Cuenca
40.067°, -2.133° · 941 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 5.63° 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 Cuenca minute by minute
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Photo: Tomás Fano · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Cuenca
Cuenca is the capital of its namesake province in Castilla-La Mancha, situated at 941 metres above sea level where the Júcar and Huécar rivers converge. Home to just under 55,000 people, it occupies a distinctive location within the Cuenca highlands where the rugged karst landscape shapes the terrain. Its inland peninsular position gives it a pronounced continental climate marked by warm summers and cool nights.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Cuenca lies within the path of totality of the solar eclipse. At 20:32 local time, the Sun reaches third contact with a clear horizon: 6° of altitude and a 5.6° margin above the surrounding topography. Although the Sun will be low in the evening sky, the favourable geometry ensures that totality will be visible from the city without obstruction under normal conditions.
The weather in August
August in Cuenca records average temperatures of 23.9 °C, with highs that can exceed 31 °C and cool nights around 16 °C. The probability of clear skies stands at around 78 %, supported by some 322 hours of sunshine during the month. However, the risk of convective storms is high—a typical feature inland at this altitude—and they can develop rapidly in the afternoons. It is worth monitoring the forecast in the days leading up to the eclipse. (Data: AEMET 1991–2020)
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Cuenca occurred on 8 July 1842, 184 years ago, with a totality duration of approximately 93 seconds. More recently, on 3 October 2005, an annular eclipse covered 90.3 % of the solar disc. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, one must wait until 13 July 2075 to see another annular eclipse from this city.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, the Sun will be 6° above the horizon towards the west-northwest, with an azimuth of 284°. The Sun will descend towards the western horizon during totality, so it is advisable to position yourself at an elevated point with an unobstructed view towards the west. The low solar altitude adds visual drama to the corona, though it also requires an unobstructed line of sight in that direction.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Cuenca
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:37 UTC | 19:37 | +16.4° | 275.8° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:31 UTC | 20:31 | +6.2° | 284.3° |
| Maximum | 18:32 UTC | 20:32 | +6.1° | 284.4° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:32 UTC | 20:32 | +6.0° | 284.4° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:24 UTC | 21:24 | -2.8° | 292.6° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (292.6°)
Azimuth at C4
292.6° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-2.82°
Terrain horizon
0.35°
Sun−terrain margin
+5.63°
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 Cuenca
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabeza Gorda | 1468 m | 23.5 km | 56° NE |
| Cabeza Modorra | 1444 m | 21.9 km | 51° NE |
| Cabeza Ranchal | 1441 m | 21.2 km | 28° NNE |
| Monteagudillo | 1441 m | 24.3 km | 54° NE |
| Picón de Royo Frío | 1439 m | 23.8 km | 29° NNE |
| Puntàl de Peña Rubia | 1434 m | 22.6 km | 40° NE |
| Alto de la Hoya Riverte | 1431 m | 19.9 km | 59° ENE |
| Losares | 1389 m | 17.8 km | 340° NNW |
Weather in Cuenca in August
Avg. temp.
23.9°C
Max / min
31.5° / 16.4°
Precipitation
21.2 mm
Storm risk
High
Station CUENCA, 0 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
1%
P75 — cloudier days
19%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Cuenca
- Last total eclipseJuly 8, 1842184 years ago
- Last annular eclipseOctober 3, 200521 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 Cuenca
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Cuenca?
Yes — Cuenca is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Cuenca?
Maximum occurs at 20:32 local time (18:32 UTC) in Cuenca.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Cuenca?
Look WNW (azimuth 284°); the Sun will be 6° above the horizon at maximum from Cuenca.
How long does totality last in Cuenca?
Totality lasts 1 min 2 s in Cuenca (C2 to C3).
Is Cuenca a good place to watch the eclipse?
Cuenca 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
alcala de henares
114 kmtorrejon de ardoz
121 kmalbacete
122 kmsan blas canillejas
132 kmmoratalaz
134 kmWhere to stay in Cuenca
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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