Mountain lake reflecting golden hour light

Best Cities for Golden Hour Photography

Golden hour produces the warmest, most directional light of the day. Cities at higher latitudes enjoy longer golden hour windows, while iconic skylines and landmarks amplify the effect. The cities below combine long golden hour duration with world-class photography subjects.

City Comparison: Today's Times

CityCountrySunriseSunsetDaylight
ReykjavikIceland08:2019:0010h 41m
HelsinkiFinland07:0617:5910h 53m
Saint PetersburgRussia07:4418:3810h 53m
OsloNorway07:0217:5610h 54m
TallinnEstonia07:0618:0110h 55m
StockholmSweden06:3217:2810h 55m
PermRussia07:5818:5610h 58m
TyumenRussia07:2018:2011h 00m
RigaLatvia07:0518:0611h 01m
YekaterinburgRussia07:3918:4011h 01m
TomskRussia08:0219:0311h 01m
Nizhny NovgorodRussia06:4517:4811h 02m

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is golden hour?
Golden hour begins at sunrise and extends approximately 30 to 60 minutes after. The evening golden hour begins 30 to 60 minutes before sunset. Duration depends on latitude and season.
Which city has the longest golden hour?
High-latitude cities like Reykjavik, Oslo, Stockholm, and Helsinki have extremely long golden hours in summer, sometimes lasting 2 to 3 hours, because the sun travels at a shallow angle across the horizon.
How do I find golden hour in my city?
Use the city search on this site to find your nearest city. The golden hour times are listed on every city page along with the exact sunrise and sunset times.