Bilbao
43.263°, -2.925° · 20 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 6.40° at C3.
90/100Excellent
100%
You'll see full totality. C3 — the end of totality — is visible above the horizon.
Total eclipse · 100% obscuration
See the eclipse from Bilbao minute by minute
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Photo: Tommie Hansen · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Bilbao
Bilbao, capital of the historic Bizkaia region, lies in the Basque Country just meters above sea level. With a population of over 347,000 inhabitants, the city spreads along the left bank of the ría in a region characterized by oceanic climate. Its coastal location in northern Spain makes it a privileged observatory for astronomical phenomena.
For this eclipse
The total eclipse of August 12, 2026 reaches maximum in Bilbao at 20:27 local time. The Sun is positioned in the west-northwest at an azimuth of 283 degrees, with an altitude of 8.2 degrees above the horizon. This relatively low position requires attention to the western horizon to observe the phenomenon completely without obstruction.
The weather in August
August in Bilbao reflects the temperate character of the Basque Country. Average temperature hovers around 21.2 degrees Celsius, with highs of 26.3 degrees and lows of 16.1. The precipitation typical of the region averages 52.7 millimeters during August. Storm risk is moderate and clear sky visibility reaches 44 percent.
Past eclipses
Bilbao witnessed its last total eclipse 166 years ago, on July 18, 1860, with a totality duration of 163 seconds. Before that, an annular eclipse was visible on April 1, 1764, over 260 years ago. After the 2026 eclipse, the next total eclipse Bilbao will see will not occur until November 17, 2180.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At maximum, the Sun moves toward the west-northwest from Bilbao, just over 8 degrees above the horizon. The apparent path follows the characteristic direction of summer afternoons at northern latitudes, slowly descending toward the western horizon. This low angle requires clear visibility of the western horizon.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Bilbao
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:31 UTC | 19:31 | +18.3° | 273.4° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:27 UTC | 20:27 | +8.3° | 282.6° |
| Maximum | 18:27 UTC | 20:27 | +8.3° | 282.7° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:27 UTC | 20:27 | +8.2° | 282.7° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:19 UTC | 21:19 | -0.3° | 291.5° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (291.5°)
Azimuth at C4
291.5° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-0.33°
Terrain horizon
1.81°
Sun−terrain margin
+6.40°
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 Bilbao
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lekanda | 1309 m | 24.2 km | 154° SSE |
| Igalirrintza | 1304.1 m | 23.9 km | 154° SSE |
| Aranobaltza | 1284 m | 23.7 km | 154° SSE |
| Oderiaga Arna | 1243.6 m | 24.5 km | 164° SSE |
| Atxausieta | 1211 m | 24.5 km | 155° SSE |
| Uresartutendan atxa | 1188 m | 24.9 km | 157° SSE |
| Asparreta | 1185 m | 23.1 km | 155° SSE |
| Arteta | 1173 m | 24.6 km | 155° SSE |
Weather in Bilbao in August
Avg. temp.
21.2°C
Max / min
26.3° / 16.1°
Precipitation
52.7 mm
Storm risk
Medium
Station BILBAO AEROPUERTO, 4 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
8%
P75 — cloudier days
100%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Bilbao
- Last total eclipseJuly 18, 1860166 years ago
- Last annular eclipseApril 1, 1764262 years ago
- Next total eclipseNovember 17, 2180
- Next annular eclipseFebruary 27, 2082
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Bilbao
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Bilbao?
Yes — Bilbao is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Bilbao?
Maximum occurs at 20:27 local time (18:27 UTC) in Bilbao.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Bilbao?
Look WNW (azimuth 283°); the Sun will be 8° above the horizon at maximum from Bilbao.
How long does totality last in Bilbao?
Totality lasts 0 min 35 s in Bilbao (C2 to C3).
Is Bilbao a good place to watch the eclipse?
Bilbao will see totality (C2-C3) very close to the western horizon. The partial end (C4) falls below the horizon: you need a clear western view for an epic experience.
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 Basque Country →Where to stay in Bilbao
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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