Dusking was once a time-honored pastime that many Dutch considered the best part of the day. They’d gather together at twilight to watch the day fade into darkness, a time to slow down and connect with nature. While it gradually faded with the arrival of electric light, it’s making a comeback as part of wellness travel.
Intentional moments of pause like these are known to provide many benefits for well-being, from reducing stress and improving sleep to sparking creativity. All you need is a place to sit, relax, and enjoy the view.
As a wellness-inspired travel trend, it encourages people to step outside at the end of the day, watch the world slow down, and the sun dip below the horizon.
The company Holafly, which provides mobile internet connectivity services to tourists and international travelers, recently put together the Global Dusking Index. Ranking the best destinations to experience the old Dutch tradition, the physical science of atmospheric beauty was mapped using four distinct layers: clear skies, light scattering, natural elements, and the places avid travelers are most drawn to.
If you’d like to try dusking yourself, consider the results when planning your next trip.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is the bucket-list global destination for “dusking” with frequent clear skies that allow the colors to pop. It’s an ideal canvas for unplugging and absorbing the twilight hues. As the volcanic caldera sits at a high elevation, directly facing west, it offers an unobstructed panoramic view of the horizon. The iconic whitewashed buildings also play a part, acting as natural reflectors, taking on dramatic shades of violet, pink, amber, and gold.
While the village of Oia is by far the most popular spot for sunset watching, you can enjoy the same unobstructed horizon without the massive crowds in Imerovigli, an easy walk along the cliffside path from Oia.
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
The island of Tenerife is renowned for its remarkably clear skies and unobstructed solar geometry. Located off the coast of West Africa, it attracts many British visitors who come to enjoy the year-round warmth and sunshine, beautiful beaches, and a wide range of activities. Hiking to the summit of Spain’s highest peak, the nearly 12,200-foot-high Mount Teide, is the very best place to experience dusking here, far from the tourist crowds and light pollution.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Italy’s Amalfi Coast is often ranked among the world’s most beautiful destinations. It also scored high across all four Global Dusking Index layers. The sunsets here are famously breathtaking, with the towering cliffs highlighted by the colors of the changing sky. The stunning scene can be witnessed without the massive tourist crowds by visiting in early autumn. Mid-September through October is also the best time to witness the vivid oranges, purples, and deep pinks that paint the sky as the sun melts into the sea over Capri and the Faraglioni.
