Villanueva de la Serena
38.977°, -5.797° · 290 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 97% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 7.50° at peak.
75/100Very good
97%
Partial eclipse · 97% obscuration
See the eclipse from Villanueva de la Serena minute by minute
Compare locations, save your plan and enable cloud alerts.
Photo: Luis Rogelio HM · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Villanueva de la Serena
Villanueva de la Serena is a city in the province of Cáceres, in Extremadura, with around 25,700 inhabitants. It sits at 290 metres altitude on the Extremaduran plain, in the comarca of La Serena, beside the Guadiana river. Its continental Mediterranean climate makes it one of the hottest interior points of the peninsula during summer. Agricultural and industrial activity have historically shaped the city's economic fabric.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Villanueva de la Serena will experience a partial solar eclipse. Maximum occurs at 20:34 local time, with the Sun positioned just 8.1° above the horizon. With a margin of 7.7° above the terrain, the Sun will be visible at that moment, though its low position makes it advisable to seek a clear horizon towards the west-northwest (azimuth 283°). Certified solar observation glasses are required throughout the phenomenon.
The weather in August
August in Villanueva de la Serena is the hottest month of the year. AEMET data for the period 1991–2020 show an average temperature of 26.2 °C, with highs averaging 34.3 °C and lows around 18.2 °C. Precipitation is very scarce — barely 3.4 mm average monthly — and the risk of storms is considered low. Conditions are generally favourable for observing the eclipse. Data: AEMET.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Villanueva de la Serena occurred on 8 July 1842, 184 years ago, lasting 2 minutes and 3 seconds of totality. Before that, on 1 April 1764, an annular eclipse crossed the area with a ring duration of nearly 6 minutes. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, the next annular will not arrive until 8 December 2113, and the following total not until 20 June 2327.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, at 20:34, the Sun was at 8.1° altitude above the horizon and at an azimuth of 283°, equivalent to a direction almost due west with a slight offset towards the northwest. This low position is characteristic of late afternoon in August: the Sun had passed the zenith several hours before and approaches sunset. It is wise to orient yourself beforehand to keep that part of the horizon clear of obstructions.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Villanueva de la Serena
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:39 UTC | 19:39 | +18.8° | 274.2° |
| Maximum | 18:34 UTC | 20:34 | +8.1° | 282.6° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:27 UTC | 21:27 | -1.2° | 290.7° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (290.7°)
Azimuth at C4
290.7° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-1.15°
Terrain horizon
0.56°
Sun−terrain margin
+7.50°
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 Villanueva de la Serena
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alto de la Ortiga | 659 m | 13.5 km | 211° SSW |
| Sierra del Villar | 437 m | 10.9 km | 346° NNW |
| Sierra de Yelves | 392 m | 18.6 km | 262° W |
| Cerro la Horca | 384 m | 9.6 km | 351° N |
| Alto de las Águilas | 369 m | 21.7 km | 15° NNE |
| El Morro | 368 m | 11.4 km | 345° NNW |
| Remondo | 363 m | 13.6 km | 270° W |
| Pirulito | 361 m | 15.0 km | 269° W |
Weather in Villanueva de la Serena in August
Avg. temp.
26.2°C
Max / min
34.3° / 18.2°
Precipitation
3.4 mm
Storm risk
Low
Station DON BENITO, 8 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
0%
P75 — cloudier days
0%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Villanueva de la Serena
- Last total eclipseJuly 8, 1842184 years ago
- Last annular eclipseApril 1, 1764262 years ago
- Next total eclipseJune 20, 2327
- Next annular eclipseDecember 8, 2113
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Villanueva de la Serena
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Villanueva de la Serena?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 97% covered at maximum from Villanueva de la Serena.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Villanueva de la Serena?
Maximum occurs at 20:34 local time (18:34 UTC) in Villanueva de la Serena.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Villanueva de la Serena?
Look WNW (azimuth 283°); the Sun will be 8° above the horizon at maximum from Villanueva de la Serena.
Is Villanueva de la Serena a good place to watch the eclipse?
Yes, Villanueva de la Serena 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 Extremadura →Where to stay in Villanueva de la Serena
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
Search lodging on Booking →Affiliate link · no extra cost to you
Embed this eclipse on your site
Generate the code to embed the eclipse widget on your hotel, town hall or blog website.
<iframe src="https://eclipses.app/embed/widget?lat=38.9766&lon=-5.7974&size=standard&theme=dark&locale=en" width="320" height="340" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" title="Eclipse 2026"></iframe>Share it to help others find out if they'll see the eclipse