Golden Hour at Meteora
Thessaly, Greece — Monasteries perched on towering sandstone pillars.
Golden hour at Meteora varies from 43 minutes in the morning to 43 minutes in the evening during peak months (December, January, June). Sunrise ranges from 07:52 in January to 07:47 in December. Monasteries perched on towering sandstone pillars. This guide shows computed sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for every month of the year, with compass bearings to help you plan your composition. Milky Way core visibility data is included for astrophotography planning. All times are calculated with a precision astronomical engine. Use Heliora to see terrain-adjusted times from any exact vantage point.
Monthly Sun Times & Golden Hour
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Gold AM | Gold PM | Sunrise ° | Sunset ° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:52 | 17:33 | 41m | 41m | 117° ESE | 243° WSW |
| Feb | 07:26 | 18:09 | 38m | 38m | 106° ESE | 254° WSW |
| Mar | 06:45 | 18:40 | 36m | 36m | 92° E | 268° W |
| Apr | 06:56 | 20:11 | 36m | 36m | 77° ENE | 284° WNW |
| May | 06:19 | 20:41 | 38m | 39m | 64° ENE | 296° WNW |
| Jun | 06:04 | 21:03 | 40m | 40m | 58° ENE | 302° WNW |
| Jul | 06:18 | 21:00 | 40m | 40m | 61° ENE | 299° WNW |
| Aug | 06:45 | 20:29 | 37m | 37m | 71° ENE | 289° WNW |
| Sep | 07:14 | 19:42 | 36m | 36m | 85° E | 274° W |
| Oct | 07:43 | 18:54 | 37m | 37m | 100° E | 259° W |
| Nov | 07:17 | 17:17 | 40m | 40m | 114° ESE | 246° WSW |
| Dec | 07:47 | 17:09 | 43m | 43m | 120° ESE | 240° WSW |
Best months for golden hour: December, January, June. Times shown for the 15th of each month.
See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date
Milky Way Visibility at Meteora
Hours of Milky Way core visibility per month (galactic center above horizon during astronomical darkness). Peak: May
| Month | Dark Sky Hours with MW Core |
|---|---|
| Jan | |
| Feb | |
| Mar | |
| Apr | |
| May | |
| Jun | |
| Jul | |
| Aug | |
| Sep | |
| Oct | |
| Nov | |
| Dec |
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is golden hour at Meteora?
- Golden hour at Meteora varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in December, January, June. Morning golden hour lasts 43m and evening 43m during the peak month.
- What time is sunrise at Meteora?
- Sunrise ranges from 07:52 in January to 07:47 in December.
- What direction does the sun rise and set at Meteora?
- Sunrise bearing shifts from 120° ESE in winter to 58° ENE in summer. Sunset shifts from 240° WSW to 302° WNW.
- What is the best time of year to photograph Meteora?
- For golden hour photography, the best months are December, January, June when golden hour is longest. For Milky Way photography, the best months are May, June, April.
- What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Meteora?
- Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 07:12. Use Heliora to check terrain-adjusted sunrise, as mountains may delay the actual moment the sun appears.
- Does the terrain affect sunrise or sunset times at Meteora?
- Yes. Mountains, ridges, and buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset earlier than flat-earth calculations show. Use Heliora to see the real terrain horizon from any exact viewpoint and get terrain-adjusted sun times.
- Can you see the Milky Way from Meteora?
- Yes, the Milky Way core is visible from Meteora during May, June, April. Best visibility requires clear skies and minimal light pollution. Use Heliora to check exact times for your visit date.
- Is Meteora good for astrophotography?
- Meteora has up to 4 hours of dark sky with the Milky Way core visible during peak months (May, June, April). Check local light pollution conditions and plan around the new moon for best results.
Nearby Locations
- Santorini 499 km
- Amalfi Coast 605 km
- Pamukkale 679 km
- Plitvice Lakes 758 km
- Lake Bled 958 km