The five best sunsets in the world | Luxury Locations | VistaJet
Few sights compare to an extraordinary sunset. Wherever in the world you find yourself, the warm, sky-brightening glow of a sunset can give even the finest moment an extra-special note. At VistaJet, we like to think our bespoke private jet flights are party to the best sunsets in the world: those at 30,000 feet. Yet, we concede there are also some supremely one-of-a-kind destinations out there that are witness to even greater evening spectacles. Here are five of our favourites.
Ngorongoro Crater – Tanzania
A crucial stop for nature lovers exploring the savannah and experiencing the unmissable wildlife of East Africa, Ngorongoro Crater is the caldera of an extinct volcano that collapsed around three million years ago. The World Heritage Site spans around 260 sq km in all, boasting a diameter of 20km and depth of 610m. An ecological jewel, it is home to around 25,000 large animals, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, and black rhinoceroses.
Come sunset, gaze out from the crater rim – the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge and Lemala Ngorongoro Camp on the eastern lip of the crater offer the best views – and watch the deep, orange-purple glow scatter through the clouds. Lake Magadi, shimmering in the centre, offers a fantastic mirror for the reddish sky tones, and often much of the crater base will be obscured by beguiling, turquoise-hued mists.
The Ring of Brodgar – Scotland
Situated at the peak of the British Isles on the Orcadian island of Stromness is one of Britain’s best sunset locations. The Ring of Brodgar – a gigantic Neolithic stone circle that forms a part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site – was erected between 2,500 and 2,000 BC.
Thought to have had an astrological purpose, today the ring juts out enigmatically from the treeless, wind-swept heathland that forms the local landscape. At sunset, the site takes on a more dramatic presence, however, as the horizon frames the shadowy, ancient stones. Stood, buffeted by the stiff North Atlantic wind, it’s as if you were transported back millennia.
Santorini – Greece
Rugged, soaring Santorini is popular for good reason. This beautiful Aegean crescent of islands – the second caldera on our list – is famed for its stark volcanic cliffs topped by pretty, white villages. Couple these with a picturesque bay rounded by squat islands, and you have location that produces one of the best sunsets in the world.
Many decades of tourism and non-stop photography have made Santorini’s sunsets iconic, and as any seasoned traveller knows, such a situation is conducive to large crowds – especially at Oia Castle at the island’s northern tip.
If you want to avoid the hordes, head for a hike along the Fira to Oia cliff track, decamp to the much quieter village of Imerovigli, or book an evening boat cruise where you’ll also get a much-less-gazed look at the island from the base of the cliffs.
Angkor Wat – Cambodia
Think of South East Asia, and we’d bet at least one or two temples will spring into your mind’s eye. At Angkor Wat, in Cambodia, you can find the world’s largest; a complex that spreads out over 1.6 sq km (162.6 ha). Built in the 12th century, it was built as a grand mausoleum for King Suryavarman II.
Travel to Siem Reap (the closest city to the temple) and marvel at the complex’s dizzying ancient architecture and gorgeous moats and reflective pools. These come alive at sunset, at the colours of the sky are mirrored in the waters, the bands of vivid colour split by the black silhouettes of trees and temples.
Fiji – Oceania
We had to include at least one island paradise on our list, and the Pacific archipelago of Fiji has around 300. Situated deep in the South Pacific around 2,100 km north of New Zealand, these lush islands are enchanting, with plenty of lush, secluded beaches and trails to explore.
Whichever island you choose to visit, chances are you’ll be able to find a breath-taking location to take in one of the best sunsets in the world, however notable spots include the Sunset Strip, located between Sigatoka and Navua on the southern coast of Viti Levu, the white stretch of Natadola Beach, or any of the islands in the Mananuca Group.
Find your perfect sunset with us
With VistaJet, you can effortlessly visit the world’s prime locations to view a sunset. Simply become a member and choose your destination – since our inception, we have flown to over 1,900 airports in 96% of the world’s countries. And in many cases, you can fly within 24 hours of booking your seat on your personal jet, all without the additional costs that come with aircraft ownership.
Discover the best sunsets in the world with VistaJet. Get in touch with our experts today.