El Vendrell
41.217°, 1.533° · 41 m a.s.l.
Marginal
Marginal: only 0.42° between the Sun and the local skyline at C3.
75/100Very good
100%
Total eclipse · 100% obscuration
See the eclipse from El Vendrell minute by minute
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Photo: Yearofthedragon · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About El Vendrell
El Vendrell is a municipality in the province of Tarragona, in Catalonia, with approximately 35,800 inhabitants. Located at 41 metres above sea level, it occupies the coastal sector of southern Catalonia, in a zone with gentle terrain characteristic of towns along the Tarragona coast. Its low altitude and proximity to the Mediterranean coast create a geographic setting with relatively open horizons, a condition of great relevance for outdoor astronomical observation.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, El Vendrell sits within the path of totality of the solar eclipse. However, the verdict is marginal: at the moment of third contact—the end of totality—the Sun will reach a height of just 4.2 degrees above the horizon, with a margin of barely 0.1 degrees relative to local terrain. To witness totality, you need a completely clear line of sight toward the west-northwest. Any obstruction in that direction can prevent observation.
The weather in August
According to records from the AEMET station 0066X for the period 1991–2020, August shows a low risk of storms in El Vendrell. This is favourable for those planning to observe the eclipse. Sky conditions during the twilight hours of August 12 will be the decisive factor, since the Sun will reach its most critical point relative to the horizon precisely at sunset. It is advisable to check the weather forecast in the days leading up to the eclipse to fine-tune your planning.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from El Vendrell occurred on May 12, 1706, more than three centuries ago, with a totality phase of almost four minutes. The most recent annular eclipse took place on November 11, 1901. Following the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, the next annular eclipse will not be visible until July 13, 2075, and the next total eclipse until November 17, 2180.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, expected at 8:29 p.m. local time on August 12, 2026, the Sun will be in the west-northwest direction, with an azimuth of 286 degrees. Its height above the horizon will be just 4.2 degrees—about four fingers wide at arm's length. The Sun will be close to setting, making the line of sight toward the west-northwest the decisive factor for observing totality from El Vendrell.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in El Vendrell
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:35 UTC | 19:35 | +14.1° | 277.5° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +4.3° | 286.1° |
| Maximum | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +4.3° | 286.1° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +4.2° | 286.2° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:20 UTC | 21:20 | -4.3° | 294.6° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (294.6°)
Azimuth at C4
294.6° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-4.33°
Terrain horizon
3.78°
Sun−terrain margin
+0.42°
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 El Vendrell
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puig de Formigosa | 1002 m | 24.0 km | 342° NNW |
| Montagut | 963 m | 23.1 km | 336° NNW |
| Puig de Solanes | 913.9 m | 24.5 km | 353° N |
| la Creu de la Costa | 908.1 m | 24.6 km | 345° NNW |
| Puig d'en Rovira | 904.2 m | 23.9 km | 335° NNW |
| Puig de les Basses | 884.6 m | 23.3 km | 332° NNW |
| Puig de la Talaia | 861.3 m | 14.4 km | 337° NNW |
| Turó de Mas d'en Bosc | 851.1 m | 19.4 km | 338° NNW |
Weather in El Vendrell in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
5%
Median cloud cover
14%
P75 — cloudier days
48%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from El Vendrell
- Last total eclipseMay 12, 1706320 years ago
- 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 El Vendrell
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from El Vendrell?
Yes, but marginally: with 100% obscuration, the topographic horizon from El Vendrell is very close to the Sun's altitude at the end.
What time is the eclipse maximum in El Vendrell?
Maximum occurs at 20:29 local time (18:29 UTC) in El Vendrell.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from El Vendrell?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 4° above the horizon at maximum from El Vendrell.
How long does totality last in El Vendrell?
Totality lasts 0 min 38 s in El Vendrell (C2 to C3).
Is El Vendrell a good place to watch the eclipse?
El Vendrell 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 Catalonia →Where to stay in El Vendrell
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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