Best Sunrise and Sunset Spots in Cornwall

One of the best spots to catch the sun peeping over the horizon is along Falmouth’s seafront. With Pendennis Castle on one side, and Gyllyngvase Beach on the other, get a front row seat for all the action. If you’re staying at The Falmouth Hotel, you don’t even need to set your alarm. With our Ocean View Rooms, wake from a slumber by the sea to the glow of sunrise right outside your window.

Charlestown is best known for its appeal to film-makers, appearing in various movies and television series including Poldark, Doctor Who, Bait, and Alice In Wonderland. However, it is also a Cornish hot spot for a spectacular sunrise. With a grade II listed harbour, towering boat masts and sails, and breathtaking views out to St Austell Bay, you can’t beat a morning spent in Charlestown.

📸: Sunrise Sunset Times

Head to Coverack at dawn and witness the cobbled cove bathed in liquid gold. On a clear day, you’ll get the picture-perfect globe rising from the water. If you’re feeling brave, Coverack is a peaceful spot for wild swimming. Start the day the Cornish way with a brisk dip, followed by a warming coffee and pastry from Loft  – just a 5 minute stroll up the road. 

📸: Unique Hideaways

Next up on our list of top sunrise and sunset spots in Cornwall is Portscatho, located on the Roseland Peninsula. Usher in the beauty of a new day in this charming coastal village, with harbour views and coves. If you’re making a day of it, head along the coastal path towards Porthcurnick Beach and stumble across The Hidden Hut, for a menu of seasonal lunch options, served from 12pm – 3pm.

📸: Holiday Cottages

Arguably one of the most iconic destinations in Cornwall, St Michael’s Mount at Marazion is a must-see at any time of the day. However, get to the small coastal town early enough, and catch the sunrise, for a silhouetted view of the famous tidal island, floating half a mile offshore. For a close-up view, take a paddleboard down on a calm day and float around the mount, home to a castle and sub-tropical gardens.

So much about St Ives is magical, and the sunsets are no exception. With seven beaches all within walking distance from the charming seaside town, you’re spoiled for choice. Our favourite vantage point is from The Island, a hill that overlooks the bay with unbeatable views.

📸: Adam Sargent

Surf, sand, and sunsets. Newquay is a top choice for spending a sundowner session. With vast, sandy stretches and powerful ocean waves, a sunset at Fistral Beach is dynamic and undeniably beautiful. In the summer, soak up the long drawn out evenings and the bustle of beach-goers, or visit in the winter months for crowd-free coastlines and sunsets as early as 3:50pm.

📸: Fistral Beach Surf School

Off the beaten track and settled amongst the ruins of old mines, admire the sun and the moon swap shifts from the sheltered cove of Trevellas in St Agnes. On a clear day, walk up the steep coastal path to the top of the small valley for birds-eye views down to crystal clear lagoons.

📸: Cornwall Guide

On a hot summer’s day, Kynance Cove could easily be mistaken for a beach on some far-flung, tropical island. A jewel on The Lizard peninsula, serpentine rock stacks, white sand, and turquoise waters set the scene for a cinematic sunset. Be sure to check the weather forecast and tide times before you head over to this part of the coast, as it can get very blustery.

📸: Sunrise Sunset Times

The Minack Theatre, set upon the cliff tops overlooking Porthcurno Beach is the final stop on our list of sunrise and sunset spots in Cornwall. Whether you’re catching an open air show at Cornwall’s most extraordinary stage, or simply visiting the beach below following a coastal walk – you’re guaranteed to have front row seats to a sensational end to the day.

📸: Minack Theatre