The whole continent — Dolomites, Pyrenees, Scottish Highlands, Norwegian fjords, every coastline and clifftop in between — is now mapped on SunsetMap. Wherever you are, there should be a decent spot near you to go and watch the sun drop.

This is the biggest milestone for the project so far, so I want to talk about what it took, what I learned, and what's next.

Above: SunsetMap coverage now spans all of Europe. Yellow - Purple areas show where good sunset spots are likely to be!

What "complete" actually means​

I analysed over 2.5 billion points across roughly 6 million km² of European terrain. My machine ran for 30+ hours to crunch it, and that was after several rounds of rewrites to get the pipeline scaling properly.

The base layer is the Copernicus Digital Elevation Model, a free, global elevation dataset. On top of that I run my own logic to figure out where the horizon opens up, where the light hits cleanly, and where you're most likely to get a view worth showing up for.

With Europe done, I'm now covering 1/5 of the world. Which sounds like a lot until you realise how much is left and I'm not stopping until I've mapped the whole planet.

The hard part wasn't the maths​

Honestly, the maths was the easy bit. The hard part was scale. Going from "this works on a single mountain range" to "this works across an entire continent" is a different problem. Memory blows up. Disk fills. Queries that took milliseconds suddenly take minutes.

A lot of this build has been about getting better at handling data and understanding where the limitations lie within existing infrastructure. Not glamorous, but it's where the real work was. If the project has taught me anything, it's that with enough ambition, stubbornness, and AI assistance you can claw your way through some of the most complex technical challenges.

How you can help​

If this is your kind of thing:

• Use it. Go find a spot.
• Sign up to the newsletter for what's coming next.
• Share it with someone who'd love it.
• Tell me what's missing: regions, features, spots, anything.

Now go outside and enjoy the sun! I'm going to do the same.

So far, I've focused on some of the more popular, accessible areas. With so many places still left to cover, I'd love to hear your ideas for where SunsetMap should expand next.

How do I decide what region to add?​

A few things I think about:

• Would anyone find it interesting? Maybe you've been missing sunset coverage in your favourite area, or have a dream spot in mind.
• Unique landscapes. I always keep an eye out for places with unusual geography or wild sunsets that would be fun (and maybe technically tricky) to predict.
• What Other Data Is Available? I'm always looking for other data to use to help with general outdoor exploration. I've been currating list and might even add a select few onto the website!

What's next? (Spoiler: Patagonia!)​

Actually, I'm about to head out on a big cycling trip all around Patagonia for the next month. There will be plenty of opportunity to scout some great locations there in person, so South America, especially Patagonia, will probably get some special attention in the near future.

But really, there are a million options and not enough time. That’s why I’d love your input!

Where do you want next?​

If you’ve got a dream sunset spot or a region you’d love to see added, shoot me an email at zak@sunsetmap.com and let me know. Especially if you’re somewhere with great views and no data yet!

Let’s see how far we can take this, bit by bit.

Sunny sets,
Zak

Why build this?

Like many of you, I've always been captivated by sunsets. Their fleeting beauty creates moments of pure magic that deserve to be shared. But finding the perfect spot to watch a sunset has always been a challenge, one that I believe many others face too. This universal experience crosses all borders, connecting people around the world through our shared appreciation of nature's daily farewell (well, except for our friends in the polar regions who experience extended periods without sunsets - that's definitely on my bucket list to experience!).

SunsetMap started as a way for me to grow as a full-stack developer while solving a real problem. I also think terrain datasets are damn right cool. The fact we've manage to roughly map the terrain of the entire planet is a feat in itself. I wanted to create a platform where sunset enthusiasts could discover and share their favorite viewing locations, helping others experience these magical moments without the frustration of finding the perfect spot.

While the app is still in its early stages, I have big dreams for its future. I envision a global community of sunset chasers sharing their discoveries, with features powered by rich datasets to enhance the sunset-watching experience. But first, I need to get this initial version into your hands and hear your thoughts.

This journey has been incredibly rewarding, pushing me to learn new skills and tackle interesting technical challenges. However, I believe the real adventure begins with community involvement. I plan to open-source parts of the application, inviting fellow developers to help shape its future. If you're interested in contributing, whether through code, feedback, or sunset spots, please reach out!

For now, I'm keeping an open mind and embracing the uncertainty of where this project might lead. After all, isn't that part of what makes sunsets so special, each one is unique and full of possibility?

Join me on this journey to make sunset-watching more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Sunny Sets, Zak xxx