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What to do in Valencia on eclipse day, before the sun disappears for one minute
Make the most of eclipse day in Valencia. Discover where to watch the total solar eclipse, what to do beforehand, and how to plan your visit.
Whether you’ve traveled to the city specifically for the eclipse or your summer trip just happens to align with this historic event, being in Valencia on eclipse day is super exciting.
But you may be wondering, “How will the event fit into my itinerary?”
With the eclipse happening around 8 pm and lasting just 1 minute, it’s the finale to your day, not the full day’s schedule. Here’s what to do in Valencia during the lead-up to the moment of darkness, and how to secure the best view in town.
How eclipse Wednesday actually runs in Valencia
Many people heading to Spain this Wednesday assume the eclipse will dominate the entire day. However, no eclipse action really happens until around 7:30 pm.
According to official information from the Instituto Geográfico Nacional, the partial phase will begin at 19:38. At this point, the sky will slightly dim, but it won’t go fully dark until totality lands at 20:32. The darkness will last roughly a minute. Then the closing partial phase will blend into the 21:01 sunset.
Because of the eclipse timing, you have the entire daytime free, and luckily, there are so many things to do in Valencia. Here’s a simple breakdown of how to fill the hours leading up to the eclipse:
| Time | Plan | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Old town and Mercado Central | Cooler hours, most walkable |
| Early afternoon | Long lunch, then indoors | August heat peaks now |
| 18:00 | Get to your viewing spot | Traffic and crowds build early |
| 19:38 | Partial phase begins | Certified glasses on, no exceptions |
| 20:32 | Totality, about one minute | Glasses off only while it lasts |
Where to watch the eclipse, because the beach is the wrong call
It’s normal to assume that the beach would be the best place to watch the eclipse. But because it happens right before sunset, it’s not.
The sun sets inland to the west, so at eclipse time the sun will be low in the sky to the west. Being on the east coast, all of Valencia’s beaches face east, meaning you won’t be able to see the action along the seafront.
City center plazas will also prove problematic. The sun will be sitting just 4 degrees above the horizon at totality, so a single building or tree line in the west can block the entire event.
Therefore, the best viewing point will be:
- An elevated spot like a rooftop bar (you’ll need to reserve a table beforehand as rooftop bars in the city will likely be busy)
- An open area with a clean western horizon, such as Parque Natural de la Albufera, which is 16km from the city center.
If you’re unsure, test the sightline of your preferred spot in the afternoon while the sun is still visible.
Considering you’re likely to find the best views out of the city center, you could also consider taking a day trip from Valencia. Heading north up the coast toward Castellón puts you nearer the centerline. So along with clearer views, you’ll enjoy a longer eclipse duration, as totality will be around a minute and a half here.
How to spend the daytime without melting
Valencia in August is very hot and humid. With daytime temperatures frequently exceeding 30°C (85°F), it’s best to plan midday activities that are indoors or in the shade.
Spend the morning sightseeing or walking, such as wandering round the old town and visiting the central market. Then enjoy a long, leisurely lunch in an air-conditioned restaurant or shady terrace in a plaza.
Valencia has some of the best food in Spain, so eating is a cultural activity in itself. As the birthplace of paella, this classic Spanish rice dish is always a good choice. Also try fideuà, which is similar to paella, but with short noodles instead of rice.
Spend the afternoon doing something relaxed to preserve your energy for later and stay out of the sun as much as you can. Parque del Turia has many shady spots to relax, and you can rent a small boat or kayak there. As a large and open area, you could also stay until the evening to watch the eclipse.
What happens after the sun goes down
The partial phase continues to around 21:01, when the sun finishes setting. At this point, the roads and public transport will become busy, as the crowds all move at once.
As Spain’s dining culture means late dinners, this is the perfect time to have dinner at a restaurant close to your viewing spot. That way, by the time you’ve eaten, the congestion will have eased, and you can head back to your accommodation without the crowds.
It’s well worth staying in Valencia the following day as the Perseid meteor shower peaks on Thursday evening (August 13). Valencia is expected to have exceptional viewing conditions with up to 100 shooting stars per hour after midnight. This gives you two free back-to-back sky events.
And if you’re wondering how many days in Valencia is enough, most travelers find 2 to 5 days is ideal. As the eclipse is happening midweek, the city will be extra busy but not as lively as the weekend. If you want to experience Valencia’s epic nightlife, consider staying in the city from Wednesday to Sunday.
What to sort in the last 48 hours before eclipse day
To ensure your eclipse experience goes to plan, do the following things this week:
- Check the cloud forecast for any last-minute weather changes on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. Since the sun will be so low in the sky during the eclipse, even a slight haze could obstruct your view.
- Buy certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses before Wednesday to avoid any sold-out situations. It’s essential to wear these glasses during the partial phases of a total solar eclipse to avoid eye damage.
- Check local tourist boards for any official viewing events. Certain venues like the science museum sometimes run special programming for astronomical events and annual festivals like Las Fallas.
- Take public transport instead of driving if possible, as the roads will be busy on Wednesday night. If you are driving, arrive at your viewing spot at least two hours early, since nearby parking will fill fast.
Keep eclipse day running smoothly with Holafly
One minute of totality at the end of a long day leaves no margin for a dead phone or a lost signal. You will be checking timings, finding your group, and getting to your viewing spot just as the light starts to change.
A eSIM for Spain from Holafly keeps you connected through all of it, with unlimited data, 5G speeds and 24/7 customer support. Install it before you travel, activate it when you arrive, and skip both roaming charges and the hunt for a local SIM.
Holafly stays with you after the crowds thin out, too. Every eSIM includes 1 GB of Always On backup data at no additional cost, active for as long as the eSIM is installed on your device, renewing every month across 150+ destinations. Handy at 9 pm on a Wednesday when your data has run out, and you still need to find your way to dinner.
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Hi, I'm Mika, a South Korean writer living in the US. I cover travel and live events, focusing on the practical stuff that makes your trip smoother, whether you're navigating a new city or heading to a major international event.I'm also the founder of Search SEOul, South Korea's leading SEO conference, bringing together search marketing experts and speakers from around the world.
