Sunset
The viewpoints, beaches and rooftops worth rearranging your evening for, across every destination.
10 Days in Bali · April to October
Tanah Lot temple
The classic Bali sunset: the sea temple silhouetted on its rock as the sky turns. Extremely popular, so arrive early.
10 Days in Bali · Year-round
Uluwatu clifftop and Kecak dance
Sunset from the temple clifftop, then the fire-lit Kecak chant performed in the open amphitheatre above the ocean.
10 Days in Bali · Year-round
Seminyak Beach sunset bars
The flat west-facing sand at Seminyak and Petitenget is Bali’s easiest sunset: a drink at a beanbag beach bar as the sun drops.
10 Days in Thailand · November to April
Chao Phraya river sunset, Bangkok
A river cruise or a riverside rooftop bar times the last light against the illuminated Wat Arun and the Old City from the water.
10 Days in Thailand · November to February
Doi Suthep and the Chiang Mai viewpoints
The road up Doi Suthep and the temple terrace look west over Chiang Mai as the sun drops behind the plain; a classic northern sunset.
10 Days in Thailand · November to April
Island beach sunset
On the final leg, the Andaman-facing beaches (or Phuket’s Promthep Cape) give a west-coast sunset to close the trip.
10 Days in Vietnam · Year-round
Saigon Skydeck, Bitexco Financial Tower
The 49th-floor observation deck over Ho Chi Minh City, with the best light in the late-afternoon window as the city switches on below.
10 Days in Vietnam · Year-round
Thu Bon riverfront, Hoi An
As the light drops in Hoi An the lanterns come on along the river and boats sell floating candles; the classic central-Vietnam evening.
10 Days in Vietnam · Year-round
Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi
The lake at the edge of the Old Quarter draws an evening crowd; on weekends the surrounding streets go car-free for a walking promenade.
Amalfi Coast · April to October
Praiano’s Church of San Gennaro terrace
Praiano faces west and is widely considered the best sunset town on the coast, with an open sea horizon unblocked by the next headland.
Amalfi Coast · April to October
Terrazza dell’Infinito, Villa Cimbrone, Ravello
The marble-balustraded Terrace of Infinity looks out over the whole gulf; a quieter, more formal sunset than the coastal towns.
Amalfi Coast · May to September
Fornillo Beach, Positano
A quieter beach one headland over from Positano’s main Spiaggia Grande, with the town and cliffs lit up as the sun drops behind Capri.
Athens · Year-round
Lycabettus Hill summit
The highest point in the city, reached by funicular, gives a full panorama of the Acropolis lit up against the sunset with the sea beyond.
Athens · April to October
Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon
The clifftop Temple of Poseidon at the tip of the Attica peninsula, one of Greece’s classic sunset pilgrimages, about an hour from central Athens.
Athens · Year-round
Areopagus Hill at sunset
The same free hill beside the Acropolis works just as well at sunset, with the Parthenon catching the last light directly in front of you.
Bangkok · November to April
Wat Arun at sunset, viewed from Tha Tien
The temple’s tiered prang catches the last light and silhouettes beautifully against the evening sky, best seen from the riverbank or a rooftop bar opposite.
Bangkok · Year-round
Sky Bar by lebua
Bangkok’s best-known rooftop sunset: 360-degree views over the river and the city skyline from 250 meters up.
Bangkok · Year-round
Chao Phraya dinner cruise
A slow river cruise timed to sunset passes the illuminated Grand Palace, Wat Arun and the old riverside hotels from the water.
Barcelona · Year-round
Bunkers del Carmel
A former Civil War anti-aircraft position atop Turó de la Rovira, now the city’s best-known free sunset viewpoint, with a 360-degree panorama including the Sagrada Família and the sea.
Barcelona · March to October (castle open until 8pm)
Montjuïc Castle
The hilltop fortress above the port gives a wide sunset panorama over the harbor and the city, reachable by cable car.
