Castelló de la Plana
39.986°, -0.049° · 30 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 2.66° at C3.
95/100Excellent
100%
You'll see full totality, but the Sun will set before the partial phase ends — an unusually epic finale.
Total eclipse · 100% obscuration
See the eclipse from Castelló de la Plana minute by minute
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Photo: Martin Cox from Benicasim, España · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Castelló de la Plana
Castelló de la Plana is the capital of the province of Castellón, in the Valencia Community, with around 172,000 inhabitants. Located just 30 meters above sea level, the city sits on the coastal plain that bears its name, between the Mediterranean shoreline and the foothills of the interior. Founded in 1251, it is an administrative and commercial hub with direct access to the sea through the port of Grau.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, Castelló de la Plana will lie within the path of totality. At maximum eclipse, expected at 20:31 local time, the Sun will stand just 4.5° above the horizon—equivalent to the width of three fingers at arm's length. The margin above the topographic horizon is 2.7°, so a location with a clear horizon to the west-southwest is critical to catch the moment of the corona.
The weather in August
In August, Castelló de la Plana experiences a low thunderstorm risk according to AEMET records, favoring days of predominantly clear skies. Proximity to the Mediterranean moderates temperatures compared to inland Valencia and brings the characteristic humidity of the coast. The city's summer climate pattern is typically Mediterranean: sparse precipitation and frequently clear skies.
Past eclipses
The last total solar eclipse visible from Castelló de la Plana occurred on August 30, 1905, 121 years ago, with totality lasting approximately 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Before that, the city witnessed an annular eclipse on November 11, 1901. After the eclipses of 2026 and 2028, the next annular eclipse to cross this region will not occur until July 2075.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At maximum eclipse, at 20:31, the Sun will be at azimuth 286°, practically west-northwest—slightly north of due west. With an altitude of 4.5° above the geometric horizon, the solar disk will be very close to the landscape profile. To observe totality, it is advisable to find a location with a clear horizon in that direction, unobstructed by buildings, trees, or elevations that might block the view.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Castelló de la Plana
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:37 UTC | 19:37 | +14.8° | 277.2° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:31 UTC | 20:31 | +4.8° | 285.5° |
| Maximum | 18:31 UTC | 20:31 | +4.6° | 285.6° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:32 UTC | 20:32 | +4.5° | 285.7° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:23 UTC | 21:23 | -4.2° | 293.9° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (293.9°)
Azimuth at C4
293.9° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-4.17°
Terrain horizon
1.83°
Sun−terrain margin
+2.66°
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 Castelló de la Plana
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tossal de Gossalbo | 870 m | 24.6 km | 322° NW |
| Tossal del PerroIn the Sun's direction | 857 m | 24.2 km | 305° NW |
| la Nevera | 853 m | 24.9 km | 236° SW |
| Tossal del Rouret | 848 m | 24.8 km | 320° NW |
| Tossal de la Cova PedrissaIn the Sun's direction | 838 m | 24.5 km | 305° NW |
| Tossal dels FossinosIn the Sun's direction | 836.25 m | 23.9 km | 306° NW |
| el Cuquello | 802 m | 24.2 km | 236° SW |
| Tossal Redó | 799 m | 24.2 km | 324° NW |
Weather in Castelló de la Plana in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
16%
Median cloud cover
24%
P75 — cloudier days
100%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Castelló de la Plana
- Last total eclipseAugust 30, 1905121 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 Castelló de la Plana
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Castelló de la Plana?
Yes — Castelló de la Plana is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Castelló de la Plana?
Maximum occurs at 20:31 local time (18:31 UTC) in Castelló de la Plana.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Castelló de la Plana?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 5° above the horizon at maximum from Castelló de la Plana.
How long does totality last in Castelló de la Plana?
Totality lasts 1 min 37 s in Castelló de la Plana (C2 to C3).
Is Castelló de la Plana a good place to watch the eclipse?
Castelló de la Plana 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 Valencian Community →Where to stay in Castelló de la Plana
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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