Watching a sunset in an exotic destination is the ultimate bucket-list moment. And for 2025, Tripadvisor’s ‘Best of the Best Travel Destinations’ is shining a light on the world’s most spectacular sunset views — because chasing that perfect golden hour has truly become a global obsession.
So, where should you jet off to for that unforgettable glow? Travelbag, the long-haul
travel pros, dived into Instagram hashtag data to find out where sunset lovers are flocking.
The top spot? Bali, with a staggering 227 000 hashtags for #Balisunset — proof that this
island’s sunset game is on another level.
10. Phuket, Thailand
17 700 #Phuketsunset
Thailand’s largest island offers a classic tropical sunset, where the day ends in a warm glow
over the Andaman Sea’s limestone karsts and tranquil beaches. For the most panoramic
view, join the daily pilgrimage to Promthep Cape on the southern tip — a cliffside vantage
point where the sky and ocean merge in a spectacular display of colours.
9. Cape Town, South Africa
22 000 #CapeTownsunset
Where the Atlantic Ocean meets the foot of Table Mountain, Cape Town’s world-famous sunsets are a dramatic fusion of sea, sky and rugged terrain. As the sun dips below the horizon, the light bathes the iconic plateau in deep oranges and purples, often accompanied by the famous “tablecloth” cloud spill.
Notably, Cape Town is the only African destination to make the top 10, underscoring its unique appeal. For a blend of harbour activity and mountain vistas, the V&A Waterfront offers an unforgettable, and easily accessible, urban sunset experience. For the more adventurous, a trek up Lion’s Head delivers panoramic views worth every step.
8. Vancouver, Canada
26 900 #Vancouversunset
Cradled between mountains and ocean, Vancouver’s sunsets silhouette its sleek skyline and forested peaks. The reflective waters of English Bay become a canvas for the setting sun. The prime spot to soak it all in is English Bay Beach, where locals gather on the sand and seawall to watch the light fade behind Vancouver Island.
7. The Maldives
27 900 #Maldivessunset
In this idyllic archipelago of overwater luxury, sunsets are serene, mirror-like moments. The vast Indian Ocean sky performs a silent show of intense colour, perfectly reflected in the crystal-clear lagoons. For the ultimate Maldivian moment, watch the sun dip from your overwater villa deck or a secluded sandbank for an uninterrupted horizon straight out of a fairytale.
6. Toronto, Canada
32 500 #Torontosunset
Toronto’s majestic urban sunsets are defined by the “Toronto-henge” phenomenon and the glowing CN Tower. Perched on the west-facing hill of Riverdale Park East, you’re treated to a sweeping, elevated view of the entire downtown skyline, silhouetted against a fiery sky over Lake Ontario.
5. Melbourne, Australia
40 100 #Melbournesunset
Melbourne’s famously changeable weather creates artistic, ever-changing sunsets, from dramatic cloudscapes to clear, colourful horizons over Port Phillip Bay. The cosmopolitan yet laid-back vibe is best enjoyed from St Kilda Beach and Pier, where the sun descends beside the skyline and the historic pier.
4. Sydney, Australia
76 800 #Sydneysunset
Sydney boasts one of the world’s most iconic sunset backdrops, with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge framed in a daily light show. For the perfect postcard shot, head to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanic Garden, where the sun sets directly behind the bridge, bathing the harbour in golden light.
3. Miami, USA
87 700 #Miamisunset
Miami’s sunsets are vibrant, energetic preludes to the night ahead, with pastel Art Deco buildings glowing under tropical skies. The best place to feel this electric energy is at South Pointe Park Pier, where you can watch the sun melt into Government Cut, with cruise ships and the downtown skyline completing the picture-perfect view.
2. Dubai, UAE
102 000 #Dubaisunset
Dubai’s sunsets are a study in striking contrasts, from the deep ochre of desert dunes to the sun sinking behind the world’s tallest building. For the most iconic experience, venture into
the Arabian Desert on a safari to watch the sky ignite over red sands — a stark and
beautiful counterpoint to the city’s futuristic glow.
1. Bali, Indonesia
227 000 #Balisunset
The world’s most picturesque sunset destination, Bali turns the daily event into a spiritual
moment. The sacred Uluwatu Temple, perched on a 70-metre cliff above the Indian Ocean,
provides the most dramatic setting. Here, ancient architecture meets a fiery horizon, often accompanied by locals performing the haunting Kecak fire dance.