Barcelona · Year-round
Park Güell terraces
The mosaic-covered main terrace looks west over the city toward the sea, catching the last light on the Gaudí structures themselves.
California Coast Road Trip: Highway 1, San Francisco to Los Angeles · Year-round
Nepenthe terrace
The classic Big Sur sunset: a cliff-edge terrace facing the open Pacific, best paired with an early dinner.
California Coast Road Trip: Highway 1, San Francisco to Los Angeles · Year-round
McWay Falls overlook
The southwest-facing cove takes on the warmest light late in the day; small and popular, so it gets crowded at sunset.
California Coast Road Trip: Highway 1, San Francisco to Los Angeles · Year-round
Pfeiffer Beach
A Big Sur beach famous for a rock arch that catches beams of late light; the sand has a purple tint from mineral deposits.
Cape Town & the Winelands · Year-round
Signal Hill
A short drive and easy walk to a ridge overlooking the city bowl, Lion’s Head and Robben Island; the classic Cape Town sunset spot.
Cape Town & the Winelands · Year-round
Camps Bay beach
Palm-lined promenade restaurants and bars facing the Atlantic and the Twelve Apostles, with reliable ocean sunsets.
Cape Town & the Winelands · September to April
A Stellenbosch or Franschhoek wine-estate terrace
Many estates keep their tasting rooms and restaurants open into early evening, with mountain-backed vineyard views at golden hour.
Cappadocia · Year-round
Göreme Sunset Point
A signed overlook above Göreme town where Rose and Red Valley catch the reddish light that gives them their names.
Cappadocia · Year-round
Uçhisar Castle
The same 360-degree viewpoint that works for sunrise also gives a wide western view for sunset over the valleys toward Göreme.
Cappadocia · Year-round
Ortahisar Castle
A quieter alternative to the busier Göreme and Uçhisar viewpoints, with views over Rose Valley and the surrounding countryside.
Corfu · May to September
Cape Drastis
The island’s most dramatic sunset headland: white sandstone fingers dropping into the sea at the northwest tip.
Corfu · May to October
Afionas / Porto Timoni viewpoint
A ridge above the double bay of Porto Timoni; one of the best sunset panoramas on the island.
Corfu · Year-round
Kaiser’s Throne (Pelekas)
A hilltop viewing platform, once Kaiser Wilhelm’s favourite, with a near-360 panorama and famous sunsets over the west coast.
Crete · April to October
Falassarna Beach
A wide west-facing sand beach on Crete’s far western coast, considered by many locals the island’s best sunset for its completely unobstructed sea horizon.
Crete · May to October (boat season)
Gramvousa and Balos at dusk
The last afternoon boat back from Gramvousa island crosses the lagoon as the light turns gold over Balos; a quieter, later alternative to the midday crowds.
Crete · Year-round
The Fortezza, Rethymno
The walls of the 16th-century Venetian fortress above Rethymno’s old town look west over the sea and the rooftops below, a short walk from the harbour.
Dubai · Year-round
At The Top, Burj Khalifa
The observation deck sunset slot gives an elevated view over the entire city as the light turns gold, then watches the skyline switch on after dark.
Dubai · October to April (most comfortable); available year-round
Desert dune sunset (safari)
Evening desert safaris time dune bashing and photo stops for sunset, followed by a Bedouin-style camp dinner under the stars.
Dubai · Year-round
The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah
A beachfront boardwalk facing Atlantis, The Palm, with a choreographed fountain show timed into the evening; an easy, low-key sunset spot.
Fiji · Year-round
Yasawa Islands and the Blue Lagoon
The Yasawas’ west-facing beaches deliver Fiji’s postcard sunsets over the sea, framed by volcanic peaks.
Fiji · Year-round
Mamanuca island beaches
The small outer islands off Nadi, such as Malolo and Castaway, sit in open water for uninterrupted sunset horizons.
Fiji · Year-round
Denarau Island beachfront
The easiest sunset for the first or last night: the Denarau resort strip faces west across the water toward the islands.
