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And if you want to be in the totality zone, watching it from the Torre de Hércules in La Coruña might be pretty spectacular!
I’m starting to get a bit obsessed about this now, having realised my only experience of eclipses was the partial one seen through an upstairs window in 1999, then an even more partial one in the Caribbean a few years ago. The latter of course occurred on the only cloudy day in our 3-week holiday and just resulted in the afternoon becoming a bit gloomier than it was already.
Seeing that Santiago de Compostela will get 99.9% totality, I may head that way, although August is busy and expensive at the best of times. I spoke to my cousin in Vigo yesterday and she had no idea about it, but I guess it’s somewhat niche.
I’ve noticed that on Booking. com, it’s already possible to book accommodation for the date of the eclipse, but I’m a bit wary in case hotels, etc, start cancelling existing bookings when they realise they might be able to charge more!
I saw my first total eclipse in Cornwall in 1999 and it blew my mind. More recently I’ve been planning holidays around total eclipses – I was lucky enough to see the 2017 one in Oregon and the 2024 eclipse near Montréal both in clear skies. I’ll definitely try to get to see the Spain eclipse in 2026 and probably the 2027 eclipse too.
You 100% have to be in the path of totality, a 99.9% eclipse might as well be nothing compared to being in totality. You need to be a good few miles inside the totality band, preferably towards the middle to maximise your eclipse time and surrounding darkness.
One common thread between all 3 eclipses I saw was that they all had predictions of traffic apocalypse and gridlock before the event. But I had no trouble with crowds or traffic at any of them, and all of them I was at locations right in the middle of totality that you’d think would be popular!
Wasn’t it cloudy in Cornwall that day?! I have a vague memory of the weather being ironically better in the north and we got a pretty good view of our partial eclipse! I’m not that fussed about the darkness, though, it’s what’s actually happening that interests me, especially if it’s going to take a couple of hours from start to finish. And I know I’ll have an uninterrupted view of the horizon without having to do a recce first.
There are so many places along the west coast of Galicia where you can watch the sun sink into the sea each night. Seeing it over the Cies Islands would be awesome, though you’d have to check whether they would block the view at that time of the evening!
*Just checking photos from last year, the sun set between the two peaks of Isla de Monte Agudo from Samil beach pretty much at 2100 on the dot, on September 4th, so it would probably work and the photos would be sensational.
Wasn’t it cloudy in Cornwall that day?! I have a vague memory of the weather being ironically better in the north and we got a pretty good view of our partial eclipse!
It was cloudy in general that day, but the clouds cleared a few minutes before the total eclipse happened so we got a good view of the Corona from our location (one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen!). The clouds clearing was a feature of the eclipse, the shadow can cause thin cloud to dissipate.
That does sound amazing, 2027 from Gibraltar is a definite possibility …
I’ve just provisionally booked August 11th to 13th 2026 on Booking. com, we’ll see if it sticks!
I’m taking a gamble on Iceland. Campervan is booked and now just waiting on flights to become available.
Having read the discussion thus far – I’m going to assume its going to be cloudy, and treat it as a practice run for 2027 – though I’m sure the learnings will be limited given the two very different climates.
Eclipse hunters, how does Avilés Lighthouse (Faro de Avilés) seem as a vantage point?
There are so many places along the west coast of Galicia where you can watch the sun sink into the sea each night. Seeing it over the Cies Islands would be awesome, though you’d have to check whether they would block the view at that time of the evening!
Unfortunately, that part of the coast is not in the path of totality
I’m thinking Avilés Lighthouse (Faro de Avilés) would be a potentially decent vantage point …?
@Wally1976, I did mention that in an earlier post. It will get 99.9%, however, which will create incredible photo opportunities with the islands as a backdrop, and conveniently coincides with my annual visit. Then head south for totality in 2027 when there’s a much longer period.
HFP summer party could be in Gibraltar or Cádiz!
@memesweeper, as long are there are no mountains in the line of sight!@memesweeper, as long are there are no mountains in the line of sight!
If my maths/geography is correct think the view of the sun is straight out to sea at that point.
Yes, very close to cabo penas which I am considering as plan A. I might check it out along with cabo busto while I am doing my recce. I’ve never been, but I think anywhere along that stretch of coast will be fabulous… if the clouds stay away.
This may help in planning your location
More for other regions will be available in the coming weeks.
Thank you for sharing- an interesting and actually quite impressive map. I will definitely check out their website when it goes live.
