Where to Find the Most Beautiful Sunsets in the World
- Emily Fata
- 22 hours ago
- 8 min read
Uncover the most beautiful sunsets in the world and explore inspiring destinations filled with colour, charm, and unforgettable sky-lit moments worldwide.
There is a certain magic that happens when the sun slides toward the horizon, turning the sky into a painting. It pulls people toward balconies, beaches, hilltops, frozen lakes, and even airplane windows. I have stood on crowded beaches and mountaintops where barely anyone speaks a single word for several minutes as the sun slips below the horizon.
I have also stood in places where every single person pulled out a phone at the exact moment because they knew they were witnessing something worth keeping long after the colours faded.
Sunsets (and sunrises, if you’re ambitious enough to rise early) persuade us to pause. They give us stories worth retelling. They remind us that wherever we are in the world, we share this glowing spectacle with everyone else.
That’s exactly why I wanted to put together my own world travel sunset guide, featuring one ambitious Egyptian sunrise. It’s not a list of the usual postcard moments per se, but the ones that made me smile, tear up a little, or stand in complete awe while the light changed in front of me.
The places below feature some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, each with its own personality and charm. Think of this as an invitation to chase your next sky-lit masterpiece.
Reykjavik, Iceland: The Most Beautiful Sunsets in the World Meet Northern Magic
There is something about winter in Reykjavík that feels like the planet is whispering secrets. The air is crisp in a way that wakes up every cell in your body, regardless of the time of day. The city sits on the edge of the sea and mountains lurk in the distance.
Here, the sun begins to dip and the entire scene turns into an otherworldly dream that leaves you blinking, wondering if this is a backdrop from a fantasy film.
The colours melt across the water in soft pinks and bold oranges that seem too dramatic to be accidental. Locals wander toward the harbour, some with hot drink in hand. Something is soothing about being surrounded by people who clearly appreciate the show as much as you do. The rays stretch across snow-covered rooftops and reflect off boats rocking on the water.
Everything feels calm, wide open, and deeply peaceful.
The city is small enough that you can walk from the old streets to the waterfront with ease (although booking a hotel along the seafront makes it even easier). There is always a quiet corner where you can sit and watch the sky shift above you.
While the light lingers longer than you expect during the winter months, I’ve heard it’s even longer in the summertime. It’s one of the few places where sunset feels like a slow-moving event, rather than a quick flash.
The gentle colours wrap around the city like a blanket, and you get the sense that this moment is only happening once, even though it occurs every evening. There is something magical about that combination, no?
Baia di Riaci, Italy: A Coastal Glow That Feels Like a Secret
Baia di Riaci is the kind of place that makes you wonder why the entire world has not already crowded beside you. The beach sits below tall, rugged cliffs that turn golden when the sun begins to fall. The water has that classic Calabrian beach clarity that seems unreal until you step into it. The moment the sun nears the horizon, everything softens.
In the summer, locals stroll along the sand with gelato, families finish their swims, and the sky bursts into warm shades that feel like a painter has been working behind the scenes.
Sunset glow over Baia di Riaci's waters. Video by Emily Fata.
The rock formations jutting from the sea act like silhouettes during the final moments of daylight, and the water glows in deep turquoise before shifting to dark ink blue as the sky brightens with fiery pinks. There is a comfortable stillness in the air; this is one of those iconic sunset spots where you can sit with your feet in the sand and lose track of time.
Even the waves seem to quiet themselves for a moment. You can feel the heat of the day lifting from the rocks behind you while the evening breeze rolls in from the sea.
Many people who come to this beach during the day have no idea how powerful the evenings can be. The colours reflect against the cliff walls, and the sound of small waves creates a rhythm that feels like breathing. The sun seems almost too large as it sinks behind the sea. This is the kind of place where you linger even after the light disappears, hoping the last pink streak will hold on a little longer.
Top of Mount Sinai, Egypt: A Sunrise Favourite with an Equally Stunning Sunset
Travellers often climb Mount Sinai in the middle of the night to catch the sunrise from the summit (and avoid the scorching temperatures of the daytime). That’s exactly what my friends and I did; the golden light drifts across layers of peaks that stretch into the distance, and the desert glows in warm tones that make the rocky landscape look softer, almost velvety. There is a stillness here that humbles you.
I made the trek up during the wee hours of the morning, my legs questioning my life choices by the time I reached the top (half on camelback, I must admit), but the view silenced every complaint. People sat quietly, some leaning on their backpacks, some hugging their knees, and everyone waiting for the exact moment.
The sunrise views from the top of Egypt's Mount Sinai. Video by Emily Fata.
As the sun began its ascent, the mountains turned amber, then shifted to a warm rust colour. The sky shifted so gradually that you could feel entire minutes pass without noticing anything except the light changing across the landscape.
