Torrelodones
40.577°, -3.927° · 856 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 6.39° at C3.
85/100Very good
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 Torrelodones minute by minute
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Photo: Paconi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Torrelodones
Torrelodones is a municipality in the northwest of the Community of Madrid, nestled at the foot of the Guadarrama mountain range at 856 metres altitude. With a population of around 22,000 inhabitants, it is located some 30 kilometres from Madrid city centre, along the A-6 corridor. Its granite relief and elevated position afford wide views towards the west and southwest, a characteristic that takes on special relevance for the solar eclipse in the summer of 2026.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Torrelodones will lie within the path of totality of the solar eclipse. Maximum will occur at 20:31 local time, when the Sun will be just 7.6° above the horizon, with an azimuth of 283°, oriented towards the west-northwest. Although the clearance above the terrain profile is 6.4° — sufficient to witness totality — the low altitude of the Sun means that any obstruction in that direction becomes critical. It is recommended to choose an observation point with the western horizon completely clear.
The weather in August
August in the northwest mountains of Madrid is generally characterised by favourable atmospheric stability. AEMET records for station 3268C, covering the climatological period 1991–2020, indicate a low risk of storms in this month, making the second half of the month the most stable period of the summer in this region. This condition is favourable for astronomical observation, as it reduces the probability of cloud cover in the late afternoon hours.
Past eclipses
The last total solar eclipse visible from Torrelodones dates back to 8 July 1842, 184 years ago, with a totality phase of just 84 seconds. More recently, on 3 October 2005, an annular eclipse occurred that obscured 90.2% of the Sun for roughly four minutes. After the eclipses of 2026 and 2028, the next events of this type will take decades to return: the following annular eclipse over this territory will not arrive until 8 December 2113.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, the Sun will occupy a position of 283° azimuth and 7.6° altitude above the horizon: this means looking towards the west-northwest, barely a few degrees north of due west. At such a grazing elevation, the Sun will be very close to the horizon, which highlights the importance of choosing a location with no obstructions in that direction. A hillside with unobstructed views to the west or an elevated terrace will be the most suitable option to enjoy totality.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Torrelodones
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:36 UTC | 19:36 | +18.0° | 274.4° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:32 UTC | 20:32 | +7.6° | 283.1° |
| Maximum | 18:32 UTC | 20:32 | +7.6° | 283.1° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:32 UTC | 20:32 | +7.6° | 283.1° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:24 UTC | 21:24 | -1.4° | 291.5° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (291.5°)
Azimuth at C4
291.5° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-1.37°
Terrain horizon
1.18°
Sun−terrain margin
+6.39°
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 Torrelodones
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabeza de Hierro Mayor | 2383 m | 24.8 km | 359° N |
| Cabeza de Hierro Menor | 2376 m | 24.4 km | 358° N |
| Cerro de Valdemartín | 2282 m | 24.2 km | 353° N |
| Alto de las Guarramillas (Bola del Mundo) | 2265 m | 23.6 km | 349° N |
| La Maliciosa | 2227 m | 21.5 km | 351° N |
| Cerro del Cristo | 2227 m | 23.8 km | 348° NNW |
| Dos Castillas | 2179 m | 23.8 km | 347° NNW |
| Siete Picos - Somontano | 2138 m | 24.5 km | 339° NNW |
Weather in Torrelodones in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
12%
P75 — cloudier days
86%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Torrelodones
- Last total eclipseJuly 8, 1842184 years ago
- Last annular eclipseOctober 3, 200521 years ago
- Next annular eclipseDecember 8, 2113
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Torrelodones
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Torrelodones?
Yes — Torrelodones is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Torrelodones?
Maximum occurs at 20:32 local time (18:32 UTC) in Torrelodones.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Torrelodones?
Look WNW (azimuth 283°); the Sun will be 8° above the horizon at maximum from Torrelodones.
How long does totality last in Torrelodones?
Totality lasts 0 min 2 s in Torrelodones (C2 to C3).
Is Torrelodones a good place to watch the eclipse?
Torrelodones 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
fuencarral el pardo
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22 kmmoncloa aravaca
23 kmtetuan de las victorias
23 kmalcobendas
24 kmWhere to stay in Torrelodones
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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