The best places in the world to watch the sunrise

Some sights are worth setting your alarm for. Just imagine Rome’s ancient monuments bathed in a soft morning glow, or the first rays of light hitting Australia’s sacred Uluru. Here, we’ve rounded up six​​​​​​ destinations to ​​witness ​​​​the ​​magic of daybreak​​​​​​, ​​whether​​​​​​​ ​by leisurely walk or an invigorating ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​hike.  

The best trails for sunrise hikers ​​

Uluru, Australia

​​​​​​Uluru​ ​–​​​​​​​ ​also known as Ayers Rock​ ​​​–​​​​ is an incredible sandstone formation in Australia’s Red Centre”. With walking trails and observation platforms scattered around the site, Uluru is a spectacle from every angle – and even more so at daybreak. As the first rays of sun hit the rock, its colour changes from deep red to orange to pink, while the view of the surrounding desert in the pale light is no less impressive.

Mount Bromo, Indonesia

​It might be an active volcano, but that doesn’t stop visitors from flocking to Mount Bromo ​​in East Java to enjoy magnificent views of its crater, complete with swirling clouds of vapour. A hike up to the viewing point at the summit from the nearby village of Cemoro Lawang usually takes around 90 minutes, but early risers will have their efforts ​pa​id off: the ethereal beauty of Mount Bromo and the surrounding mountain range at dawn is a sight to remember for a lifetime. ​​This has become a favourite among ​​sunrise hiking​​ enthusiasts. ​​​​​​​​ 

Grand Canyon, United States

​An immense gorge winding through the Arizona desert, the Grand Canyon​​ is well deserving of its place among the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. ​​​​​Many claim it’s the best place to catch the sunrise​ in the American Southwest. ​​The view from the Skywalk at Grand Canyon West offers perhaps the best vantage point of the epic natural landmark itself​​,​​ but watching the sunrise here is something else. The play of light and shadow on the steep-sided canyon adds more ​​drama to an already otherworldly terrain. Explore the area on foot or enjoy the ultimate bird’s-eye view by helicopter. 

Janiculum Hill, Italy

​​Almost in the very heart of Rome, Janiculum Hill ​​ is the Italian capital’s highest vantage point and affords excellent views of its most famous landmarks, including St Peter’s Basilica, the Pantheon, and the Colosseum. The comparatively easy – and peaceful – 20-minute climb ​​​​​​make it one of the most accessible sunrise hikes. ​​​​Janiculum offers a particularly magical ​atmosphere​​​ ​​​at​ first light, when the eternal city below slowly wakes up awash in shifting hues of pink, purple, and orange.​ ​​​​​​​ 

Alishan, Taiwan China

​This Taiwanese mountain range ​​in the central region of the island is famous for its “Five Wonders”: lush forests, thick blankets of clouds, a scenic railway, epic sunsets​​​​ and best of all, heavenly sunrises. There are many hiking trails in the area, but the most popular route is​​​​​​​​​​​​ the Zhushan Sunrise Trail, which leads to a designated observation deck. As the sun emerges over the hills, giving them a golden tinge, the scene is truly poetic – and arguably one of the ​most beautiful sunr​​ises​​ ​​​you’ll ever see. 

Sunset Peak, Hong Kong SAR

​​Despite its name, Sunset Peak ​​on Hong Kong’s Lantau Island might just be loveliest at dawn. A hike there takes two-to-three hours and is moderately challenging, but extremely rewarding. Once you reach its peak, you’ll be able to take in the 360-degree panorama of the South China Sea and its smatterings of islands, as well as the glittering urban skyline further in distance. Visit in the autumn to watch the seemingly endless fields of silver grass that cover the mountain​​,​​ shimmering under the rising su​​​​​​​​​​n.​ 

How to plan the perfect sunrise hike: essential tips​​​ 

​​​​If you’re heading abroad to conquer ​​one of these ​​hiking​​ trails​​​​, or ​​taking​​​​​​ on a ​​scenic route​​​​ closer to home, it's ​​worth​​​​​​​ be​​​ing​​​ ​prepared​​ in every sense of the word. ​​You​​​​​​ can ​​stock up on​​​​​​ hiking essentials online when you shop with Cathay, ​​and stay​​​​​​ ​protect​​​ed​​​ ​​​with ​​Cigna health and Chubb travel insurance options​     ​.​     ​​​​​​​​​​ 

What to pack for your hike​​​ 

​​​​​​​​​​​Make sure you’re prepared for your trail walk. Hiking essentials include:​​ 

• ​​​​Headlamp or torch​​​ 
• ​​​​Layers of clothing​​​ 
• ​​​​Reusable water bottle​​​ 
• ​​​​Light snacks (nuts, granola bars, fruit)​​​ 
• ​​​​Fully charged phone or GPS device​​​ 
• ​​​​Camera or binoculars​​​ 
• ​​​​Small first-aid kit​​​ 
• ​​​​Sun protection​​​ 

Safety and etiquette​​​ 

• ​​​​Start early, not late:​​ ​​trails can take longer in the dark. ​​Give yourself enough time to reach the viewpoint before sunrise. ​​​ 
• ​​​​Check the weather: ​​​​conditions change quickly, especially at higher altitudes. Always check the forecast before setting out.​​​ 
• ​​​​Stick to marked trails: ​​it’s safer, easier to navigate in the dark, and helps preserve the local environment.​​​ 
• ​​​​Keep noise to a minimum: ​​respect the tranquillity of the moment — and fellow hikers — as many seek peace in these early hours.​​​ 
• ​​​​Leave no trace: ​​carry out all your rubbish and avoid disturbing local flora and fauna.​​​ 
• ​​​​Bring a backup light source: ​​headlamps can fail. Having a small torch or extra batteries ensures you’re not left in the dark.​​​​​ 

​This story was originally published in May 2022 and updated in June 2026.