Estepona
36.428°, -5.146° · 69 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 94% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 4.53° at peak.
60/100Good
94%
Partial eclipse · 94% obscuration
See the eclipse from Estepona minute by minute
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Photo: kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Estepona
Estepona is a coastal municipality in the province of Málaga, in the western part of Andalusia's Costa del Sol. With a population of around 67,000 and an altitude of 69 metres above sea level, the locality stretches along the Mediterranean shore, near the Strait of Gibraltar. Its position at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula gives it a mild and bright climate, with low rainfall throughout the year.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Estepona will experience a partial solar eclipse. Maximum will occur at approximately 20:38 local time, when the Sun will be just 6.3° above the horizon, very close to sunset. With an azimuth of 284°, it will be slightly north of due west. The clearance above the terrain horizon is 4.5°, so it is advisable to seek a location with a clear horizon towards the west-northwest.
The weather in August
August in Estepona stands out for its dryness: AEMET's climate series (1991–2020) records an average precipitation of just 1 mm throughout the month. The risk of storms is low, which favours a high probability of clear skies during the eclipse. The proximity to the Mediterranean Sea moderates temperatures in the late afternoon, making the evening of 12 August a climatologically favourable moment for observation.
Past eclipses
The last total solar eclipse observed from Estepona took place on 22 December 1870, 156 years ago, with totality lasting approximately 2 minutes and 14 seconds. Following the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, the next notable phenomenon for this area will be an annular eclipse on 13 July 2075, with an obscuration of 87.2% of the solar disc and an annular duration of approximately 3 minutes and 19 seconds.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, the Sun will be in the west-northwest direction, with an azimuth of 284° and an altitude of 6.3° above the horizon. This very low position requires a horizon free from obstructions—buildings, woodland or hills—in that direction. Orienting yourself beforehand towards the point where the Sun will set allows you to identify the exact angle of observation and prepare your position with adequate time.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Estepona
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:43 UTC | 19:43 | +17.1° | 276.1° |
| Maximum | 18:38 UTC | 20:38 | +6.3° | 283.9° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:30 UTC | 21:30 | -3.2° | 291.5° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (291.5°)
Azimuth at C4
291.5° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-3.15°
Terrain horizon
1.73°
Sun−terrain margin
+4.53°
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 Estepona
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encinetas | 1473 m | 19.6 km | 25° NNE |
| Reales | 1440 m | 8.5 km | 319° NW |
| Las Cascajeras | 1416 m | 24.0 km | 15° NNE |
| Alto Castillejo de los Negros | 1375 m | 18.6 km | 29° NNE |
| Peñón del Robledal | 1374 m | 24.0 km | 18° NNE |
| La Concha | 1215 m | 24.0 km | 55° NE |
| La Concha | 1215 m | 24.1 km | 55° NE |
| Jardón | 1158 m | 17.9 km | 356° N |
Weather in Estepona in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
0%
P75 — cloudier days
7%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Estepona
- Last total eclipseDecember 22, 1870156 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 Estepona
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Estepona?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 94% covered at maximum from Estepona.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Estepona?
Maximum occurs at 20:38 local time (18:38 UTC) in Estepona.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Estepona?
Look WNW (azimuth 284°); the Sun will be 6° above the horizon at maximum from Estepona.
Is Estepona a good place to watch the eclipse?
Estepona is a good option (score 60/100): all eclipse phases are visible, though not the regional optimum.
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 Andalusia →Where to stay in Estepona
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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