Where and when to watch the sunset in the Canary Islands

Sunset times differ by up to about 20 minutes from Lanzarote to El Hierro. West-facing beaches see the sun drop into the sea; check today’s horizon cloud on IslaBu before you drive.

What time is sunset today?

Each island has its own clock: the sun sets first in the east (La Graciosa, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura) and last in the west (La Palma, El Hierro). IslaBu’s Canary-wide sunset page lists all eight islands with the next sunset and how clear the horizon looks. Island pages answer “what time is sunset today” with golden hour, blue hour and the best beach facing the sea.

Where the sun sets into the sea

You need a west or southwest open horizon. On Gran Canaria that often means Mogán, Arguineguín or Meloneras; on Tenerife the Adeje–Los Cristianos coast; on Fuerteventura Cotillo or La Pared; on Lanzarote the west of Playa Blanca. South-facing beaches may give warm light on dunes or towns instead of a sun-into-sea disc – both can be beautiful, but they are different photos.

Golden hour and blue hour

Evening golden hour runs roughly from when the sun is 6° above the horizon until 4° below; blue hour follows until about 6° below. Morning golden hour is the short window after sunrise until the sun reaches 6°. IslaBu shows both on the sunset page for each island, in local Canary time (one hour behind mainland Spain all year round).

Clouds, calima and viewpoints

Trade-wind cloud on northern coasts can hide the disc even when the south is clear. Calima turns the sky yellow and kills distant views. High viewpoints (Roque Nublo, Mirador del Río, Garajonay) need a clear horizon and a jacket after dark. Open the island sunset page for named beaches and viewpoints ranked by today’s outlook.

Sunrise

Sunrise faces east. East-coast beaches and lookouts catch the first light; times are on the same IslaBu sunset page (morning block). For a full day plan, combine sunrise, beach score and evening sunset on the island briefing.

Sources: IslaBu – sunset pages · AEMET · Updated October 15, 2026