Ranked: the best places in the world to watch the sunrise and sunset
Picture this: you’re onboard a luxury liner with a cocktail in one hand, watching the sunset over the sea with your loved one. Is there anything more special? We don’t think so! Not only do sunrises and sunsets make for great pictures, but they make for lasting memories too, which is why we wanted to find out where in the world boasts the best views for them.
We delved into Tripadvisor review data to see which major sights scored the highest, so read on to discover the best places in the world to watch sunrises and sunsets, in addition to top tips on how to best capture these in a photo.
The best places in the world to watch the sunrise
From the US to Asia and everywhere between, these are the world’s hotspots for experiencing the most perfect of sunrises.
1. Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA
With its dramatic cliffs and pristine lakes, it’s no wonder the Grand Canyon has been crowned the top spot in the world for watching the sunrise. With so many stunning trails to explore, from the popular Bright Angel trail, to the South Rim, where you can try out wildland trekking, you could spend days in the Grand Canyon and still not see it all.
However, if it's the beautiful sunrises you’re after, there are a few spots to try out, including Mather Point, or the quieter Yaki Point, which has fewer tourists.
2. Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Watching the sunrise over the Taj Mahal is a truly magical experience – not only will you get to see the magnificent marble palace turn a warm golden shade, but it’s also one of the quietest times of the day for tourists.
For the perfect picture, try capturing the Taj Mahal and its reflection in the pond in the gardens, or through the golden arches by the Red Mosque.
3. Angkor Wat, Siam Reap, Cambodia
We’re staying in Asia for our third best sunrise spot, which is one of Cambodia’s most famed sights: the largest religious monument in the world.
You’ll need to get there early so you can bag one of the best spots by the pool, and enjoy watching the reflection of purple, orange, and yellow hues. And, the great thing is, once you’ve experienced the sunrise over Angkor Wat, there are other temples nearby you can visit too, including Prohm Kel, which is a small, sandstone temple just across the moat.
4. Haleakala National Park, Maui, USA
We head back to the USA for our fourth spot, to the breath-taking Haleakala National Park, which is home to Maui’s highest peak.
Sunrise is one of the best times to visit, but you’ll need to book a reservation in advance, and dress warm. However, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views over the island, making it a great adventure to tick off your bucket list.
5. Borobudur Temple, Java, Indonesia
The largest Buddhist temple in the world, Indonesia’s Borobudur Temple makes it into fifth place, and whilst it’s impressive at any time of the day, it’s extra special at sunrise.
Head up the steps to the top tier to watch the sunrise over the surrounding rice fields and jungles, making it a truly picture-perfect moment.
The fact is, no matter where you want to travel to in the world, there are some truly magical places to watch the sunrise. From iconic European attractions including the London Eye, and the Eiffel Tower, to some of the best beaches– including Sydney’s Bondi Beach, and Aruba’s Eagle Beach - there are lots of places to enjoy it.
The best places in the world to watch the sunset
The Grand Canyon, Taj Mahal, and Angkor Wat all make it into the top three again, but whereabouts in the rest of the world boasts the top spots for watching the sunset?
1. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
One of the most romantic experiences in the world is watching the sunset behind Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower – especially in the summer months. Bring a blanket and grab a spot in the park, so you can get a close-up of the twinkling lights as Paris descends into darkness.
Alternatively, you could time your visit and catch the lift up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, to watch the sunset over the city – both offer some of the most magical views you’ll ever see.
2. London Eye, London, England
Situated on the banks of the River Thames, the London Eye’s glass pods make it one of the best ways to get a view of the UK’s capital.
Time it right and you could be up in the air watching the sunset over the city, viewing many of its iconic monuments including Big Ben, the Shard, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
3. Mallory Square, Florida, USA
Located in Florida’s Key West, Mallory Square is home to lots of hotels, restaurants, and shops, and is a hub for tourists wanting to visit the Keys.
Every night, the Sunset Celebration is held, where you’ll get to watch the sunset over the sea, before browsing the wares local artists are selling, and tucking into local and international cuisine from the many food carts.
4. Tanah Lot Temple, Bali, Indonesia
One of the most sacred temples in Bali, Tanah Lot is located just off the coast, making it a hotspot for sunsets.
The black sand beach and cliffs are two of the most popular spots for watching the picture-perfect sunset, but if you want to get away from the crowds, you could book a dinner reservation at one of the restaurants on the cliffside, and enjoy the view.
5. Jimbaran Bay, Bali, Indonesia
Alternatively, if you’re on holiday in Bali and want to catch another breath-taking sunset view, then Jimbaran Bay is a great option.
Home to many luxury resorts, you could either enjoy a romantic sunset beach walk, or head to dinner at one of the many restaurants that line the beach, and watch it from there.
As a whole, beaches are a popular spot for watching sunsets, with Turkey’s Calis Beach, and Railay Beach in Krabi also making it into our top 15 list, in addition to in-land destinations too, including England’s historic Stonehenge.
So, wherever you are in the world, make sure you catch at least one sunrise or sunset, so you can make lasting memories.
How to capture the perfect sunrise and sunset picture
Photographer Richard Wilson has shared some top tips on taking the perfect sunrise and sunset photos in the best locations in the world-
- Pick a feature of the images, building, landscape, or ocean and base the shot around that, using ‘leading lines’ or the rule of thirds.
- Sunsets are always to the west, so base your location and feature based on direction.
- Sunrises are east facing, so again, base your shot on this.
- Ideally, try and get a composition that isn’t too distracting so you don’t draw the eye away from the focal point.
- If on an iPhone, tap the screen to expose the image to how you like. Press the screen and drag it up and down to suit.
- Landscape is usually best for wider landscape style shots; city shots (like New York or Paris) can be shot in portrait too.
- Ensure you are out an hour before the sunrises and sets as the light constantly changes to avoid disappointment.
Find out More About Our Cruises
If you like the idea of visiting some of the places we’ve mentioned on our list, then you’re in luck, as we offer cruises to several of these destinations. From our Asia cruises, where you can explore the wonders of Cambodia and Indonesia, through to our Caribbean cruises, where you can unwind in tropical islands like Jamaica and Aruba, it’s time to start planning your next holiday.
Methodology
Sources:
- Reviews - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/
Methodology:
This dataset shows which locations are the best for sunrises and sunsets. This was done two ways:
- The first way by gathering the number of 5* reviews containing the words ‘sunrise’ and ‘sunset’, then calculating the percentage of these reviews compared to the number of total reviews.
- The second way by collecting the number of stars for each review containing ‘sunrise’ and ‘sunset’, then calculating the average star rating for each location. The locations were then ranked by the total number of reviews containing either ‘sunrise’ or ‘sunset’.
Data is gathered and correct as of 20/02/23.