Nerja
36.753°, -3.874° · 51 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 95% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 4.01° at peak.
60/100Good
95%
Partial eclipse · 95% obscuration
See the eclipse from Nerja minute by minute
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Photo: kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Nerja
Nerja is a coastal municipality in the province of Málaga, in Andalusia, situated 51 meters above sea level in the easternmost stretch of the Costa del Sol. With just over 21,800 inhabitants, the town extends across a front of cliffs and coves descending to the Mediterranean Sea. Between the Almijara mountain range and the coastline, Nerja enjoys a broad marine horizon especially toward the south and west, a notable advantage for astronomical observations in the evening.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, Nerja will witness a partial solar eclipse. Maximum obscuration will occur at 20:37 local time, with the Moon covering a notable fraction of the solar disk. At that instant the Sun will be very low on the horizon, at barely 5.5 degrees altitude, so a clear line of sight toward the west-northwest will be essential. The celestial body will exceed the topographic horizon by 4.1 degrees, meaning that from unobstructed locations the eclipse will be perfectly visible.
The weather in August
According to AEMET climate data for the period 1991-2020, August in Nerja is warm and very dry. The average monthly temperature is around 26°C, with highs close to 30°C and overnight lows around 22°C. August precipitation averages just 2.3 mm, and the risk of storms is low. All of this suggests that mid-August afternoons offer, in statistical terms, favorable conditions for sky observation in the time window when the eclipse will take place.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Nerja took place on December 22, 1870, some 156 years ago, with totality lasting approximately 95 seconds. After the 2026 eclipse and those following through 2028, the next opportunity to see an annular eclipse from here will come on July 13, 2075, while we will have to wait until June 20, 2327 for a total eclipse to once again completely darken the Sun over Nerja. The August 2026 event is, in that context, a generational occurrence.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At maximum, at 20:37, the Sun will occupy the west-northwest direction, with an azimuth of 284 degrees and an altitude of only 5.5 degrees above the horizon. That position corresponds to looking toward sunset, practically at the threshold of the marine horizon's visibility. To follow the eclipse without obstruction, it is advisable to position oneself in a place with a clear view to the west, ideally in front of the sea or on a coastal promontory without buildings in that quadrant.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Nerja
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:42 UTC | 19:42 | +16.3° | 276.6° |
| Maximum | 18:38 UTC | 20:38 | +5.5° | 284.5° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:29 UTC | 21:29 | -3.8° | 292.1° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (292.1°)
Azimuth at C4
292.1° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-3.79°
Terrain horizon
1.51°
Sun−terrain margin
+4.01°
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 Nerja
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cima de Tejeda | 2069 m | 22.3 km | 319° NW |
| Maroma | 2069 m | 22.6 km | 318° NW |
| Cerro del Sol | 2068 m | 22.2 km | 320° NW |
| Mojón de tres Términos | 2065 m | 22.5 km | 318° NW |
| Cerro Tacita de Plata | 1893 m | 21.3 km | 321° NW |
| Cerro del Selladero | 1836 m | 23.5 km | 321° NW |
| Navachica | 1831 m | 11.2 km | 28° NNE |
| Cerro del Tojo Fuerte | 1830 m | 24.4 km | 317° NW |
Weather in Nerja in August
Avg. temp.
26°C
Max / min
29.9° / 22.1°
Precipitation
2.3 mm
Storm risk
Low
Station NERJA, 3 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
0%
P75 — cloudier days
1%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Nerja
- Last total eclipseDecember 22, 1870156 years ago
- Next total eclipseJune 20, 2327
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Nerja
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Nerja?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 95% covered at maximum from Nerja.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Nerja?
Maximum occurs at 20:38 local time (18:38 UTC) in Nerja.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Nerja?
Look WNW (azimuth 284°); the Sun will be 6° above the horizon at maximum from Nerja.
Is Nerja a good place to watch the eclipse?
Nerja 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 Nerja
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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