Benalmádena
36.596°, -4.573° · 240 m a.s.l.
Hidden by terrain
Partial eclipse · 94% obscuration
Local terrain rises 10.82° above the Sun at peak.
35/100Poor
94%
Partial eclipse · 94% obscuration
See the eclipse from Benalmádena minute by minute
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Photo: Thomas Dahlstrøm Nielsen · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Benalmádena
Benalmádena is a municipality in the province of Málaga, in Andalusia, with approximately 58,900 inhabitants and a mean altitude of 240 metres above sea level. It stretches from the foothills of the Sierra de Mijas to the Mediterranean coast, which gives it notable landscape diversity across a relatively compact territory. Its location on the western shore of the Costa del Sol makes it a habitual reference point for Andalusian tourism.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Benalmádena will lie outside the totality band: the eclipse will be partial from this locality. The moment of maximum obscuration will occur at 20:38, when the Sun will already be below the local topographic horizon, with an altitude of barely 5.9° above the geometric horizon but a negative margin of 9.6° relative to the terrain. In practice, the Sierra de Mijas ridge will block the view of the phenomenon at that moment.
The weather in August
August in Benalmádena is characterised by a low storm risk, typical of the Mediterranean coastal climate of the Málaga shoreline. Marine influence moderates summer temperatures and reduces the convective instability that can affect inland Andalusia. Although temperature and precipitation data from the reference AEMET station are not currently available, the climatic pattern of the area is consistent with predominantly clear skies throughout the day.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Benalmádena occurred on 22 December 1870, 156 years ago, with a totality of approximately two minutes and seven seconds. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, one will have to wait until 13 July 2075 to witness an annular eclipse from this municipality. The following total eclipse will not arrive until 20 June 2327, with a slightly longer totality of three minutes and twenty-four seconds.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, at 20:38, the Sun will be at an azimuth of 284°, that is, almost west-northwest, slightly displaced towards the north from due west. Its altitude above the geometric horizon will be as little as 5.9°, which is roughly equivalent to the width of an outstretched hand at arm's length. This grazing position, combined with the orography of the Sierra de Mijas to the northwest, explains why the terrain blocks the Sun at that moment.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Benalmádena
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:43 UTC | 19:43 | +16.7° | 276.3° |
| Maximum | 18:38 UTC | 20:38 | +5.9° | 284.1° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:29 UTC | 21:29 | -3.4° | 291.8° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (291.8°)
Azimuth at C4
291.8° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-3.43°
Terrain horizon
16.76°
Sun−terrain margin
-10.82°
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 Benalmádena
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pico MijasIn the Sun's direction | 1150 m | 8.0 km | 284° WNW |
| Pico MendozaIn the Sun's direction | 1045 m | 6.6 km | 286° WNW |
| Castillejos | 1040 m | 21.2 km | 269° W |
| Cerro del Águila | 1010 m | 18.9 km | 270° W |
| Monte Calamorro | 770 m | 2.5 km | 24° NNE |
| Cerro Guerrero | 681 m | 2.1 km | 9° N |
| Cerro Toro | 651 m | 16.5 km | 269° W |
| Jabalcúzar | 609 m | 6.3 km | 29° NNE |
Weather in Benalmádena in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
0%
P75 — cloudier days
5%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Benalmádena
- Last total eclipseDecember 22, 1870156 years ago
- Next total eclipseJune 20, 2327
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Benalmádena
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Benalmádena?
Geometrically yes (94% obscuration) but the local terrain blocks the Sun before the eclipse ends from Benalmádena.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Benalmádena?
Maximum occurs at 20:38 local time (18:38 UTC) in Benalmádena.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Benalmádena?
Look WNW (azimuth 284°); the Sun will be 6° above the horizon at maximum from Benalmádena.
Is Benalmádena a good place to watch the eclipse?
Benalmádena is not the best choice: local terrain blocks the Sun before the eclipse ends. Consider a nearby viewpoint with a clear horizon.
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
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