French Riviera (Cote d'Azur) · Year-round
Colline du Chateau, Nice
The hilltop park above the Old Town, on the site of Nice’s former castle, looks straight down the Baie des Anges and catches the sunset over the Promenade des Anglais and the Alps behind it.
French Riviera (Cote d'Azur) · April to October
Jardin Exotique d’Eze
The garden’s western terraces face the sea toward Cap Ferrat and Cap d’Antibes, one of the most photographed sunset panoramas on this stretch of coast.
French Riviera (Cote d'Azur) · Year-round
La Croisette, Cannes
The seafront boulevard faces roughly southwest across the Bay of Cannes toward the Esterel massif and the Lerins Islands, giving long, warm sunsets over water in view of the Palais des Festivals.
Great Barrier Reef & Cairns · May to October (dry season, clearer skies)
Rex Lookout
A cliffside lookout on the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Port Douglas, facing the Coral Sea with paragliders often overhead.
Great Barrier Reef & Cairns · Year-round
Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas
The long Port Douglas beach faces west across the inlet toward the ranges, giving a softer, land-lit sunset than an open-ocean view.
Great Barrier Reef & Cairns · Year-round
Palm Cove jetty
The village jetty extends out past the palm-lined esplanade, a quiet spot to watch the light fade over the water.
Greece in 10 Days: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini · Year-round, best April to October
Oia Castle, Santorini
The classic Santorini sunset and the reason most visitors build a trip around this route: the ruined castle above Oia’s harbour, looking straight down the caldera as the sun drops into the sea.
Greece in 10 Days: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini · Year-round, best May to October
Little Venice, Mykonos
The row of waterfront houses catches the sunset directly over the sea; the bars built into the old buildings are the standard place to watch it with a drink.
Greece in 10 Days: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini · Year-round
Areopagus Hill, Athens
A free, unticketed marble outcrop beside the Acropolis entrance, with the floodlit Parthenon catching the last light directly in front of you.
Hoi An · Year-round
Thu Bon riverfront, Ancient Town
As the light drops, the lanterns come on along the river and boats sell floating paper candles; the classic Hoi An evening rather than a big open sunset.
Hoi An · Year-round
An Bang Beach bars
The beach faces east so it does not catch the sunset over the sea, but the beach bars are a relaxed place for the light to fade with a drink.
Hoi An · Year-round
Cam Nam island riverbank
A quieter bank just across the river from the Ancient Town, looking back at the old town’s roofs and lantern light as it comes on.
Hokkaido · Year-round, clearest in winter and autumn
Mount Yotei from Niseko
Clear evenings light up the near-perfect volcanic cone of Mount Yotei above the Niseko villages.
Hokkaido · Year-round
Otaru Canal at dusk
Gas lamps come on along the canal as the light fades, the classic Otaru evening scene once day-trip crowds thin out.
Istanbul · Year-round
Süleymaniye Mosque terrace and gardens
The mosque grounds sit on a hill above the Golden Horn; the gardens and surrounding cemetery terrace catch the evening light over the water and Galata.
Istanbul · Year-round
Pierre Loti Hill
A hilltop café above the Golden Horn cemetery, reached by cable car or a walk, with one of the classic wide views back over the water to the Old City.
Istanbul · Year-round
Ortaköy waterfront
The small Ortaköy Mosque sits directly on the Bosphorus beneath the first bridge; the strait catches the sunset with the bridge lights coming on behind it.
Kenya-Tanzania Safari Route · Year-round
Ngorongoro Crater rim at sunset
The rim lodges look out over the volcanic amphitheatre as the light fades; cold sets in fast, so bring a layer.
Kenya-Tanzania Safari Route · Year-round
Sundowner over the plains
A standard camp activity: drinks at a scenic viewpoint as the sun drops over the Mara or Serengeti before the drive back.
