Today, Saturday, October 3, 2026, golden hour in Spain runs from 08:13 to 08:49 in the morning (36 min) and from 19:17 to 19:53 in the evening (36 min), in local time (based on Madrid). Blue hour follows, from 20:10 to 20:31.
Golden hour and blue hour today
It's night now
Today's timeline
| Event | Time | Sun elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Morning blue hour begins | 07:35 | −8° |
| Morning blue hour ends | 07:56 | −4° |
| Sunrise: morning golden hour begins | 08:13 | −0.8° |
| Morning golden hour ends | 08:49 | +6° |
| Solar noon | 14:03 | highest of the day |
| Evening golden hour begins | 19:17 | +6° |
| Sunset: evening golden hour ends | 19:53 | −0.8° |
| Evening blue hour begins | 20:10 | −4° |
| Evening blue hour ends | 20:31 | −8° |
Next 7 days
| Date | Golden morning | Golden evening | Blue morning | Blue evening | Golden (evening) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 3 | 08:13 – 08:49 | 19:17 – 19:53 | 07:35 – 07:56 | 20:10 – 20:31 | 36 min |
| Sun, Oct 4 | 08:14 – 08:50 | 19:16 – 19:52 | 07:36 – 07:57 | 20:09 – 20:30 | 36 min |
| Mon, Oct 5 | 08:15 – 08:51 | 19:14 – 19:50 | 07:37 – 07:58 | 20:07 – 20:28 | 36 min |
| Tue, Oct 6 | 08:16 – 08:52 | 19:12 – 19:49 | 07:38 – 07:59 | 20:05 – 20:26 | 36 min |
| Wed, Oct 7 | 08:17 – 08:53 | 19:11 – 19:47 | 07:39 – 08:00 | 20:04 – 20:25 | 36 min |
| Thu, Oct 8 | 08:18 – 08:54 | 19:09 – 19:45 | 07:40 – 08:01 | 20:02 – 20:23 | 36 min |
| Fri, Oct 9 | 08:19 – 08:55 | 19:07 – 19:44 | 07:41 – 08:02 | 20:01 – 20:22 | 36 min |
How long golden hour lasts in Spain through the year
At 40.42° N, 3.70° W, the evening golden hour is longest in December (43 minutes around the 15th) and shortest in March (36 minutes). Today the Sun climbs from the horizon to 6° in 36 minutes, which is about 11.4° 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 | 08:35 | 42 min | 42 min | 18:12 |
| February | 08:08 | 38 min | 38 min | 18:49 |
| March | 07:26 | 36 min | 36 min | 19:21 |
| April | 07:36 | 36 min | 37 min | 20:53 |
| May | 06:58 | 39 min | 39 min | 21:24 |
| June | 06:44 | 41 min | 41 min | 21:46 |
| July | 06:57 | 40 min | 40 min | 21:43 |
| August | 07:25 | 37 min | 37 min | 21:12 |
| September | 07:55 | 36 min | 36 min | 20:23 |
| October | 08:25 | 37 min | 37 min | 19:34 |
| November | 08:00 | 40 min | 40 min | 17:57 |
| December | 08:30 | 43 min | 43 min | 17:49 |
Making the most of golden hour in Spain today
- Evening: be in position by 18:52, 25 minutes before the window opens at 19:17. Sunset is at 19:53, and blue hour keeps going until 20:31.
- Morning: the light is cooler and the air usually cleaner. The window opens at sunrise (08:13) and lasts until 08:49.
- Avoid solar noon (14:03), 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 Madrid (40.42° N, 3.70° W) and shown in the local time zone (Europe/Madrid, UTC+2). 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 Spain 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 Spain
- Current time in Spain
- Golden hour in every state and country
- Moon phase today · Longest day of the year · Shortest day of the year
Other places
Coordinates used: 40.42° N, 3.70° W