Tarragona
41.119°, 1.245° · 60 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 3.35° 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 Tarragona minute by minute
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Photo: User:Vmenkov · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Tarragona
Tarragona is a coastal city in Catalonia, capital of its province, with approximately 141,500 inhabitants and an altitude of just 60 metres above sea level. It sits on the Mediterranean, at the southern edge of the Costa Daurada, and blends a historic core of Roman origins with modern neighbourhoods extending inland. Founded as a municipality in the 12th century, its geographical position between the Ebro delta and the Camp de Tarragona makes it a landmark of the Catalan coast.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Tarragona lies within the path of totality of the solar eclipse. Maximum occurs at 20:29, when the Sun reaches only 4.3° above the horizon with a margin over the terrain of 3.3°. The solar corona will be visible, but the Sun will be very low to the west-southwest, making it essential to have a completely clear horizon in that direction. Any obstruction—building, tree, or ground feature—can compromise the observation of totality.
The weather in August
August in Tarragona is marked by low storm risk, a positive sign for evening or dusk observation. Situated over the Mediterranean, the sea acts as a thermal regulator and reduces the convection that generates summer showers inland. Although temperature data from the reference AEMET station are not currently available, the typical Mediterranean coastal climate of the area suggests generally stable and warm conditions during this month.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Tarragona dates back to 12 May 1706, more than three centuries ago. The only annular eclipse recorded in more recent times occurred on 11 November 1901, with an obscuration of 82.2% and an annular phase of just over six minutes. After the 2026–2028 cycle, the next local totality will not arrive until 17 November 2180; the next annular is expected on 13 July 2075.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At maximum eclipse, the Sun will stand 4.3° above the horizon with an azimuth of 286°, which is roughly west with a slight northward deviation. At that time, the sun will have already shifted from south to west and will continue to descend rapidly. Orienting towards west-northwest from a clearing or beach will allow you to follow the complete evolution of the contacts without urban buildings obstructing the view.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Tarragona
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:35 UTC | 19:35 | +14.3° | 277.4° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +4.5° | 285.9° |
| Maximum | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +4.4° | 286.0° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:30 UTC | 20:30 | +4.3° | 286.1° |
| 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
-4.22°
Terrain horizon
0.95°
Sun−terrain margin
+3.35°
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 Tarragona
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puig Pelat | 1075.8 m | 22.9 km | 316° NW |
| Puig de la Torre | 1054.9 m | 22.2 km | 314° NW |
| Pic Cantacorbs | 1050 m | 22.8 km | 315° NW |
| Tossal del Xanda | 1036 m | 24.0 km | 316° NW |
| Roca de Migdia | 1021.6 m | 24.7 km | 321° NW |
| Punta de la Fita VellaIn the Sun's direction | 1018.3 m | 24.8 km | 309° NW |
| Punta de Barrina | 1013.6 m | 23.0 km | 320° NW |
| Tossal de Baptistó | 1013.2 m | 24.7 km | 319° NW |
Weather in Tarragona in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
9%
Median cloud cover
22%
P75 — cloudier days
24%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Tarragona
- 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 Tarragona
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Tarragona?
Yes — Tarragona is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Tarragona?
Maximum occurs at 20:29 local time (18:29 UTC) in Tarragona.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Tarragona?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 4° above the horizon at maximum from Tarragona.
How long does totality last in Tarragona?
Totality lasts 1 min 4 s in Tarragona (C2 to C3).
Is Tarragona a good place to watch the eclipse?
Tarragona 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 Tarragona
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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