Spain is experiencing an exceptional sequence of three major solar eclipses in three consecutive years: a total eclipse on 12 August 2026, another total eclipse on 2 August 2027 and an annular eclipse on 26 January 2028. They are not interchangeable events: each one crosses different parts of the country and requires a different observing plan.
2026: totality across northern Spain
The 2026 eclipse crosses northern Spain late in the day. The Sun is low, so an unobstructed western horizon becomes a major part of site selection. The combination of sunset light and totality is visually unusual, but the low altitude also makes terrain and local cloud especially important.
2027: long morning totality in the south
The 2027 eclipse crosses the far south. Cádiz province, the western Costa del Sol, Ceuta and Melilla are among the key Spanish areas. In Barbate, current IGN/OAN municipal data give about 4 minutes 15 seconds of totality, with maximum eclipse around 10:47 local time.
2028: an annular eclipse
The 2028 event is annular rather than total. The Moon does not completely cover the Sun, so a bright ring remains visible. This means direct solar viewing is never safe without appropriate protection at any point during annularity.
Why the three events feel so different
Total eclipses briefly reveal the solar corona because the bright photosphere disappears completely. An annular eclipse never reaches that state. The 2026 and 2027 total eclipses also differ in solar altitude, geography, duration and travel season.
Planning all three
If you want to experience the full Spanish eclipse sequence, treat each event as a separate project: choose the correct path, verify local contact times, secure accommodation and access, and use certified solar protection whenever any part of the photosphere remains visible.