The sun rising over a lake. Picture: Unsplash
There is something uniquely enchanting about watching the sunrise. The act of greeting the day with the dawn’s first light carries numerous benefits for both body and mind — from improving mood and bolstering the immune system to instilling a sense of awe and perspective on life.
Psych Central highlights that witnessing sunrises not only helps decrease anxiety and stress levels but also enhances concentration and emotional well-being, creating a powerful case for those early mornings spent outdoors.
A recent study by Heepsy ranked the world's most popular cities for sunrise views, taking into account social media markers, particularly Instagram hashtags, as a reflection of the locations' allure and beauty.
As travel increasingly gets influenced by the digital realm, these ten cities provide magnificent morning vistas for locals and visitors.
New York City, USA
Leading the charge with a staggering 685,000 sunrise-related hashtags, New York City boasts iconic locations from which to view the morning light, including the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park.
With over 66 million annual visitors, the city offers an unmatched urban sunrise experience.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
In second place with 254,000 hashtags, Dubai's warm, golden mornings shine brightly due to its 3,509 annual sunshine hours.
Iconic sites such as the Burj Khalifa and the Lahbab Desert are popular choices for those seeking to capture breathtaking dawn images.
Seoul, South Korea
The serene sunrises in Seoul, highlighted 75,600 times on Instagram, find their charm in locations like Namsan Tower and the scenic Han River.
With an average sunrise time of 7.47am, the city presents peaceful morning vistas complemented by a favourable Air Quality Index of 55.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney's ranking at fourth comes with 61,800 hashtags. The city, with the best air quality in the survey (AQI of 21), is an early riser's dream.
Locations like Bondi Beach and Sydney Harbour Bridge provide spectacular views, often just before 6am.
Paris, France
Paris captures the fifth spot, with 52,300 hashtags showcasing its dawn beauty. The Trocadéro Gardens serve as a quintessential vantage point, offering romantic views of the Eiffel Tower bathed in morning light.
Berlin, Germany
In sixth place, Berlin features almost 48,000 Instagram hashtags, with sunrise imagery taken from sites like the Reichstag Dome and Oberbaum Bridge, marrying its rich history with modernity against colourful dawn skies.
San Francisco, USA
With a peculiar fog adding charm to its mornings, San Francisco ranks seventh with 33,000 hashtags.
Iconic glimpses of sunrise can be captured from Marin Headlands and Twin Peaks, all enhanced by the cleanest air quality in this study (AQI of 16).
Madrid, Spain
Madrid makes the eighth position with 21,500 hashtags highlighting its storied locations such as Templo de Debod, where ancient history meets modern beauty, featuring soft dawn light in a city with nearly 2,800 sunshine hours annually.
Maui, Hawaii
At ninth place, Maui draws visitors to the Haleakalā Summit, renowned for its spectacular colours at sunrise starting around 7.06am. The island's tropical landscapes transform during these magical moments.
Barcelona, Spain
Rounding off the list, Barcelona has 17,100 hashtags showcasing sunrises from Bunkers del Carmel. The unique combination of urban and natural elements provides a stunning backdrop for early risers.
As these cities illustrate, spending time immersed in nature, particularly during the quiet morning hours, not only enhances one's daily routine but also enriches the human experience.
With the promise of a fresh start each day, there is no better way to connect with the world around us than by standing in awe of a sunrise.