Looking for the best beaches to watch the sunset from, or an incredible setting for sunrise? Put these coastal spots on your radar.
Golden hour in photography actually refers to two different hours of the day. The first is that magical 60 minutes directly after sunrise, when the world wakes up in a warm, fuzzy glow. The second is that hour-long window before sunset, when the sun slips away and leaves just enough soft, natural light to make even your worst photographs look like they were shot by a pro.
Whichever end of the day you pick, nowhere captures this magical moment quite like a well-positioned beach – those golden hour hues deserve a sand-and-sea backdrop, after all. So, take your pick from our shortlist of the best beaches for golden hour, and start Googling sunset and sunrise times. Absolutely no filter needed…
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San Antonio’s sunset status is so well established that its main street is called the Sunset Strip. And at the end of that strip, you’ll find Caló des Moro – a small, sandy cove that’s big on sundown vibes. Head here for a dip in the turquoise water during golden hour – it’s the perfect way to freshen up before a night out. Plus, Café del Mambo and Café del Mar are a ten-minute walk along the prom, so you can round off the sunset with a cocktail and a side order of ambient music. Watching the sunrise? Head to the east of the island instead – Talamanca beach is a great shout.
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Looking for a romantic golden hour experience? Put the Maldives to the top of your list. It’s made up of a collection of tiny islands that are so small, most hotels here claim an entire island for themselves. The island of Olhuveli, for example, can only be reached by a scenic speedboat ride and its sandy coastline wraps almost entirely around its edge – so you can find a secluded spot to watch the sunrise from on one side, then follow the beach round to the other side at sunset. Book the TUI BLUE Olhuveli Romance and you can wake up to watch the sunrise from an over-water villa before flopping back into bed.
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Just off the coastal track that runs along Rhodes’ western edge, close to Rhodes Town, an unassuming path leads you down to Kato Petres Beach. Popular with locals, it’s one of the island’s hidden gems when it comes to sunset watching – with craggy rocks and wild surf that look even more moody and atmospheric at golden hour. You won’t find any sunloungers or facilities down here – it’s a back-to-nature affair, and that’s the appeal. Pick the coastal track up again and you can walk up to larger Psaropoula Beach, with sunset views all the way.
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Stay at the TUI BLUE Pioneer Beach on Cyprus’ southwest coast and you’re just steps from a sheltered bay with calm, clear water that’s perfect for a sunset swim. Palms and thatched daybeds dot the sand, and there’s an area at one end known as Sunset Point. As the name suggests, it makes a great viewpoint at sunset – the colours over the sea are something else – and draws a small, chilled crowd most evenings. Pop your head inside the blue-domed chapel here to see the colourful frescoes before you go.
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While there are no end of next-level sunrise stretches on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum beach has the edge thanks to the Tulum ruins. Perched on a cliff facing the Caribbean Sea, this ancient Mayan city looks towards the rising sun in the east – so it’s a sight to behold at golden hour. As for sunset, this Mexican stretch has evening photo opportunities covered, too. Just make tracks for a terrace bar – there are several that are high enough to peek out over the leafy jungle canopy – and watch the sun sink over to the west.
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Or, for more inspiration, take a look at the best beach holiday destinations, the best quiet beaches in the world or the best island holidays.
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Author: Katie Gregory
Last updated: 18.07.2025
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