The Department of Research and Universities of the Generalitat selected 18 municipalities last year to observe the eclipse, applying scientific and logistical criteria. Small towns have been excluded to avoid overcrowding, and the chosen municipalities have locations with good access and safety. Visibility towards the west at 8:30 PM will allow viewing the eclipse for about 55 seconds, potentially reaching 1 minute and 28 seconds in places like L'Ametlla de Mar. The low position of the Sun could hinder observation in some mountainous areas.
The selected cities include Alcanar, Altafulla, Amposta, Camarles, Cambrils, Constantí, Gandesa, L'Aldea, L'Ametlla de Mar, Les Borges Blanques, Lleida, Montbrió del Camp, Móra la Nova, Reus, Santa Bàrbara, Tarragona, Torredembarra, and Valls. Initially, El Vendrell and Salou were considered, but the former was discarded due to visibility issues, and the latter has opted for independent organization coinciding with its summer festival.
The cities have proposed locations, validated by the Generalitat, with an initial offering of 42,425 spots. Tarragona has announced additional spaces with capacity for 55,000 people, although only one of the five locations proposed by its city council has received official approval, leaving the rest under municipal responsibility. Among the proposed sites in Tarragona are the Port of Tarragona and Parc de Francolí.
In Valls, a space has been set up in the industrial estate with capacity for 4,000 people, which will include food options and afternoon concerts for families and adults. In Lleida, free observation points have been organized with prior reservation at Turó de la Seu Vella and in Magraners. In Reus, an observation point has been established around the Parc de la Festa with family and cultural activities.
The concentration of nearly 90,000 people in various Catalan municipalities could help mitigate the risk of fire, a significant danger in the middle of August. Protecció Civil acknowledges the danger of thousands of people accessing unfamiliar mountains. High mobility is expected in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, where the government has not yet defined observation points. Uncertainty about attendance and the risk of fire in some Natural Parks raise concerns, as does the possibility of visitors parking on road shoulders.
It is anticipated that after the eclipse, traffic jams will occur due to the mass departure of visitors, a situation already observed in other countries. In the southern regions of Catalonia, the coincidence with sunset might slightly hinder visibility, although few clouds are expected. In contrast, Galicia and Cantabria will have the Sun higher but a greater risk of clouds.
