This Gorgeous Island Has the World’s Best Sunset, According to Pinterest Data

There’s nothing better than getting to enjoy a gorgeous sunset in a brand-new destination. It allows your brain to shut off, even for a few moments, letting the rest of the world fade away as you watch the sun dip below the horizon. While watching every sunset is worth it, some places offer a slightly better view. That’s why the Australian technology retailer Becextech searched for the best sunset locations on Earth. 

“‘Golden Hour’ acquires more than 336,000 monthly searches globally, revealing a worldwide interest in capturing the perfect ‘golden hour’ moment,” the team wrote. “From rugged coastlines and mountain sceneries to tropical islands and landmarks, there is no shortage of picturesque places to capture the ultimate golden hour snap, but which one is officially the best?” 

To find out, it analyzed the number of Pinterest locations, reactions, and re-pins for sunset and sunrise pictures across the globe to create a list of the 10 best spots. After doing all that digging, it named the Maldives the No. 1 sunset location. 

“This iconic destination is famous for its turquoise waters, private islands, and a go-to hotspot for honeymoon goers — and for all the right reasons,” the team wrote. “This hot destination is perfect for those wanting a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and spending time in tranquil surroundings; with the area’s low foot traffic and unobstructed views of the sun, it makes for the perfect spot for capturing a golden hour selfie with your loved one.” 

Bali came in second for the best golden hour spot, which the team added, is an ideal destination for sunset lovers thanks to its beaches and lush surroundings. Additionally, it noted that the “air pollution is relatively lower compared to other city destinations,” giving a clearer view of the sunset. However, it lost out on the No. 1 spot due to crowding and “unwanted photobombers.” 

Rounding out the top three is the entire Serengeti. “From spending a few days living off-grid exploring the wildlife in safari tours and other note-worthy top attractions, this North Tanzanian hotspot makes an ideal destination to experience some of the world’s most memorable golden hour moments thanks to its golden skies and vast land,” the team wrote. The rest of the top 10 include the Sahara in North Africa, followed by Paris; the Alps mountain range; Marrakesh in Morocco; the Dolomites in Italy; Santorini, Greece; and Kyoto, Japan.  

“This list of the top global golden hour destinations offers travelers a chance to explore both notable and hidden gem locations unlike any other to capture unforgettable sunglow moments that can last a lifetime – but timing is everything when it comes to capturing the perfect golden hour picture,” Santo Ludy, Becextech’s managing director, said in a release shared with Travel + Leisure.

Ludy also offered this pro-tip: “To ensure you don’t miss the perfect opportunity, always check when the sun is expected to set or rise and plan your hike or visit to your destination accordingly, especially in October when the clocks change and could spoil the perfect golden hour.”