Spain is preparing to experience one of the most espectacular astronomical periodos in recent decades.
Entre 2026, 2027 y 2028, el país podrá observar tres Eclipse solares mayores.
Serán dos eventos solares totales y uno anular. Esta es una oportunidad única para mirar al cielo. Podrá observar, fotografiar, aprender y disfrutar de un fenómeno natural impresionante.
The first one will take place on 12 agosto 2026, with a total solar eclipse visible from a wide strip of Spain. In other areas, such as Benidorm and parte of the Costa Blanca, it will be seen as a very deep partial eclipse, with the Sun very low at sunset.
In this guía, we explain what a solar eclipse is, when the 2026 eclipse will happen, where it can be seen, how to observe it safely and which futuros eclipses will be visible in Spain.
🌞 What Is a Solar Eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun and blocks all or parte of the solar disc from our point of view.
Although the Sun, the Moon and the Earth are constantly moving, eclipses do not happen every month. For a solar eclipse to occur, the three bodies must align very precisely.
During a solar eclipse, you can watch the Moon begin to cover the Sun little by little, see how the light changes, feel how the atmosphere transforms and observe the sky in a completely different way.
It is a phenomenon that allows you to observe, understand, feel and experience astronomy directly.
🌘 Types of Solar Eclipses
Not all solar eclipses are the same. There are several types:
1. Total Solar Eclipse
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely covers the solar disc.
For a few seconds or minutes, daylight fades, the atmosphere changes and, if the sky is clear, it is possible to observe the solar corona.
It is the most espectacular type of eclipse.
To see it as a total eclipse, you must be inside the so-called path of totality.
2. Partial Solar Eclipse
A partial eclipse occurs when the Moon covers only parte of the Sun.
Outside the path of totality, the eclipse does not become total, but it can still be very impressive if the percentage of coverage is high.
In Benidorm, for example, the eclipse on 12 agosto 2026 will be seen as a very deep partial eclipse.
3. Annular Solar Eclipse
An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, but its apparent size is not large enough to cover it completely.
In this case, a bright ring remains visible around the Moon. This is why it is often known as the “ring of fire”.
Spain will be able to enjoy an annular solar eclipse on 26 January 2028.
📅 Solar Eclipse on 12 agosto 2026 in Spain
The main event will be the solar eclipse on Wednesday, 12 agosto 2026.
This will be a very special eclipse because it will be the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Spain in more than a century.
The path of totality will cross Spain from west to east and pass through many areas of the country. Within this strip, the Moon will completely cover the Sun for a short period of time.
In the rest of Spain, the eclipse will be seen as partial, although in many areas the percentage of coverage will be very high.
🗺️ Where Will the 2026 Total Eclipse Be Visible?
The total eclipse of 2026 will cross Spain from west to east.
The path of totality will pass through areas such as:
✔ Galicia
✔ Asturias
✔ Castilla y León
✔ Cantabria
✔ Basque Country
✔ La Rioja
✔ Aragón
✔ Valencian Community
✔ Catalonia
✔ Balearic Islands
Some of the most notable cities and areas include A Coruña, León, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Valencia, Castellón and Palma de Mallorca.
This means many people will be able to travel to different parts of Spain to experience totality.
🌅 An Eclipse at Sunset
One of the most important aspects of the 2026 eclipse is that it will take place late in the afternoon, close to sunset.
This makes it a very special eclipse, but also more delicate to observe.
To enjoy it properly, it will be necessary to:
✔ Find a place with a clear horizon
✔ Look towards the west or west-northwest
✔ Avoid mountains, buildings, trees or low clouds
✔ Arrive early
✔ Prepare certified eclipse-viewing glasses before the event begins
✔ Check the weather forecast in the days before
It is not enough to choose a beautiful location. You need to choose a place where the Sun can still be seen when it is very low.
📍 Eclipse 2026 in Benidorm and the Costa Blanca
In Benidorm, the eclipse on 12 agosto 2026 will not be total, but it will be very intense.
It will be seen as a very deep partial eclipse, with a very high percentage of solar coverage and the Sun very low on the horizon.
The maximum is expected at around 20:34, so it will be essential to look for an open area facing west-northwest.
On the Costa Blanca, the experience will be very special because the eclipse will coincide with the Mediterranean sunset. The light will change, the landscape will transform and the sky will offer a unique moment to observe, admire and photograph.
