Photo: José Luis Filpo Cabana / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Near-total solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Pamplona

Pamplona comes agonisingly close: about 99.95% of the Sun is covered on 12 August 2026 — and yet this is still not totality. That last fraction of a percent is the difference between a deep partial eclipse and the corona.

Near-total — deep partial Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~20:27 CESTNavarra · Spain · 12 Aug 2026

Duration~1h 48m of partial eclipseThis is the full partial eclipse from first to last contact. There is no totality here — the Sun is never completely covered, so there is no corona and no moment when it is safe to look without protection.

Sun altitude~7° above the WNW horizonlow in the west — an open horizon is essential

Coverage99.95% (partial)Pamplona is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 99.95% of the Sun is covered at maximum — an extraordinarily deep partial eclipse, but not a total one. The corona never appears and the sky does not go dark.

Clear-sky odds Usually favourable · ≈70%The Ebro basin is hot and dry in August with generally clear evening skies; late-day cloud over the sierras is the main risk.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Below: Pamplona's exact timings, why 99.95% is genuinely not the same event as totality, the best places to watch, and how far you would have to travel for the real thing.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~19:32 CESTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~20:27 CESTNear-total — ~1h 48m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~21:13 CESTEclipse ends ~21:20 CEST

The eclipse runs from about 19:32 to 21:20 CEST, with maximum at around 20:27 and the Sun ~7° above the west-northwest horizon. The Sun sets at 21:13 CEST, during the eclipse, so the later stages happen below the horizon — an open west-northwest view is essential.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Ciudadela and the Vuelta del Castillo

Park · open ground

Wide open sky in the city

The star fort's glacis is the largest open space in central Pamplona, with clear western sightlines.

Murallas / Redín viewpoint

Elevated · historic walls

Height above the river

The city walls look out over the Arga valley with an open outlook and a fine foreground.

Open country toward Puente la Reina

Rural · west

Clean low horizon

West of Pamplona the land opens out, giving the unobstructed view a 7° Sun needs.

Monte San Cristóbal (Ezkaba)

Elevated · above the city

Best local height

The mountain north of Pamplona gives commanding views over the whole basin.

South to Tudela for totality

The real thing

~1h south

Pamplona is NOT in the path — it is agonisingly close. Tudela, an hour south, sees around 1m 23s of true totality.

Local astronomy societies and science centres often organise safe public viewing with filtered telescopes — worth checking closer to the date.

Plan your trip

Where to stay near the eclipse

Accommodation around the viewing area for eclipse night (11–13 Aug 2026). Compare hotels and rentals live on the map below.

The weather call

Will the sky be clear?

The Ebro basin is hot and dry in August with generally clear evening skies; late-day cloud over the sierras is the main risk.

The deciding factor here is simply whether the sky is clear at the right moment. Check the forecast in the final 48 hours and, if you can, keep the option of moving to a gap in the cloud.

Plan the day

Your eclipse-day checklist

Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE eclipse glasses — one pair per person
Glasses stay ON for the entire eclipse — there is no safe moment here
An open west-northwest horizon — the Sun is only ~7° up
Arrive before 19:32 to catch first contact

Check the cloud forecast in the final 48 hours
Never look through a camera, phone or binoculars without a proper solar filter
Pinhole projection is a safe way for groups to watch together
If you want totality, it is northern Spain — not here

Watch it safely

However you’re watching, watch it safely

Every Absolute Eclipse product is independently certified and made in the EU. There’s no safe moment to look unaided here — keep certified eyewear on the entire time.

ISO 12312-2 certified
CE · EU 2016/425 PPE
Made & shipped in the EU

Pamplona eclipse FAQ

Will Pamplona see a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?

No. Pamplona is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 99.95% of the Sun covered at maximum. That sounds close to totality, but it is a fundamentally different event: the corona does not appear, the sky does not go dark, and there is never a safe moment to look without protection. The path of totality crosses northern Spain.

What time is the eclipse in Pamplona?

The partial phase begins at about 19:32 CEST and maximum — 99.95% coverage — comes at roughly 20:27 CEST. The Sun sets at 21:13 CEST, during the eclipse, so the later stages happen below the horizon — an open west-northwest view is essential.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Pamplona?

Yes, for the entire eclipse without exception. Because the Sun is never fully covered, there is never a safe moment to look with the naked eye. Even at 99.95% coverage the remaining sliver is dangerously bright. Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE glasses stay on from start to finish.

Where should I watch from in Pamplona?

The Sun is only about 7° above the horizon, so you need an open, unobstructed view to the west-northwest. Buildings, hills and trees in that direction will hide the deepest phase.

Is Pamplona in the path of totality?

No — it is just outside, which is a cruel margin. Pamplona sees about 99.95% coverage: no corona, no darkness, glasses on throughout. Tudela in southern Navarra is inside the path and sees roughly 1 minute 23 seconds of genuine totality, about an hour's drive south.

Will the weather be clear in Pamplona on eclipse day?

The Ebro basin is hot and dry in August with generally clear evening skies; late-day cloud over the sierras is the main risk.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Źródła: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (pogoda) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Czas lokalny (CEST).