Places to watch Sunset & Sunrise in Romania & the Black Sea

Romania has many great places to watch sunrise or sunset. My favourite places are all on the Black Sea, particularly in the Danube Delta, Brasov, Sighișoara and Cluj-Napoca. However, more places benefit from the golden hour’s light. The sun at the beginning and end of the day creates great lighting, hence the name ‘golden hour’.

The low sun changes the look of many landscapes and cities in Romania. Many photography guides say the first and last hours of daylight are best for photos anywhere.

Sunrise & Sunset timings

The best way to check sunrise and sunset times is to ask Google or check the weather on most smartphones. Identifying a great day to see the low suns is trickier. Clear skies or those marked with partial cloud cover often deliver the best results. Apparently, wispy clouds towards the end of the day create quite the spectacle.

Places to see Sunrise or Sunset in Romania

Some locations where I have been lucky enough to see sunrises or sunsets in Romania.

Cluj-Napoca Airport Sunset

The international airport in Cluj-Napoca is a fantastic location to watch the sunset. Maybe I was lucky, but the skies were fantastic.

Sfântu Gheorghe Beach at Sunrise

The sunrise over the Black Sea at Sfântu Gheorghe beach is absolutely stunning and a must-see in the village. I got up most mornings and made the 45-minute walk to see the sun come up. Sometimes the beach was quiet; other times, a few photographers stood with tripods. Sometimes there were influencers in the wild, a few taking Instagram shots of themselves.

I usually had a shot of local spirit tuica before leaving to wake me up and put me in a spiritual mood for the occasion. I often watched the sun rise on my own, except for one occasion when I had company, which was eventful.

Morning is a great time to see the wildlife come to life. This includes many flocks of birds passing in front of the sun. If you are lucky, the beach bar is sometimes open for the sunrises. The beach bar is a great place to have a coffee and sit in one of their comfy chairs afterward.

Danube Delta Villages Sunset Photos

The villages and river channels of the Danube Delta in Romania are great places to watch the sunset. The interesting traditional buildings certainly enhance any photos taken here.

The village docks make for interesting photographs as the sun goes down. The River Danube makes a great horizon.

The village of Sfântu Gheorghe has some interesting buildings, and the late sun enhances them. Sometimes something pops into view during the golden hour. Much like this horse and cart.

Black Sea Beaches at Sunrise

All the beaches on the Black Sea in Romania face towards the east. This makes them fantastic for watching the sun rise. The dark sea creates superb contrast in photos. This includes some of the nice beaches in the Danube Delta, Constanta, and Mamaia.

The reflection on the Black Sea at Sfântu Gheorghe beach enhances the sunrise. The beach is a great place to see the spectacle.

Brasov City Centre Sunsets

As you explore Brasov’s beautiful old town centre toward the end of the day, the sky turns colourful.

The area outside the city walls near Mount Tampa is a great vantage point for sunset. The towers and red rooftops certainly add to the experience.

The main town square is also a great place to be at sunset. You can sit and watch while enjoying a drink or meal in the area’s many outdoor seats. The town hall, colourful buildings, and Black Church certainly enhance the view.

The beautiful side streets and smaller squares of Brasov also take on a red tinge while you’re there.

On the boulevard, near Tampa and the medieval city walls, are some steps to the top of the bastion. This is a great vantage point to see the city, including the Black church, at sunset.

Strada Republicii is one of the city’s main streets and a great spot to walk during the golden hour. The street faces the Black Church, which makes for a wonderful backdrop for the red skies.

Christmas Sunsets, Brasov

Because the sun sets early in winter, the early-evening Christmas markets in Brasov are a great place to see the colourful skies. If the skies don’t deliver, the festive decorations will.

The Christmas tree is always a good focal point and looks fantastic with the red skies of golden hour.

Sunset at Brașov Citadel

One of the best places I have found to watch the sunset in Brașov is on the high ground at Brașov Citadel. The area catches the sun perfectly, with no hills in the way.

The citadel is a lovely place to sit and watch the late sun. I enjoy visiting for a picnic or a beer and taking in the vibe. The old buildings certainly add to the ambience, and other people seem to agree.

Bucharest Late Sun

One of Bucharest’s most iconic places, the parliament building, is also a great spot to visit as the sun goes down. The imposing building and the red skies are rather impressive, and I enjoyed seeing them during my visit.

Bulevardul Unirii, which leads to the parliament building, is also great, and the views both ways down the road were special during golden hour. For the best views, the central reservation is great, and as a bonus, you get to see the fountains too.

Road or Rail Trips in The Romanian Countryside

On a road or rail trip in rural Romania, you may catch a special sunrise or sunset, depending on when you travel. Train and car windows often give you a special glimpse of the spectacle.

We broke down in Mihai Bravu, a remote town, and while we waited for a new tyre, we were treated to a special sunset.

Cluj-Napoca Sunset

Cluj-Napoca in Romania is a fantastic city to visit and a great place to watch the sunset. The city’s unique architecture against the colourful late light looks fantastic. Some bars in Cluj-Napoca have optimal seats for enjoying the spectacle.

One of my favourite places in Cluj-Napoca to watch the sunset is in Central Park. The beautiful park and its lake are fantastic for a walk with a camera before the sun goes down.

Cluj Arena, the city’s football stadium and events venue, is a fantastic place to see the sunset. The big buildings and wide boulevards certainly help.

Places in Sighisoara to Watch Sunrise and Sunset

The beautiful city of Sighisoara is a fantastic UNESCO World Heritage Site to visit in Transylvania. There’s lots to see, including some great sunrise and sunset spots.

The citadel walls facing east are great for early-morning sunrises. As a bonus, the historic buildings make the walk to see the event quite eerie.

For sunset in Sighisoara, I found the area by the river outside the citadel has the best light.

The towers of the medieval town also catch the late sun nicely, especially the carpenter’s tower, which has some open ground behind it.

Sibiu Sunset

On my visit to the Christmas markets in Sibiu, it had all the makings of a good place to watch the sunset. Beautiful architecture and big open squares certainly hit the spot.

Sadly, my train was just before the lights went out, so I missed the good light. Overall, Sibiu is a beautiful place to visit, and I’ll be returning to watch some proper sunsets.