Photography Guide

Golden Hour at Pico do Arieiro

Madeira, Portugal — Madeira's third-highest peak — above the clouds at sunrise.

Golden hour at Pico do Arieiro varies from 38 minutes in the morning to 38 minutes in the evening during peak months (December, January, June). Sunrise ranges from 08:10 in January to 08:02 in December. Madeira's third-highest peak — above the clouds at sunrise. 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

MonthSunriseSunsetGold AMGold PMSunrise °Sunset °
Jan08:1018:2437m37m115° ESE245° WSW
Feb07:5018:5334m34m105° ESE256° WSW
Mar07:1819:1533m33m92° E268° W
Apr07:3820:3733m33m78° ENE282° WNW
May07:0820:5935m35m67° ENE293° WNW
Jun06:5921:1736m36m61° ENE299° WNW
Jul07:1021:1636m36m64° ENE296° WNW
Aug07:3120:5234m34m73° ENE287° WNW
Sep07:5120:1333m32m86° E274° W
Oct08:1119:3433m33m100° E260° W
Nov07:3718:0636m36m112° ESE248° WSW
Dec08:0218:0338m38m117° ESE243° WSW

Best months for golden hour: December, January, June. Times shown for the 15th of each month.

Explore Pico do Arieiro in Heliora →

See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date

Milky Way Visibility at Pico do Arieiro

Hours of Milky Way core visibility per month (galactic center above horizon during astronomical darkness). Peak: June

MonthDark Sky Hours with MW Core
Jan
Feb
Mar
2h
Apr
4h
May
5h
Jun
6h
Jul
5h
Aug
3h
Sep
2h
Oct
Nov
Dec

Frequently Asked Questions

When is golden hour at Pico do Arieiro?
Golden hour at Pico do Arieiro varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in December, January, June. Morning golden hour lasts 38m and evening 38m during the peak month.
What time is sunrise at Pico do Arieiro?
Sunrise ranges from 08:10 in January to 08:02 in December.
What direction does the sun rise and set at Pico do Arieiro?
Sunrise bearing shifts from 117° ESE in winter to 61° ENE in summer. Sunset shifts from 243° WSW to 299° WNW.
What is the best time of year to photograph Pico do Arieiro?
For golden hour photography, the best months are December, January, June when golden hour is longest. For Milky Way photography, the best months are June, May, July.
What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Pico do Arieiro?
Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 07:30. 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 Pico do Arieiro?
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 Pico do Arieiro?
Yes, the Milky Way core is visible from Pico do Arieiro during June, May, July. Best visibility requires clear skies and minimal light pollution. Use Heliora to check exact times for your visit date.
Is Pico do Arieiro good for astrophotography?
Pico do Arieiro has up to 6 hours of dark sky with the Milky Way core visible during peak months (June, May, July). Check local light pollution conditions and plan around the new moon for best results.

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