It reflects my initial thoughts driving NE along the A2 that there are many, many inland spots with an unobstructed view. Cloud will be more of an issue than the sun’s elevation.There have been periods of thick cloud and fog at the Atlantic coasts of Spain and Portugal this week but it was perfectly clear inland. I think you need to be willing and able to move around with the weather forecast on the actual day!
This will Hopefully be my 4th and 5th Total Eclipses
I echo the comments that 99.9% is a world away from Totality and light cloud cover isnt too much of a problem
An Eclipse near sunset (esp eastern Spain or Balerics) will be more risky regarding cloud cover but might give some spectacular sights if you can find a good viewing spot – easier on the islands
Sadly I think the sun will be too low at the Tarragona AqueductI think you need to be willing and able to move around with the weather forecast on the actual day!
Indeed. I did an 8 hour drive on the day last year in the US. My “eclipse buddies”, who didn’t have longer holidays planned with hotels, sports tickets etc all booked, took a view 2 days before and flew to the other end of the path of totality. We both had a good result, though theirs was (deservedly) better.
This is the first time I’ve had to worry about the shadows of hills as well as the shadow of the moon, but I’ve scouted 4 good “inland” possibilities today so I’m positive about having options along the track. I must admit I thought viewing was going to be difficult, but the last couple of days here, and these shadow maps now being created, have allayed fears. Off to check out some coastal spots in the morning…
I’d be very interested to read more about your recce, @zio.
So have we decided that Cabo de Peñas IS a good spot? One
of my oldest friends has a summer house about 20 minutes away,
so it might be time to take up the old “you must come and visit one August”!So have we decided that Cabo de Peñas IS a good spot? One
of my oldest friends has a summer house about 20 minutes away,
so it might be time to take up the old “you must come and visit one August”!If that was my friend the date would have been in the diary years ago! Depending on luck and how much effort you are prepared to go to for a clear sky, you may need to warn said friend of the possible need for a short side trip.
Remember, a cloudy total eclipse (though a disappointment) is orders of magnitude better than a clear partial. CdP looks prime position- I’m heading for a look this afternoon.
So have we decided that Cabo de Peñas IS a good spot? One
of my oldest friends has a summer house about 20 minutes away,
so it might be time to take up the old “you must come and visit one August”!If that was my friend the date would have been in the diary years ago! Depending on luck and how much effort you are prepared to go to for a clear sky, you may need to warn said friend of the possible need for a short side trip.
Remember, a cloudy total eclipse (though a disappointment) is orders of magnitude better than a clear partial. CdP looks prime position- I’m heading for a look this afternoon.
Thanks for all the info!
I’d be very interested to read more about your recce, @zio.
As a completely goal-focused trip I’m afraid it has been comparatively boring and tiring: hours of driving and walking… upwards… in temperatures which don’t suit me. I usually avoid Europe in the summer. And some of the shortlist of places I came with have turned out to be unsuitable.
The secret weapon is the app PhotoPills whose augmented reality function lets you superimpose the sun/moon/galaxy centre on the scene in front of you and track its movement. Ever wondered how photographers manage to get the milky way rising or the sun setting in the perfect spot? Well, it isn’t (usually!) by wandering around blindly at night and trusting to luck…
Apart from Spotify it’s the only app I’ve ever paid for, which says a lot about me, but also says something about the app.
I’m happy to share some photos/screen shots and discuss pros and cons of locations- I’m sure Rob won’t mind facilitating contact.
Although you don’t forget an eclipse- where you were and who you were with- when it’s dark the “perfect” location just boils down to can you see the sun and the moon.
My cousin in Vigo had no idea about it (even though her brother lives in La Coruña!) either, but I guess not everyone is interested in these things.
I’m still mulling this over. We will definitely travel to the region next summer, but August 12th couldn’t be more awkward in terms of being right slap bang in the middle of the school holidays! Also, getting from NW England to NW Spain is fiendishly complicated given that the total flying time is much less than to many popular holiday spots.I’m waiting for Ryanair to release prices to OPO for next summer in the hope that easyJet and Jet2 might drop theirs in response, but O’Leary seems to have fallen out with some of the Iberian bodies who levy charges on him and looks to be holding some niche routes hostage (especially from STN, which is amusingly touted as “Londres”, but MAN-OPO doesn’t go beyond the end of next March either atm) until they offer him better terms.
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