The 23 best locations in the world to watch the sunrise

Located in Acadia National Park, in Maine, this peak is the highest on the East Coast. It is also the first point on the continental US to see the sunrise between October and March. Depending on your hiking speed, allow for at least an hour to park and summit prior to the sun coming up. Dress in layers, even in summer, Maine isn’t exactly tropical.

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal, looks even more spectacular first thing in the morning. As a bonus, you’ll likely have fewer fellow tourists to contend with and lower humidity levels.

Paris is always a good idea - which is why Emily can never seem to leave. But seriously, the City of Light is most serene and scenic at first light and there are so many options around town to enjoy breathtaking sunrises. From the Eiffel Tower, to the Sacre-Coeur, and other spots along the Seine, grab a croissant and espresso and take it in!

More remote and challenging to get to than some others on this list, watching the sun come up in the Okavango Delta is an unmatched experience. Streams of sunlight slowly reveal Botswana’s pristine nature while wildlife wanders right in front of your eyes.

One of the country’s most popular national parks is also an iconic spot for a sunrise moment. The best part? You don’t need to hit the trail to enjoy the scene. The multiple viewpoints along the park road provide numerous vantage points to admire the light streaming onto the granite domes and peaks.

Angkor What frequently tops “sunrise spots” lists as it is absolutely stunning, as well as unique. The bright pinks and oranges elsewhere are less common and in place you’ll have a beautiful mix of purple and yellow around the massive religious monument.

For those who want to beat the desert heat, mornings are the best time to explore Egypt. That is especially true for the pyramids out in Giza, where sunrise is unbelievably epic. It’ll also be less crowded - perfect for photo ops!

Florida isn’t exactly known to be an early morning destination. But for those who rise a bit before dawn, Key West stuns with some of the best first moments of sun in the US.

One of Cape Town’s biggest attractions is also a top-notch sunrise location. You can either take the tramway up or brave the ascent for a pre-dawn hike. Either way, it truly feels as if you’re on top of the world just as it’s waking up!

Moraine and Lake Louise go back and forth for the most Instagrammed spot in the Great White North. However, Moraine might just be the winner for sunrise due to beautiful hues and a bit more out there (most people will hang around closer to Louise).

Long a popular tourist destination, Ha Long Bay is most magical when the sun comes up. The surrounding mountains slowly come into focus as the morning sun paints the picture-perfect water in soft colors. It’s also much quieter than other times of day.

The Ocean State might be the smallest, but it packs in many lovely viewpoints on its slight stretch of coastline. It also has some of the best beaches on the eastern seaboard, and the multiple lighthouse against the rocky shores makes the perfect sunrise backdrop.

One of the City’s best-known landmarks, the Brooklyn Bridge, can be crowded no matter the time of day. So you won’t necessarily have it to yourself for sunrise, but the first rays that light up the city that never sleeps are undoubtedly worth the early morning alarm!

Situated in trendy Bali, Sanur Beach feels like a little respite in the tourist and digital nomad hub. It’s tucked away and not as Insta-famous, and as a bonus, beautiful and uncrowded at dawn. The perfect oceanside spot to start a morning!

Montreal’s titular mountain is a wonderful feature of the city. Whether you walk, run, snowshoe, or XC ski, the viewpoint provides sweeping vistas of the urban center. It’s also an excellent place for early morning exercise, but not too far that it’s impossible to do before sunrise.

Santorini is one of the most photographed locations in Europe and the world. If you want brilliant light and fewer background characters to contend with, head out before dawn. There’s nothing like those first few rays on the town of Oia’s iconic blue and white buildings.

One of Rio’s most famous beaches is also a wonderful place to take in the sunrise. As a bonus, the sun won’t be too brutal early in the morning, and you can do so with a cup of delicious Brazilian coffee!

A Harbor Bridge climb is a must-do for many visitors. Even if heights aren’t your thing, the Rocks, McMahon's Point, and other areas around the bay are a great place to gaze at the morning colors down under.

The Old Town of Prague is as charming as it is busy! But, if you don’t hit snooze, you’ll have it to yourself as well as pretty red skies as the sun wakes the city up.

Sunrise over a mountaintop is a postcard-worthy moment unlike any other. Mount Fuji is one of the most impressive locations in the world. Hikers and mountaineers will be rewarded with otherworldly views just as the country is coming out of nighttime.

A fairytale destination, no matter when you visit, Cappadocia boasts epic sunrises. And if you’re up for an adventure, a hot air balloon ride is a must! If floating high above in a flame-powered basket isn’t your thing, the site from below as the sun rises is its own type of thrill.

Florence viewpoints will be a lot less overrun in the early morning before locals and tourists alike have had their first espresso. The Piazzale Michelangelo is a great spot to get sweeping views of the city bathed in early morning light.

For travelers willing to brave the permit-Olympics and the high-altitude hike, watching the sun come up over the ancient settlement is unlike anything else you’ll see. And amazing places always feel a bit more special when you’ve worked for them, right?