Portugalete
43.321°, -3.021° · 49 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 4.32° at C3.
70/100Good
100%
You'll see full totality. C3 — the end of totality — is visible above the horizon.
Total eclipse · 100% obscuration
See the eclipse from Portugalete minute by minute
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Photo: Zarateman · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Portugalete
Portugalete is a municipality in Biscay located on the banks of the Nervión estuary in the Basque Country. With some 45,800 inhabitants and standing just 49 metres above sea level, it occupies the left bank of the estuary opposite Getxo. Its compact urban fabric, forged since its founding in 1322, makes the town a long-established hub of industrial and maritime history along the Cantabrian arc.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Portugalete will lie within the path of totality of the solar eclipse. Maximum will occur at 20:27, when the Sun will have descended to just 8.3° above the horizon towards the west-northwest. The margin above the topographic horizon is 5.3°, so totality will be observable; however, it is advisable to clear your line of sight towards the west to avoid nearby buildings or hills obstructing the view.
The weather in August
August in Portugalete is mild and temperate: the average temperature hovers around 19.8 °C, with highs typically not exceeding 23.3 °C and lows not falling below 16.2 °C. The average precipitation for the month reaches 44.8 mm and the risk of thunderstorms is high, which makes planning for eclipse day something that deserves careful meteorological monitoring right up to the last moment. Data: AEMET (1991–2020).
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Portugalete occurred on 18 July 1860, 166 years ago, with totality lasting 164 seconds. Before that, on 1 April 1764, the town experienced an annular eclipse with 86.9 % obscuration. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, you will have to wait until 27 February 2082 for the next annular eclipse, and until 17 November 2180 for the next total eclipse.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of eclipse maximum, the Sun will be at 8.3° altitude and point to an azimuth of 283°, that is, almost directly west-northwest. The Sun will already be descending in the evening sky towards sunset, so the available light will have that warm, low-angle glow characteristic of Cantabrian summer afternoons.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Portugalete
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:31 UTC | 19:31 | +18.4° | 273.3° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:27 UTC | 20:27 | +8.4° | 282.5° |
| Maximum | 18:27 UTC | 20:27 | +8.4° | 282.6° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:27 UTC | 20:27 | +8.3° | 282.6° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:19 UTC | 21:19 | -0.2° | 291.4° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (291.4°)
Azimuth at C4
291.4° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-0.25°
Terrain horizon
3.99°
Sun−terrain margin
+4.32°
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 Portugalete
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ganekogorta | 999.2 m | 13.6 km | 166° SSE |
| Arrabatxu | 984 m | 13.8 km | 167° SSE |
| Pagero | 963 m | 13.6 km | 170° S |
| Terreros | 911 m | 23.6 km | 234° SW |
| Gallarraga | 901 m | 13.9 km | 176° S |
| Eretza | 887 m | 10.3 km | 194° SSW |
| Kolitza | 883 m | 22.9 km | 234° SW |
| Biderdi | 877 m | 13.7 km | 160° SSE |
Weather in Portugalete in August
Avg. temp.
19.8°C
Max / min
23.3° / 16.2°
Precipitation
44.8 mm
Storm risk
High
Station PUNTA GALEA, 6 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
100%
P75 — cloudier days
100%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Portugalete
- Last total eclipseJuly 18, 1860166 years ago
- Last annular eclipseApril 1, 1764262 years ago
- Next total eclipseNovember 17, 2180
- Next annular eclipseFebruary 27, 2082
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Portugalete
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Portugalete?
Yes — Portugalete is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Portugalete?
Maximum occurs at 20:27 local time (18:27 UTC) in Portugalete.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Portugalete?
Look WNW (azimuth 283°); the Sun will be 8° above the horizon at maximum from Portugalete.
How long does totality last in Portugalete?
Totality lasts 0 min 33 s in Portugalete (C2 to C3).
Is Portugalete a good place to watch the eclipse?
Portugalete 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 Basque Country →Where to stay in Portugalete
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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