Autonomous City of Melilla

On the southern shore of the Alboran Sea, Melilla is a unique scene of contrasts for the Iberian Trio. The city, with its impressive modernist heritage and the imposing old town of Melilla la Vieja, offers a different perspective: the opportunity to watch the eclipses from the African continent, with the atmospheric stability that usually characterises the region in summer.

Although the cycle will begin on 12 August 2026 with a partial eclipse (it will be a curious sight to see the waning sun sink below the sea on the horizon)the date marked in red on the city's calendar is 2 August 2027. Melilla sits fully within the path of totality, which guarantees a first-class spectacle. The city will be plunged into darkness in the middle of the August morning. The duration of totality will be surprisingly long (over 4 minutes), allowing the sun's corona to be seen shining on the Citadel and the centuries-old walls, a fusion of history and astronomy that is difficult to replicate.

A partial eclipse on 26 January 2028 will put an end to the eclipse. While the peninsula sits right in the path of the eclipse, Melilla will enjoy a side view of the event, with a partially hidden sun providing a dim, golden light, ideal for highlighting the city's architecture.