Summer vs Winter Sun: Why Your Favorite Terrace Changes with the Seasons
Why does your go-to terrace lose its sun in winter? Learn how the sun's changing angle across seasons dramatically affects building shadows and outdoor seating.
The same terrace, two different worlds
You've probably experienced it: that perfect terrace where you spent sunny summer afternoons is suddenly cold and shaded when you return in October. The tables are still there, the menu is the same, but the sun has disappeared. This isn't bad luck — it's astronomy.
The Earth's tilted axis means the sun follows a dramatically different path across the sky depending on the season. In summer, it climbs high and crosses a wide arc. In winter, it barely clears the rooftops.
The numbers tell the story
In a city like Amsterdam (52°N), the midday sun reaches about 61° above the horizon in June but only 15° in December. That's a staggering difference. At 61°, a 20-meter building casts a shadow of about 11 meters. At 15°, that same building casts a shadow of 75 meters — nearly seven times longer.
For cities further south like Barcelona (41°N), the difference is less extreme but still significant: 72° in summer vs 26° in winter. Even in sunny southern cities, winter shadows are dramatically longer.
What this means for your terrace
A terrace on the south side of a wide square might get sun all year round, because there's nothing to block the low winter sun. But that charming terrace tucked into a narrow street? It might get 6 hours of direct sun in July but zero in January — the surrounding buildings simply block all the low-angle winter light.
East and west-facing terraces have their own seasonal patterns. In summer, when the sun rises far to the northeast and sets far to the northwest, these terraces can get generous morning or evening sun. In winter, the sun rises and sets much closer to due south, so east and west-facing spots get very little direct light.
Finding sun in every season
The key to year-round terrace enjoyment is understanding these patterns. In winter, focus on south-facing terraces on wide streets or open squares. In summer, you have more options — even north-facing terraces can get some sun during the long days.
Coffee in the Sun makes this easy. Use the Time Travel feature to check any terrace at any date and time. Compare how your favorite spot looks in June vs December, and discover new sunny terraces for every season.
