Today, Friday, October 30, 2026, golden hour in Saudi Arabia runs from 05:59 to 06:30 in the morning (31 min) and from 16:43 to 17:14 in the evening (31 min), in local time (based on Riyadh). Blue hour follows, from 17:28 to 17:46.
Golden hour and blue hour today
It's night now
Today's timeline
| Event | Time | Sun elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Morning blue hour begins | 05:26 | −8° |
| Morning blue hour ends | 05:44 | −4° |
| Sunrise: morning golden hour begins | 05:59 | −0.8° |
| Morning golden hour ends | 06:30 | +6° |
| Solar noon | 11:36 | highest of the day |
| Evening golden hour begins | 16:43 | +6° |
| Sunset: evening golden hour ends | 17:14 | −0.8° |
| Evening blue hour begins | 17:28 | −4° |
| Evening blue hour ends | 17:46 | −8° |
Next 7 days
| Date | Golden morning | Golden evening | Blue morning | Blue evening | Golden (evening) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 30 | 05:59 – 06:30 | 16:43 – 17:14 | 05:26 – 05:44 | 17:28 – 17:46 | 31 min |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 05:59 – 06:31 | 16:42 – 17:13 | 05:27 – 05:45 | 17:28 – 17:46 | 31 min |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 06:00 – 06:31 | 16:41 – 17:13 | 05:27 – 05:45 | 17:27 – 17:45 | 32 min |
| Mon, Nov 2 | 06:00 – 06:32 | 16:41 – 17:12 | 05:28 – 05:46 | 17:27 – 17:45 | 32 min |
| Tue, Nov 3 | 06:01 – 06:33 | 16:40 – 17:11 | 05:28 – 05:46 | 17:26 – 17:44 | 32 min |
| Wed, Nov 4 | 06:02 – 06:33 | 16:39 – 17:11 | 05:29 – 05:47 | 17:25 – 17:44 | 32 min |
| Thu, Nov 5 | 06:02 – 06:34 | 16:39 – 17:10 | 05:29 – 05:48 | 17:25 – 17:43 | 32 min |
How long golden hour lasts in Saudi Arabia through the year
At 24.71° N, 46.68° E, the evening golden hour is longest in December (34 minutes around the 15th) and shortest in March (30 minutes). Today the Sun climbs from the horizon to 6° in 31 minutes, which is about 13.2° of elevation per hour; on the equator at an equinox that rate is close to 15° per hour. The farther the rate falls below 15°, the longer the soft light lasts.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden morning | Golden evening | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 06:39 | 33 min | 33 min | 17:25 |
| February | 06:27 | 31 min | 31 min | 17:47 |
| March | 06:02 | 30 min | 30 min | 18:02 |
| April | 05:31 | 30 min | 30 min | 18:15 |
| May | 05:09 | 32 min | 32 min | 18:30 |
| June | 05:03 | 33 min | 33 min | 18:43 |
| July | 05:13 | 33 min | 33 min | 18:45 |
| August | 05:27 | 31 min | 31 min | 18:27 |
| September | 05:39 | 30 min | 30 min | 17:57 |
| October | 05:51 | 31 min | 31 min | 17:26 |
| November | 06:09 | 32 min | 32 min | 17:06 |
| December | 06:29 | 34 min | 34 min | 17:06 |
Making the most of golden hour in Saudi Arabia today
- Evening: be in position by 16:18, 25 minutes before the window opens at 16:43. Sunset is at 17:14, and blue hour keeps going until 17:46.
- Morning: the light is cooler and the air usually cleaner. The window opens at sunrise (05:59) and lasts until 06:30.
- Avoid solar noon (11:36), when the Sun is highest, shadows are short and contrast is harsh.
- Shoot with the Sun behind or beside the subject for a glow, and expose for the highlights. More tips are on the golden hour guide.
Time zone and coordinates
All times are calculated astronomically for Riyadh (24.71° N, 46.68° E) and shown in the local time zone (Asia/Riyadh, UTC+3). Golden hour is defined here as the period from sunrise until the Sun is 6° above the horizon and from 6° until sunset, and blue hour as the Sun between 4° and 8° below the horizon. Other cities in Saudi Arabia differ by about 4 minutes per degree of longitude and by their latitude. In countries that span several time zones, the clock time also depends on the zone. Values are accurate to within about a minute and do not account for mountains, buildings or clouds.
See also
- Sunrise and sunset in Saudi Arabia
- Current time in Saudi Arabia
- Golden hour in every state and country
- Moon phase today · Longest day of the year · Shortest day of the year
Other places
Coordinates used: 24.71° N, 46.68° E