Travel for the most beautiful sunsets in the world

Sunsets are the worlds’ oldest cliches yet the most beautiful. Wherever I travel, I remember that place from the beautiful sunsets I encounter. The time I spend there when the sun goes down leaves a big impression on me. So, I curated a list of the most beautiful sunsets in the world through my fellow travel bloggers. 

The most beautiful sunsets in the world

Coron, Philippines

Catching this sunset on Mount Tapya is one of the activities you can’t miss in Coron, Philippines. With a huge white cross at its peak, Mount Tapya marks the tallest point in the town. There are 700 steps to get to the top and you would want to start climbing at around 5 PM. It’s a bit of a hot and tiring trek so definitely bring water. The climb takes about half an hour. 

Once you are on top, you have another half an hour to claim your spot and set up for the perfect sunset shot. There are tons of people wanting to do the same so you got to be quick. We were lucky to beat the crowd and made it to the front of the hill.

When in the Philippines, do check out the amazing Siquijor Island as well.

Pro-tip: there is a viewing platform but the vista is way more gorgeous on the hill right next to it.

My best advice to capture the sunset:

1. Bring a tripod – As the lighting goes down, you want something to stable your camera for a longer exposure to the scenery.

2. Be in your shots – I strongly believe in including people in photos. It offers a foreground and makes the picture so much more interesting. Enjoy the stunning view!

View of setting sun from Mount Tapya indeed tops the list of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, would you agree?

If you’re planning your travel, see these Philippines destinations for your first visit.

– By The Blessing Bucket | Facebook | Instagram

Bora Bora

One of the things that make this shot so amazing is that we’re on the island of Bora Bora facing west as the sun is setting.  There is nothing between us and the horizon except the ocean and a small barrier reef.  This day happened to be particularly calm too.  The water around our boat was flat and as clear as glass.  I took this shot with my iPhone 5 – nothing special.  But I love the reflections in the ocean, the one small boat, and the tiny clouds.  We’d spent the day swimming with manta rays and spent the night watching the stingrays swim in our underwater lights. 

The water is crystal clear in Bora Bora, making it a favorite location of ours.  Such serenity is found on the island of Bora Bora making it to my list of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. 

– By Out Chasing Stars | Facebook | YouTube

Luang Prabang, Laos

One of the best places in the world to see a sunset in Luang Prabang, Laos.  Luang Prabang is a charming town with great opportunities to see a beautiful sunset.  There are a few spots around town where you can go to enjoy a gorgeous sunset.  You can climb up Phu Si Hill, a hill in the center of town, for a sunset view from above but it is a popular spot and very crowded.

My favorite spot to watch the sunset is along the Mekong River which borders the town.  There are a few ways to view and enjoy the sunset both by land and water.  You can watch the sunset while having a drink at one of the riverside cafes or restaurants.  Another way to see the sunset is on a boat on the Mekong River – you can either join a sunset cruise or hire your own local boat for an hour ride on the river.

– By The Travel Sisters | Facebook | Twitter

Bangkok, Thailand

Let’s be real — some places are just blessed with better sunsets. Maybe the air is less polluted, the view is less obstructed, or the skies are just clearer. But however it played out, timing is still everything when it comes to capturing the best pictures of these sunsets. There’s even a sweet spot just before the sun touches the reaches of the horizon, and in a city setting, this is just a 1-2 minute window.

Tips for capturing a sunset in a city

– The best sunsets are a veritable evolution of colors and lighting and tricks of the eye, so the first tip is to try to capture each of them. Snap away throughout the setting, but take the most pictures during the brightest moments, just before the sun is down for good. 

– Luckily, the spice of the picture, the little side subjects that draw the eye but don’t distract from the brightest flavor, is always there in a city. If you’re taking sunset pictures in a city, use the buildings to your advantage, and use the people as props. Turn disadvantages into advantages by including them in your staging, as I did when taking this photo of Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand. It as a cloudy day, but just at the end of the sunset, the clouds were reflecting the light in so many directions that it highlighted the beautiful structure and added color to an otherwise typical picture of the famous structure. 

– Lastly, always check your camera and phone settings to make sure they’re set for low light. If you’re not sure which is best, then flip through them at the beginning of the show; some of them will make the colors come out completely the opposite of how they looked in reality. These can be embraced or avoided at all costs. The final choice is yours.

– By Dame Cacao | Facebook | Instagram

Planning your trip to Thailand with family? Check out this awesome compilation of top 10 family friendly hotels in Thailand. 

The Isle of Pines, New Caledonia

I loved this sunset from the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia. Finding a lovely place to watch the sunset is the obvious first tip to take a good sunset picture, but then you’ll need a few extra to make it even better.

I love when clouds get in the mix to add some contrasts and colors to the sky. A few details like the coconut and the sailing boat bring back good memories of the place and why it felt special to me.

