Sunset Map
Find sunset direction and local time on a map. Jump to sunset, inspect evening golden light and plan an alignment for a chosen date.
Your evening, on the map.
Standard open-horizon sunset; terrain and buildings may hide the sun earlier. Times are local to Europe/Lisbon.
Solar times, the sky view and date controls remain available.
Light on this day
Europe/Lisbon · Select any event to move the map to that instant. Times are displayed to the minute; selection keeps the calculated instant.
Sunrise and sunset use an open horizon and atmospheric refraction. Dawn/dusk use the sun’s center at −6°, −12° and −18°. Golden light uses −4° to +6°: a planning convention, not a weather forecast. Calculation notes →
Your light windows
Golden hour is defined here by the sun’s geometric elevation between −4° and +6°. Atmospheric conditions change the appearance of the light.
A different season. A different light.
Keep your place and jump through the year.
Find your alignment.
Choose what you want to see from Lisbon, Portugal.
1 Choose your target
The pin is where you stand. Mark the landmark or direction you want the sun to line up with.
2 Choose the light
Set precise angles and tolerance
3 Pick your date range
Select a map target first, or open precise angles to enter a direction.
The target sets a compass direction, not the height of a landmark. Windows show when the Sun’s center is within the selected angular tolerance. Terrain, buildings and weather are not included in this alignment search. Near-horizon geometry is not a guarantee of a visible sunrise.
Sunset Map: Time, Direction & Evening Light
Plan where to stand for the evening light. Choose a place and date, jump directly to its calculated sunset and follow the bearing on the map. Use Find alignment when the sun needs to sit behind a subject.
Use this when: You need an evening time and sightline for a photograph, walk or outdoor plan.
What this tool calculates
- Local standard-horizon sunset time
- Solar bearing at the calculated sunset instant
- Evening golden-hour boundary shortcuts
- Date and target alignment search
How to use it
- 01
Choose a place and date
Search for a location, then choose the day in the time dock. Times follow the location’s time zone.
- 02
Jump to sunset
Use Show sunset on the map. The readout shows the calculated sunset instant and true-north bearing.
- 03
Check the sightline
Place a target with Find alignment. Inspect the horizon and buildings before deciding that the sun will be visible.
- 04
Keep the plan
Export calendar events or save a field sheet with the selected location and date.
How to read the result
Read the model, then check the place
Standard sunrise/sunset calculations include the conventional solar-limb/refraction assumption. Imported terrain does not change this standard event time.
Keep the assumptions with the result
Save the scene and export a field sheet to retain coordinates, time zone and the modeled geometry.
Limits you should know
- Standard sunrise/sunset calculations include the conventional solar-limb/refraction assumption. Imported terrain does not change this standard event time.
- A ridge, building or tree can hide the sun earlier; check the modeled scene and the actual site.
- At polar latitudes there may be no sunset on the selected date. Golden-hour appearance depends on the atmosphere.
Questions about this calculator
Where will the sun set at my location?
Choose your location and date, then use Show sunset on the map. The button includes its true-north bearing and local time. The line points toward the standard open-horizon sunset direction.
Why does the sun disappear before the displayed sunset time?
Standard sunset assumes an open horizon. A ridge, building or tree can hide the sun earlier. Add relevant obstacles and inspect the horizon before planning a sightline.
Why is there no sunset time?
At high latitudes the sun may remain above or below the horizon all day. The absence of an event on that local date is a valid result; try another date.
Methodology version 2.0 · Reviewed September 20, 2026