The world’s most glorious sunsets

From mist-shrouded golden sunsets at India’s southernmost point, to bright orange and baby blue skies in tropical Florida, the following destinations were the most highly rated for sunsets by global travellers.

Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India

Kanyakumari is a coastal town at the southernmost tip of India, where the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea meet, and where the sunsets are out of this world. The town is a Hindu pilgrimage site with two small but religiously significant offshore islands, the Vivekananda Rock memorial and the Thiruvalluvar statue, each casting a striking silhouette against the setting sun. Depending on the time of year, you might be fortunate enough to catch the sun set and the moon rise over the three seas simultaneously. Hotel Ocean Heritage has views straight out over the ocean.

Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia

Enshrined in Balinese mythology, the temple of Tanah Lot sits atop a rock jutting out into the sea with waves crashing wildly all around it. Though almost a third of the structure is now artificial following a major restoration, the spectacle is no less impressive. At sunset, high tide blocks the island off from the mainland, surrounding it with shimmering, golden ocean. It’s the most photographed temple in Bali, yet no camera can capture the full spectrum of colours and light you’ll see in person. At Villa Puspa, you can practically roll out of bed into the peaceful plunge pool, and it’s only five minutes’ walk from the beach.

Holmes Beach, Florida, United States of America

Holmes Beach is a town on Anna Maria Island, an exotic, seven-mile-long stretch of land with an enviably slow pace of life. One of the best things about this kind of Florida island living is the fresh seafood, ordering ‘catch of the day’ or crab cakes at a beachside restaurant while watching the sky turn from bright orange to rich gold to baby blue as it falls through the sky towards the powder-fine, white sand. Stay at the pastel-coloured Island Getaway at Palm Tree Villas and after sunset, have a nighttime swim in the illuminated, palm tree-lined pool.

Koh Libong, Trang Province, Thailand

A mountainous island of fishing villages and far fewer tourists than you’d expect of Thailand, Koh Libong guarantees good sunsets. Rubber tree plantations, mangroves and rare flora and fauna take up a lot of the island, where tourism is a secondary industry to fishing. Spend a lazy afternoon in a hammock dangling over the ochre-coloured sand before watching the sunset over the jade-coloured sea, and finish up with a spot of stargazing. The infinity pool bordered by greenery and chic, wooden decking at Andalay Beach Resort Koh Libong is a glorious sunset spot.

Plaka Milou, Cyclades, Greece

Greece has over 6,000 islands and, of all of them, global travellers reckon the sunsets in the mountainside village of Plaka Milou are the best. Situated on the Cycladic island of Milos, the volcanic, rocky terrain around the village features cliffs and peaks that shimmer blue, green, red and grey in the sunlight. Above the village is an 18th-century white-washed church, Panagia Thalassitra, and a castle from which you can enjoy divine sunsets over the dazzlingly blue Aegean Sea. Chaido Studios is a typical Greek house in Plaka Milou with wooden shutters, a garden and terrific sea views.

**The data analysts at Booking.com looked at the most highly rated destinations for ‘sunsets’, based on endorsements from Booking.com customers.