Salou
41.077°, 1.142° · 6 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 3.24° at C3.
90/100Excellent
100%
You'll see full totality, but the Sun will set before the partial phase ends — an unusually epic finale.
Total eclipse · 100% obscuration
See the eclipse from Salou minute by minute
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Photo: Salvador Sáinz · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
About Salou
Salou is a coastal municipality in the province of Tarragona, Catalonia, which gained its municipal independence in 1989 when it separated from Vila-seca. It sits on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, on the Costa Daurada, just 6 meters above sea level and with a population of 26,775 inhabitants. Its location in the Camp de Tarragona, between Cape Salou and the Francolí delta, establishes it as one of the key references along the Tarragona coastline.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Salou lies within the path of totality of the solar eclipse. Maximum occurs at 20:29 local time, when the Sun will be 4.3 degrees above the horizon in the west-northwest direction (azimuth 286°). The clearance above the horizon is 3.3 degrees: sufficient for totality to be fully visible, though it is advisable to choose a location with the western horizon clear of buildings or obstacles so as not to miss the final moments of the total phase.
The weather in August
August in Salou is warm and bright: average temperature hovers around 25.2 °C, with typical highs around 30 °C and lows barely dropping below 20 °C. The month accumulates close to 276 hours of sunshine and a 66 % probability of clear skies. Average monthly precipitation is 36.5 mm, concentrated in isolated episodes; the risk of thunderstorms is moderate, which calls for attention to weather forecasts in the days prior to the eclipse. Data: AEMET (1991–2020 period).
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Salou occurred on 12 May 1706, 320 years ago, with a totality lasting slightly less than four minutes. More recently, the annular eclipse of 11 November 1901 covered 82 % of the solar disk. Following the eclipses of 2026–2028, the next annular eclipse will not arrive until 13 July 2075, while the next total eclipse from this same latitude will occur on 17 November 2180.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum, at 20:29 local time, the Sun is at azimuth 286°, oriented toward the west-northwest, with an altitude of 4.3 degrees above the horizon. At that time the star is close to sunset and descends steeply toward the west. To enjoy the total phase without obstructions, position yourself in a location with clear views toward the west: a flat area by the sea or a waterfront promenade with no tall buildings in that direction are ideal.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Salou
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:35 UTC | 19:35 | +14.4° | 277.3° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +4.5° | 285.9° |
| Maximum | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +4.4° | 285.9° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:30 UTC | 20:30 | +4.3° | 286.0° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:21 UTC | 21:21 | -4.2° | 294.4° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (294.4°)
Azimuth at C4
294.4° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-4.19°
Terrain horizon
1.09°
Sun−terrain margin
+3.24°
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 Salou
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puig Pelat | 1075.8 m | 22.3 km | 341° NNW |
| Puig de la Torre | 1054.9 m | 21.4 km | 340° NNW |
| Pic Cantacorbs | 1050 m | 22.2 km | 340° NNW |
| Tossal del Xanda | 1036 m | 23.4 km | 340° NNW |
| Roca de Migdia | 1021.6 m | 24.9 km | 344° NNW |
| Punta de la Fita Vella | 1018.3 m | 22.9 km | 333° NNW |
| Punta de Barrina | 1013.6 m | 23.1 km | 345° NNW |
| Tossal de Baptistó | 1013.2 m | 24.5 km | 342° NNW |
Weather in Salou in August
Avg. temp.
25.2°C
Max / min
30.2° / 20.1°
Precipitation
36.5 mm
Storm risk
Medium
Station REUS AEROPUERTO, 8 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
8%
Median cloud cover
21%
P75 — cloudier days
27%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Salou
- 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 Salou
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Salou?
Yes — Salou is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Salou?
Maximum occurs at 20:29 local time (18:29 UTC) in Salou.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Salou?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 4° above the horizon at maximum from Salou.
How long does totality last in Salou?
Totality lasts 1 min 11 s in Salou (C2 to C3).
Is Salou a good place to watch the eclipse?
Salou 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 Salou
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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