As the sun rose, it stretched a glowing ribbon across the entire horizon. It felt like watching the world take its first breath. The silence atop the mountain created a sense of unity among strangers. Everyone knew they were experiencing something ancient and beautiful.
When the sky was finally lit, many of us stayed a little longer, unwilling to disrupt the peace. There is something powerful about seeing the desert painted with the first light of the day. It feels like a gift that not enough travellers get to take advantage of.
Navigli District, Milan, Italy: Sunset Reflections with a Side of Aperitivo
Another favourite of mine in Italy, Navigli is a neighbourhood that likes to flirt with its visitors—the canals glimmer in the late afternoon light, the bridges fill with people hoping to snap the perfect photo, and restaurants set out tables that seem to multiply as the evening approaches. Then the sky shifts into warm orange, and the whole place turns irresistible.
The sunset here reflects across the water in long, shimmering streaks. People wander slowly along the canals, admiring how the colours bounce between the old buildings, while musicians appear without warning and add to the atmosphere with soft guitar or violin melodies. The whole district feels like a living postcard, and it was a place I went to many times while briefly living in Milan.
One of my favourite things about this area is the mix of energy. Some people settle with spritzes in hand, while others wander from shop to shop. Everyone seems to be watching the canals, even when pretending not to.
When the sun drifts below the rooftops, the water deepens into vibrant shadows. The lights from cafés flicker on and blend with the final glow in the sky, creating a kind of urban romance that is hard to replicate.
This is one of those romantic sunset locations where atmosphere matters. The reflections on the canals make every shade appear twice. The warmth of the buildings enhances the fiery tones and the lively hum of people chatting brings a comforting sense of connection. It’s impossible to leave without feeling energized by the beauty of this Milanese gem.
Jasper National Park, Canada: A Prairie Sky Spirit in the Middle of the Rockies
Some sunsets impress you, and then, some sunsets stop you from driving because you need to stare for a minute from the side of the road. Jasper National Park consistently delivers the second kind.
There is something about the open valleys, towering peaks, and deep blue lakes that makes the evening light feel oversized, as if the sky has decided to put on a show for whoever happens to be standing below.
The mountains often catch the light first, glowing pink as if blushing under the attention. Then the lakes mirror the colours, creating duplicates of the sky that ripple with each breeze. Wildlife occasionally wanders into the scene, though they seem indifferent to the extraordinary backdrop. The air feels cool and clean and full of the scent of pine, and every breath seems to sharpen your senses.
I once watched a sunset at Pyramid Lake where the sky turned into layers of orange, lilac, and dusty rose. The reflections on the water made it look as though the horizon continued under the lake. People around me spoke quietly, or not at all. You could feel a sense of shared awe; it’s rare to witness something that makes everyone willingly put away their cameras and take in the moment. This place does it often.
If you ever want to see what happens when raw wilderness meets the calm of evening light, Jasper offers breathtaking sunset views in abundance. It feels grounding. It feels powerful. It feels like nature is colouring outside the lines with all the shades it wants.
Bonus: In the Sky, Where Airplanes Turn Passengers into Sunset Admirers
One of the most underrated places to see a sunset is thousands of metres above the earth while flying.
There is something dreamy about watching the horizon stretch endlessly while fiery colours wrap around the curve of the planet. Airplane windows become tiny theatres where the sky performs with full enthusiasm.
I have had flights where the entire cabin glowed in warm gold because the sun positioned itself perfectly beside us. The clouds below looked like a fluffy ocean tinted in coral, making even the quietest passengers became sunset admirers.
People lifted their window shades at the same time, some leaning across family members to get a better view. There has been a collective sense of awe that softened the atmosphere, even on long travel days.
When you are above the clouds, the colours seem brighter, the sky feels closer, and the sun stays in view longer because of the altitude. It creates a sense of calm that no travel guidebook can fully explain.
Whether you are flying home or off on a new adventure, seeing the world from above during sunset can shift your perspective. It feels like being given a brief moment of privilege, as if the sky is reminding you how vast the planet is and how lucky you are to witness this glowing ribbon of light.
All in All
Sunsets give us something to look forward to, no matter where we travel. They create memories that follow us long after the trip ends, acting as the heartbeats of evenings around the world.
Whether you seek the best sunset destinations, vibrant city views, or quiet remote spaces, each of the places mentioned above offers its own magic. These are the locations that remind you how beautiful the day can be when it is ready to say goodbye.
But this is only the beginning.
If you feel the pull to travel, let these scenes be your invitation as a place to begin. Pack your camera and go stand at the edge of a canal in Milan, atop a mountain in Egypt, or beside a turquoise sea in Calabria. Let Reykjavik surprise you with its gentle glow or Jasper remind you how peaceful the world can be.
Of course, also keep an eye out the next time you fly, because the sky enveloping you might be offering its own masterpiece.
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