Overview
- The total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 will cross a narrow path over northern and eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands, producing brief stretches of full darkness for observers inside the band.
- Visibility will vary widely by location with six Gipuzkoa towns such as Leintz‑Gatzaga and Oñati getting about 43 seconds of totality, Álava approaching a minute, and longer totality possible in parts of Castilla y León and Asturias.
- Science bodies and retailers stress that looking at the Sun without ISO 12312‑2:2015 (CE) certified eclipse glasses risks permanent retinal damage and that cameras, binoculars and telescopes must use dedicated solar filters.
- Officials expect large travel flows and spending increases, with projections of hundreds of thousands of extra visitors and roughly €342.19 million in additional tourist revenue across 36 provinces.
- The Dirección General de Tráfico has added eclipse rules to its summer plan and warns that stopping on motorway shoulders to watch can bring fines of €200 up to €500 while photographing while driving is punishable by €200 and loss of six licence points.