Kenya-Tanzania Safari Route · Year-round
Mara River at Governors’ Camp
The riverfront near the camp and Musiara Marsh makes a natural late-afternoon backdrop for game viewing and birding.
Koh Samui · December to April
Maenam beach
The north-shore beach faces west toward Koh Phangan and gets clean sunsets over the water, away from the busier east coast.
Koh Samui · December to April
Laem Yai and the northwest
The northwest headland faces the sunset directly; the hillside resorts and viewpoints around Laem Yai look out over the Gulf as the sun drops.
Koh Samui · December to April
Angthong viewpoint (Koh Wua Talap)
On the Angthong day trip, the climb on Koh Wua Talap gives a panoramic sunset-worthy view over the archipelago, though most tours return before dusk.
Kyoto · Spring and autumn evening illumination periods
Kiyomizu-dera stage, Higashiyama
The elevated wooden stage looks west over Kyoto as the light fades, especially striking during spring and autumn illuminations.
Kyoto · Year-round, best in autumn
Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama
The bridge over the Katsura River with the wooded Arashiyama hills behind catches good evening light, especially in autumn foliage season.
Kyoto · Year-round
Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park, Gion
The lantern-lit shrine grounds and adjoining park make a good early-evening walk into Gion as the light drops.
Lisbon · Year-round
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
A small tiled terrace draped in bougainvillea, looking over Alfama’s rooftops to the river; the postcard view of Lisbon.
Lisbon · Year-round
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
The highest viewpoint in the city, above Graca, with an unobstructed sweep from the castle to the 25 de Abril Bridge.
Lisbon · Year-round
Cristo Rei viewpoint, across the river
The hilltop monument across the Tagus in Almada gives the classic reverse view: Lisbon’s skyline and the bridge lit by the setting sun.
Madrid · Year-round
Templo de Debod
A genuine 2nd-century-BC Egyptian temple relocated to Parque del Oeste, where the sun sets behind the Casa de Campo hills and reflects in the surrounding pools.
Madrid · Year-round
Circulo de Bellas Artes rooftop (Azotea)
A paid rooftop terrace on Calle de Alcala with 360-degree views over Gran Via and the mountains beyond; one of the best elevated sunset spots in the city.
Madrid · Year-round
Las Vistillas gardens
A terraced garden west of the Royal Palace looking toward the Almudena Cathedral dome and the Sierra de Guadarrama on a clear evening.
Maldives Overwater Villas · Year-round
Overwater villa deck, west-facing
A west-facing overwater villa turns the nightly sunset into a private, no-effort event visible from the plunge pool or the deck daybed.
Maldives Overwater Villas · Year-round, calmer in the dry season
Sunset dolphin cruise by traditional dhoni
A resort-run boat trip timed to catch spinner dolphins at play as the sky turns color, usually followed or preceded by drinks on board.
Maldives Overwater Villas · Year-round
Resort sandbank or overwater bar
Most resorts have a signature sunset spot, whether a sandbank accessible by boat or an overwater bar built out over the lagoon.
Miami · Year-round
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
One of the few Miami-area spots where the sun sets into open ocean water from the beach, with the historic lighthouse as a backdrop.
Miami · Year-round
Bayfront Park, Downtown
Facing west over Biscayne Bay, the sun drops behind the downtown high-rises and reflects on the water before the city lights come up.
Miami · Year-round
Crandon Park Beach, Key Biscayne
A wide, bay-curving shoreline with open sunset views and far fewer crowds than the beaches of South Beach.
Morocco: Marrakech, Sahara & Chefchaouen · Year-round, best March to May and September to November
Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
The classic arrival moment: camel trek into the dunes as the light turns the sand orange and pink before the desert camp dinner.
Morocco: Marrakech, Sahara & Chefchaouen · Year-round
Spanish Mosque hill, Chefchaouen
A short uphill walk from the medina to a hilltop mosque with a panorama over Chefchaouen’s blue rooftops; a popular and easy sunset spot.
