10 Best Places on the Planet to Watch the Sunset

10 Best Places on the Planet to Watch the Sunset

Whether it's from a beach, from high atop a mountain, or even from your hotel room, travellers will agree that there is no better way to end the day on their travels than to watch a beautiful sunset.

Of course, some sunsets are more special than others and Hotels.com, the global hotel experts, has chased the sun around the world to find 10 of the best spots to watch the most spectacular sunsets.

Santorini, Greece
The intense light of the Aegean Sea is known to produce dramatic sunsets and the village of Thia on the island of Santorini is said to be one of the most inspiring locations from which to enjoy the day's end. In fact the town has been built to allow for unobstructed views of the spectacular sunset from a number of vantage points. Heralded as one of the most stunning sunsets in the world, hordes of people travel to Thia to watch the natural light show while enjoying a picnic. Travellers can also enjoy the sunset from a slow sailing yacht providing a great view and lots of photo opportunities.

Hotels.com recommends staying at the 4* Mill Houses, Santorini. Prices start from $95 per room per night. Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking. To book, visit Hotels.com.

Ipanema Beach, Rio De Janeiro (Brazil)
With its tropical climate, travellers visiting Brazil are treated to captivating sunsets and Rio de Janeiro's famous Ipanema Beach is one of the hottest spots to watch the sun go down. Ipanema Beach, with its fine, white sand and crystal clear water, extends for over two kilometres and every Sunday the road along the beach is closed to traffic so tourists and locals can enjoy the gorgeous surrounds and soak up the atmosphere. Watching the sun sink slowly behind the Morro Dois Irmaos, the two mountains know as -the two brothers', and joining in the standing ovation from onlookers makes this a truly special experience. Sipping on a Caipirinha, Brazil's national cocktail, at one of the classy restaurants located just metres from the beach is also another popular way to watch the sunset in Rio.

Hotels.com recommends staying at the 4* Sheraton Rio Hotel & Resort, Ipanema. Prices start from $265 per room per night. Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Cable Beach, Australia
Aussies don't have to travel too far to witness a stunning sunset. Sunsets in Broome in Western Australia are considered an iconic Australian experience and there are a number of locations from which travellers can choose to enjoy the rich shades of red which illuminate the sky. For a unique experience, travellers can ride a camel along the beach as the sun sets or get aboard a yacht or catamaran where they might even get to share the moment with a pod of playful dolphins.

Hotels.com recommends staying at the 4.5* Oaks Broome, Broome. Prices start from $142 per room per night. Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking. To book, visit Hotels.com.

Grand Canyon, United States

Considered one of the natural wonders of the world, there is nothing quite as spectacular or peaceful as watching the sunset over the Grand Canyon. There are a number of points at the Grand Canyon from where travellers can take in the gorgeous views, while the real professional sunset watchers take their lawn chairs, picnic basket and a bottle of wine along. For a truly unique experience, a number of tour operators also provide evening helicopter and low-level flights into the Canyon to watch the sun dip into the horizon.

Hotels.com recommends staying at the 3.5* The Grand Hotel, Grand Canyon Village, Arizona. Prices start from $98 per room per night. Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking. To book, visit Hotels.com.

The Serengeti, Tanzania
Travellers who have had the opportunity to visit the vast, hot and dry Serengeti National Park tell their friends that they haven't lived until they've seen a Serengeti sunset. As the sun slowly disappears below the horizon and the sky bursts with shades of red, orange, yellow and purple, it provides an amazing backdrop as herds of giraffes or elephants make their way home. Travellers will feel like they're in a scene straight out of The Lion King.

Hotels.com recommends staying at the 4* Serengeti Safari Lodge, Serengeti Reserve. Prices start from $140 per room per night. Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking. To book, visit Hotels.com.

Taj Mahal, India
Built by the fifth Moghal emperor as a mausoleum for his beloved wife, the Taj Mahal sunset experience attracts thousands of hopeless romantics from around the world. Unrivalled for its majestic beauty, this monument of love attracts hordes of travellers at sunset. At dusk the first crimson streaks grace the sky draping the Taj Mahal in pearly pink hues. As darkness sets in the reflection of the sunset on the Taj is said to transform it into a shimmering mausoleum. Watching the sun descend at the Taj attracts the masses so it's a good idea to arrive just as the Taj is about to close allowing travellers a few minutes alone in the echoing inner sanctum.

Hotels.com recommends staying at the 5* Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi. Prices start from $223 per room per night. Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking. To book, visit Hotels.com.

Hammerfest, Norway
For a sunset experience of a different kind, travellers should visit Hammerfest in Norway. The city of Hammerfest is the northernmost city in Europe and is located well above the Arctic Circle. The -Midnight Sun' is a natural phenomenon that occurs in Europe's summer months causing the sun to be visible for almost 24 hours straight. Travellers will witness the breathtaking sight of watching the -sunset' between 11:00pm and midnight only then to watch it rise again just as it touches the ocean. The best time to view the -Midnight Sun' in Hammerfest is between the middle of May and end of July.

Hotels.com recommends staying at the 2.5* Rica Hotel, Hammerfest. Prices start from $163 per room per night. Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking. To book, visit Hotels.com.
Sala de Uyuni, Bolivia
Sala de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat attracts travellers and photographers from all over the world who eager to witness the remarkable reflection of the sun setting on the stark white salt flats. During the wet season the 12,000 square kilometers of salt flats turn into one enormous mirror, reflecting the warm shades of red and orange that the sun exudes as it sets, producing a rainbow of colours that can feel blinding. Viewing the sun going down is best done from one of the many hills at Sala de Uyuni with a beer in hand.

Hotels.com recommends staying at the 3.5* Suites Camino Real, La Paz. Prices start from $123 per room per night. Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking. To book, visit Hotels.com.

The Matterhorn, Switzerland
The Matterhorn mountain is the iconic image of the Swiss Alps and sits on the border between Switzerland and Italy. The mountain's distinct pyramid shape makes for an amazing silhouette as the sun sets. For the ultimate view, travellers should head to the Gornier Glacier where the Monte Rosa Hut sits. From here travellers will look on in wonder as the sun sets and lights the Matterhorn's tip like a candle, spreading its glow across the peak.

Hotels.com recommends staying at the 4* Hotel Daniela, Zermatt. Prices start from $115 per room per night. Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking. To book, visit Hotels.com.

Jimbaran Bay, Bali (Indonesia)
Situated on the southern tip of the beautiful Indonesian island of Bali, and renowned for its magnificent and vibrant sunsets, Jimbaran Bay is the perfect place to enjoy watching the sun go down over the endless ocean. The bay is lined with several dozen restaurants and bars from which to enjoy the view. As dusk nears, restaurant staff begin to set up hundreds of tables near the water's edge under the swaying palm trees in preparation for the hordes of travellers who flock there to enjoy a seafood dinner and a Bintang while watching one of nature's finest shows.

Hotels.com recommends staying at the 4* Rama Beach Resort & Villas, Kuta. Prices start from $85 per room per night. Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking. To book, visit Hotels.com.