– By My Favorite Escapes | Facebook | Instagram

Fremantle, Australia

When capturing this image, or really any sunset photo, my top tip is to be patient. Waiting it out for what seems like far too long will only be a good thing even if you suspect the vivid colors are long gone or even non-existent, I promise they’ll return! For example, this sunset started out very orange before turning a beautiful golden color.

We thought that would be it so began to pack up our belongings when the most gorgeous pinks began to appear and so we went along the beach to the pier to really capture the hues over the ocean. The longer we wait the brighter the colors seemed to be as the sun dipped below the clouds and down towards the horizon. Taking your time certainly pays!

– By SuzyStories | Instagram | Twitter

Dubrovnik, Croatia

In the Summer, Dubrovnik is flooded with tourists from all over the world. The city is not only incredibly beautiful, but also very famous as King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms in Game of Thrones. We only had one full day in the city, and the highlight of our day was this sunset.

We got our tickets to the Dubrovnik Cable Car and once in the top, we wandered and explored until we found this spot with unobstructed views to the city and nearby islands. If you get there early, there’s a big chance you’ll get this place all to yourself. However, it can get a bit crowded closer to the actual sunset time. Our tip is to take some snacks with you and wait for the sun to set! We stayed there for hours just enjoying the beautiful sights and photographing them. To better catch, the rays of light take a tripod and a UV filter for your camera. We didn’t have one at the time, so we used our sunglasses instead!

– By Two Find a Way | Facebook | Instagram

Ibiza, Spain

The beautiful island of Ibiza is, for most people, all about partying and having a good time. What people don’t know is that Ibiza sunsets are amongst the most beautiful in the world. With a fantastic coastline and multitude of beaches, you are not short of spots to watch the sun disappear.

Every day just before sunset, people gather in San Antonio to grab one of the best seats in town at Cafe Del Mar where the gorgeous views come with the house’s funky electro music. Other people join sunset cruises and take on the beautiful sights of their boats. The atmosphere always friendly and warm with all eyes faced towards the last rays of sun illuminating the rocky island.

– By Secret Moona  | Facebook | Twitter

Cinque Terre, Italy

Make sure to get to the place you want to take the picture in advance to find the perfect spot. I use a tripod so I can use a slower shutter speed if I want. My favorite tripod is Joby brand. It is durable can be adjusted to wrap around different things.

Sometimes you’re lucky enough to just stumble on the perfect sunset, but I have found that I am more satisfied with my photos when planning. Try different apertures, exposure, and focal lengths and take multiple pictures. 

– By Married With Fernweh | Twitter | Instagram

Florence, Italy

Florence is a beautiful Italian city that has so much to offer, but you won’t want to miss viewing the sunset at Piazza Michelangelo! About an hour before sunset, walk up the long stone steps to Piazza Michelangelo, built in 1869. This pedestrian square honoring the artist and sculptor Michelangelo offers a stunning panoramic view of the city. During sunset, it is even more beautiful!

The Piazza will likely become busy, especially if you visit during the high tourist season, so try to get there early so you can find a spot to photograph without people blocking your view. If you’re using a DLSR, expose for the sky to capture all the colors, and shoot in RAW file format rather than JPG to draw out details in highlights and shadows in post-processing. If you’re using a smartphone, you can still capture amazing photos! Make sure to adjust the focus to a point where the image doesn’t become overexposed. Don’t forget to put the camera down and just enjoy the view, too.

– By Everywhere Forward | Instagram | Pinterest 

Delhi, India

Delhi is known for its historical footprints with various ancient monuments in the city. Be it the tallest brick minaret of the world aka Qutub Minar, or Humayun Tomb a red sandstone mirror image of Taj Mahal or Safdarjung Tomb. Delhi has a fair share of historical monuments. The sunsets captured there are floated everywhere on social media. But a lesser known art lover’s place is the “National Gallery of Modern Art” should be on your bucket list too.

An artificial tree made of metal utensils placed on the lawns of the gallery shouldn’t be missed. After exploring the museum, I came out just at the right time to catch the pink sunset. I have found the sky painted pink in Delhi a number of times even from my own balcony. But the one with a foreground of a metal tree was breathtaking. 

– By The Wandering Core | Instagram | Pinterest

Suggested Read – Top tips for first time​ travel to Delhi.

Sarasota, Florida USA

Without a doubt, my best suggestion is to bring a tripod with you when you are capturing sunsets.  I love to take a long exposure shot of sunrises and sunsets.  With the complexities of oranges, pinks, reds, and purples in a sunset, a long exposure can really capture the cotton candy skies with great precision.

I also recommend taking some shots with a quick shutter speed, on a continuous capture.  As anyone who has watched a sunset in real time can attest, just a few moments can make the difference between a beautiful shot and a missed opportunity.  Finally, just remember to camp out early at a lookout point and have patience.

– By Jamie Says| Facebook 

– The Wanderer

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