Best Sunset Photography Locations Every Travel Blogger Should Know

Find the world’s most beautiful sunset locations for travel bloggers. Get tips, top places, and inspiration to elevate your sunset photography.

Because of their appeal to the public, the fact that they are available free of charge, and the abundance of locations where they can be found, sunsets have a unique position in travel photography as perhaps some of the most attractive subjects that can be photographed on vacation.

As a travel blogger, using a creative sunset photograph not only enhances your visual appeal but can tremendously increase your chances of getting more engagement either through increased online exposure or increased engagement when your blogs are searched. Capturing beautiful sunsets will add to the emotion and overall feel of your blog.

Once you have done your due diligence in creating your portfolio and considering how you will be utilizing photos to create blog content for social media marketing, then this guide to some of the best locations to shoot sunsets will be able to improve your travel photography.

Why Sunset Photos Matter for Travel Bloggers

Content related to sunsets is one of the highest shared types of visual content on Instagram, Pinterest, and on travel blogs. For this reason, sunset photography is an essential tool for all travel bloggers.

High engagement : Sunset images are generally very eye-catching, especially because they contain many warm colors that draw attention immediately.
Emotional appeal : Sunset imagery generates feelings of calmness, romance, and wanderlust in people.
SEO Advantage : Sunset-related phrases such as 'Best Sunset Spots' and 'Sunset Photography Locations' are some of the most commonly searched for terms within the travel industry.
Branding : Unique sunset shots allow bloggers to establish their own style of photography through the use of sunsets alone.

Once you post about beautiful sunsets, well taken photographs of sunsets, your blog’s images will rank better within search engines and keep your readers engaged.

Top Sunset Photography Locations Around the World

Below are globally loved sunset spots known for their soft lighting, dramatic foregrounds, and picture-perfect horizons. These locations not only offer stunning views but are ideal for travel bloggers who want aesthetic, high-performing images.

1. Santorini, Greece – Iconic Cliffside Sunsets

The blue domed and white buildings of Santorini make it a very recognizable location for one of the most beautiful sunsets anywhere on earth. The Cycladic Architecture will reflect the light beautifully, so you will get glowing photographs that look like a dream.

Best place to take pictures : Oia Castle. It is a perfect location because of the layered clifftop houses serving as a natural backdrop; there is no need to add additional artificial light to achieve a great shot.

Tip for taking pictures : Continue taking pictures for 30 minutes after sunset, and watch the sky turn into shades of pastel pink and purple.

2. Bora Bora, French Polynesia – Lagoon Reflections

Bora Bora's pristine lagoon sits before us bathing in the only sunlight it receives each day, with the mirrored reflection of all the twinkling stars above adding exponentially to the glamour of this Natural Playground.

Where to Go : Matira Beach

What's Special: Picture-perfect photographs featuring the true colours of the lagoon and silhouette from the numerous world-class overwater bungalows.

Tip for taking pictures : To achieve symmetry in the final image, incorporate both the real and reflected water surface.

3. Dubai, UAE – Desert Dunes & Golden Horizon

An amazing sunset over a Dubai desert feels like you're watching a movie! Long shadows from the dunes are created as the skies become vibrant orange to allow for some fantastic dramatic photography!

Best place : Lahbab Desert. What makes it such a great place to take photos? There are a very few distractions around at this location, so the textures really show, and it's all about the golden glow!

Tip for taking pictures : Shoot from below or close to the ground. This will enhance the vertical characteristics of the dunes and give them a greater sense of dimension!

4. Goa, India – Peaceful Beach Sunsets

Travel bloggers can easily take stunning sunset photos in South Asia. Goa has so many excellent spots that are easy to access. The beaches are spacious, the horizon is unobstructed and there are lovely gradated colors in the sky.

Best place : Vagator Beach

Why it's an ideal location : The rocks, boats and palm trees create a variety of possible compositions for your shot.

Tip for photographing sunsets : Add an object in front such as a boat or rock to provide more dimensionality.

5. Bali, Indonesia – Cultural & Natural Backdrops

Sunsets on the island of Bali combine cultural and natural beauty. Temples along coastlines, along with beautifully lush green landscapes, create a golden hour paradise for professional photography enthusiasts and hobbyists alike.

Best spot to see the sunset : Tanah Lot Temple.

Perfect place for the golden hour : The sunset behind Tanah Lot Temple area creates a natural backdrop for the silhouette of the temple.

Photography enthusiasts : Use tide pools after rainy weather has produced reflective shots from wind rushed water.

6. California Coast, USA – Endless Ocean Horizons

California's coastline attracts travel photographers due to the soft illumination of the Pacific Ocean during sunset which creates an array of colors that work well on film.

Bestselling spot : Big Sur

Why it's the best : Steep cliffs + surf hit coast = complete beauty.

Photographer's note : Use a long exposure time to create a blurred effect of the water while keeping the detail in the clouds' texture.

7. Maldives – Overwater Paradise

The Maldives offer some of the most photogenic sunsets in the world. The deep orange sky reflects off the turquoise water, creating surreal lighting.

Best spot : Any overwater villa deck

Why it’s perfect : Zero obstruction + smooth water = perfect symmetry.

Photography tip : Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the entire sky-to-water gradient.

8. Paris, France – Sunsets Over Landmarks

Sunsets in Paris provide a beautiful, serene, romantic atmosphere that is ideal for lifestyle travel bloggers. The famous architecture of the city provides a stunning backdrop to capture the magnificent sunsets.

Best Location : Trocadéro (view of the Eiffel Tower)

What Makes It Special : The stunning classic silhouette against a golden sunset.

Tip for Photographing : Use the "blue hour" to capture the gentle ambiance around the Eiffel Tower.

How Travel Bloggers Can Capture Better Sunset Photos

Finding the best sunset photography locations is step one. Step two is using the right shooting techniques to elevate your photos naturally.

1. Arrive 1 Hour Early : The best colors often appear before the sun touches the horizon. Early arrival helps you secure a good spot and observe how the light changes.

2. Use the Rule of Thirds : Place the horizon in the upper or lower third, not in the center. This makes your photo more balanced and professional.

3. Focus on Silhouettes : Palm trees, people, boats, and buildings make perfect silhouettes that add story and structure to your sunset shots.

4. Don’t Stop Shooting After Sunset : The sky usually turns pink, purple, and deep gold 20–40 minutes after the sun disappears. This is the “afterglow” that many beginners miss.

5. Keep ISO Low for Clean Images : Use ISO 100–200 to avoid noise. If the scene becomes darker, slow down your shutter speed instead of increasing ISO.

6. Carry a Lightweight Tripod : Especially for:

long-exposure shots
reflection photography
low-light conditions

A tripod helps you capture crisp, stable images.

7. Edit Lightly : Don’t oversaturate sunset colors. Maintain natural warm tones. A slight contrast boost, clarity, and vibrance adjustment is enough.

Pictures taken during sunsets can greatly enhance or boost your travel blog and set it apart from the many thousands of travel blogs. You can take pictures of the breathtaking sunsets over Santorini, the spectacular sand dunes of Dubai, or the tranquil waters of Goa; the most important factor when taking sunset pictures is CONSISTENCY. Choose excellent locations to photograph, to have solid intentions about your photos and to educate your audience about different aspects of the location with each picture.

Travel bloggers who are highly skilled in sunset photography generally increase their followings, develop a strong visual identity/brand, and create posts that inspire their readers to travel to locations with stunning sunsets.