First total solar eclipse in over a century to darken Spain on August 12

The first total solar eclipse visible from the Iberian Peninsula in more than 100 years will occur on August 12, 2026, crossing northern Spain from west to east at sunset Source: El Mundo. The phenomenon, part of a "trío ibérico" of three eclipses over consecutive years, will offer up to 1 minute and 48 seconds of totality in the best locations Source: El Confidencial.

Best viewing locations

Oviedo leads with 1 minute 48 seconds of total darkness, followed by León and Burgos (1 min 44 s), and Soria (1 min 43 s), according to the Instituto Geográfico Nacional Source: Infobae. Palma de Mallorca, Castellón, Teruel, Lugo, Valladolid, and Zaragoza also rank among the top ten Source: El Español. Madrid will see only a partial eclipse, as the capital lies outside the zone of totality Source: ABC. Many hotels in the Sierra Norte de Madrid are already fully booked Source: ABC.

Safety precautions

Experts warn that direct observation without certified eye protection (ISO 12312-2) can cause irreversible retinal damage Source: Listín Diario. Dr. Gonzalo Bernabéu of HM Eye Center states: "Mirar directamente al Sol durante un eclipse sin los filtros homologados puede producir una retinopatía solar" Source: Listín Diario. The Comunidad de Madrid will distribute over 56,000 certified glasses Source: El Mundo.

Upcoming eclipses

The 2026 eclipse is the first of three: a total eclipse on August 2, 2027, will be the longest of the 21st century (up to 6 minutes 23 seconds in Egypt), and an annular eclipse on January 26, 2028, will create a "ring of fire" Source: El Confidencial. This series makes the Iberian Peninsula a global hotspot for astronomical events Source: El Confidencial.