Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca sits inside the path of totality for the August 12, 2026 eclipse. The Moon fully covers the Sun from 8:30 PM to 8:32 PM local time (CEST), delivering 1 minute 39 seconds of true totality — but at just 3° above the horizon, the Sun is barely clear of the sea as it happens. The partial phase begins around 7:37 PM, and after totality the Sun sets at 8:49 PM while still eclipsed, so the show ends at sunset.
When it happens in Palma de Mallorca
| Partial begins | 7:37 PM CEST |
| Totality begins | 8:30 PM CEST |
| Maximum (totality, 1 min 39 sec) | 8:31 PM CEST |
| Totality ends | 8:32 PM CEST |
| Sun sets — eclipse still in progress | 8:49 PM CEST |
All times local (CEST); the Sun is just 3° up at maximum and sets at 8:49 PM while still eclipsed — the show ends at sunset, so a clear, low horizon is essential.
What you'll see
For those 1 minute 39 seconds, the Sun's corona blazes around a black disc just above the waterline, with the colours of a summer sunset already painting the sky behind it — a combination you almost never get during a total eclipse. Before totality, the Moon takes a growing bite out of the Sun for nearly an hour; after totality the partially eclipsed Sun slips below the horizon at 8:49 PM, ending the event before the Moon fully clears the Sun's disc.
Where to watch from
At 3° altitude, almost anything — a rooftop, a hill, a line of trees — will block your view, so get to the seafront or any open coastal spot with a completely flat, unobstructed horizon to the west-north-west. The Passeig Marítim waterfront or the beaches west of the city centre are ideal.
Where to stand in Palma de Mallorca
- Look west-northwest — the Sun is 3° above the horizon at maximum, on a bearing of 287°. At that height anything on the skyline — buildings, a low ridge, even tall trees — will hide it, so you need a genuinely open view. The Sun sets at 8:49 PM while still eclipsed, so the show ends at sunset here — there is no second chance later in the evening.
- Be in position by 7:37 PM, when the partial phase starts, and scout the west-northwest skyline from your spot the day before if you can.
- Check before you travel: AEMET (Spanish State Meteorological Agency) for cloud cover, and DGT traffic and road status for road status. Both are official national services and open in a new tab.
Horizon direction and altitude computed with Astronomy Engine for Palma de Mallorca (39.5696, 2.6502). Last reviewed 2026-08-16.
Protect your eyes
Wear certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses from the first partial contact at 7:37 PM. The one and only time it is safe to look with the naked eye is during totality itself — from 8:30 PM to 8:32 PM — when the Sun is completely covered. The moment the brilliant diamond ring returns at 8:32 PM, put your glasses straight back on; the low Sun is still dangerously bright for the remaining minutes until it sets at 8:49 PM.
Common questions
Will Palma de Mallorca see totality?
Yes. Palma is inside the path of totality, with 1 minute 39 seconds of complete coverage from 8:30 PM to 8:32 PM local time (CEST) on August 12, 2026. The Sun is only 3° above the horizon at that moment, so a clear, open view to the west-north-west is essential.
What time is the eclipse in Palma, and when does it end?
The partial phase begins around 7:37 PM. Totality runs from 8:30 PM to 8:32 PM. After that the Sun remains partially eclipsed until it sets at 8:49 PM — that is when the show ends for Palma. The geometric end of the eclipse happens at 9:22 PM, but by then the Sun is well below the horizon and nothing is visible.
Do I need eclipse glasses in Palma?
Yes, for every part of the eclipse except totality itself. Keep certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses on from 7:37 PM until totality begins at 8:30 PM, remove them for the 1 minute 39 seconds of totality, then put them straight back on at 8:32 PM and keep them on until the Sun sets at 8:49 PM.