The Best Places to Catch a Breathtaking Santa Fe Sunset
Okay, we might be biased, but we think that the Land of Enchantment has some of the most stunning sunsets in the country. Cotton candy skies, sweeping vistas, and glowing high desert twilights are part of the package when it comes to visiting New Mexico. In and around Santa Fe, there are plenty of great spots to catch sunset views and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Here are some of our favorites:
Santa Fe Sunset Spots
Best for drinks: Bell Tower Bar
Best for snacks: Rooftop Pizzeria
Best for views: Santa Fe Ski Basin
Best for easy access: Cross of the Martyrs
The aptly named Sun Mountain offers sweeping views of the western sky while surrounded by quintessentially Santa Fe piñon and juniper bushes
1. Sun Mountain
Located on Santa Fe’s east side near the campus of St. John’s College, Sun Mountain (or Monte Sol) is a short but satisfying hike with a stunning view of the surrounding area at the top. The trail is about a mile and a half long out and back, and features a steep, switchbacking climb. This is a popular hike for locals and tourists alike, and is an excellent sunset (or sunrise!) spot!
You can access this trail at the main trailhead off of Old Santa Fe Trail, where there is limited parking. You can also opt to park at the St. John’s visitor’s parking lot and take a less well-marked route up the back of the mountain. Be sure to give yourself enough time to descend the trail before it gets too dark - loose gravel and rocks can make for a slippery climb down.
2. Atalaya Mountain
Just a few peaks over from Sun Mountain, Atalaya Trail is another great hiking spot for sunset views. You can access the trailhead at the top of the public parking lot near St. John’s College, or at a smaller parking lot further up the trail. The hike to the peak is six miles out and back, but there are plenty of scenic outcroppings along the way that make great points to stop and take in the view before heading back down. Be sure to give yourself enough time to climb down the mountain so that you don’t get caught out in the dark.
Even pups enjoy the sweeping 270 degree views to the west atop Atalaya Mountain
3. The Cross of the Martyrs
Want to take in the sunset in the heart of town? The Cross of the Martyrs is an excellent sunset viewing spot just a few blocks from the Santa Fe Plaza. If you’re walking from the Plaza, head east on Marcy Street, take a left on Otero street, and you’ll arrive at the base of the park just off of Paseo de Peralta. Alternatively, you can drive to the top and park there.
As you walk to the top of the Cross of the Martyrs, there are a variety of historic plaques detailing Santa Fe’s complicated (and sometimes bloody) history as a Spanish colonial territory. Once you reach the top, you’ll be treated to expansive views of the city and the sun setting to the west. It’s a great spot for an evening stroll or even an evening picnic. As the sun sets, you can watch the city below you light up and take in the magical ambiance of the City Different.
4. La Fonda’s Bell Tower Bar
On the fifth floor of the plaza-adjacent La Fonda Hotel is their famous Bell Tower bar. Take an elevator up to the top of the building and then soak in the stunning city views. The bar features a small but satisfying menu featuring margaritas, chips and salsa, and other light fare, and is open to both hotel patrons and the general public. The patio area faces west and south, treating visitors to some of the best sunset views in town. The Santa Fe sun is strong (even at sunset!), so it might be a good idea to bring sunglasses or a sun hat. It’s a great place to meet friends for drinks, wind down for the night before heading back to your hotel room, or just relax and take in the view.
Sunset views from the Bell Tower bar.
5. Santa Fe Ski Basin’s Scenic Overlook
A short 25 minute drive from the Santa Fe Plaza, the sunset views from Aspen Vista trail are particularly gorgeous (especially when the aspen trees change colors in the fall!)
Just a short drive from downtown Santa Fe, the Santa Fe Ski Basin offers some of the best views in the area, and is a perfect place for catching a stunning New Mexico sunset. Take the winding drive to the top of the basin and pass from scrubby high desert to cool, serene evergreen forests and quaking aspens. Near the top of the basin, there’s a scenic pullout where visitors can park and take in the expansive western view. In the autumn, there’s also gorgeous fall color and the opportunity to go leaf-peeping on nearby hiking trails like Aspen Vista.
6. Rooftop Pizzeria
Rooftop Pizzeria is a great low-key spot to take in sunset views while chowing down on good pizza and beer. The restaurant has a balcony that overlooks the Santa Fe Plaza, and is a fantastic place to while away some time drinking and people watching on warm summer nights. If you face to the west, you can take in a partial view of the sunset over the mountains. We recommend ordering a local beer, sitting back, and taking in the view!
Why Are New Mexico Sunsets So Special?
New Mexico has unique atmospheric and geological conditions that make for stunning skies and dramatic sunsets. The clear air, expansive vistas, and the cloud formations that form between the two mountain ranges that hem in the Santa Fe region all contribute to the area’s beautiful sunsets. New Mexico also gets over 300 days of sun a year, so chances are you’ll have clear skies to soak in the cotton candy sunset colors.
When Does the Sun Set in Santa Fe?
Santa Fe is in Mountain Time Zone, and sunrise and sunset times vary considerably throughout the year. In the summer months, the sun can set as late as 8:30, while in the winter months the sun sets closer to 5:30. Because of the high desert climate, temperatures start to drop soon after sunset, so be sure to bring a sweater even if it’s relatively temperate out during the daytime.
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