Photo: Boris Dzhingarov / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Total solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 total solar eclipse in Valencia

Valencia is inside the path of the 12 August 2026 total solar eclipse, with about 1 minute 6 seconds of totality at about 20:32 CEST and the Sun only ~5° above the west-northwest horizon.

In the path of totality Get certified eclipse glasses

Totality begins~20:32 CESTValencian Community · Spain · 12 Aug 2026

Durationabout 1 minute 6 secondsMeasured for the city centre; a few seconds either way depending on exactly where you stand.

Sun altitude~5° above the WNW horizonlow in the west — an open horizon is essential

Coverage100% (total)Valencia is INSIDE the path of totality — the corona is briefly visible with the naked eye during the ~1m 06s of totality itself, and only then.

Clear-sky odds Often clear, haze is the risk · ≈68%The Spanish Mediterranean coast is usually rain-free in August, but haze on the low western horizon is a real threat.

Counting down to totality

—days —hrs —min —sec

Valencia is inside the path of the 12 August 2026 total solar eclipse, with about 1 minute 6 seconds of totality at about 20:32 CEST and the Sun only ~5° above the west-northwest horizon.

Below: exactly what Valencia sees and when, where to stand for the low western Sun, an honest read on the August cloud odds, and the safety rules for the partial phases.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~19:38 CESTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~20:32 CESTTotality — about 1 minute 6 seconds. Glasses off only if total.

~21:01 CESTEclipse ends ~21:24 CEST

The eclipse runs from about 19:38 to 21:24 CEST, with maximum at around 20:32 and the Sun ~5° above the west-northwest horizon. The Sun sets at 21:01 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

Turia riverbed park

Park · long open corridor

Kilometres of open ground

The old riverbed running through Valencia is a continuous open park — the easiest place in the city to find a clear western sightline.

Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències

Landmark · open plaza

Modern foreground

The Calatrava complex sits in the open riverbed with wide skies and dramatic architecture.

Open ground west toward Manises

Rural · inland

Correct direction, clean horizon

West of the city the land opens out — essential when the Sun is under 5° and setting over land, not sea.

Malvarrosa beach

Beach · open

Room, but face inland

The city beach gives space and an open low skyline; just remember to look away from the water.

North toward Castelló

Longer totality

Nearly 1m 40s

Totality lengthens sharply northward up this coast — Castelló and Benicarló see far more time in shadow.

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 Spanish Mediterranean coast is usually rain-free in August, but haze on the low western horizon is a real threat.

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
An open west-northwest horizon — the Sun is only ~5° up
Arrive early — totality lasts only ~1m 06s
Scout your viewpoint the evening before, at the same time of day

Glasses ON for every part of the eclipse except totality itself
Glasses back on the instant the Sun's edge reappears
Don't spend ~1m 06s of totality fiddling with a camera
Check the cloud forecast in the final 48 hours

Watch it safely

However you’re watching, watch it safely

Every Absolute Eclipse product is independently certified and made in the EU. Glasses come off only during totality — keep them on for the whole partial phase.

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

Valencia eclipse FAQ

Does Valencia get a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?

Yes. Valencia is inside the path of totality and sees a genuine total eclipse lasting about 1 minute 6 seconds, with 100% of the Sun covered. Outside the path — even a short distance away — the eclipse is only partial, which is a completely different experience.

What time is the eclipse in Valencia?

The partial phase begins at about 19:38 CEST and totality is centred on roughly 20:32 CEST, with the Sun about 5° above the west-northwest horizon. The Sun sets at 21:01 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 Valencia?

Yes. Throughout the partial phases — over an hour before and after totality — you must wear certified ISO 12312-2 / CE eclipse glasses. You may remove them only during the ~1m 06s of totality itself, and must put them back on the instant the Sun's edge reappears.

Where should I watch from in Valencia?

The Sun is only about 5° 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.

Will the weather be clear in Valencia on eclipse day?

The Spanish Mediterranean coast is usually rain-free in August, but haze on the low western horizon is a real threat.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Källor: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (väder) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Tiderna är lokala (CEST).