Donostia / San Sebastián
43.313°, -1.975° · 17 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 99.7% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 6.17° at peak.
60/100Good
99.7%
Partial eclipse · 99.7% obscuration
See the eclipse from Donostia / San Sebastián minute by minute
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Photo: Keta · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
About Donostia / San Sebastián
Donostia / San Sebastián is the capital of Gipuzkoa and one of the most populous cities in the Basque Country, with just over 185,000 inhabitants. Located barely 17 meters above sea level, it stretches along the Bay of La Concha on the Cantabrian coast, near the border with France. The city received its charter in 1180 and has historically served as a gateway between the Iberian Peninsula and Europe.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, Donostia / San Sebastián will experience a partial solar eclipse with maximum at 20:27 local time. The Moon will cover a visible portion of the Sun's disk, though it will not reach totality. At that moment, the Sun will be very low in the sky, at just 7.7 degrees altitude, so it is essential to have a clear horizon toward the west-northwest and to use certified solar filters at all times.
The weather in August
August in Donostia / San Sebastián is mild and humid according to AEMET data from 1991–2020. The average temperature hovers around 19.9 °C, with highs of 22.9 °C and lows of 16.8 °C. Average precipitation for the month exceeds 109 mm, and the probability of clear skies stands at around 49%. The risk of thunderstorms is high, which is worth keeping in mind when planning eclipse observations.
Past eclipses
The last great annular eclipse visible from Donostia / San Sebastián took place on April 1, 1764, more than 260 years ago, with an obscuration of 86.9% of the Sun's disk. There is no record of any total eclipse crossing the city. After the eclipses of 2026 and 2028, one will have to wait until February 27, 2082 for another annular eclipse to become visible from this point.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of eclipse maximum, at 20:27 on August 12, 2026, the Sun will be at an azimuth of 283°, almost directly toward the west-northwest. Its altitude above the horizon will be only 7.7 degrees, roughly equivalent to the width of a fist at arm's length. Orienting yourself to look northwest from an elevated point with a clear horizon will help you follow the partial phase without obstruction.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Donostia / San Sebastián
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:31 UTC | 19:31 | +17.6° | 274.0° |
| Maximum | 18:27 UTC | 20:27 | +7.7° | 283.2° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:19 UTC | 21:19 | -0.9° | 292.1° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (292.1°)
Azimuth at C4
292.1° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-0.87°
Terrain horizon
1.49°
Sun−terrain margin
+6.17°
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 Donostia / San Sebastián
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eguzkizko Muinoa | 1083 m | 24.8 km | 161° SSE |
| Hernio | 1078 m | 21.4 km | 222° SW |
| Hernio | 1077 m | 21.4 km | 222° SW |
| Aizpel | 1068 m | 21.3 km | 221° SW |
| Petriketa | 1057 m | 24.8 km | 163° SSE |
| Urepel | 1056.69 m | 20.7 km | 164° SSE |
| Arainburu | 1054 m | 23.7 km | 136° SE |
| Aizaran | 1052.16 m | 24.6 km | 163° SSE |
Weather in Donostia / San Sebastián in August
Avg. temp.
19.9°C
Max / min
22.9° / 16.8°
Precipitation
109 mm
Storm risk
High
Station DONOSTIA / SAN SEBASTIÁN, IGELDO, 5 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
79%
Median cloud cover
93%
P75 — cloudier days
100%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Donostia / San Sebastián
- Last annular eclipseApril 1, 1764262 years ago
- Next annular eclipseFebruary 27, 2082
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Donostia / San Sebastián
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Donostia / San Sebastián?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 99.7% covered at maximum from Donostia / San Sebastián.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Donostia / San Sebastián?
Maximum occurs at 20:27 local time (18:27 UTC) in Donostia / San Sebastián.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Donostia / San Sebastián?
Look WNW (azimuth 283°); the Sun will be 8° above the horizon at maximum from Donostia / San Sebastián.
Is Donostia / San Sebastián a good place to watch the eclipse?
Donostia / San Sebastián 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 Basque Country →Where to stay in Donostia / San Sebastián
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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