The World's Most Celebrated Sunsets

There are plenty of differing opinions about where to find the world's most beautiful sunsets, from the edges of Venice to the middle of the sand-swept Sahara. But what about where to the find the most appreciated sunsets—those marked with popular daily rituals that draw applauding, dancing, drumming masses? We've narrowed it down to 10 spots around the globe where the sunset is a real crowd pleaser, and where just sitting and staring in awe—and clapping and whistling and taking plenty of photos—is de rigueur during any visit.

1. Oia, Santorini

Hundreds gather nightly at the Kastro, taking up every last inch of space along its rock walls, stairs, gates and pathways to snap photos and give a loud and rousing round of applause as the sun sinks into the Aegean Sea, the last rays creating a spectacular light show over the whitewashed town.

2. Tel Aviv, Israel

A drum circle is the main beach attraction evenings here—especially on Fridays and Saturdays for the sabbath—bringing out crowds of locals and tourists who jump and cheer for the sun, and performers who dance with their own balls of fire.

3. Rio, Brazil

Happy hipster crowds at Aproador Beach cheer and applaud nightly as the sun disappears into the glimmering South Atlantic.

4. Ibiza, Spain

Sunset watching—complete with spontaneous applause—is an island institution, with various shoreline gathering places: outside Cafe del Mar in Sant Antoni, favored by the late-night party crowd, and frequently featuring a backdrop of skydivers; Cala Conta's Sunset Ashram, where folks gather at a mellow beach bar to watch the light show to the tunes of live DJs; and Benirrás, where a lively drum circle welcomes in the darkness on Sunday nights.

5. Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, HI

Catch sunset torch lightings, hula shows and conch-blowing ceremonies—plus crowds of tourists and locals who clap as the sun disappears and casts a glow over Diamond Head.

6. Venice Beach, CA

Rough-around-the-edges hippie drum circles rule on weekends here, when sunset means a California-style freak show of performers, artists hawking their wares and tourists and locals alike cheering for all of it—and especially the sun.

7. La Paloma, Uruguay

Young beachgoers on the sandy shores of La Balconada give a rousing applause, with plenty of whistles and cheers, to the nightly riot of color over the South Atlantic.

8. Key West, Florida

Among the more choreographed events on the list, the nightly sunset celebration here is something that appears on pretty much any visitor's itinerary. The Mallory Square dock is where artists, psychics, food vendors and street performers from tightrope walkers to sword swallowers (chosen among applicants by a town jury) gather to entertain the masses as the sun sinks into the Gulf of Mexico—which, by the way, gets applause rivaling that of any performer.

9. Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL

The nightly ritual on the white-sand beach here revolves around a spontaneously begun drum circle that now draws big crowds of tourists who dance barefooted while cheering for the last rays of light.

10. Kanyakumari, India

Here, at India's southernmost point—where the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea converge—is where people make special pilgrimages to watch the red-tinged sunset and, during April's full moon, the simultaneous moonrise, in an always-festive atmosphere.