Morocco: Marrakech, Sahara & Chefchaouen · Year-round
Kasbah Museum tower, Marrakech
The tower of the Kasbah museum in the medina gardens gives a rooftop-level view back over the old city as the light fades.
Mykonos · Year-round, best April to October
Little Venice
The island’s signature sunset: the sun drops directly behind the balconied houses of Alefkandra, best watched from a waterside bar or the rocks just beyond it.
Mykonos · April to October
Kato Mili windmills
The hill above Little Venice gives a higher, wider view over the same sunset, with the windmills themselves silhouetted against the sky.
Mykonos · April to October
Armenistis Lighthouse
A quiet, uncrowded alternative on the island’s northern tip, facing open sea rather than the harbor.
New York City · Year-round
Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center
Widely regarded as the best sunset observation deck in the city, with the Empire State Building itself lit up in the view.
New York City · April to November (park hours extend into the evening)
The High Line at 14th Street
The elevated park’s western stretch looks straight over the Hudson River, a free and uncrowded alternative to the paid observation decks.
New York City · Year-round
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1
The same skyline view as sunrise, reversed: the Manhattan skyline catches the last light while the bridge lights come on.
Paris · Year-round
Sacré-Cœur and the Montmartre steps
The parvis in front of the basilica fills with locals and visitors alike as the sun drops over the city spread out below.
Paris · Year-round
Trocadéro esplanade
The classic view straight across the Seine to the illuminated Eiffel Tower, best in the last hour before dark when the tower’s hourly lights begin.
Paris · Year-round
Tour Montparnasse observation deck
A 56th-floor open-air terrace with a 360-degree view, notable because it is one of the few spots that includes the Eiffel Tower itself in the panorama.
Peru: Cusco & Machu Picchu · Year-round
Sacsayhuaman above Cusco
The hilltop fortress catches golden light over the city; a short uphill walk or taxi from the historic center.
Peru: Cusco & Machu Picchu · Year-round
San Blas miradors, Cusco
The viewpoints on the San Blas hillside look over Cusco’s rooftops at sunset without needing transport beyond a walk.
Peru: Cusco & Machu Picchu · Dry season (May to October)
Ollantaytambo terraces
Climbing the fortress terraces gives sunset views down the Sacred Valley.
Phuket · November to April
Promthep Cape
The island’s classic sunset: the southernmost headland, where crowds gather at the lighthouse for the light going down over the Andaman Sea.
Phuket · November to April
Kata and Karon beaches
The west-coast beaches face directly into the Andaman sunset; an easy sundowner without the drive to the cape.
Phuket · November to April
Windmill Viewpoint (Laem Krating)
A cliffside viewpoint near Nai Harn looking over Ya Nui and the southern coves; a quieter alternative to Promthep for sunset.
Queenstown · Year-round
Queenstown lakefront and gardens
The classic Queenstown sunset: The Remarkables turning pink over Lake Wakatipu, viewed from the town wharf or Queenstown Gardens.
Queenstown · Year-round
Bob’s Peak (Skyline Gondola)
The gondola summit gives a wide, elevated sunset panorama over the lake and town, best paired with dinner at Stratosfare.
Queenstown · Year-round
Bennetts Bluff Lookout, road to Glenorchy
A lookout on the road between Queenstown and Glenorchy with a wide view down the length of the lake, popular for sunset light on the mountains.
Rajasthan Golden Triangle · Year-round
Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur
Jaipur’s definitive sunset viewpoint over the Aravalli hills, with the Pink City glowing below from the ramparts.
Rajasthan Golden Triangle · October to March
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
Sunset over the Blue City from one of India’s great forts, with rooftop restaurants nearby offering direct fort views.
Rajasthan Golden Triangle · October to March
Bada Bagh cenotaphs, Jaisalmer
Royal cenotaphs that glow gold in the desert sunset, a short drive from Jaisalmer for those who reach the far west.
