Where Are the Best Places to See the Sunset Around the World?

The wonderful thing about sunsets is that no two are exactly same. To enjoy these contrasts, plan to spend as many nights as possible in the world’s best sunset viewing locations.

Watch the sun set into the ocean from a South Pacific island, appreciate the transition from daylight to evening from the red cliffs of the desert, admire the cotton candy skies of Malibu, or stand on a rocky overhang as the sun lights a centuries-old temple. Wherever you are in the globe, and regardless of your daily schedule or finances, you may always take advantage of the free entertainment that takes place every night. If you need some inspiration for your next sunset-watching vacation, here are 12 of the greatest sites to see the sunset in the globe.

Shi Shi Beach, Washington

Travel to the extreme northwest corner of the Olympic Peninsula to see one of Washington State’s most stunning beaches. You’ll need trekking gear since getting to Shi Shi entails a trip through the fir-filled forest and down a steep route that descends from a cliff edge to the Pacific Ocean. Once you get to the beach, you’ll be greeted by untouched beaches dotted with tidal pools and driftwood stands. Set your tent on the beach and enjoy the sunset behind the breathtaking sea stacks and granite arches.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro sunsets may be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from standing on the beach at Barra da Tijuca to drinking a caipirinha on the golden sands of Leblon. Locals searching for a romantic rendezvous, on the other hand, frequently flock to Arpoador, a little peninsula that stands between Ipanema and Copacabana and extends into the ocean. Arpoador’s terrain provides breathtaking views in all directions, making it an ideal location to watch the sun set into the Atlantic.

Malibu, California

Malibu offers the most iconic California sunsets. Point Dume State Beach has breathtaking views of the Pacific, Malibu’s renowned cliffs, and, if you’re fortunate, dolphins frolicking in the warm seas. Point Dume is an excellent site to view the sunset, but if you’d want to see two beaches in one day, spend your daytime hours here before driving to adjacent El Matador State Beach to watch the sun set. El Matador’s distinctive rock formations accentuate the breathtaking sunset vistas.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

If you want to capture some amazing sunset shots, visit Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Each night, when the sun sets low in the sky, it illuminates the outlines of this centuries-old temple complex, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. In late 2023, a new airport opened near the location, making it more accessible than ever before.

Big Island, Hawaii

Hawaii, the westernmost state in the United States, is ideal for seeing beautiful sunsets. For a stunning sunset vista, visit Kailua Bay on the Big Island with its black volcanic cliffs, or travel up the coast to Hapuna Beach State Park with its white-sand beaches. Bring a picnic wherever you go to watch the orange-and-pink light display created by the sun’s beams on the sky and lake.

Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia

An vast length of sand adds drama to the vista. Bolivia’s 4,000-square-mile Uyuni Salt Flats are ideal for catching a desert sunset because their brilliant white surfaces reflect the limitless blue sky. When the sun begins to sink into the far horizon, the encrusted salt fields reflect the sun’s rays, changing the landscape into an alien realm. However, as the sun goes down, the temperature lowers considerably.

Key West, Florida

In Key West, sunset viewing is a nightly event. Locals and tourists gather at Mallory Square Dock to toast the sun as it sinks into the Gulf of Mexico. What began as a casual tradition has evolved into a celebration, with food carts offering everything from Key Lime delights to conch fritters, musical groups filling the air with their music, and artists doing a brisk business in local arts and crafts. When the sun paints the sky in a stunning variety of pink and orange, the background becomes the focal point.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

There is no terrible spot to watch the sunset in Bora Bora, but seeing the sun sink low into the crystal blue sea from a hammock on the private terrace of your over-water bungalow will be an unforgettable experience. The Four Seasons Bora Bora is a great option for couples seeking a romantic break and one of the world’s finest beach hotels. Enjoy the sunset over Mount Otemanu while drinking tropical cocktails in your own plunge pool and watching blacktip reef sharks, unicornfish, and peacock damselfish pass by.

Uluru, Australia

Uluru, a gigantic rock structure in Australia’s desert, undergoes a stunning metamorphosis each night when the sun sets. The sun colors the rock orange, deep red, burned umber, and ochre, creating a dramatic silhouette against the sky before it becomes dark at night. Hike to the top of one of the adjacent dunes for a breathtaking view of Uluru and the neighboring Kata Tjuta domes.

Sedona, Arizona

Watching the sunset in Sedona, where the dordle desert meets the mountains, may be a mystical experience. Sedona is famed for its red rock buttes, and the sun’s sunset rays highlight the brilliant hues of the terrain against the darkening blue of the desert sky. Spend the day trekking to Red Rock Crossing at Crescent Moon Ranch and enjoy the sunset along the stream. For a simpler excursion, go to Airport Mesa and watch the sun set behind Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Courthouse Butte.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

If you’ve always wanted to shoot the iconic silhouette of a giraffe lighted by the sun, go to Tanzania. This African country has protected its animal species, including rhinos, cheetahs, lions, elephants, zebras, and the iconic giraffes of the Serengeti Plain. Take a safari around sunset to see how waves of heat and the sun’s gradual fall transform the countryside gold. If you’re fortunate, a giraffe will stop by a baobab tree at the perfect time.

The Azores, Portugal

The Azores islands, located in a relatively empty area of the Atlantic Ocean, provide stunning views of the region’s nightly sunsets. This autonomous territory of Portugal, located almost 1,000 miles west of mainland Europe, provides many possibilities to soak up the final rays of the sun. To catch the sunset, stand on the rocky shore of São Miguel, the biggest island in the Azores, or drive out to Sete Cidades to watch the sun dip into the turquoise blue crater lakes. Alternatively, visit the UNESCO-recognized harbor city of Angra do Heroísmo on the island Terceira to enjoy the sunset while drinking champagne on the beach.