A destination in Turkey came in at No. 1.
Sometimes, you’re in the mood for a getaway packed with action, sights, sounds, and adventure—a nonstop whirl of thrilling new experiences. But then there are those moments when all you want is to sit back, relax, and let your mind wander. And that’s exactly where the ideal sunset spot comes in.
Back in February, AllClear, a travel insurance company, published its research on the world’s best sunset destinations. The study crowned Cappadocia in Turkey as the ultimate place on Earth to watch the sun go down.
How They Did It
To figure out which locations offer the most breathtaking views, they first put together a list of 100 spots globally famous for their stunning sunsets. Then, each one was rated based on five key weather factors that affect sunset quality—things like cloud cover (which, in small amounts, actually helps by “enhancing the scattering of sunlight to create vivid colors”), wind speed, rainfall, humidity, and how many times it’s been hashtagged.
“Cappadocia’s peaceful landscapes take the top spot—giving visitors a magical experience (often from a hot air balloon) with a mix of bright colors painted across the region’s unique fairy chimneys,” the team explained. They added that the destination scored an 86.1 out of 100, making it a “golden hour that barely anywhere else on the planet can rival.”
Coming in a close second was Waikiki in Hawaii, with a score of 79.8 out of 100. It earned its high rank thanks to “wide-open ocean views and palm trees perfectly framing the deep reds and soft pinks of a classic Hawaiian sunset.”
Another U.S. location made it into the top three—Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park. “Yet another prime spot for golden hour, the sun dipping behind the Grand Canyon’s massive, layered rock formations earned it an impressive sunset score of 79.6 out of 100,” the rankings said. They also noted that while the Grand Canyon is “famous among travelers for plenty of reasons, its sunsets are something extra special. The towering canyon walls, with all their layers, glow with golden warmth when the light hits them, and visitors often recommend spots like the South Rim or Mather Point for the best sunset views.”
Other top sunset destinations include Australia’s Ayers Rock in fourth place, followed by Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park rounding out the top five.
“Breathtaking sunsets are loved everywhere—they make us stop and stare in awe at nature’s incredible beauty. Plenty of us go out of our way to chase stunning sunsets, whether we’re at home or exploring far-off places,” shared Sarah Collinson from AllClear. “For travelers hunting the planet’s most vivid sunsets, our study highlights some of the most amazing spots to soak in golden hour. Whether it’s Cappadocia’s dreamy landscapes, Hawaii’s picture-perfect palm-lined beaches, or the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle of the Grand Canyon, unforgettable sunsets can be found all over the world, putting on a dazzling light show above some of nature’s most jaw-dropping scenery.”
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