Rome · Year-round
Gianicolo (Janiculum Hill) terrace
The same terrace works even better at sunset, when the dome of St Peter’s and the whole skyline turn gold; a cannon still fires here at noon daily, a Roman tradition.
Rome · Year-round
Terrazza del Pincio
A shorter walk than the Gianicolo, looking down over Piazza del Popolo as the light drops; busier but still calm compared to street level.
Rome · Year-round
Ponte Sant’Angelo, looking to St Peter’s
The bridge frames Castel Sant’Angelo and the dome of St Peter’s together; a classic postcard shot as the sky turns pink over the Tiber.
San Francisco and Napa Valley · Year-round
Twin Peaks
The near-central hills of San Francisco at about 925 feet give a panorama from Ocean Beach to the bridge and the Mission; the city’s classic sunset viewpoint.
San Francisco and Napa Valley · Year-round
Baker Beach
A strong sunset spot as well, with the Golden Gate Bridge in silhouette as the light drops behind the headlands.
San Francisco and Napa Valley · Year-round
Auberge du Soleil terrace, Rutherford
A hillside restaurant terrace positioned for valley-wide sunset views over the vineyards; the wine-country counterpart to the city’s hills.
Santorini · Year-round, best April to October
Oia Castle
The classic Santorini sunset: the ruined castle above Oia’s harbour, looking straight down the caldera as the sun drops into the sea.
Santorini · April to October
Skaros Rock, Imerovigli
A quieter alternative to Oia with a comparable, some say better, view down the caldera, and far more room to stand.
Santorini · April to October
Akrotiri Lighthouse (Faros)
A working lighthouse on the island’s southwest tip, facing open sea rather than the caldera; one of the few genuinely uncrowded sunset spots on Santorini.
Seminyak · Year-round
Seminyak Beach sunset bars
The flat west-facing sand at Seminyak and Petitenget is Bali’s easiest sunset: a drink at a beanbag beach bar as the sun drops into the sea.
Seminyak · April to October
Tanah Lot temple
The classic Bali sunset: the sea temple silhouetted on its rock as the sky turns, a short drive northwest of Seminyak. Very popular, so arrive early.
Seminyak · Year-round
Uluwatu clifftop and Kecak dance
Sunset from the temple clifftop on the Bukit, then the fire-lit Kecak chant in the open amphitheatre above the ocean.
Seoul · Year-round
N Seoul Tower observation deck
A 360-degree view over Seoul as the city lights come on, reached by cable car up Namsan.
Seoul · April to October
Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain, Han River
The bridge’s illuminated fountain show starts around sunset in warmer months, best watched from the riverside park below.
Sicily · April to October
Scala dei Turchi
A dazzling white marl cliff on the coast near Agrigento; the pale rock turns gold and pink at sunset.
Sicily · Year-round
Belvedere di Monte Pellegrino, Palermo
A 606-meter promontory above the city with views over Palermo, the bay and Mondello; the sun sets behind the mountain or into the Gulf of Palermo.
Sicily · May to September
Pollara, Salina (Aeolian Islands)
A crater-rim village made famous by the film Il Postino; sunsets over the sea toward Filicudi are among the best in the archipelago.
Singapore · Year-round
Marina Bay waterfront promenade
The classic view: Marina Bay Sands, the Supertrees and the CBD skyline reflected across the bay as the light fades and the buildings light up.
Singapore · Year-round
Southern Ridges (Henderson Waves)
An elevated walkway through forested hills southwest of the city center, with a wave-shaped bridge and views back toward the port and skyline.
Singapore · Year-round
Siloso Beach, Sentosa
A palm-lined beach on Sentosa’s western side facing the open sea, with beach bars for a sunset drink.
Sri Lanka Round Trip · Year-round
Galle Fort ramparts
The Dutch-era fort walls facing the Indian Ocean are the classic south-coast sunset spot, busy with locals and visitors alike.
Sri Lanka Round Trip · December to March for the clearest light
Nuwara Eliya tea-estate viewpoints
Hill-country viewpoints over rolling tea estates catch dramatic light as the sun drops behind the ridgelines.
