Why dusking will change your holiday sunsets

When people gather to watch the setting sun, there’s typically a quick frenzy of photos before everyone heads out for dinner. But a new wellness trend is challenging you to put your phone away and embrace the transition from day to night – remaining present as the sun sets beyond the horizon, golden hour comes and goes, and the stars begin to shine. 

What is dusking? 

Championed by Dutch “night walker” Marjolijn van Heemstra, the “dusking” trend has swept across Europe and beyond, where people gather to go offline and bask in nature’s majesty. With events now taking place across the world, it’s a chance for people to slow down and reconnect with darkness, as van Heemstra – who has led more than 500 such tours – puts it.  

Instead of leaving as soon as the sun has set, dusking encourages people to linger and witness the transition from late afternoon through dusk, twilight and finally into evening. Whether you’re standing on a mountain or watching from the comfort of your hotel balcony, it’s a thoughtful way to unwind and be in the moment.  

Where to go dusking around the world 

While all you need is a seat with a view, we’ve curated a list of beautiful places where you can combine dusking with a love of travel.

Uluwatu, Bali 

Best for: cultural evenings 

Named one of the world’s best spots on Holafly’s Global Dusking Index, Uluwatu’s impressive cliffside temple is renowned for its ocean views and fiery kecak dance rituals as the sun goes down. While it’s a great spot to combine sightseeing and dusking, it can get crowded. If you’re looking for a quieter place to embrace the twilight, head to nearby Batu Jaran and scale Jaran Hill to its clifftop lighthouse. With unobstructed views across the ocean, sunset casts golden hues over the water’s surface before giving way to a canopy of stars. 

Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong 

Best for: best of both worlds  

If you’re up for a moderate hike, a two-hour trail along part of Hong Kong’s famed MacLehose Trail will take you to the peak of Tai Mo Shan, the city’s highest mountain. With a view that straddles both lush green mountains and the urban sprawl of the New Territories, it’s a prime location for dusking. Away from the bustle, you can immerse yourself in the natural world while apartment lights twinkle in the distance, a warm reminder that you’re never far from home. 

Jiuzhaigou, Chinese Mainland

Best for: mirrored lakes 

Turquoise blue waters ringed by pine trees greet you at Rhinoceros Lake in Jiuzhaigou, just one of the area’s crystalline landmarks among the valleys of Jiuzhaigou National Park. Whichever valley you visit, karst mountains and otherworldly blue waters await, reflecting the sky in all its changing stages as night descends, especially upon glittering Mirror Lake. With guided tours and luxury resorts in the area, along with waterfalls, forest trails and more, it’s a magical place to explore as the sun dips behind towering karst formations.

Read our full experience of Jiuzhaigou National Park. 

Boracay, Philippines

Best for: endless horizons 

Following an extensive closure and rehabilitation programme, Boracay’s white sand beaches have finally reopened. The snowy white beach that dominates the island’s coastline is split into multiple “stations”, each with its own unique character. Those seeking a quiet moment of contemplation as night beckons over the glassy waters should head to luxurious Station 1 or the calmer Station 3, or even the hidden Diniwid Beach just over the rocky outcrop to the north of Station 1. Before twilight, outrigger paraw boats take to the water for sunset cruises, casting dark silhouettes as the sun slowly dips below the horizon.

Uluru, Australia 

Best for: twilight storytelling 

Uluru, a mysterious red sandstone formation also known as Ayers Rock, rises from the desert as a sacred landmark for the Anangu people and a much-celebrated Unesco World Heritage Site. Regularly topping lists of the world’s best sunsets, it sits amid Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which continues to be jointly managed by the Anangu community. As twilight brings lavender hues to the crimson monolith and the stars blaze overhead, you’ll experience a marvel of modern indigenous storytelling – illuminated drones take to the dark skies, depicting one of the Anangu people’s ancient foundational stories in rainbow lights.  

Read more about our experience of Australia’s most remote drone show in Uluru. 

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles 

Best for: city stargazing 

This hilltop observatory is a classic guidebook favourite for a reason and is especially recommended for astronomy geeks. Bronze radial lines set into its West Observation Terrace chart a path to the exact position of the sun setting on specific days, including the solstices and equinoxes. Regardless, the views from all around the observatory reveal Los Angeles’ sprawl through the valleys, the Hollywood sign and skies above, making the twilight hour being a particular favourite among photographers and influencers. Best of all, the observatory doesn’t close until 10pm so you can learn more about the night sky once your eyes have had their fill.