Santiago de Compostela
42.881°, -8.546° · 257 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 99.9% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 11.59° at peak.
75/100Very good
99.9%
Partial eclipse · 99.9% obscuration
See the eclipse from Santiago de Compostela minute by minute
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Photo: amaianos · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of Galicia and is located in the province of Pontevedra, at 257 metres above sea level. With nearly 100,000 inhabitants, the city occupies the centre of the Galician community in the north-west of the Iberian peninsula, surrounded by a gentle terrain of river valleys and low mountains. Its setting determines an Atlantic climate with rainfall distributed throughout the year. The municipality acquired its current administrative status in 1834.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Santiago de Compostela will witness a partial solar eclipse. The maximum will occur at 20:28, with the Sun at nearly 12 degrees of altitude above the horizon — a wide margin that guarantees visibility without interference from the terrain. The obscuration will not reach totality, so daylight will not disappear, but the reduction of the solar disc will be clearly visible to the naked eye with approved filters. There is no need to travel to elevated areas: any location with a clear western horizon is suitable.
The weather in August
August in Santiago de Compostela combines moderate temperatures with notable rainfall for summer. The averages stand at 19.9 °C, with highs of 25 °C and lows of 14.6 °C, according to AEMET data from 1991–2020. The average rainfall for the month reaches 45.2 mm and the risk of thunderstorms is high, reflecting the Atlantic climate that characterises the city. Those planning to observe the eclipse should consider the possibility of partly cloudy skies or afternoon showers.
Past eclipses
The last eclipse of note visible from Santiago de Compostela was the annular eclipse of 3 October 2005, 21 years ago, which achieved an obscuration of 90% of the solar disc with an annular phase of about 200 seconds. There is no record of any total eclipse over the city in available history. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, the data record no total or annular eclipse of note in the near future.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, the Sun will be at 11.9 degrees of altitude above the horizon, oriented west (azimuth 279°), nearly due west with a slight inclination towards north-west. At that afternoon hour, identifying the direction is straightforward from any viewpoint or street with a western view. The solar altitude provides a margin of 11.6 degrees above the topographic horizon, making it practically impossible for terrain to obstruct the observation.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Santiago de Compostela
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:31 UTC | 19:31 | +22.3° | 269.8° |
| Maximum | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +11.9° | 279.3° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:22 UTC | 21:22 | +2.6° | 288.1° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (288.1°)
Azimuth at C4
288.1° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
2.56°
Terrain horizon
0.32°
Sun−terrain margin
+11.59°
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 Santiago de Compostela
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pico Xesteiras | 681 m | 23.1 km | 189° S |
| Monte Muralla | 674.4 m | 24.2 km | 232° SW |
| A Muralla | 666 m | 24.0 km | 231° SW |
| O Salgueiro | 658 m | 24.6 km | 231° SW |
| As Pedras | 613 m | 21.9 km | 229° SW |
| Portela Xesteiras | 603 m | 22.4 km | 188° S |
| Alto do Miradoiro | 569 m | 23.5 km | 227° SW |
| O Treito | 568 m | 23.2 km | 229° SW |
Weather in Santiago de Compostela in August
Avg. temp.
19.9°C
Max / min
25° / 14.6°
Precipitation
45.2 mm
Storm risk
High
Station SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, 1 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
3%
P75 — cloudier days
98%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Santiago de Compostela
- Last annular eclipseOctober 3, 200521 years ago
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Santiago de Compostela
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Santiago de Compostela?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 99.9% covered at maximum from Santiago de Compostela.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Santiago de Compostela?
Maximum occurs at 20:29 local time (18:29 UTC) in Santiago de Compostela.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Santiago de Compostela?
Look West (azimuth 279°); the Sun will be 12° above the horizon at maximum from Santiago de Compostela.
Is Santiago de Compostela a good place to watch the eclipse?
Yes, Santiago de Compostela is an excellent choice (score 75/100): favorable geometry, clear horizon, and good August climatology.
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 Galicia →Where to stay in Santiago de Compostela
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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