The countdown has begun for the astronomical event of the century: the first total solar eclipse visible on the Iberian Peninsula in over 100 years. This historic event will take place next Wednesday, August 12, and its path of totality—during which the Moon will completely cover the Sun’s disk— will pass through dozens of towns and municipalities in the Community of Madrid.
César González, a science communicator at the Madrid Planetarium, told us in an interview that “most people who want to see a total solar eclipse have to travel, sometimes thousands of kilometers, to inhospitable places.” Fortunately, for those in the Community of Madrid , the distance will be much shorter—and they won’t even need a private vehicle.
According to data provided by the Community of Madrid, the path of totality spans 40 locations in the region (including towns and municipalities), although there are more than 50 designated viewing spots for the occasion—which can be found on the website created specifically for the event—.
Towns and municipalities in Madrid within the eclipse’s path of totality (and how to get there)
The eclipse will begin at 7:35 p.m. (at which point it will be partial) and reach totality starting at 8:30 p.m., lasting less than a minute at some locations, so it’s best to stay alert. Sunset will occur at 9:19 p.m.
Listed from longest to shortest duration of the phenomenon (specified in bold), these are the locations in the Community of Madrid within the path of totality and how to get there by public transportation —keep in mind, if you choose this option, that the trips will generally take longer than by car—.
Lasting more than a minute
- Somosierra (1′ 29s). Intercity bus: Line 191 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- Prádena del Rincón (1′ 25s). Intercity bus: Line 191 (Plaza Castilla transfer station) to Av. Madrid-Real (end of the line), then transfer to Line 191C to your destination.
- Braojos (1′ 22s). Intercity bus: Line 195 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- Piñuécar-Gandullas (1′ 22s). Intercity bus: Line 196 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- Berzosa del Lozoya (1′ 21s). Intercity bus: Line 191 (Plaza Castilla transfer station) to Buitrago del Lozoya, then transfer to Line 191D to your destination.
- La Serna del Monte (1′ 21s). Intercity bus: Line 191 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- Gascones (1′ 21s). Intercity bus: Line 195 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- Buitrago del Lozoya (1′ 19s). Intercity bus: Line 191 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- Villavieja del Lozoya (1′ 19s). Intercity bus: Line 191 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- Puentes Viejas (1′ 19s). Intercity bus: Line 191 (Plaza Castilla transfer station) to Buitrago del Lozoya, then transfer to Line 191E to your destination.
- Garganta de los Montes (1′ 13s). Intercity bus: Line 194 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- Lozoya (1′ 12s). Intercity bus: Line 194 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- La Cabrera (1′ 11s). Intercity bus: Line 194 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- Canencia (1′ 11s). Intercity bus: Line 194 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- Valdepiélagos (1′ 08s). Intercity bus: Line 197 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- Cabanillas de la Sierra (1′ 07s). Intercity bus: Line 191 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- Navalafuente (1′ 06s). Intercity bus: Line 197 (Plaza Castilla transfer station) to Torrelaguna, then transfer to Line 197C to your destination.
- Rascafría (1′ 06s). Intercity bus: Line 194 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- Talamanca de Jarama (1′ 04s). Intercity bus: Line 197 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- El Molar (1′ 01s). Intercity bus: Line 191 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
Less than a minute in duration
- Valdeolmos-Alalpardo (54s). Intercity bus: Line 182 (Plaza de Castilla transfer station).
- Fresno del Torote (53s). Take Metro Line 5 to Canillejas and transfer to intercity bus Line 256.
- Soto del Real (53s). Intercity bus: Line 725 (Plaza de Castilla transfer station).
- San Agustín de Guadalix (53s). Intercity bus: Line 191 (Plaza Castilla transfer station).
- Meco (52s). Intercity bus (Line 222 from Avenida de América) or the C-2 commuter train.
- Los Santos de la Humosa (51s). Intercity bus (Lines 223, 227, or 229 from the Avenida de América transit hub) or Cercanías lines C-2 and C-7 to Alcalá de Henares, then transfer to Line 275 to your destination.
- Pezuela de las Torres (44s). Intercity bus (Lines 223, 227, or 229 from the Avenida de América transit hub) or Cercanías lines C-2 and C-7 to Alcalá de Henares, then transfer to Line 271 to your destination.
- Daganzo de Arriba (44s). Take Metro Line 5 to Canillejas and transfer to intercity bus Line 256 to your destination.
- Colmenar Viejo (41s). Cercanías Line C-4b or intercity bus (Line 722 from the Plaza de Castilla transit hub).
- Navacerrada (36s). Intercity bus: Line 691 (Moncloa transfer station).
- Tres Cantos (36s). Cercanías Line C-4.
- Becerril de la Sierra (35s). Intercity bus: Line 691 (Moncloa transfer station).
- Olmeda de las Fuentes (31s). Intercity bus: Line 261 (Avenida de América transfer station).
- San Sebastián de los Reyes (31s). Cercanías Line C-4a and intercity bus lines such as Line 154 (from Chamartín).
- Nuevo Baztán (28s). Intercity bus: Line 261 (Avenida de América transfer station).
- Moralzarzal (28s). Intercity bus: Line 671 (Moncloa transfer station).
- Ambite (26s). Intercity bus: Line 326 (from the Pavones intermodal hub).
- Collado Mediano (26s). Intercity bus: Line 683 (Moncloa transfer station).
- Los Molinos (26s). Take Cercanías Line C-8 (toward Cercedilla or Guadarrama, from Chamartín) or intercity bus lines 688 or 684 (Moncloa transfer station).
- Hoyo de Manzanares (19s). Intercity bus: Line 611 or 611A (Moncloa transfer station).
Plan the day of the eclipse carefully
When choosing where to view it, keep in mind that being within the path of totality does not guarantee a clear view: as González explains, at the time the eclipse occurs, the Sun will be very low on the horizon, so it’s essential that there be no obstacles blocking the view—such as mounds, buildings, or trees—or even adverse weather conditions.”
In addition, using this eclipse viewer launched by the National Geographic Institute (IGN), you can check which locations on the Iberian Peninsula will see the eclipse in its entirety or determine the degree of partiality of the eclipse at a specific location or set of coordinates.”
If you’re traveling to see it, it’s recommended that you arrive even before the day of the eclipse to avoid possible road closures. If you’re using public transportation—and especially if you have to transfer—be sure to check the schedules carefully through official sources such as the website of the Regional Transportation Consortium of the Community of Madrid or Cercanías Madrid.”
Viewing the eclipse safely
Finally, to enjoy this astronomical spectacle safely, it is essential to wear proper eclipse glasses to prevent irreparable and irreversible eye damage.”
These must meet a specific ISO standard (12312-2:2015), which must be printed on the glasses to be used, in addition to the European Union’s “CE” marking. Experts recommend wearing the glasses throughout the entire event, removing them only when there is total darkness—never less than 100%.”
Therefore: in areas where the eclipse is partial, you must not remove your glasses at any time while observing the phenomenon, and in areas within the path of totality, only during the minute and a few seconds that the Moon completely covers the Sun. However, it is not recommended to look directly at the Sun for more than one minute at a time, even if you are wearing approved glasses.
After that time has passed, you must put them back on. Every time you put on or take off the glasses, it is essential to do so with your back to the Sun and looking at the ground to avoid any risks. People who wear prescription glasses should place the eclipse glasses over their own glasses.
In this guide published by the IGN, you can find tips for safely observing the eclipse.