In Photos: 15 Stunning Sunrise Photography Locations Around The World

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that a single travel photographer in possession of a camera, must be in want of some golden hour light.

But for great sunrise photos you don’t just need good light, you also need a great location.

There are many, many great sunrise photography locations around the world, of course – far too many to include in a single blog post, or even an entire website.

So all I can do is tell you about some of the ones I’ve discovered on my travels, and why I think they’re so special.

What makes a great sunrise photography location?

Recently, the photobook company CEWE asked me to pick my top 10 sunrise and sunset spots. That inspired me to go back through my archives to dig out my favourite golden hour photos.

My selection was even featured in top publications like Time Out and Travel + Leisure.

But all that digging got me thinking about why those locations worked so well. And for me, the best places for sunrise photography have a few key elements.

Crucially, you need an unobstructed view towards the east where the sun rises.

Then you need a strong foreground, such as water, mountains, a landmark, building or people, to give the image a subject and a story.

Being high up can help, since shooting from an elevated viewpoint gives you a wider, more layered view.

Finally, I like places that are accessible and relatively easy to get to, but also not over-touristed and overcrowded. I like my sunrises to myself if possible!

I confess that not all of these fit that bill exactly; some do require some extra effort to reach. But they’re all worth it, I promise.

If you’re looking for sunrise photography tips, check out Sunrise And Sunset Photography Like A Pro: 20+ Expert Tips.

And if it’s sunsets you’re after, try 21 Incredible Places For Sunset Photography – With Photos.

My top places for sunrise photography

And now, without further ado, here are my top 15 places I’ve photographed the sunrise. Click the links to find out more about each one.

1/ Luxor, Egypt

Floating above Luxor at sunrise was one of my most memorable experiences of all time.

I was pretty nervous at first, but once we were in the air and I could see the landscape unfolding beneath me, with the glorious rising sun, and the other balloons to tell the story, I completely forgot my fear.

The height and movement from a hot air balloon give you a constantly changing composition: the River Nile snaking across the landscape, patchwork fields, ancient temples and desert cliffs all lit by golden light. 

If you ever get the chance to photograph the sunrise from a hot air balloon, don’t hesitate!

Read more: 8 Must-See Ancient Egyptian Temples (Ranked By Wow Factor)

2/ Volcan Fuego, Guatemala

Sunrise overlooking Volcan de Fuego is one of Central America’s most mindblowing experiences.

This one isn’t the easiest to get to – it’s a steep, four-hour hike up its neighbour Acatenango, and then a chilly night in a tent or simple cabin, but there’s nowhere else on Earth like it.

Next morning, you wake up before dawn for the unparalleled experience of watching Volcán de Fuego as it spews ash and smoke into a reddening sky.

Definitely worth the effort – though I recommend getting a porter to help carry your gear!

Read more: I Hiked Up Six Volcanos In Guatemala – Here’s What Happened

3/ Richmond Park, London

I’ve photographed more sunrises in Richmond Park than anywhere else. Partly because it’s relatively near to where I live, and partly because it offers one of London’s best sunrise photography locations, especially in winter or early spring.

Yes it can be hard to drag yourself out of a cosy warm bed and go out into the cold, but at least in winter the sunrise times are fairly civilised. And at that hour you get the place to yourself before the dog walkers and cyclists turn up en masse.

Wrap up warm and enjoy the mist and frost. If you’re lucky you may get thick hoar frost which sparkles as the sun rises and starts to melt it. Look for silhouettes of ducks and deer, or refections on the lake.

4/ Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax is a fairly busy city and its famous waterfront boardwalk can get crowded. But head out at sunrise and it’ll just be you and the occasional jogger.

Fishing boats, sailing ships with draped rigging and reflections in the ocean are great for strong foreground interest, and you can walk along for ages finding different spots and compositions.

Shoot near the Historic Properties section to include layered piers, boats and leading lines into the harbour light.

And unlike some of my other locations, it’s easy enough to go for a fancy breakfast – or simply back to bed! – once you’re done.

Read more: The Perfect Nova Scotia Road Trip In 5 days

5/ Inle Lake, Myanmar

Myanmar is sadly off limits right now thanks to its oppressive military regime.

