As holiday company Thomas Cook reports a 10% increase in long-haul bookings and families begin planning their summer getaways, one question arises: where can you witness the most spectacular sunrise?
To find out, MattressOnline conducted a study analysing the Air Quality Index (AQI), the number of average sunshine hours per year, and social media engagement through Instagram posts and Google searches related to sunrises in the 40 most visited cities in 2024. Based on this methodology, they’ve identified the best cities to wake up in, where the sun rises in the most stunning way.
The best cities to wake up in:
| Ranking | City | Air Quality Index(lower = less polluted) | Average hoursof sunshine per year* | Total numberof Instagram publications | Total number of average monthly Google searches | Scenic Sunrise Score/10 |
| 1 | Sydney | 14 | 2,468 | 123,306 | 51,100 | 9.40 |
| 2 | Melbourne | 9 | 2,363 | 13,469 | 50,200 | 9.17 |
| =3 | Miami | 22 | 3,154 | 37,925 | 5,050 | 9.00 |
| =3 | Toronto | 19 | 2,066 | 14,451 | 50,200 | 9.00 |
| 5 | San Francisco | 19 | 3,062 | 2,941 | 5,150 | 8.87 |
| 6 | Dubai | 66 | 3,509 | 12,858 | 50,200 | 8.80 |
| 7 | Las Vegas | 26 | 3,825 | 4,730 | 5,100 | 8.66 |
| 8 | Los Angeles | 55 | 3,254 | 1,772 | 5,150 | 8.26 |
| 9 | Lisbon | 24 | 2,806 | 2,739 | 5,050 | 8.23 |
| 10 | Singapore | 54 | 2,022 | 7,688 | 5,250 | 8.15 |
17th place: London, UK
Unfortunately, no UK cities have made it into the top 10, but London is still fighting its way through with a scenic sunrise score of 7.12/10. The conditions for viewing a sunrise are not ideal, as the city’s AQI is quite high at 93, ranking 37th out of 40 for pollution. London also ranks 36th for yearly average sunshine hours, with just 1,633 hours per year. These factors often lead to overcast and grey skies, which explains its lower position in the ranking.
However, London refuses to be left behind, securing third place for social media presence, with 25,572 Instagram posts dedicated to sunrises. It also ranks fifth for average monthly Google searches, with 50,100 searches for sunrise-related terms. Thanks to its towering skyline, the capital still offers breathtaking sunrise views over the Thames, especially for those who take in the scenery from a higher vantage point.
1st Place: Sydney, Australia
Sydney takes the crown as the best city to wake up in. With a scenic sunrise score of 9.40/10, the city’s AQI stands at an impressive 14, making it the second cleanest in the ranking, ensuring clear skies to witness the dawn. Sydney also enjoys 2,468 average sunshine hours per year, significantly more than Taipei’s 1,374 hours.
However, Sydney truly sets itself apart with its overwhelming presence on social media. The city boasts 123,306 Instagram posts dedicated to its sunrises, a staggering 85,381 more than Miami, which comes in second. Additionally, the Emerald City surpasses even Dubai in Google searches related to sunrises, with an average of 51,100 monthly searches for terms like “sunrise in Sydney” and “Sydney sunrise spots”. With its golden beaches and scenic waterfronts, it’s no surprise that Sydney claims the top spot as the best city to wake up in.
2nd Place: Melbourne, Australia
Australia dominates the ranking, with Melbourne securing second place. With a scenic sunrise score of 9.17/10, the city boasts the lowest AQI in the study at just 9, ensuring exceptionally clean air to enjoy sunrise views. Melbourne also benefits from 2,363 average yearly sunshine hours, slightly less than Sydney.
On social media, Melbourne holds its own with 13,469 Instagram posts dedicated to its sunrises, placing it fifth in this category, ahead of Dubai and Paris. In terms of Google searches, Melbourne records 50,200 monthly searches, just 900 fewer than Sydney. Top sunrise spots include the Twelve Apostles and St Kilda Beach, where visitors can witness the first light of day over stunning coastal landscapes.
3rd Place (tied) : Miami, USA and Toronto, Canada
Miami and Toronto share the third spot in the ranking, each offering a breathtaking sunrise experience in their own way. Toronto edges ahead in air quality with an AQI of just 19 compared to Miami’s 22, making it one of the cleaner cities for sunrise viewing. However, Miami makes up for it with significantly more sunshine, averaging 3,154 hours per year, placing it fourth in this category, behind Las Vegas, Dubai, and Los Angeles, while Toronto ranks 19th with 2,066 hours.
Both cities stand out on social media, with Miami ranking second for Instagram sunrise posts (37,925 hashtags, including #MiamiSunrise), while Toronto follows in fourth place with 14,451 posts. Toronto, however, has a stronger search interest, placing fourth for Google searches with 50,200 average monthly queries, compared to Miami’s 17th place with 5,050 searches.
For those seeking a stunning sunrise to wake up to, Miami’s South Pointe Park offers an incredible view over the Atlantic, while Toronto’s Humber River and Don River provide picturesque spots to watch the city wake up.
Last Place: Frankfurt, Germany
At the bottom of the ranking, Frankfurt am Main struggles to impress sunrise enthusiasts with a scenic sunrise score of 3.82/10. The city has a high AQI of 69, meaning pollution can often obscure the morning sky. It also receives just 1,662 yearly sunshine hours, ranking 34th between Prague and Amsterdam.
Despite its stunning cityscape, Frankfurt has only 276 Instagram posts dedicated to its sunrises, with only Zurich and Taipei recording lower numbers. Additionally, the city ranks last in Google searches for sunrise-related terms, with an average of just 50 monthly searches. While Frankfurt may not be the top destination for sunrise lovers, its skyline might offer better opportunities for sunset viewing.
