstructions.

What will the eclipse look like in Cómpeta?

Cómpeta will not experience totality, but it should see a very deep partial eclipse.

The official IGN municipality data gives the following approximate information for Cómpeta:

Partial eclipse begins: 7:43 pm
Maximum eclipse: 8:38 pm
Eclipse magnitude: approximately 0.95
Sun’s height at maximum: approximately six degrees
Sunset: approximately 9:11 pm

The Sun will be towards the west-northwest.

Six degrees is very low. Hold your fist at arm’s length: the Sun will be lower than the full height of that fist above the visible horizon.

The centre of Cómpeta contains narrow streets, tall buildings and surrounding mountains, so simply walking outside may not work. Test open viewpoints such as the Mirador Panorámico and the football pitch, but physically inspect any proposed location before the 12th.

How to use IGN and Shadowmap together

The two tools perform different jobs.

First: check the IGN eclipse visualiser

Use the official IGN visualiser to confirm:

• Whether your exact point is inside totality
• When the eclipse begins
• When maximum eclipse occurs
• The Sun’s altitude and direction
• Whether surrounding terrain may obstruct the Sun

The IGN terrain calculation does not include buildings or trees, and local results may change slightly when different coordinates are selected.

Then: test the location in Shadowmap

Shadowmap allows you to select a place, date and time and visualise sunlight and shadows across 3D terrain and buildings.

For Cómpeta:

1. Search for your proposed viewing location.
2. Set the date to 12 August 2026.
3. Set the time to approximately 8:38 pm.
4. Look towards the west-northwest.
5. Check whether the location appears to remain in sunlight.
6. Try several nearby viewpoints.

Shadowmap is a very useful planning aid, but not a total substitute for visiting the location. Map data may not include every tree, temporary structure or recently constructed building.

Do you need special glasses for a partial eclipse?

Yes.

You need safe solar-viewing glasses whenever any part of the bright Sun remains visible.

That includes:

• The entire eclipse in Cómpeta, Málaga and southern Spain
• The partial phases before totality in northern Spain
• The partial phases after totality
• A 99% or 99.9% partial eclipse

Normal sunglasses are not safe, no matter how dark or expensive they are.

Use eclipse viewers from a reputable supplier that comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. Check them carefully for scratches, punctures, tears, folds or other damage before use.

Look through the glasses briefly, then look away. Do not spend several minutes continuously staring at the Sun.

When can eclipse glasses be removed?

Only people inside the path of totality may remove their glasses—and only during the brief period when the Moon has completely covered the Sun.

Put them back on before the first bright part of the Sun returns.

When uncertain, leave them on.

Can you photograph the eclipse?

Yes, but your camera needs the correct protection.

A proper solar filter must be secured over the front of the camera lens whenever any bright part of the Sun remains visible.

The same applies to:

• Telephoto lenses
• Telescopes
• Binoculars
• Spotting scopes
• Phone cameras pointed directly at the Sun

Do not look through binoculars, a telescope or a camera viewfinder while wearing eclipse glasses. The optics concentrate the Sun’s rays and can burn through the viewing material, causing severe and potentially permanent eye damage.

Practise your camera settings before the day. Check the tripod, charge the batteries and clear some storage space.

A wide shot of the landscape, changing light and people’s reactions may ultimately be more interesting than a shaky orange dot in the middle of a black screen.

Make a pinhole projector

You can enjoy the eclipse without looking towards the Sun.

Punch a small, clean hole in a piece of card. Stand with your back to the Sun and allow the light passing through the hole to fall onto another card, wall or pale surface.

The projected spot will show the changing shape of the Sun.

Look at the projection—not through the hole.

Other fun projection methods include:

• A kitchen colander
• A perforated spoon
• Interlaced fingers
• The gaps between leaves on a tree

Each tiny opening acts like a pinhole camera, producing small crescent-shaped images during the partial eclipse.

For one evening, Walter’s colander becomes a scientific instrument.

Eclipse traffic: plan before you travel

The DGT estimates that the eclipse could generate between 400,000 and 1.5 million additional journeys towards the totality zone.

More than 360 designated observation points have been communicated by Spain’s autonomous communities, but access roads, rural areas and small car parks could still become extremely congested. The biggest rush may occur after totality, when thousands of people attempt to leave at the same time.

The DGT advises:

• Use an authorised viewing location with suitable parking.
• Avoid unnecessary long journeys.
• Use public transport when available.
• Never stop on a carriageway or hard shoulder.
• Do not take photographs while driving.
• Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving.
• Turn on dipped headlights during the period of darkness.
• Watch for pedestrians near viewing locations.
• Wait before leaving to allow the traffic to disperse.

Some regions may introduce temporary access restrictions, road controls or closures. Check official traffic information on the day rather than relying entirely on a route planned earlier in the week.

Take care of the countryside

August brings a serious wildfire risk across much of Spain.

Do not obstruct emergency access, park on dry vegetation or use flames in rural viewing areas. Take all rubbish home and never discard cigarettes, glass or other material that could start a fire.

Carry:

• Water and food
• Sun protection
• Medication
• A charged phone and power bank
• A torch for the journey back
• Downloaded maps in case the mobile network becomes overloaded

Check the weather—but not too early

Cloud is the one obstruction that neither elevation nor Shadowmap can solve.

Check the official AEMET municipal forecast during the final days before the eclipse, paying particular attention to cloud cover around 8:30 pm. AEMET provides national, regional, provincial and local forecasts, with more detailed hourly information available closer to the date.

Have a sensible backup location, but avoid a frantic last-minute cloud chase on unfamiliar rural roads.

Your final eclipse checklist

Before Wednesday evening, make sure you have:

✅ Checked your exact location in the IGN eclipse visualiser
✅ Tested the date and time in Shadowmap
✅ Visited your chosen viewpoint
✅ Found a clear western horizon
✅ Bought genuine eclipse glasses
✅ Inspected the glasses for damage
✅ Prepared proper filters for cameras or binoculars
✅ Checked the weather and traffic
✅ Packed water, power and a torch
✅ Planned how—and when—you will travel home

And remember to spend some time experiencing the eclipse rather than watching the whole thing through a phone.

Official eclipse resources

IGN eclipse information and local visualiser: official maps, municipal times, Sun altitude and eclipse magnitude.

Shadowmap: test sunlight and shadows at your chosen location, date and time.

NASA eclipse guide: totality maps, viewing safety, cameras, binoculars and pinhole projection.

DGT eclipse traffic information: road conditions, viewing-point advice and temporary restrictions.

AEMET weather forecasts: national and local cloud and weather predictions.

Where will you be watching from? Add your town, expected eclipse percentage and chosen viewpoint in the comments beneath the YouTooSpain video.

One final thing. If you miss this one, there’s another total eclipse in parts of Spain in August next year, and this one will be in the south and in the morning, so the sun will be much higher in the sky. Start planning now. I’ll be there!

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Article by Skatz