Watching a beautiful sunrise or sunset is one of life’s simple pleasures. These golden-hour moments highlight the natural beauty of the world and create incredible photography opportunities.

To uncover the best places to experience them, we’ve partnered with award-winning travel and wildlife photographer Bella Falk to reveal the top 10 sunrise and sunset destinations worldwide, along with the top 10 spots in the UK.

Bella’s selections were based on visual impact, variety, accessibility and composition opportunities. This list includes everything from coastlines and mountains to deserts, featuring a mix of iconic locations and hidden gems.

So, which destination takes the top spot? Let’s find out.

Santa Monica, Los Angeles takes second place. The City of Angels is famous for its sunsets, with the sun dipping over the ocean and filling the sky with warm amber and red tones. The destination offers plenty to see, from the iconic Ferris wheel on the pier to dancers and surfers along the beach.

Maasai Mara, Kenya takes third place. “There’s no sunrise like a Mara sunrise” and once you’ve experienced it, it’s easy to see why. The vast savanna and huge open skies create breathtaking displays of pinks, purples and oranges at dawn. Wildlife is most active early in the morning, with elephants, giraffes and antelopes often silhouetted against the rising sun.

Tamarindo, Costa Rica takes fourth place. Its west-facing coastline delivers vibrant sunsets, with surfers and fishing boats adding movement and interest. As the sun sets, rich colours reflect across the tidal pools along the beach. There’s also plenty of space to relax, plus welcoming beach bars nearby to enjoy afterwards.

U-Bein Bridge, Myanmar rounds out the top five. The 1.2-kilometre historic teak bridge comes alive at dawn as monks and locals begin their day. The low morning light creates beautiful silhouettes and reflections across the Taungthaman Lake, while wider views of the bridge against the sunrise are equally striking.

Feeling inspired? Check out the full list of the top 10 sunrise and sunset spots below.

Top 10 sunrise and sunset spots in the UK

Great Britain is home to spectacular scenery, from rolling hills to rugged coastlines. Whether you enjoy photography or simply love a scenic view, there’s no shortage of incredible sunrise and sunset spots to explore.

Bella selected the UK’s best sunrise and sunset locations based on their scenery, variety and accessibility. She prioritised places that offer more than just colourful skies, focusing on strong foreground interest, striking landscapes and compositions that work well even in the UK’s unpredictable weather.

Her picks range from dramatic peaks and sparkling lakes to historic landmarks and city skylines, featuring a mix of famous locations and hidden gems.

Which UK views make the top five?

Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh claims the top spot. This iconic landmark offers panoramic views across the city and attracts millions of visitors each year. The climb is manageable for most people and well worth the effort. At sunrise or sunset, the city lights begin to glow below, creating a dramatic contrast against the sky. It’s also just a short walk back into the city centre.

Southwold Pier, Suffolk takes second place. One of the UK’s most picturesque piers, it offers sweeping views across the coastline and North Sea. Its east-facing position makes it ideal for sunrise, while beach huts, dunes and groynes add texture and colour to the scene.

Durdle Door, Dorset takes third place. The famous limestone arch faces east, allowing the sun to rise through or beside it, depending on the time of year. Visitors can shoot from the clifftops, the beach, or use the waves for softer, more atmospheric scenes. Arriving early is recommended to avoid crowds and catch calmer conditions. Durdle Door was also in our Top 10 Panoramic Views in the UK, an absolute dream for photographers no matter the time of day.

Golden Jubilee Bridges, London takes fourth place. The Thames offers many sunrise and sunset viewpoints, including the famous Waterloo sunsets celebrated by The Kinks, but the Golden Jubilee Bridges stand out for their panoramic views. Visitors can enjoy postcard-worthy sights of the London Eye and Westminster from pedestrian-only bridges, without the noise of traffic. Although the area is often busy, there’s still plenty of space to take in the scenery.

Catbells, Lake District completes the top five. One of the Lake District’s most iconic viewpoints, Catbells offers stunning sunrise and sunset views over Derwentwater and the surrounding fells. The relatively short climb makes it accessible for most visitors, with no major hiking experience required to reach the summit.

Bella Falk’s top tips for capturing sunrise and sunset photos

1. Arrive early and stay late
“It’s always worth arriving early to find the best viewpoint and enjoy the changing light. Aim to get there at least 30-45 minutes before sunrise or around an hour before sunset. Don’t rush off too quickly afterwards either, as some of the most vibrant colours often appear after the sun has disappeared below the horizon.”

2. Look beyond the sky
“A colourful sky alone doesn’t make a great photo. Strong foreground subjects like water, rock formations, buildings, boats or trees can help add depth and tell more of a story. Reflections, silhouettes and dramatic clouds can also make your images more interesting.”

3. Don’t worry about perfect weather “Clear skies are often less exciting than slightly cloudy conditions. Some of the best sunrise and sunset colours appear when high or mid-level clouds catch the light, especially after a storm. Calm weather near water can also create beautiful reflections.”

4. Experiment with different angles “Don’t just shoot from eye level. Moving a few steps, finding a higher viewpoint or getting lower to the ground can completely change the composition and make your photos feel more dynamic. A tripod can help keep your camera steady in low light and capture more detail throughout the scene. It’s especially useful for photographing water or landscapes at sunrise and sunset.”

5. Make the most of your phone camera “When shooting on a phone, tap the sky to focus and reduce the exposure slightly to keep the colours rich. Hold your phone steady in low light, avoid digital zoom and use filters sparingly for a more natural look.”

Common sunrise and sunset photo mistakes:

“The biggest mistake people make is photographing only the sky. The sunset or sunrise is the lighting, not the subject. Including landscapes, landmarks or silhouettes make the image much more powerful.

“Overexposing images can also wash out colours and detail, while overediting often makes photos look unnatural.”

Golden hour vs blue hour

“Golden hour happens just after sunrise and before sunset, when the light is warm, soft and creates long shadows. Blue hour takes place before sunrise and after sunset, when the sun sits below the horizon and the light becomes cooler and moodier.”

To turn your unforgettable travel moments into lasting memories, explore our range of Photo Books and bring them to life at home with Photo Prints or Personalised Gifts.