Santurtzi
43.328°, -3.032° · 13 m a.s.l.
Marginal
Marginal: only 0.71° between the Sun and the local skyline at C3.
60/100Good
100%
Total eclipse · 100% obscuration
See the eclipse from Santurtzi minute by minute
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Photo: Javier Mediavilla Ezquibela · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
About Santurtzi
Santurtzi is a municipality in Bizkaia, in the Basque Country, situated on the banks of the Nervión estuary, just a few kilometers from Bilbao. Founded in 1075, the city is now home to nearly 47,000 inhabitants and sits just 13 meters above sea level. Its coastal position, open to the Cantabrian Sea, shapes both its urban landscape and its climatic conditions throughout the year.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, Santurtzi lies within the path of totality of the solar eclipse: at the moment of third contact (C3), at 20:27 local time, the Sun will be 8.3° above the horizon. The margin relative to the topographic horizon is only 0.8°, making the observation marginal — any obstruction in the line of sight to the west-northwest can prevent you from seeing the complete totality phase.
The weather in August
August in Santurtzi is considerably cooler than in inland Spain: the average temperature hovers around 19.8 °C, with highs of 23.3 °C and lows of 16.2 °C (AEMET data 1991–2020). The average precipitation for the month reaches 44.8 mm, and the risk of thunderstorms in August is high. Anyone planning to observe the eclipse should be prepared for cloudy skies and have contingency plans to travel to areas with better forecasts.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Santurtzi occurred on July 18, 1860, 166 years ago, lasting 2 minutes and 45 seconds of totality. Before that event, the city witnessed an annular eclipse on April 1, 1764, 262 years ago. After the eclipses of 2026–2028, one must wait until February 27, 2082 for the next annular eclipse, and until November 17, 2180 for the next total.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, at 20:27 local time, the Sun will be in the west-northwest direction, with an azimuth of 283° and an altitude of 8.3° above the horizon. This is a low Sun, close to sunset, so it is essential to have a clear horizon in that direction: buildings, hills, or any obstruction to the northwest can block your view at the critical moment.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Santurtzi
| 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
-0.24°
Terrain horizon
7.61°
Sun−terrain margin
+0.71°
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 Santurtzi
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ganekogorta | 999.2 m | 14.7 km | 163° SSE |
| Arrabatxu | 984 m | 14.8 km | 164° SSE |
| Pagero | 963 m | 14.7 km | 167° SSE |
| Terreros | 911 m | 23.3 km | 231° SW |
| Gallarraga | 901 m | 14.8 km | 172° S |
| Eretza | 887 m | 10.9 km | 188° S |
| Kolitza | 883 m | 22.7 km | 231° SW |
| Biderdi | 877 m | 14.8 km | 158° SSE |
Weather in Santurtzi in August
Avg. temp.
19.8°C
Max / min
23.3° / 16.2°
Precipitation
44.8 mm
Storm risk
High
Station PUNTA GALEA, 5 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 Santurtzi
- 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 Santurtzi
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Santurtzi?
Yes, but marginally: with 100% obscuration, the topographic horizon from Santurtzi is very close to the Sun's altitude at the end.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Santurtzi?
Maximum occurs at 20:27 local time (18:27 UTC) in Santurtzi.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Santurtzi?
Look WNW (azimuth 283°); the Sun will be 8° above the horizon at maximum from Santurtzi.
How long does totality last in Santurtzi?
Totality lasts 0 min 33 s in Santurtzi (C2 to C3).
Is Santurtzi a good place to watch the eclipse?
Santurtzi 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 Santurtzi
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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