Alicante
38.345°, -0.481° · 18 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 99% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 2.44° at peak.
70/100Good
99%
Partial eclipse · 99% obscuration
See the eclipse from Alicante minute by minute
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Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Alicante
Alicante is the capital of the province of the same name, in the Comunidad Valenciana, with close to 349,000 inhabitants. It faces the Mediterranean Sea at the foot of Mount Benacantil, crowned by the Castillo de Santa Bárbara. Its dry climate and open seafront make it one of the sunniest cities on the Peninsula's coastline.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Alicante will observe a partial solar eclipse. The city lies outside the path of totality, which sits further north. The eclipse coincides with the Sun low over the horizon; the calculated margin relative to the terrain is tight, so the observation point should be chosen with care.
The weather in August
In August, Alicante records an average temperature of 26.5 °C, with highs around 31 °C. AEMET data for 1991-2020 indicate a 77% probability of clear sky and more than 319 hours of sunshine in the month. Average rainfall is 13.4 mm and the thunderstorm risk is moderate.
Past eclipses
The last total solar eclipse visible from Alicante was on 28 May 1900, 126 years ago. The last annular one was seen on 3 October 2005. After the eclipses of 2026 to 2028, no further totality over the city is expected within the computed horizon; the next annular eclipse will arrive on 13 July 2075.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
During the maximum of the eclipse, the Sun will be towards the west-northwest, at about 286° of azimuth, and around 4° above the horizon. At such a low altitude, the inland relief towards the west can get in the way. An elevated spot, such as the area around the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, offers a clearer view.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Alicante
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:40 UTC | 19:40 | +14.4° | 277.7° |
| Maximum | 18:34 UTC | 20:34 | +4.0° | 285.8° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:25 UTC | 21:25 | -5.0° | 293.8° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (293.8°)
Azimuth at C4
293.8° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-4.96°
Terrain horizon
1.60°
Sun−terrain margin
+2.44°
What the contact points (C1-C4) mean
A solar eclipse is described by four key moments, the contact points between the discs of the Sun and the Moon:
- C1First contact: the Moon touches the edge of the Sun and the partial eclipse begins.
- C2Second contact: the Moon fully covers the Sun and totality begins.
- C3Third contact: the Sun reappears and totality ends.
- C4Fourth contact: the Moon leaves the Sun's disc and the eclipse ends.
Where the eclipse is only partial, the Moon never fully covers the Sun: only C1 and C4 occur, with no totality in between.
Peaks near Alicante
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| el Maigmó | 1296 m | 21.8 km | 323° NW |
| Alt de Guisop | 1249 m | 23.9 km | 321° NW |
| Penya Migjorn | 1226 m | 21.7 km | 346° NNW |
| Cabeçó d'Or | 1210 m | 21.6 km | 20° NNE |
| Maigmonet | 1182 m | 22.3 km | 323° NW |
| Penya de l'Home | 1138 m | 22.8 km | 18° NNE |
| Alt de la Xumenera | 1132.82 m | 23.6 km | 320° NW |
| CidIn the Sun's direction | 1104 m | 24.0 km | 300° WNW |
Weather in Alicante in August
Avg. temp.
26.5°C
Max / min
31.1° / 21.8°
Precipitation
13.4 mm
Storm risk
Medium
Station ALACANT/ALICANTE, 3 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
1%
Median cloud cover
2%
P75 — cloudier days
3%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Alicante
- Last total eclipseMay 28, 1900126 years ago
- Last annular eclipseOctober 3, 200521 years ago
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Alicante
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Alicante?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 99% covered at maximum from Alicante.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Alicante?
Maximum occurs at 20:34 local time (18:34 UTC) in Alicante.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Alicante?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 4° above the horizon at maximum from Alicante.
Is Alicante a good place to watch the eclipse?
Alicante is a good option (score 70/100): all eclipse phases are visible, though not the regional optimum.
Do I need special glasses to watch the eclipse?
Yes, you need ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses during every partial phase. Regular sunglasses do NOT protect. Glasses can only be removed during the totality phase (when the Sun is fully covered); never during annular or partial eclipses. Pages flagged "visible" assume a clear horizon, not a viewing recommendation.
Nearby cities
All cities in Valencian Community →Where to stay in Alicante
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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