Sri Lanka Round Trip · Year-round
Kandalama Lake, near Dambulla
The lake below Heritance Kandalama gives a wide, quiet sunset view with Sigiriya visible in the distance.
Sydney · Year-round
Circular Quay and the Opera House forecourt
The classic Sydney sunset: the Bridge and Opera House lit gold, then the city lights coming on over the water.
Sydney · Year-round
The Gap, Watsons Bay
A dramatic clifftop lookout over the harbour entrance and open ocean, popular for sunset among locals.
Sydney · Year-round
North Head, Manly
A former defence reserve at the harbour entrance with wide ocean and city views, quieter than the Manly beachfront itself.
Tokyo · Year-round
Shibuya Sky (Shibuya Scramble Square)
An open-air rooftop deck above the Crossing, with sightlines across Shibuya, Shinjuku and, in clear weather, Mount Fuji.
Tokyo · Winter for the clearest Fuji views
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatories
Free observation decks in Shinjuku with wide western views toward Mount Fuji at sunset.
Tokyo · Year-round
Tokyo Tower, Minato
The 1958 red-and-white tower gives a classic, lower-rise skyline sunset view over Zojo-ji temple and central Tokyo.
Tuscany · Year-round
Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence
The same terrace works even better at sunset, when the Duomo’s dome and Giotto’s tower catch the last light over the Arno.
Tuscany · April to October, and again around the autumn harvest
The cypress road near San Quirico d’Orcia
One of the most photographed views in Tuscany: a curving dirt road lined with cypresses running through the Val d’Orcia’s clay hills.
Tuscany · Year-round
Torre del Mangia, Siena
From the top of Siena’s medieval tower, or from Piazza del Campo below it, the sunset light on the surrounding rooftops and countryside is a highlight of a Siena stay.
Two Weeks in Japan · Year-round
Shibuya Sky observation deck
An open-air rooftop deck above Shibuya Crossing, with a 360-degree view over the city as the neon comes on below.
Two Weeks in Japan · Autumn and winter, clearest air
Lake Ashi torii and Mount Fuji, Hakone
The floating torii gate of Hakone Shrine with Mount Fuji behind it on clear evenings, one of the most photographed views in the region.
Two Weeks in Japan · Spring and autumn illumination periods
Kiyomizu-dera stage, Kyoto
The wooden veranda of Kiyomizu-dera looking over the wooded hillside and city beyond, especially striking during illuminated evening openings.
Two Weeks in New Zealand · Year-round
Skyline Queenstown (Bob’s Peak)
The gondola viewpoint over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables is a classic sunset panorama.
Two Weeks in New Zealand · Year-round
West Coast beaches near Franz Josef
The Tasman-facing West Coast gets open ocean sunsets; the wild driftwood beaches south of Hokitika are a moody stop on the drive.
Two Weeks in New Zealand · Year-round
Bay of Islands waterfront
The subtropical north’s sheltered bays glow at sunset; Paihia and Russell face the water for easy evening light.
Ubud · Year-round
Tegalalang terrace cafés
The tiered paddies north of town glow in the late afternoon; a terrace café or swing catches the light over the valley.
Ubud · Year-round
Sanggingan valley-view restaurants
The restaurants along the Sanggingan gallery road look west over the Campuhan valley, a relaxed spot for a sundowner.
Zanzibar · Year-round
Kendwa beach
A west-facing tideless beach with an open horizon; one of the most reliable sunset spots on the island and the setting for its well-known full-moon parties.
Zanzibar · Year-round
Nungwi sunset bars
Beach bars along the northern tip fill up for sunset, with the same open west-facing horizon as Kendwa but a livelier atmosphere.
Zanzibar · Year-round
Stone Town seafront near Forodhani Gardens
The old town’s waterfront faces west over the harbour; watch the light fade over the water before the night food market opens.