Santander
Santander sits inside the path of totality for the August 12, 2026 eclipse. At 8:26 PM CEST the Moon covers the Sun completely, giving the city 1 minute 7 seconds of true totality, with the Sun just 9° above the horizon — a rare, dramatic combination of a total eclipse and a near-sunset sky.
When it happens in Santander
| Partial begins | 7:31 PM CEST |
| Totality begins | 8:26 PM CEST |
| Maximum (totality, 1 min 7 sec) | 8:27 PM CEST |
| Totality ends | 8:27 PM CEST |
| Partial ends | 9:19 PM CEST |
All times local (CEST); the Sun is 9° above the horizon at maximum.
What you'll see
For those 67 seconds, daylight vanishes: the Sun's corona — a soft, white halo — wraps around a jet-black disc hanging low and vivid in the western sky. Twilight colours spread across the horizon in every direction, and the brightest stars may pop into view. Before and after, the Moon spends nearly an hour carving a deepening crescent into the Sun as it sinks toward the coast.
Where to watch from
With the Sun only 9° up at totality, any building, hillside, or sea mist to the west will block your view entirely. Head to the waterfront or the Magdalena Peninsula, or anywhere along the bay with a completely flat, open view toward the west-north-west over the sea.
Protect your eyes
Wear certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses from the moment the partial phase begins around 7:31 PM. The only safe window for naked-eye viewing is during totality itself — from 8:26 PM to 8:27 PM CEST, those 1 minute 7 seconds when the Sun is fully covered. The instant the bright diamond ring flares back into view, glasses go straight back on and stay on until the eclipse ends around 9:19 PM.
Common questions
Will Santander see a total solar eclipse?
Yes. Santander is inside the path of totality, with 1 minute 7 seconds of complete coverage beginning at 8:26 PM local time (CEST) on August 12, 2026. The Sun will be very low — just 9° up — so a clear western horizon is essential.
What time is the eclipse in Santander?
The partial phase begins around 7:31 PM CEST, totality runs from 8:26 PM to 8:27 PM CEST, and the partial phase wraps up by about 9:19 PM CEST.
Do I need eclipse glasses in Santander?
Yes, for the partial phases. You can safely remove them only during the 1 minute 7 seconds of totality between 8:26 PM and 8:27 PM CEST — put them straight back on the moment the bright Sun reappears.