Gandia
38.967°, -0.183° · 34 m a.s.l.
Marginal
Partial eclipse · 99.9% obscuration
Marginal: only 0.14° between the Sun and the local skyline at peak.
40/100Marginal
99.9%
Partial eclipse · 99.9% obscuration
See the eclipse from Gandia minute by minute
Compare locations, save your plan and enable cloud alerts.
Photo: Joanbanjo · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
About Gandia
Gandia is a city in the province of Valencia, in the Valencian Community, with roughly 74,000 inhabitants. Located just meters above sea level, it sprawls across the Mediterranean coastal plain, a few kilometres from the shore. Its geographical position, between the Mondúber massif and the sea, shapes both its microclimate and its visual horizon toward the west—a relevant aspect for observing the solar eclipse of August 2026.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, Gandia will experience a partial solar eclipse. Maximum occurs at 20:33 local time, with the Sun just 4.2° above the horizon in the west-northwest direction (azimuth 286°). The margin relative to the topographic horizon is barely 0.3°, placing the event in marginal condition: any obstacle—buildings, trees, terrain—can obscure the Sun at that critical moment. It is recommended to find a spot with a clear horizon toward the west.
The weather in August
August in Gandia is marked by a dry and stable Mediterranean summer. The risk of storms is low according to AEMET climate records for the 1991–2020 period, which favors clear skies in the late afternoon hours. The proximity to the sea moderates night temperatures and can produce light coastal haze in the early hours, though typically the sky clears throughout the day.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Gandia took place on May 12, 1706, over three centuries ago, with a totality of roughly 3 minutes and 35 seconds. More recently, on October 3, 2005, an annular eclipse crossed the region with 90.4% obscuration. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027, and 2028, one must wait until July 13, 2075 for another annular eclipse to be visible from this city.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At maximum eclipse, at 20:33, the Sun will be in the west-northwest quadrant of the sky, with an azimuth of 286° and an altitude of 4.2° above the geometric horizon. At that hour, the Sun will be close to sunset, moving slowly toward the horizon. Observation will require a location with a clear view toward the west, free of obstacles in the final degrees of the horizon.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Gandia
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:39 UTC | 19:39 | +14.4° | 277.6° |
| Maximum | 18:33 UTC | 20:33 | +4.2° | 285.8° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:24 UTC | 21:24 | -4.7° | 293.9° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (293.9°)
Azimuth at C4
293.9° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-4.75°
Terrain horizon
4.32°
Sun−terrain margin
-0.14°
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 Gandia
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alt d'Alfaro | 1166 m | 24.8 km | 192° SSW |
| Alt de Benicadell | 1105 m | 24.4 km | 232° SW |
| la Capella | 1077 m | 24.5 km | 232° SW |
| Alt de la Nevera | 1032 m | 25.0 km | 233° SW |
| Cim de la Safor | 1013 m | 13.6 km | 209° SSW |
| Tossal Blanc | 972 m | 24.9 km | 206° SSW |
| Penya Blanca de la Mallada de Figuera | 954 m | 21.0 km | 176° S |
| Penya Blanca | 951 m | 13.2 km | 204° SSW |
Weather in Gandia in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
24%
Median cloud cover
36%
P75 — cloudier days
61%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Gandia
- Last total eclipseMay 12, 1706320 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 Gandia
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Gandia?
Yes, but marginally: with 99.9% obscuration, the topographic horizon from Gandia is very close to the Sun's altitude at the end.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Gandia?
Maximum occurs at 20:33 local time (18:33 UTC) in Gandia.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Gandia?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 4° above the horizon at maximum from Gandia.
Is Gandia a good place to watch the eclipse?
Gandia can see the eclipse with limitations (score 40/100): terrain, geometry, or climatology add risk. Consider moving to a higher-scored viewpoint.
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 Valencian Community →Where to stay in Gandia
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
Search lodging on Booking →Affiliate link · no extra cost to you
Embed this eclipse on your site
Generate the code to embed the eclipse widget on your hotel, town hall or blog website.
<iframe src="https://eclipses.app/embed/widget?lat=38.9667&lon=-0.1833&size=standard&theme=dark&locale=en" width="320" height="340" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" title="Eclipse 2026"></iframe>Share it to help others find out if they'll see the eclipse