Sunrise
Greenwich Park
Area: Greenwich, Royal Observatory hill
The hill by the Royal Observatory looks out over the Thames and the Canary Wharf skyline; the park is quietest, and the view clearest, right around sunrise.
A city-focused calendar of blue hour, golden hour, sunrise, sunset and moon phase for planning dawn, dusk, cityscape and travel shoots in London.
| Date | Blue hour | Golden hour | Sunrise | Sunset | Tonight's Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-26 | 05:25-06:01 / 20:02-20:38 | 06:01-06:47 / 19:17-20:02 | 06:01 | 20:02 | Waxing Gibbous 97% |
| 2026-08-27 | 05:27-06:03 / 20:00-20:36 | 06:03-06:48 / 19:15-20:00 | 06:03 | 20:00 | Waxing Gibbous 99% |
| 2026-08-28 | 05:29-06:04 / 19:58-20:33 | 06:04-06:50 / 19:13-19:58 | 06:04 | 19:58 | Full Moon 100% |
| 2026-08-29 | 05:30-06:06 / 19:56-20:31 | 06:06-06:51 / 19:11-19:56 | 06:06 | 19:56 | Waning Gibbous 98% |
| 2026-08-30 | 05:32-06:08 / 19:53-20:29 | 06:08-06:53 / 19:09-19:53 | 06:08 | 19:53 | Waning Gibbous 94% |
| 2026-08-31 | 05:34-06:09 / 19:51-20:26 | 06:09-06:54 / 19:06-19:51 | 06:09 | 19:51 | Waning Gibbous 88% |
| 2026-09-01 | 05:36-06:11 / 19:49-20:24 | 06:11-06:55 / 19:04-19:49 | 06:11 | 19:49 | Waning Gibbous 80% |
Today the Sun rises from East (71°) and sets toward West (288°); choose the foreground by direction before timing the shot.
Daylight in London is shrinking by about 26 minutes week over week; today lasts about 14h 01m.
Today’s morning/evening golden-hour windows in London are about 45 / 45 minutes. At this high latitude, the Sun usually spends longer crossing the low-angle twilight band.
Across these seven days, 2026-08-28 has the brightest moon (100%), while 2026-09-01 is darkest (80%); choose by whether you want foreground light or stars.
Use the local times above to plan when to arrive, then choose a viewpoint by direction: east and southeast for sunrise, west coast for sunset.
Sunrise
Area: Greenwich, Royal Observatory hill
The hill by the Royal Observatory looks out over the Thames and the Canary Wharf skyline; the park is quietest, and the view clearest, right around sunrise.
Sunset
Area: South Bank of the Thames
Both the bridge and the riverside path frame St Paul's Cathedral over the Thames; the water's glow and skyline silhouette at sunset are one of central London's classic scenes.
Sunset
Area: Camden
This small hill has open views toward the central London skyline and is a well-known local picnic and sunset spot, often busy with people sitting on the grass on clear evenings.
This calendar lays out upcoming twilight windows so you can choose warm light, cool light, silhouettes, or Moon shots before leaving.
Blue hour
Before sunrise and after sunset, the sky still has tone while street and building lights become visible. It is strong for bridges, streets, skylines, and reflections.
Golden hour
Low Sun angles create softer light and longer shadows. Landscapes, portraits, coastlines, and ridgelines gain clearer direction in this window.
Moon
Bright moonlight can reveal foreground detail but may reduce star contrast. If you want the Moon in frame, also check moonrise, moonset, and direction.
The best light lasts only minutes. Having a visual idea before arrival is more reliable than searching at the peak.
Arrival
Sunrise and sunset change quickly. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early to test composition, safe movement, and backup angles.
Frame
Reflections, wet pavement, street lamps, silhouettes, ridgelines, and buildings often carry the image. The timetable tells you when light arrives; the scene makes the photo.
Backup
A blocked sunset is not a failed trip. Cloud texture, silhouettes, street lights, wet reflections, and blue hour can all become alternative subjects.
Related tools: Sunrise & Sunset · Photography Golden Hour Planner · Stargazing & Moon Viewing Score