A lot of you will probably want to view the solar eclipse in Barcelona or nearby… it’s an awesome universal event after all, and the first in Barcelona in over 120 years! Here is some information, and even an eclipse viewing event that will probably be quite amazing…
Safe ways to view the eclipse
We’ll have a full solar eclipse here in Barcelona on 12 August 2026 at around 20:00/8pm. There are only two safe ways to view the eclipse:
Solar eclipse glasses
These are probably the favourite way for most people, and they are safe. Note that these glasses (if you get proper ones) filter out a LOT more light than standard sunglasses.
Recycling
They also create a lot of trash though. Luckily there are organisations in and around Barcelona that collect or help you find a collection point for your used eclipse glasses!
https://museuciencies.cat/en/
https://aster.cat/
https://cosmocaixa.org/
https://astrosabadell.org/es/
https://astronomerswithoutborders.org/recycled-eclipse-glasses-program/
Pinhole projection
You can also easily create a pinhole projector to indirectly view the eclipse… here’s an article from NASA, and a halfway decent little video for those of you with a short attention span.
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/resources/project/how-to-make-a-pinhole-camera/
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/c6wpmKwYHGo
What not to do
You should never
- look directly at the sun, even during the full eclipse
- use standard sunglasses to look at the solar eclipse
- use your phone or a camera on the eclipse without a proper solar filter, as it might damage your equipment
- leave children to view the eclipse unattended
Eclipse viewing event in Poble Sec
My friend Mariell is putting on an eclipse viewing event on her amazing rooftop terrace with a menu perpared by a professional chef that I’m sure will be to die for!
Get your tickets at https://luma.com/ahf8tted
More on the solar eclipse in Barcelona
Here is some more official information about the 2026 solar eclipse from the Ajuntament de Barcelona: https://www.barcelona.cat/barcelonaciencia/en/science-city/science-and-citizenship/eclipse-barcelona
And the full 2026 Eclipse in Catalonia website: https://eclipsicatalunya.cat/en/ and official observation points at https://eclipsicatalunya.cat/en/observation-points/
