On August 12, Valencia will experience a historic moment that hasn’t occurred in over 120 years: a total solar eclipse. To ensure that all Valencians can enjoy the phenomenon to the fullest, the Valencian Regional Government has established up to nine official observation points throughout the Valencian Community.
In the city of Valencia, the viewing area will be set up at Malva-rosa Beach and El Cabanyal. This location was chosen for its capacity and the authorities’ experience with similar events, such as the night of San Juan. More than 10,000 people are expected to gather in that area during the phenomenon.
To ensure safety and manage the expected crowds during the eclipse, the Valencia City Council has activated a special task force of about 200 personnel ( including firefighters, local police, and civil protection officers).
Expanded services and closure of L’Albufera and the CV-500
To prevent crowds in areas where emergency management is difficult, the L’Albufera and La Devesa Natural Parks will remain closed all day. Starting at 6:00 p.m., the CV-500 highway will be closed to general traffic; only residents, as well as security and emergency vehicles, will be allowed to pass. Security measures will include full control of the El Palmar area and Lake L’Albufera.
At Malva-rosa Beach, all municipal services (including lifeguards and medical assistance) will remain operational until 11:00 p.m. The Valencia Fire Department will participate with a boat and its drone units; the Local Police will also deploy their own drones in the area.
The City Council recommends using public transportation to reach the viewing spot. The EMT will increase service on bus routes serving the beaches. For those who prefer to watch the eclipse from home, the City Council suggests checking in advance the sun’s position at the time of the event from their terrace or balcony.
The phases of the eclipse, minute by minute
The total solar eclipse will occur at sunset, with the sun very low on the horizon. These are the key times for Valencia:
- 7:38 p.m. — Start of the partial eclipse: the Moon begins to cover the Sun.
- 8:32 p.m. — Start of the totality phase: the Moon completely covers the Sun.
- 8:32–8:33 p.m. — Peak of the eclipse: the sky darkens, the temperature drops slightly, and the solar corona is visible to the naked eye.
- 8:33 p.m. — End of totality.
- 8:58 p.m. — End of the eclipse, coinciding almost exactly with sunset.
Viewing a solar eclipse without proper protection can cause serious and irreversible eye damage. Only certified glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2:2015 standard—specifically designed for eclipse viewing—are suitable.
