All Cities
Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

Golden hour & blue hour times

Friday, Feb 6

Sunrise

5:38 AM

Sunset

6:35 PM

Morning Golden
5:08 AM - 6:08 AM
Evening Golden
6:05 PM - 7:05 PM
Blue Hour
4:48 AM - 5:08 AM

Showing times for Friday, February 6, 2026(Today)

24-Hour Timeline

Drag or tap to explore light conditions throughout the day

12AM6AM12PM6PM12AM

Selected

12:00 AM

Condition

Night

Night
Blue Hour
Golden Hour
Daylight

Both sunrise & sunset are stunning

Sunrise

Christ the Redeemer catches early light, and Copacabana faces east for Atlantic sunrises.

Sunset

Sugarloaf Mountain and the beaches offer some of the world's most famous sunset views.

Photography tips for Rio de Janeiro

1

Christ the Redeemer at sunrise avoids crowds and catches beautiful morning light.

2

Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) has the classic Rio sunset panorama.

3

Copacabana Beach faces east—perfect for sunrise with palm trees and mosaic sidewalk.

4

Ipanema Beach's Dois Irmãos mountains create iconic sunset silhouettes.

5

Arpoador Rock between Ipanema and Copacabana is the locals' sunset gathering spot.

6

The Lapa Arches (Arcos da Lapa) glow beautifully at golden hour.

7

Vista Chinesa in Tijuca Forest offers a unique framed Christ the Redeemer view.

8

Niterói across the bay has Oscar Niemeyer's MAC museum and Rio skyline views.

9

The Mirante Dona Marta offers Christ the Redeemer with the city below.

10

Pedra Bonita offers paragliding and panoramic sunset views.

Best photography spots in Rio de Janeiro

Christ the Redeemer

sunrise

Iconic statue atop Corcovado Mountain

Tip: First tram at 8am, consider hiking up earlier

Sugarloaf Mountain

sunset

Iconic peak with cable car

Tip: Take the last cable car down after sunset

Arpoador Rock

sunset

Rocky outcrop between beaches

Tip: Locals applaud the sunset here

Ipanema Beach

sunset

Famous beach with Dois Irmãos views

Tip: Watch from Posto 9 beach area

Copacabana Beach

sunrise

Iconic curved beach

Tip: Mosaic sidewalk in foreground

Mirante Dona Marta

Both

Helipad viewpoint below Christ

Tip: Taxi or motorcycle taxi access

Vista Chinesa

sunrise

Chinese pagoda in Tijuca Forest

Tip: Frames Christ the Redeemer

Niterói (MAC)

sunset

Flying saucer museum with Rio views

Tip: Ferry from Praça XV

Weather Tips

Rio has a tropical climate with summer rains (Dec-Mar). Winter (Jun-Aug) offers clearer skies.

Best Months

May-October for drier weather and clearer views of Christ and Sugarloaf.

#RioSunset#ChristTheRedeemer#RioDeJaneiro#BrazilPhotography

Annual Overview

Year Heatmap

See how golden hour times shift throughout the year in Rio de Janeiro. Plan your trips around the best light.

Hover over cells to see details

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
12 AM
1 AM
2 AM
3 AM
4 AM
5 AM
6 AM
7 AM
8 AM
9 AM
10 AM
11 AM
12 PM
1 PM
2 PM
3 PM
4 PM
5 PM
6 PM
7 PM
8 PM
9 PM
10 PM
11 PM

Light Conditions

Night

Stars, low light

Blue Hour

Twilight, city lights

Golden Hour

Warm, soft light

Daylight

Bright, even

Planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro?

Use these golden hour times to capture perfect photos, then organize them into a beautiful travel journal with TripMemo.

TripMemo
Document Your Rio de Janeiro Trip

Frequently Asked Questions

Golden hour and blue hour in Rio de Janeiro, explained.

When is golden hour in Rio de Janeiro?

Golden hour happens shortly after sunrise and before sunset, but the exact times change by date. Use the date picker above to see golden hour times for Rio de Janeiro on your travel dates.

When is blue hour in Rio de Janeiro?

Blue hour is the twilight period before sunrise and after sunset. The exact blue hour window depends on the date and location—check the times shown on this page for Rio de Janeiro.

Is sunrise or sunset better for photography in Rio de Janeiro?

Both sunrise and sunset are excellent in Rio de Janeiro. Sunrise: Christ the Redeemer catches early light, and Copacabana faces east for Atlantic sunrises. Sunset: Sugarloaf Mountain and the beaches offer some of the world's most famous sunset views.

What are the best photography spots in Rio de Janeiro?

Top photography spots include Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Arpoador Rock. Each location has optimal times for either sunrise or sunset photography.

How accurate are these sunrise and sunset times?

Times are calculated using the city's coordinates (-22.91°, -43.17°) and local time zone. They're designed for planning photography and travel itineraries.

How long does golden hour last in Rio de Janeiro?

Golden hour typically lasts 20–40 minutes. At Rio de Janeiro's latitude (23°S), it stays fairly consistent throughout the year.

What's the best time of year to visit Rio de Janeiro for photography?

May-October for drier weather and clearer views of Christ and Sugarloaf.

What should I know about weather in Rio de Janeiro?

Rio has a tropical climate with summer rains (Dec-Mar). Winter (Jun-Aug) offers clearer skies.

How should I plan a golden hour shoot?

Aim to arrive 15–30 minutes early to scout your spot, set up your gear, and be ready when the light peaks. Consider a second shoot during blue hour right after sunset.

Can I save these golden hour times for my trip?

Yes! Use the date picker to check times for your specific travel dates. Consider using TripMemo to document your golden hour photos and create a travel journal of your Rio de Janeiro trip.

Golden Hour & Blue Hour Times in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | TripMemo