A total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, Spain and a sliver of northeastern Portugal on August 12, 2026, marking the first total eclipse visible from mainland Spain since 1905. The path of totality is roughly 290 kilometers wide, notably broader than most eclipses, and will pass directly over major Spanish cities including Bilbao, Zaragoza and Valencia.
Totality will last up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds at its longest point, giving observers a rare direct view of the Sun's corona as the Moon fully blocks the disk. The European Space Agency is running a free public observation program in León, Spain, with expert talks and activities, plus an international live broadcast from the Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory in Teruel.
Roughly 40% of Spain's territory falls within the path, and it's the first of three total eclipses due to cross the country between 2026 and 2028. Officials are urging early travel planning, since summer is peak tourist season, and remind viewers that only certified eclipse glasses are safe for direct viewing.