Barcelona
41.389°, 2.159° · 15 m a.s.l.
Marginal
Partial eclipse · 99.8% obscuration
Marginal: only 0.04° between the Sun and the local skyline at peak.
45/100Marginal
99.8%
Partial eclipse · 99.8% obscuration
See the eclipse from Barcelona minute by minute
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Photo: dronepicr · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital of Cataluña and Spain's second city by population, with close to 1.7 million inhabitants. It spreads along the Mediterranean Sea, on a coastal plain framed by the Collserola range and bounded by the Besòs and Llobregat rivers. Its open seafront gives it a clear horizon towards the east and south.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Barcelona will witness a partial solar eclipse. The city does not fall within the path of totality, which lies further inland and to the north. The eclipse coincides with the Sun very low over the horizon: observation will depend largely on having a view free of obstacles towards the west-northwest.
The weather in August
According to AEMET data, August in Barcelona brings a low thunderstorm risk, a favourable factor for observing the eclipse. The reference station does not provide temperature or rainfall averages for this summary; even so, summer on the Mediterranean coast tends to be warm with settled skies at dusk.
Past eclipses
The last total solar eclipse visible from Barcelona was on 12 May 1706, 320 years ago. The last annular one was seen on 11 November 1901. After the eclipses of 2026 to 2028, no new totality over the city is expected within the computed horizon; the next annular eclipse will be on 13 July 2075.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At 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, any rise in the terrain or building in that direction can hide the Sun. It is worth finding an elevated spot with the west completely clear.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Barcelona
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:34 UTC | 19:34 | +13.8° | 277.8° |
| Maximum | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +3.9° | 286.5° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:20 UTC | 21:20 | -4.6° | 294.9° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (294.9°)
Azimuth at C4
294.9° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-4.59°
Terrain horizon
3.99°
Sun−terrain margin
-0.04°
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 Barcelona
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montau | 658 m | 23.4 km | 258° WSW |
| Puig d'Agulles | 652.9 m | 23.0 km | 275° W |
| el Montcau | 645.8 m | 24.6 km | 276° W |
| Roc de Forellac | 628.9 m | 23.4 km | 276° W |
| Puig Saiada | 621 m | 22.3 km | 259° W |
| Puig de l'Osca | 614.9 m | 22.5 km | 268° W |
| Puig Bernat | 612 m | 23.2 km | 266° W |
| Pujol de Migjorn | 600.6 m | 23.0 km | 280° W |
Weather in Barcelona in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
4%
Median cloud cover
8%
P75 — cloudier days
64%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Barcelona
- Last total eclipseMay 12, 1706320 years ago
- Last annular eclipseNovember 11, 1901125 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 Barcelona
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Barcelona?
Yes, but marginally: with 99.8% obscuration, the topographic horizon from Barcelona is very close to the Sun's altitude at the end.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Barcelona?
Maximum occurs at 20:29 local time (18:29 UTC) in Barcelona.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Barcelona?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 4° above the horizon at maximum from Barcelona.
Is Barcelona a good place to watch the eclipse?
Barcelona can see the eclipse with limitations (score 45/100): terrain, geometry, or climatology add risk. Consider moving to a higher-scored viewpoint.
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 Catalonia →Where to stay in Barcelona
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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<iframe src="https://eclipses.app/embed/widget?lat=41.3888&lon=2.1590&size=standard&theme=dark&locale=en" width="320" height="340" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" title="Eclipse 2026"></iframe>Share it to help others find out if they'll see the eclipse