Spain and Portugal gear up for total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026

A total solar eclipse will cross the Iberian Peninsula on 12 August 2026, with the path of totality passing through northern Spain and reaching the northeast of Portugal. In Spain the eclipse will be visible in regions such as Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla‑León, Aragón, Valencia and the Balearic Islands; Portugal will see a partial eclipse with up to 99 % coverage, and a total eclipse over Bragança for about 26 seconds.

Tourism is already booming: campgrounds in Asturias report a 327 % rise in bookings for the eclipse period, and platforms list more than a dozen villages in Guadalajara province as prime viewing sites, some offering up to two minutes of totality. The Xunta de Galicia is launching an audiovisual series featuring ten local researchers to explain the phenomenon and safety measures. A separate guide highlights maritime locations – from the Cíes Islands to the Costa Brava – where low light pollution and a 360° horizon improve viewing of both the eclipse and the Perseids meteor shower that peaks that night.

Officials stress the need for certified solar‑viewing glasses (ISO 12312‑2) for all phases of the eclipse.