Collado-Villalba
40.635°, -4.005° · 884 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 5.36° 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 Collado-Villalba minute by minute
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Photo: Zarateman · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Collado-Villalba
Collado-Villalba is a municipality in the northwestern highlands of the Madrid region, nestled on the southern slope of the Guadarrama range at 884 meters elevation. Home to more than 63,000 residents, it sits at the heart of the Guadarrama corridor and acts as a communications hub between Madrid city and the surrounding mountains. Its elevated location, insulated from urban thermal inversion effects, provides favorable observing conditions when the skies clear.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, Collado-Villalba lies within the path of totality. Maximum occurs at 20:31 local time, with the Sun just 7.6° above the horizon and a clearance of 5.3° with respect to the terrain. The low solar altitude demands an unobstructed western horizon: any obstacle—trees, buildings, or the mountain slopes themselves—can block the view. It is advisable to find an elevated location with open ground facing west.
The weather in August
August is the driest month of the year in the Madrid mountains, and Collado-Villalba is no exception. The risk of lightning storms in August is low, which improves the chances of clear skies on eclipse day. The altitude moderates temperatures compared to the plains below, making afternoons milder than in the capital. The reference AEMET station is 3268C.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Collado-Villalba dates back to July 8, 1842—184 years ago—with a duration of just over one minute. In October 2005, an annular eclipse covered 90% of the solar disk for about four minutes. After the 2026–2028 cycle, the next significant annular eclipse will not arrive until December 8, 2113.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, the Sun stands at 7.6° altitude, oriented toward the west-northwest, with an azimuth of 283°. This position roughly corresponds to the direction in which the Sun sets around the summer solstice. The low angle causes raking light to cast long shadows and gives the landscape an unusual atmosphere during totality.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Collado-Villalba
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:36 UTC | 19:36 | +18.0° | 274.3° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:31 UTC | 20:31 | +7.7° | 283.0° |
| Maximum | 18:31 UTC | 20:31 | +7.7° | 283.0° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:32 UTC | 20:32 | +7.6° | 283.1° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:24 UTC | 21:24 | -1.3° | 291.4° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (291.4°)
Azimuth at C4
291.4° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-1.28°
Terrain horizon
2.25°
Sun−terrain margin
+5.36°
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 Collado-Villalba
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peñalara | 2428 m | 24.3 km | 10° N |
| Risco de los Claveles | 2387 m | 24.9 km | 10° N |
| Cabeza de Hierro Mayor | 2383 m | 19.3 km | 18° NNE |
| Cabeza de Hierro Menor | 2376 m | 18.8 km | 17° NNE |
| Hermana Mayor | 2284 m | 23.1 km | 9° N |
| Cerro de Valdemartín | 2282 m | 17.9 km | 11° NNE |
| Hermana Menor | 2269 m | 22.4 km | 8° N |
| Alto de las Guarramillas (Bola del Mundo) | 2265 m | 16.8 km | 7° N |
Weather in Collado-Villalba in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
14%
Median cloud cover
37%
P75 — cloudier days
71%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Collado-Villalba
- Last total eclipseJuly 8, 1842184 years ago
- Last annular eclipseOctober 3, 200521 years ago
- Next annular eclipseDecember 8, 2113
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Collado-Villalba
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Collado-Villalba?
Yes — Collado-Villalba is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Collado-Villalba?
Maximum occurs at 20:31 local time (18:31 UTC) in Collado-Villalba.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Collado-Villalba?
Look WNW (azimuth 283°); the Sun will be 8° above the horizon at maximum from Collado-Villalba.
How long does totality last in Collado-Villalba?
Totality lasts 0 min 26 s in Collado-Villalba (C2 to C3).
Is Collado-Villalba a good place to watch the eclipse?
Collado-Villalba 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
fuencarral el pardo
28 kmfuencarral
31 kmmoncloa aravaca
32 kmalcobendas
32 kmtetuan de las victorias
32 kmWhere to stay in Collado-Villalba
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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