Editor’s Note: For the latest version of this story, see The World’s Most and Least Expensive Cities, Ranked.
21.07.2023 - 07:27 / roughguides.com
Sunset anywhere is a gorgeous time of day, whether the light is reflecting off a city skyline or you're watching the last rays shine out over the ocean.
There's something majestic about the sun setting for the day, but what does a beautiful sunset actually mean? For some, it's the orange glow setting behind a silhouetted building. For others, it means watching shades of pink and purple sweep over a viewpoint. Essentially, a beautiful sunset means whatever you want it to. We're all looking at the same sunset, but we all have our own experiences with them.
Below, we've selected the world's best sunsets. These take you all around the world, from vast deserts to city lights. Remember to come back to this post when you're in need of holiday inspiration!
For more sun-related recommendations, read our round-up of the best winter sun destinations around the world.
The Taj Mahal in the Indian state of Agra is regarded as one of the world’s architectural wonders. It transforms into one of the best sunsets in the world when the day comes to an end and the sun starts to set behind it. The sun’s rays bend and wind round the white marble dome, bathing the stuccoed walls, minarets and garden in a soft pink and orange haze.
Consider taking a day tour from Agra to experience both, the majestic sunrise as well as the romantic sunset at Taj Mahal. Or are you planning to visit other places in India as well? Our local experts can help organise not only your Taj Mahal tours, but trips all over the country.
The Taj Mahal glowing in soft light makes it one of the best sunset locations in the world © Shutterstock
Chile’s Atacama Desert is so dry that plants find it difficult to sustain life here. This is where the 2001 filmSpace Odyssey was shot, the desert doubling up as the Moon’s arid surface. Small populations cluster round water-filled oases, witness to an incredible sunset each day. Sandboarding and sunset excursions are a popular way for tourists to enjoy the spectacle of the fiery sun sinking over the bone-dry land.
To beat the crowds, take a VIP tour from Atacama to the Valle de la Luna in a small group setting. And of course, if you're planning to explore Chile further, get in touch with our local expert today for a personalised quote.
Sunset hits different in the Atacama Desert in Chile © Shutterstock
Rearing 4478 metres skyward, the mighty Matterhorn is the icon of the Swiss Alps. The sight of the sun setting behind its snow-streaked slopes is truly awe-inspiring. Head to the futuristic-looking, eco-friendly Monte Rosa hut to catch this cool sunset. The trip there requires plenty of energy and pluck but the views are certainly worth the effort.
Discover even more scenic hotspots in Switzerland with our Rough Guide to
Editor’s Note: For the latest version of this story, see The World’s Most and Least Expensive Cities, Ranked.
We all know that air travel isn’t great for the environment, but a new study has found that tourism is four times worse for the environment than previously thought. The alarming research conducted by University of Sydney researchers and published in the journal Nature Climate Change found that the tourism industry (including direct sources like flights and indirect sources such as souvenir manufacturing) is responsible for eight percent of global greenhouse emissions, which is four times higher than scientists had previously estimated.
I don’t suppose that most travelers choose their trip destinations based on a country’s happiness index. On the other hand, if they knew that Country A scored near the top of the happiness index and Country B scored near the bottom, it seems probable they’d be inclined to book their flights to Country A. Who wants to spend their vacation among unhappy people?
If you want to stay at the best hotel in the United States, head to the French Quarter Inn in Charleston, South Carolina. And if you’re looking for the best bargain hotel stay in the world, it’s in a small town in northern Spain. That’s according to TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, which just shared the best hotel ratings for multiple categories heading into 2019.
For the sixth year in a row, Finland has claimed the top spot in the World Happiness Report. The annual report, compiled by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, surveys residents in over 150 countries to determine which nations are the happiest.
Backpacking can be one of the most rewarding ways to travel – with little more than your clothes on your back and an onward ticket in your hand. But where are the world’s best backpacking destinations? We asked our readers, and here are the results.
Often enormous and smackbang in the centre of things, hotels are, it's fair to say, very, very there. But they're not easy presences: public yet exclusive, both welcoming and a little off-putting at once, they’re some of the most enigmatic, story-generating buildings around.
Running along the shimmering Arctic tundra in Greenland, jogging across the African savannah and racing through the Amazon are some of the exhilarating marathon experiences now on offer around the globe. From coastal routes in Jamaica and California to challenging courses in the blazing Sahara and freezing Polar Circle, a growing number of endurance events provide a dramatic change of scene and pace. Read on for our pick of the world's best marathons.
As the Antarctic winter draws in at the end of April, Emperor Penguins begin the long march inland to their breeding grounds. There, they mate, before taking turns to insulate the egg while their partner travels up to 80km to fish. Back in the colony the penguins huddle together to protect the eggs from temperatures below -50 degrees celsius; only a small fraction of chicks survive each year.
Whether it’s a friendly face at check in or a taxi driver who’s full of useful tips, nothing beats getting a warm welcome on your travels – and our interactions with local people have a huge impact on how we view countries as a whole. We asked our Facebook and Twitter followers to share where they’ve found the most hospitable places around the world. Here’s what they said.
No matter where in the world you're headed, we bet you're looking forward to a delicious meal or two. And many of the dishes easiest on the pocket are the tastiest on the tastebuds too.
There are places in the world where little sign of western development exists, but it still threatens to change traditions and beliefs forever. Jimmy Nelson found and documented 31 of these traditional isolated communities in his quest to photograph the «purity of humanity».