One Australian city ranks among the best sunrises in the world, according to Instagram
If you're hunting for the picture perfect sunrise, look no further.
The top ten cities to see at sunrise have been revealed by Heepsy, ranking global cities based on their popularity for Instagrammable sunrise experiences.
The final rankings were determined by the total number of Instagram hashtags, reflecting the visibility and popularity of sunrises on social media.
However, other factors were taken into account, including the cities' average annual sunshine hours, the Air Quality Index (AQI), tourist arrivals, and popular sunrise spots.
Read on to discover the most snappable golden hours in the world, and which Aussie city is considered one of the best.
10. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona, Spain, rounds out the top ten with 17.1k sunrise hashtags shared on Instagram.
Early risers at Bunkers del Carmel are treated to panoramic views of the city as the sun rises at 8:17am.
Barcelona's urban and natural landscapes make every sunrise unique, attracting photographers and travelers eager to capture the first light.
9. Maui, USA
Maui, Hawaii, takes ninth place with almost 19K hashtags.
The Haleakalā Summit, famous for its striking views, draws visitors for sunrises beginning at 7:06am.
With nearly 3,000 annual sunshine hours, Maui's skies often shift through rich colors, creating a memorable start to the day.
8. Madrid, Spain
Madrid, Spain, is eighth with 21.5K hashtags.
Templo de Debod offers a one-of-a-kind sunrise location, with ancient history and a modern cityscape.
With nearly 2,800 annual sunshine hours, the city's mornings often feature a soft, warm light that's ideal for photography.
7. San Francisco, USA
San Francisco, USA, comes in seventh with 33K hashtags.
Its crystal-clear air—the cleanest among all the cities (AQI of 16)—makes sunrise views from Marin Headlands and Twin Peaks particularly vivid.
The city's combination of rolling fog and morning light adds a special touch for photographers.
6. Berlin, Germany
Berlin, Germany, ranks sixth with almost 48K hashtags.
Locations like the Reichstag Dome and Oberbaum Bridge create contrasts between old and new, making them sunrise favorites.
With an Air Quality Index of 42, the city's clear skies enhance its photogenic qualities in the early hours.
5. Paris, France
Paris, France, takes fifth place with 52.3K Instagram hashtags.
The Trocadéro Gardens, offering an unforgettable view of the Eiffel Tower, is a favorite spot for capturing the city's sunrise at 8:44am.
Despite shorter sunshine hours, Paris's reputation as a global destination draws millions to experience its peaceful and photogenic mornings.
4. Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Australia, lands in fourth with 61.8K hashtags.
Its perfect air quality (AQI of 21, the best in the study) sets the stage for vivid sunrises at Bondi Beach and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
With sunrise starting as early as 5:45am, Sydney offers some of the earliest and most striking views on the list.
3. Seoul, South Korea
Seoul, South Korea, is featured 75.6K times on Instagram for its serene sunrise views, earning it the third spot.
The city's morning scenes from Namsan Tower and the Han River have gained increasing attention.
With the sunrise arriving at 7:47am and an Air Quality Index of 55, Seoul's mornings are both beautiful and serene.
2. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, comes second with 254K hashtags.
With the most annual sunshine hours of any city at 3,509, mornings in Dubai are reliably bright and golden.
Sunrise seekers flock to iconic locations like the Lahbab Desert and the Burj Khalifa and create images that fill social media feeds worldwide.
