Ciudad Real
38.986°, -3.929° · 633 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 98% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 6.41° at peak.
75/100Very good
98%
Partial eclipse · 98% obscuration
See the eclipse from Ciudad Real minute by minute
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Photo: kyezitri · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Ciudad Real
Ciudad Real, capital of the province of the same name in Castile-La Mancha, sits in the Manchegan plain at 633 metres above sea level. With some 74,700 inhabitants, it is the administrative and service hub of a region characterised by vast flat lands dedicated to vineyards and cereals. The city lies in the interior of the peninsula, far from the coast, at the heart of the southern submeseta, which gives it a continental climate with cold winters and hot, dry summers.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Ciudad Real will witness a partial solar eclipse that reaches its maximum coverage at 20:34 (local time). The Sun will be just 6.7° above the horizon at that moment, oriented towards the west with a slight inclination to the northwest (284°), with a margin of 6.4° above the topographic horizon. The eclipse will be visible from clear ground in that direction, although the proximity to the horizon requires finding an unobstructed perspective towards the west.
The weather in August
According to AEMET data for the period 1991–2020, August presents in Ciudad Real a low risk of thunderstorms, a favourable condition for eclipse observation. The position of the city on the Manchegan plain, away from maritime influence, favours clear skies during summer; August is one of the most stable months of the year on this stretch of the southern Meseta.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Ciudad Real took place on 10 July 1600, more than four centuries ago, with a duration of totality of around two minutes. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, one must wait until 13 July 2075 for the next significant annular eclipse over the city, with a coverage of 87.3 % of the solar disc.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of greatest eclipse coverage, the Sun will be at 6.7° above the horizon, pointing in the direction 284°, nearly due west with a slight deviation towards the northwest. To obtain a clear view of the phenomenon, it is advisable to find a location with an unobstructed horizon—free from buildings, trees or relief features—in that western direction, given the low altitude of the celestial body at that instant.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Ciudad Real
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:39 UTC | 19:39 | +17.3° | 275.3° |
| Maximum | 18:34 UTC | 20:34 | +6.7° | 283.7° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:26 UTC | 21:26 | -2.4° | 291.8° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (291.8°)
Azimuth at C4
291.8° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-2.36°
Terrain horizon
0.34°
Sun−terrain margin
+6.41°
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 Ciudad Real
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cerro Amarillo | 1005 m | 22.8 km | 5° N |
| Plaza de los Moros | 997 m | 22.7 km | 6° N |
| Alto de la Nava | 965 m | 23.4 km | 357° N |
| Cerro de San Pantaleón | 903 m | 22.5 km | 9° N |
| Quinto Cervera | 799 m | 23.5 km | 152° SSE |
| Cerro del Cabozo | 788 m | 24.6 km | 1° N |
| La cornudilla | 775 m | 23.2 km | 147° SSE |
| Casilla de Don Luis | 761 m | 14.3 km | 314° NW |
Weather in Ciudad Real in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
29%
Median cloud cover
29%
P75 — cloudier days
72%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Ciudad Real
- Last total eclipseJuly 10, 1600426 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 Ciudad Real
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Ciudad Real?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 98% covered at maximum from Ciudad Real.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Ciudad Real?
Maximum occurs at 20:34 local time (18:34 UTC) in Ciudad Real.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Ciudad Real?
Look WNW (azimuth 284°); the Sun will be 7° above the horizon at maximum from Ciudad Real.
Is Ciudad Real a good place to watch the eclipse?
Yes, Ciudad Real is an excellent choice (score 75/100): favorable geometry, clear horizon, and good August climatology.
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 Castilla-La Mancha →Where to stay in Ciudad Real
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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<iframe src="https://eclipses.app/embed/widget?lat=38.9863&lon=-3.9291&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