Solar Eclipse on 12 August 2026: What Will the Costa Blanca See?

No, the eclipse on Wednesday 12 August 2026 will not be total on the Costa Blanca, but it will not be far off either. Around 8:30pm, the Moon will cover roughly 95% of the sun over Alicante, and up to 99.9% in Dénia or Xàbia, according to the Alicante tourism journalists' association (AAPET). The path of totality passes just to the north: Valencia sits right inside it, less than two hours away by car. It is the first total eclipse visible from mainland Spain in over a century, and here the sun will be sitting low on the horizon. Here is where to stand, what time to be there, and how to watch it without damaging your eyes.

What will the Costa Blanca see, and at what time?

A deep partial eclipse, right around sunset. The timeline for Alicante city, based on calculations from The Sky Live:

The detail that changes everything: at its peak, the sun will only be a few degrees above the horizon, due west-northwest (azimuth 285 to 286 degrees). A building, a hill or a row of pines in that direction, and you will miss the whole thing. Turisme Comunitat Valenciana has published an official town-by-town map (percentage, timings, azimuth) at eclipses.gva.es, and the shademap.app tool simulates terrain shadows so you can check your exact spot.

95% or 99.9%: how is that different from totality?

A fair warning so you are not disappointed: even at 99.9%, there is no solar corona and no darkness in daylight, both effects reserved for the path of totality. What you will actually see: an increasingly thin crescent of sun low on the horizon, a very photogenic end-of-day light, and a noticeable drop in brightness, dramatic in the Marina Alta. The flip side: because the sun is never fully covered here, eclipse glasses stay mandatory from start to finish, no exceptions.

Where to stand on the coast?

Three spots recommended by AAPET, all with a clear western horizon:

The general rule wherever you are: look for height, a clear view to the west-northwest, and a quick check on shademap if a mountain sits in the way.

Want totality instead? Head to Valencia

Valencia city sits inside the path of totality, with around 59 seconds of a fully black sun at 8:32pm. Plan ahead seriously: eclipse chasers from around the world are converging on Spain that day, and roads and accommodation along the path will fill up fast. Leave in the early afternoon and have your spot picked before 7pm.

How to watch it safely

Never with the naked eye, never with sunglasses, X-ray film or smoked glass: only certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses, worn for the entire duration of the event. The same rule applies to your phone or camera: pointing it at the sun without a proper solar filter can burn the sensor. And keep an eye on children: at 95%, the leftover sliver of sun damages the retina just as surely as full daylight.

The evening's bonus: the Perseids

Do not pack up once the sun has set: the night of 12 August coincides with the peak of the Perseids, one of the year's best meteor showers. Stay at your spot, let the sky turn dark, and keep making wishes. For the rest of the month, check our August what's-on guide, and our day trip ideas if you want to turn the eclipse into a full weekend.

Sources

• AAPET Alicante: where to see the eclipse in Alicante province
• The Sky Live: the 12 August 2026 eclipse calculated for Alicante
• Turisme Comunitat Valenciana: the official eclipse portal (map by town)
• Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN): the total solar eclipse of 12 August 2026
• Eltiempo.es: the eclipse as seen from Alicante, timings and advice

Information verified in July 2026. Timings calculated for Alicante city: check your own town on the official map before the day. The Daily Costa Blanca is an AI-assisted publication with human review; our editorial team verifies and takes responsibility for every article. Spotted an error? Write to us and we will correct it. How we work.