San Sebastián
San Sebastián sees 99.7% of the Sun covered at maximum on August 12, 2026 — extraordinarily close to totality, but not quite. The deepest point comes around 8:27 PM CEST, with the Sun only 8° above the horizon. The eclipse is still in progress when the Sun sets at 9:15 PM, so that's when the show ends.
When it happens in San Sebastián
| Partial begins | 7:31 PM CEST |
| Maximum (99.7% covered) | 8:27 PM CEST |
| Sun sets — eclipse still in progress | 9:15 PM CEST |
All times local (CEST); the Sun is just 8° up at maximum and sets at 9:15 PM while still eclipsed — the show ends at sunset, so a clear, low horizon is essential.
What you'll see
Even at 99.7% coverage, a tiny sliver of Sun remains exposed, so the corona stays hidden and it never goes truly dark — you'll see a razor-thin crescent Sun hanging low over the horizon in a eerily dimmed, copper-tinted evening sky. It's a breathtaking sight, but it is not totality. For the full experience of the black Sun and corona, the path of totality runs across Iceland and through northern and eastern Spain — some of it not far to the south.
Where to watch from
With the Sun just 8° above the horizon at maximum, any building, hill, or haze to the west-north-west will block your view entirely. Head to the seafront — La Concha beach or the piers facing the open Bay of Biscay give you the flat, low horizon you need.
Protect your eyes
Because San Sebastián never reaches totality, it is never safe to look at the Sun without certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses — not even at 8:27 PM when 99.7% is covered. That remaining sliver is still intensely dangerous to unprotected eyes. Keep your glasses on from first contact around 7:31 PM right through to sunset at 9:15 PM.
Common questions
Will San Sebastián see a total solar eclipse?
No. The Moon covers 99.7% of the Sun at maximum — a dramatic sight — but it never reaches 100% here. The path of totality passes across Iceland and through parts of northern and eastern Spain, not San Sebastián.
What time is the eclipse in San Sebastián?
The Moon starts covering the Sun around 7:31 PM CEST, maximum coverage of 99.7% is at 8:27 PM CEST, and the Sun sets at 9:15 PM still eclipsed — that's the end of the show, as the geometric end of the eclipse at 9:19 PM happens below the horizon.
Do I need eclipse glasses in San Sebastián?
Yes, for the entire event without exception. Since San Sebastián never sees totality, there is no safe moment to look with the naked eye — keep certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses on from 7:31 PM right through to sunset at 9:15 PM.