Benidorm
38.538°, -0.131° · 30 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 99.5% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 2.00° at peak.
60/100Good
99.5%
Partial eclipse · 99.5% obscuration
See the eclipse from Benidorm minute by minute
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Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Benidorm
Benidorm is a coastal municipality in the province of Alicante, in the Valencian Community, with just over 70,000 inhabitants and barely 30 meters above sea level. It sits in Marina Baixa, between two bays separated by a rocky headland, with direct access to the Mediterranean. The city combines a compact historic core with a highly developed coastline, making it one of the most visited Mediterranean destinations on the Spanish east coast.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, Benidorm will experience a partial solar eclipse with the Sun grazing the western horizon. Maximum eclipse occurs at 20:34 h, when the Sun is barely 3.9° above the horizon with an azimuth of 286°, almost due west-northwest. With only 2° of clearance above the topographic horizon, any obstruction in that direction—tall buildings, hills, or low clouds—could interfere with viewing. It is recommended to find a position with an open horizon toward the west.
The weather in August
In August, Benidorm enjoys typical Mediterranean conditions: the risk of thunderstorms is low, favoring clear afternoons. Historical records from the AEMET station 8036Y, covering the period 1991–2020, reflect the stability characteristic of Levantine summers. The climate pattern of the area indicates warm, dry summers with sparse cloud cover—ideal conditions for observing the phenomenon on days without isolated convective episodes.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Benidorm dates back to May 12, 1706, 320 years ago, lasting almost 3 minutes. More recent is the annular eclipse of October 3, 2005, 21 years ago, which covered more than 90% of the solar disk and lasted just under 4 minutes. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027, and 2028, the next annular eclipse visible from here won't occur until July 13, 2075.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At maximum eclipse on August 12, 2026 at 20:34 h, the Sun is 3.9° above the horizon with an azimuth of 286°, almost due west-northwest. This direction corresponds to the open sea view from most points in the city. The Sun will be very close to sunset, so the light will be grazing and the atmosphere will take on warm tones during the phenomenon.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Benidorm
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:39 UTC | 19:39 | +14.2° | 277.9° |
| Maximum | 18:34 UTC | 20:34 | +3.9° | 286.0° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:25 UTC | 21:25 | -5.1° | 294.0° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (294.0°)
Azimuth at C4
294.0° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-5.06°
Terrain horizon
1.91°
Sun−terrain margin
+2.00°
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 Benidorm
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aitana | 1559.4 m | 17.1 km | 317° NW |
| Aitana Oriental | 1549 m | 16.8 km | 318° NW |
| Penya Alta | 1504 m | 16.0 km | 321° NW |
| Moleta d’Aitana | 1466 m | 19.7 km | 312° NW |
| Alt de Tagarina | 1434 m | 15.6 km | 323° NW |
| el Puigcampana | 1408 m | 8.5 km | 321° NW |
| Pla de la Casa | 1385 m | 23.4 km | 328° NNW |
| la Mallada del Llop | 1361 m | 22.0 km | 334° NNW |
Weather in Benidorm in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
1%
Median cloud cover
4%
P75 — cloudier days
8%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Benidorm
- Last total eclipseMay 12, 1706320 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 Benidorm
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Benidorm?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 99.5% covered at maximum from Benidorm.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Benidorm?
Maximum occurs at 20:34 local time (18:34 UTC) in Benidorm.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Benidorm?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 4° above the horizon at maximum from Benidorm.
Is Benidorm a good place to watch the eclipse?
Benidorm is a good option (score 60/100): 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 Benidorm
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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<iframe src="https://eclipses.app/embed/widget?lat=38.5382&lon=-0.1310&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