MY PHOTOGRAPHY & TRAVEL GUIDE TO ABU DHABI
It is an elegant city with wonderful hotels, restaurants and plenty of things to do. While most visitors to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), might not think about going to Abu Dhabi, that would be a mistake. While Dubai usually gets all the attention, I would highly recommend visiting Abu Dhabi as well. So if a trip to the UAE is on your agenda, make sure Abu Dhabi is part of the itinerary.
Abu Dhabi has something for everyone. While it is less flashy than Dubai, it has incredible museums (Louvre Abu Dhabi), award-winning theme parks, beautiful architecture (The Grand Mosque), wonderful restaurants, beaches (Saadiyat Island), and one of the largest deserts (Empty Corridor) in the world. Also, if you like Formula 1, they host the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit every year.
It only takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach Abu Dhabi from Dubai by car. You could definitely visit for the day or stay 2-3 nights and really get to see the city.
There are at least 4 must-see locations in Abu Dhabi. The first is the Sheikh Zayad Grand Mosque which is probably the most famous location. The second location is Wahat Al Karama, where you can take a perfect photo at sunset of the Mosque. The third location is the beautiful Louvre Abu Dhabi with its very unique architecture. The final destination I would recommend is a trip out to the desert if you are staying a bit longer. One popular location is the Empty Corridor near the border of Saudi Arabia. The Rub Al Khali desert is a massive desert that makes up about a third of the Arabian Peninsula. The desert in the area is a sea of sand dunes as far as you can see. The dunes are constantly changing in size and shape due to the winds.
So for photographers, Abu Dhabi is a fantastic location. You will be able to photograph architecture, beaches, wildlife, and the desert. It is definitely worth making the trip.
BEST TIME TO VISIT ABU DHABI
The best time to visit Abu Dhabi is in the cooler months between October and March. During the winter, the temperatures are around 75 degrees, and it's sunny every day. The summer can get incredibly hot, with temperatures reaching more than 120 degrees.
Where to Stay
One place I love staying in Abu Dhabi is on Saadiyat Island at the St. Regis. It is close to the Louvre and it's right on the beach. The Points Guy has a nice review. Another hotel that is worth visiting, even if it's just to have a coffee, is the Emirates Palace. The Emirates Palace is just an incredible hotel. A convenient option is the Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi, which is located right next to the Grand Sheikh Mosque. Finally, you cannot go wrong with the Four Seasons on Maryah Island.
Photography Locations
Gear Recommendations
In terms of gear, I recommend bringing a wide angle lens such as a 15-35mm and a medium telephoto lens like the 70-200mm. Another option would be to bring 1 lens like a 24-240mm but this might not be wide enough in the Grand Mosque. I would also bring a Tripod and a 3, and 6-stop ND filter for the reflection at Wahat Al Karama and to take long exposures in the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Taking a long exposure in the Louvre can be very effective in removing people from the scene.
Grand Sheikh Mosque
Visiting the Sheikh Zayad Grand Mosque is an absolute must. It is truly one of the most beautiful structures in the world. The mosque is one of the world's largest and was the vision of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - the Founding Father of the UAE. His vision was to create a welcoming place that would inspire people from all backgrounds. He definitely fulfilled his vision because it is a place that welcomes everyone no matter their religion, race, or wealth.
When you enter Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, you will immediately understand why it is such a special place. People from all walks of life come together to take in the architecture's beauty and gain a deeper understanding of religion and culture.
You’ll be overwhelmed not just by the architecture but by how welcoming the mosque feels.
Visiting the mosque is pretty easy and straightforward. One thing to keep in mind is that since it is a functioning Muslim mosque, there’s a strict dress code, especially for women. Men are required to cover their knees and shoulders. Women are required to wear long sleeves, long trousers, and a headscarf. If you do not own a headscarf, you can buy one at the entrance.
There’s a brief security and X-ray process at the entrance, but it’s not a big deal. After security, it's about a 10-minute walk, or you can take the free golf buggies to the front of the mosque.
I have visited during the day and at night, and taking photos at night is very special and will give you some unique shots.
Wahat Al Karama
Wahat Al Karama, which is also known by its English translation "Oasis of Dignity". It is a war memorial located across the highway from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This is a fantastic place to visit at Sunset when the sun is setting behind the Mosque. There is a reflecting pool, that faces the mosque, so it creates a perfect reflection of the Mosque.
Louvre Museum
The Louvre Abu Dhabi opened on Saadiyat Island in 2017. We were lucky enough to visit just after it opened and have been back a few more times. What is nice about the Louvre Abu Dhabi is that it is much smaller and more manageable than the one in Paris. You can leisurely walk through the 12 exhibits in about an hour or so. Beyond the museum exhibit is the structure of the Louvre which is incredible and very unique.
In 2007, the UAE and France formed a partnership for cultural exchange which led to the creation of Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island. The idea was to combine the UAE’s vision of cultural progression and openness, with France’s expertise in the world of art and museums.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is located on the newly established Saadiyat Island Cultural District. There are lots nice hotels in this area.
One of the most notable features of the museum is its intricate dome roof. The museum is full of amazing artwork that encompasses prehistoric artifacts with striking pieces of contemporary art.
The Empty Quarter
As a photographer I really enjoyed visiting the sand dunes in the desert. The colors change constantly and it is breathtaking at dawn and sunset.
To reach the Empty Corridor from Abu Dhabi or Dubai you will need to rent a car. I would recommend a SUV so you do not get stuck in the sand dunes. From Abu Dhabi it will take you about 1.5 hours to reach the Empty Corridor and from Dubai it's a 3 hour drive.
Qasr Al Sarab is probably the best place to stay in the Empty Quarter. The resort is located within the sand dunes and has a surreal feel - the surrounding desert was a film location for Star Wars. The best time to visit the Empty Quarter is between October and April when temperatures are relatively moderate. During July and August, the highest daily temperatures reach an average of 47 °C (117 °F) and can go as high as 51 °C (124 °F).
If you want to explore the dunes, you will need the help of a professional guide. It is very easy to get stuck out in the desert, where cell phone service is limited.
I hope you have found this Photography Guide on Abu-Dhabi useful. Here is a link to my Google Map. You can find my other Photography & Travel Guides by Clicking on this Link