To see it better from Benidorm or nearby areas, it is advisable to:
✔ Avoid areas with tall buildings
✔ Look for elevated viewpoints
✔ Check that the horizon is clear
✔ Arrive in advance
✔ Always use certified eclipse-viewing glasses
✔ Never look directly at the Sun without protection
🏙️ Valencia: One of the Best Destinations to Watch the 2026 Eclipse
Valencia will be one of the most interesting destinations to experience the eclipse on 12 agosto 2026.
The city will be within the area where the total eclipse can be observed, making it a very attractive option for visitors travelling from the Costa Blanca.
Valencia also allows you to combine:
✔ Urban tourism
✔ City of Arts and Sciences
✔ Free time
✔ Sunset
✔ Eclipse viewing
✔ Organised bus trip
For many visitors staying in Benidorm, Albir, Altea and other areas of the Costa Blanca, travelling to Valencia may be one of the best ways to experience the total eclipse without worrying about driving, parking or planning the whole route independently.
🕶️ How to Watch the Eclipse Safely
Safety is the most important thing.
You should never look directly at the Sun without proper protection. Ordinary sunglasses are not suitable, even if they are very dark.
To observe a solar eclipse, you must use:
✔ Certified eclipse-viewing glasses
✔ Certified solar filters
✔ Indirect projection methods
✔ Optical equipment with correctly fitted solar filters
Eclipse glasses should comply with the ISO 12312-2 standard for direct solar observation.
You should not use:
✘ Regular sunglasses
✘ X-ray films
✘ Smoked glass
✘ CDs or DVDs
✘ Homemade filters
✘ Binoculars or telescopes without a specific solar filter
✘ Cameras without proper solar protection
Looking at the Sun without protection can cause serious eye damage.
📸 Can You Photograph the Eclipse?
Yes, but you must do it carefully.
If you want to photograph the eclipse, you need to protect both your eyes and your camera or phone.
For photography with a camera, telephoto lens, binoculars or telescope, proper solar filters are required. Looking through a screen is not enough if the device is pointing directly at the Sun for a long time.
Basic tips:
✔ Use a proper solar filter for your camera
✔ Do not look through an optical viewfinder without protection
✔ Prepare your composition before the maximum
✔ Bring enough battery
✔ Clean your lens
✔ Test your equipment before the day of the eclipse
✔ Do not focus only on the photo: enjoy the moment too
The eclipse is not only photographed by pointing at the Sun. You can also capture the atmosphere, shadows, landscape, people watching and the special sunset light.
🌍 Future Solar Eclipses in Spain
Spain will not experience just one major eclipse. It will enjoy an exceptional sequence of three solar eclipses between 2026 and 2028.
🌒 12 agosto 2026: Total Solar Eclipse
The total solar eclipse on 12 agosto 2026 will be visible from a wide strip of Spain.
It will be especially important because it will take place at sunset and because it will be the first total eclipse visible from mainland Spain in more than a century.
Key points of the 2026 eclipse:
✔ Date: 12 agosto 2026
✔ Type: total solar eclipse
✔ Visible as total in a strip across Spain
✔ Visible as partial in the rest of the country
✔ It will happen at sunset
✔ A clear western horizon will be essential
✔ It will be one of the major astronomical events of the year
🌞 2 agosto 2027: Total Solar Eclipse
On 2 agosto 2027, Spain will experience another total solar eclipse.
In this case, the path of totality will cross the south of the country and will especially affect areas such as Cádiz, Málaga, Ceuta, Melilla and parts of southern Granada and Almería.
This eclipse will be different from the one in 2026 because it will take place in the morning, with the Sun higher in the sky, making observation easier.
Key points of the 2027 eclipse:
✔ Date: 2 agosto 2027
✔ Type: total solar eclipse
✔ Visible as total in southern Spain
✔ Visible as partial throughout the country
✔ Best visibility in areas around the Strait and southern Spain
✔ The Sun will be higher than in 2026
✔ It will be one of the most anticipated eclipses in Europe
💍 26 January 2028: Annular Solar Eclipse
On 26 January 2028, an annular solar eclipse will be visible from Spain.
In this case, the Sun will not be completely covered. Instead, the famous “ring of fire” will be visible because the Moon will not fully cover the solar disc.
The path of annularity will cross a significant parte of south-eastern Spain and will affect areas such as Andalusia, Murcia, the Valencian Community, Castilla-La Mancha, parte of Aragón, parte of Catalonia and the western Balearic Islands.