But I’m including it anyway because this was one of the most perfect sunrises of my life – and Myanmar deserves not to be forgotten. I hope one day it will open up again and you get to go too, if you haven’t been already.

Most boat tours on Inle Lake start around 9 am or later. During the day, the lake can be crowded and the light harsh – not ideal for photography.

But drag yourself out bed early and hire a private boat, and it’s an entirely different place. Mist hangs on the water, and the early morning fishermen move like ballet dancers on a gleaming stage.

If there’s no wind, you’ll even get perfect mirrored reflections.

Read more: The Beautiful Leg-Rowing Inle Lake Fishermen, Myanmar

6/ Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Sorry, another one that’s not easily accessible. In fact this is probably one of the least accessible sunrise spots ever. But worth it if you can make it there!

To reach the top of Kilimanjaro – Uhuru Peak – you have to hike for about six days, then get up at midnight to start your summit attempt.

Climbing all night in the dark and cold at above 5,000 m is really, really tough. So when the colour seeps into the sky and you realise you’re nearly there, there is no more emotional sunrise spot on the planet.

As the sun breaks the horizon, it reveals clouds hanging in the valley and illuminates the ice fields near the summit in warm light.

This is one sunrise photo that is more about the sense of hope and relief when I took it than about the landscape itself. But it’s a feeling that returns to me when I look again at this photo – and to me, that’s really what photography is all about.

Read more: Kilimanjaro Summit Night: Lemosho Route Day 7

7/ Algarve, Portugal

The Algarve is excellent for sunrise thanks to its beautiful coastline, clear horizons and almost guaranteed good weather.

While there are many beautiful beaches and interesting rock formations – such as the very popular Ponta da Piedade – I took this photo during a sunrise swim in the pretty beach town of Portimão.

That’s my friend Sarah capturing the jogger, and we are both using our smartphones – proof that you don’t need a fancy big camera to capture a great sunrise photo.

Get up early, enjoy a revitalising morning swim, and then treat yourself to a delicious breakfast afterwards. Perfection.

8/ Sahara Desert, Morocco

Sorry, another not-so-accessible one, but I did give you Richmond Park!

It’s a bit of a schlep to get to, I grant you, but seeing the sunrise over the rolling sand dunes of the Sahara Desert is an unforgettable experience.

To get there, take a tour that involves camping overnight. At sunrise, hike or ride a camel up the tallest dune for stunning views as the dunes transform from an ocean of deep blue to glowing orange.

The wind-rippled sand creates texture, shadows and patterns, and if you’re lucky another camel caravan will add an iconic silhouette. If not, put one of your group into the foreground as a focal point.

Read more: Glamping in the Morocco Desert at Merzouga Luxury Camp

9/ Maasai Mara, Kenya

African skies are legendary, and Mara sunrise skies are the most legendary of all.

The perfect sunrise photography on safari involves fiery skies, dramatic clouds, and early morning animal activity. Make the most of the huge, open landscapes for wide, environmental compositions.

I chased this photo for four mornings in a row: facing east, with an uphill ridge line and animals walking across. But the skies refused to play ball until the last morning, when finally my guide’s expertise and patience were rewarded.

Try to position yourself near lone acacia trees or downhill from a wildlife corridor so that you can frame the animals with all four legs cleanly silhouetted against the rising sun.

Read more: A Kenya Safari Holiday: How To Plan The Perfect Trip For You

10/ Jasper National Park, Canada

There’s no end to the incredible photography locations in Jasper National Park – you’ll be spoiled for choice in any season and at any hour of the day.

But sunrise is when Jasper National Park is at its most gorgeous – when the sky reflects off the lakes and first light hits the snowcapped Rocky Mountain peaks.

One of the best sunrise locations is Pyramid Lake where, if the water is calm, you get near-perfect reflections of Pyramid Mountain. Or stop at Medicine Lake or Maligne Lake for misty water and the chance to see moose or elk while it’s quiet, before the tourists arrive.

For this photo we didn’t quite make it to the lake in time. So as the sky exploded into pink I simply asked the taxi driver to pull over and ran into the middle of the road to get the shot.

