A recent study by Heepsy revealed the top ten cities to see the sunrise, ranking global cities based on their popularity for Instagrammable sunrise experiences. The study evaluated key factors, including the number of sunrise-related Instagram hashtags, average annual sunshine hours, the Air Quality Index (AQI), tourist arrivals, and popular sunrise spots. The final rankings were determined by the total number of Instagram hashtags, reflecting the visibility and popularity of sunrises on social media.

Additional factors, such as population, air quality, sunshine hours, and iconic sunrise locations, provided context for each city’s ranking, offering insights into the natural and digital allure of their sunrise experiences.

City	Approximate Sunrise Hour	Instagram Hashtags	Popular Sunrise Spot
New York City, USA	7:17 AM	685K	Brooklyn Bridge or Central Park
Dubai, UAE	7:03 AM	254K	Lahbab Desert or Burj Khalifa
Seoul, South Korea	7:47 AM	75,6K	Namsan Tower or Han River
Sydney, Australia	5:45 AM	61,8K	Bondi Beach or Sydney Harbour Bridge
Paris, France	8:44 AM	52,3K	Trocadéro Gardens (Eiffel Tower View)
Berlin, Germany	8:17 AM	47,9K	Reichstag Dome or Oberbaum Bridge
San Francisco, USA	7:23 AM	33K	Marin Headlands or Twin Peaks
Madrid, Spain	8:34 AM	21,5K	Templo de Debod
Maui, USA	7:06 AM	18,9K	Haleakalā Summit
Barcelona, Spain	8:17 AM	17,1K	Bunkers del Carmel

See the full research here*

New York City, USA, leads the list with 685K sunrise-related hashtags, far outpacing any other city in the study. Iconic spots like the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park give locals and visitors alike the perfect backdrop to capture the morning sun. With over 66 million annual visitors, NYC offers countless opportunities to experience the energy of its morning skyline.

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.

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 7:47 AM and an Air Quality Index of 55, Seoul’s mornings are both beautiful and serene.

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 5:45 AM, Sydney offers some of the earliest and most striking views on the list.

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 8:44 AM. Despite shorter sunshine hours, Paris’s reputation as a global destination draws millions to experience its peaceful and photogenic mornings.

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.

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.

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.

Maui, Hawaii, takes ninth place with almost 19K hashtags. The Haleakalā Summit, famous for its striking views, draws visitors for sunrises beginning at 7:06 AM. With nearly 3,000 annual sunshine hours, Maui’s skies often shift through rich colors, creating a memorable start to the day.

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 8:17 AM. Barcelona’s urban and natural landscapes make every sunrise unique, attracting photographers and travelers eager to capture the first light.

Tabi Vicuña, Founder of Heepsy, commented on the study: “Sunrises provide an opportunity to see destinations in their most unfiltered state, offering moments of stillness and clarity that are rare in the hustle of daily life. The morning hours often reveal details of a city or landscape that might go unnoticed later in the day, making them a favorite for travelers and photographers.”