Ávila
40.657°, -4.700° · 1127 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 99.8% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 7.01° at peak.
70/100Good
99.8%
Partial eclipse · 99.8% obscuration
See the eclipse from Ávila minute by minute
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Photo: Anual · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Ávila
Ávila is the capital of its namesake province in the Castile and León autonomous community. With nearly 58,000 inhabitants, it sits on the Castilian plateau at 1,127 meters of altitude, placing it among Spain's highest provincial capitals. Its position in the interior of the central plateau gives it a marked continental climate, with warm summers and clear skies frequently occurring during August.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, Ávila will witness a partial solar eclipse whose maximum will occur at 20:31 local time. At that moment, the Sun will be just 8.1° above the horizon in the west-northwest direction (azimuth 283°), with a margin of 7° relative to the actual topographic horizon. The Sun's low position requires a clear horizon toward the west; any obstacle in that direction could hinder observation of the maximum.
The weather in August
According to AEMET data for the 1991-2020 period, August in Ávila presents a low thunderstorm risk, which favors days with stable skies. The city's altitude—over 1,100 meters—moderates summer temperatures compared to other interior capitals on the peninsula. Overall, August's weather conditions are favorable for observation, though it is wise to check the weather forecast in the days before the eclipse.
Past eclipses
The last annular eclipse visible from Ávila took place on October 3, 2005, 21 years ago, with an obscuration of 90.2% of the solar disk. No record exists of a previous total eclipse for this location. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027, and 2028, one must wait until December 8, 2113 for another annular eclipse to cross Ávila's sky.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum, at 20:31, the Sun will be in the west-northwest direction with an azimuth of 283° and an altitude of 8.1° above the horizon. This grazing position, typical of late afternoon in August, casts warm and oblique light. To observe the eclipse properly, it is essential to face northwest and have a clear horizon free from buildings, trees, or other obstructions in that direction.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Ávila
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:36 UTC | 19:36 | +18.6° | 273.9° |
| Maximum | 18:32 UTC | 20:32 | +8.1° | 282.6° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:24 UTC | 21:24 | -0.8° | 291.0° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (291.0°)
Azimuth at C4
291.0° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-0.83°
Terrain horizon
1.14°
Sun−terrain margin
+7.01°
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 Ávila
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pico Zapatero | 2158 m | 23.3 km | 218° SW |
| Cancha Morena | 2122 m | 23.1 km | 217° SW |
| Risco del Sol | 2113 m | 22.7 km | 217° SW |
| Risco Redondo | 2054 m | 24.1 km | 219° SW |
| Peña Cabrera | 1997 m | 22.0 km | 211° SSW |
| Peña Negrilla | 1763 m | 19.8 km | 212° SSW |
| Cerro de Gorría | 1725.6 m | 24.1 km | 270° W |
| Risco Descolgadero | 1679 m | 20.5 km | 200° SSW |
Weather in Ávila in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
34%
P75 — cloudier days
78%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Ávila
- Last annular eclipseOctober 3, 200521 years ago
- Next annular eclipseDecember 8, 2113
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Ávila
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Ávila?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 99.8% covered at maximum from Ávila.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Ávila?
Maximum occurs at 20:32 local time (18:32 UTC) in Ávila.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Ávila?
Look WNW (azimuth 283°); the Sun will be 8° above the horizon at maximum from Ávila.
Is Ávila a good place to watch the eclipse?
Ávila 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 Castile and León →Where to stay in Ávila
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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