Ciutadella
40.001°, 3.841° · 22 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 1.81° at C3.
80/100Very good
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 Ciutadella minute by minute
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Photo: LANOEL · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Ciutadella
Ciutadella is the historic capital of the island of Menorca, in the Balearic Islands. With just under 30,000 inhabitants and an average altitude of 22 metres above sea level, the city lies at the western edge of the island, overlooking the Menorca Channel. Its old town, nearby coves and natural harbour make it a landmark of the Balearic archipelago, which belongs to the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Ciutadella lies within the path of totality of the solar eclipse. The Sun will reach its maximum at 20:30 local time, with the star only 2° above the horizon, in the west-northwest direction (azimuth 288°). The margin between the Sun and the topographic horizon is just 1.9°, so the choice of observation point and the absence of obstacles to the west will be crucial for witnessing totality.
The weather in August
August in Ciutadella presents favourable conditions for astronomical observation. According to AEMET data from 1991–2020, the average temperature for the month stands at 25.8 °C, with highs around 30.5 °C and lows of 21.2 °C. Average monthly precipitation is just 12.2 mm and the risk of storms at this time of year is low. Summer weather tends to be stable, with little cloud cover during the day's central hours.
Past eclipses
The last annular eclipse visible from Ciutadella took place on 11 November 1901, 125 years ago, with an obscuration of 82.3 %. There is no record of an earlier total eclipse at this location. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, one must wait until 13 July 2075 for the next annular eclipse, and until 17 November 2180 for the next total eclipse visible from here.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of totality, the Sun will be at 2° above the horizon, in the west-northwest direction (azimuth 288°). At that time—20:30—the star will be near sunset, practically at the same height as the sea horizon towards the west. To make the most of the eclipse, it is best to choose an observation point clear to the west, with no buildings, trees or relief features that might obscure the last degrees of visible sky.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Ciutadella
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:37 UTC | 19:37 | +11.9° | 279.5° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:30 UTC | 20:30 | +2.2° | 287.7° |
| Maximum | 18:30 UTC | 20:30 | +2.1° | 287.8° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:31 UTC | 20:31 | +2.0° | 287.9° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:21 UTC | 21:21 | -6.5° | 296.1° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (296.1°)
Azimuth at C4
296.1° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-6.52°
Terrain horizon
0.22°
Sun−terrain margin
+1.81°
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 Ciutadella
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Toro | 362 m | 23.2 km | 94° E |
| S'Enclusa | 275 m | 13.9 km | 93° E |
| Puig de Lanzell | 232 m | 24.1 km | 94° E |
Weather in Ciutadella in August
Avg. temp.
25.8°C
Max / min
30.5° / 21.2°
Precipitation
12.2 mm
Storm risk
Low
Station CIUTADELLA, 1 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
1%
P75 — cloudier days
14%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Ciutadella
- Last annular eclipseNovember 11, 1901125 years ago
- Next total eclipseNovember 17, 2180
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Ciutadella
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Ciutadella?
Yes — Ciutadella is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Ciutadella?
Maximum occurs at 20:30 local time (18:30 UTC) in Ciutadella.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Ciutadella?
Look WNW (azimuth 288°); the Sun will be 2° above the horizon at maximum from Ciutadella.
How long does totality last in Ciutadella?
Totality lasts 1 min 15 s in Ciutadella (C2 to C3).
Is Ciutadella a good place to watch the eclipse?
Ciutadella 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 Balearic Islands →Where to stay in Ciutadella
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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