Key points of the 2028 eclipse:
✔ Date: 26 January 2028
✔ Type: annular solar eclipse
✔ Visible from a wide area of Spain
✔ The annular phase will be very low on the horizon
✔ A clear horizon towards sunset will be essential
✔ Eclipse glasses must be worn at all times
✔ It will be a great opportunity to see the “ring of fire”
🧭 Tips for Planning Eclipse Observation
Watching an eclipse is not just about looking at the sky. You need to plan, choose, arrive, prepare and observe safely.
Before the eclipse:
✔ Check whether your location is inside the path of totality, annularity or partiality
✔ Review the exact times for your location
✔ Choose a place with good visibility
✔ Check the horizon
✔ Check the weather forecast
✔ Buy or prepare certified eclipse-viewing glasses
✔ Arrive early
✔ Bring water, battery and suitable clothing
✔ Avoid last-minute travel plans
✔ Follow traffic and safety recommendations
During the eclipse:
✔ Always use certified eclipse-viewing glasses
✔ Supervise children
✔ Do not look at the Sun with binoculars without a filter
✔ Do not use damaged glasses
✔ Observe calmly
✔ Enjoy the change in light
✔ Photograph the atmosphere
✔ Share the experience respectfully
After the eclipse:
✔ Avoid leaving immediately if there is heavy traffic
✔ Review your photos
✔ Share the experience
✔ Keep your glasses if they are still in good condition
✔ Plan the next eclipse
🌦️ Weather Will Be Essential
The visibility of the eclipse will depend on the weather.
Although Spain usually enjoys many hours of sunshine, clouds, mist, haze or terrain can make observation difficult.
For the eclipses in 2026 and 2028, the low altitude of the Sun will be especially important. Even if the sky is clear above you, a low cloud, mountain, building or line of trees can hide the Sun at the most important moment.
That is why it is advisable to:
✔ Check the weather forecast
✔ Review cloud-cover maps
✔ Choose places with an open horizon
✔ Have an alternative plan
✔ Avoid waiting until the last moment
🚗 Is It Worth Travelling to See the Eclipse?
Yes, but it requires planning.
Many people will travel to see the eclipse from the best areas, especially in 2026 and 2027.
If you are going to travel:
✔ Book accommodation in advance
✔ Calculate the real travel time
✔ Avoid crowded secondary roads
✔ Use organised transport if you do not want to drive
✔ Bring food and water
✔ Arrive hours before
✔ Follow official instructions
✔ Do not park in dangerous places
✔ Respect natural spaces and private areas
For many people, an organised excursion can be the most comfortable option, especially if it includes transport, guía, timetable, observation stop and certified eclipse-viewing glasses.
🌴 Special Experiences to Watch the Eclipse from the Costa Blanca
The eclipse on 12 agosto 2026 will be a perfect opportunity to enjoy a different experience from Benidorm, Altea, Valencia or the inland Costa Blanca.
Some special ways to experience it may include:
🛴 Sunset Segway route
🚴 Electric bike tour through Albir and Altea
🛻 Jeep Safari towards mountain areas
🚌 Bus excursion to Valencia
🌅 Eclipse viewing with certified glasses
📸 Panoramic photo stops
🌒 Guided activities to enjoy the moment safely
At Costa Blanca Tour Services, we believe in experiences that allow you to discover, explore, observe, learn, enjoy and remember unique moments.
📌 Quick Summary
The solar eclipse on 12 agosto 2026 will be one of the major astronomical events in Spain.
Remember:
✔ It will be a total eclipse in parte of Spain
✔ In Benidorm it will be seen as a very deep partial eclipse
✔ In Valencia it can be observed as a total eclipse
✔ It will happen at sunset
✔ A clear western horizon will be necessary
✔ You must use certified eclipse-viewing glasses
✔ Regular sunglasses are not suitable
✔ Spain will have another total eclipse in 2027
✔ Spain will have an annular eclipse in 2028
✔ Planning ahead is essential
✅ Conclusion
Between 2026 and 2028, Spain will experience an exceptional astronomical period.
The total solar eclipse on 12 agosto 2026, the total eclipse on 2 agosto 2027 and the annular eclipse on 26 January 2028 will make Spain one of the great European destinations for solar eclipse observation.
If you are on the Costa Blanca, you will be able to experience the 2026 eclipse in many ways: watching it from Benidorm as a very deep partial eclipse, travelling to Valencia to see totality or enjoying it as parte of an organised experience.
Whichever option you choose, remember the most important points:
Watch safely. Plan ahead. Look for a clear horizon. Use certified eclipse-viewing glasses. And enjoy one of the most incredible spectacles in nature.
Experience the eclipse. Observe the sky. Discover Spain. Enjoy the Costa Blanca. Remember a unique moment.