Another advantage of being up that early: no traffic!

Read more: 4 Days In Jasper National Park: An Awesome Jasper Itinerary

11/ Ashridge, Kent, UK

The ancient beech woodlands of the Ashridge Estate are atmospheric all year round, but the best time to photograph them is in late spring during bluebell season, when the ground is carpeted in vivid blue.

For sunrise photography with bluebells you don’t even need to get up super early, since the best light is when the sun is a little way up, high enough to create shafts that pierce through the tree trunks and fall on the forest floor, turning the bluebells from deep purple to pink.

Parts of the bluebell woods get rammed later in the day, but at sunrise it’ll just be you and the occasional dog walker.

12/ Okavango Delta, Botswana

In the rainy season, the Okavango Delta transforms into a lush, water-filled wilderness where dramatic storm clouds can create spectacular sunrises.

Puddles, lakes and waterways reflect the sky, and hippos, elephants, giraffes and antelope offer great foreground interest.

Animals are most active in the early morning and safaris involve getting up at dawn anyway, so that early wake-up call is just part of the fun.

Read more: Which Is The Best Botswana Safari Lodge? My Favourites With Photos

13/ Alphonse Island, Seychelles

When you’re on holiday on a tropical island it can be extra hard to get up early for sunrise – and I confess there have been many times I’ve turned the alarm off and gone back to sleep.

But when I do succeed, I never regret it! The ocean is so incredible at sunrise – with calm water, the soft sound of waves on the sand, the birds waking up, the air fresh and the day new.

Include beach reflections, driftwood or palm silhouettes as focal points, or bring a tripod and use the self-timer to stand in your own shots. You can also use that tripod with a slow shutter speed to smooth out waves.

Read more: Alphonse Island Seychelles: A Review Of My Week In Paradise

14/ U Bein Bridge, Mandalay, Myanmar

Another one from Myanmar. Again, sorry for including somewhere you can’t currently go – but bank it for future reference just in case!

The historic U Bein Bridge is one of Asia’s most photographed sunrise locations, with early light creating iconic silhouettes as monks, locals and fishermen cross the lake.

There’s so much to capture, from fishermen out with their boats, to reflections, to Buddhist monks in their red robes.

Don’t make the same mistake as the other members of my group (who you can see on the left) – they all went and stood ON the bridge to photograph the sunrise and the landscape.

But the bridge is the whole point! So if you ever get to go there, walk along the lakeshore and then look back at the bridge for the winning shot.

Read more: Myanmar photography: a stunning place for portraits

15/ Volcan Santa Maria, Guatemala

Ok, there’s a theme here – it seems I do like my volcano hikes and early morning climbs. Well I did mention elevated viewpoints at the start, so you were kind of warned…

Just like on Kilimanjaro and Acatenango, you’ll need to lug your gear up a steep hill, but at least this one only takes a few hours, not days, to get to the top.

And the views from Santa María are spectacular: a vast volcanic landscape nicknamed ‘Volcano Alley’ with seven major peaks unfolds in front of you, and right next door the active Santiaguito volcano released smoke into the morning sky.

Take a packed breakfast and it’ll be the best thing you’ve ever tasted.

Read more: Santa Maria Volcano In Guatemala: How To Hike This Epic Peak

My top tips for sunrise photography

What’s the best way to get great photos of sunrise? I’m glad you asked!

I’ve written a whole separate post to help you with that, with tips on composition, settings, and using your smartphone.

Find it here: Sunrise And Sunset Photography Like A Pro: 20+ Expert Tips

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Where to next?

If you enjoyed this sunrise photography locations post, why not try some of my other photo tips:

• Wildlife Hide Photography Tips For Safari Photos Like A Pro
• 11 Ways To Make Money As A Travel Photographer
• 25 Brilliant Tips For Travel Photography
• 19 Easy Wildlife Photography Tips For Beginners
• 25 Spectacular Travel Photography Destinations (With Photos)
• 41 Expert Safari Photography Tips For Better Wildlife Shots
• Best Camera Settings For Northern Lights Photography
• 13 Top Tips For Taking Great Travel Photos Of Markets
• Stunning Photography on the Streets of Cuba

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