My Photography & Travel Guide to Dubai, UAE
Updated March 2024
I have been visiting Dubai for the past 25 years, so I have seen it grow into the city of the future. I have probably been to Dubai more than 40 times and have lived in 3 different parts of the city. What fascinates me is how much Dubai changes from visit to visit.
Downtown Dubai
In this post, I will highlight my favorite Time to Visit, Where to Stay, Where to Eat, and Photography Locations & Gear Recommendations in this city of the future. Dubai is always a fantastic place to visit or as a stop-over destination.
When To Go?
The best time to visit Dubai is between November and February. Between November and February, temperatures range from the low 60s to the high 70s, with February being the best month. Not only do you have great temperatures, but visibility is optimal. During other times of the year, it is very hazy.
I recommend NOT going between early May to the end of September when the temperatures are extremely hot. During this period, the temperatures are consistently over 100 -110 degrees and its very uncomfortable to be outside.
Fog in Dubai
A very unique thing to witness is the Fog in Dubai. Fog typically occurs during the winter months, in January and February. During this time, the temperature drops significantly, especially during the night, and there is also a rise in humidity. These conditions can lead to the formation of fog in the early morning hours.
Where to Stay in Dubai?
All the hotels in Dubai are quite good since they are relatively new, and the service is usually excellent. Rather than suggesting a particular hotel, which will depend on your budget, my recommendation is to stay near the Burj Khalifeh in the DIFC. A few hotels where you cannot go wrong are the Waldorf Astoria in DIFC, The Kempinski Downtown attached to the Dubai Mall (Formerly The Address Downtown), St Regis in the Palm, The Atlantis The Royal, and The Grosvenor.
I suggest staying in the Burj Khalifeh area because it has 100s of restaurants within walking distance. It is also connected to the Dubai Mall, which is an experience. The nightly fountain show at the Burj Khalifeh is also a must-see in Dubai.
The Burj Khalifeh Light Show
The 2 other hotels I would recommend for Photography are the Shangri-La Hotel and the Four Points Sheraton. The Shangri-La has a viewing platform on the 42nd floor that allows you to capture incredible images of the Skyscrapers. The Four Points Sheraton has a bar on the 43rd floor with the perfect angle to take a photo down Sheikh Zayed Road.
From the Four Points Sheraton 43rd Floor Bar
Our Favorite Places to Eat...
There are so many great restaurants in Dubai. You can have food from around the world at any price range. There are plenty of Michelin Starred Restaurants. I personally love trying the fantastic Lebanese, Indian, and South African food.
Our Favorite Everyday Recommendations
Tasha's-a South African chain with locations all over the City. We probably ate there once a week. The food is fresh and delicious with great service.
Comptoir 102- this is more of a healthy cafe with lots of Vegan options. There is also a fun concept store attached. It is a perfect place to also have a coffee and get some work done.
Scarlet Patisserie and German Bakery located on Blue Water Island -this is a 100% legit German Bakery. It is the perfect place for breakfast and one of the best bakeries in Dubai.
The Maine - this is a Canadian seafood restaurant that is one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants in Dubai. Fantastic seafood and service.
Myocum - another healthy food cafe that is perfect for breakfast or lunch.
Tom & Serg - we absolutely love this place. Fantastic food and service. We probably visited at least once a week. Pro-Tip the Fish Tacos and Basque Cheesecake are amazing.
The Bagel Yard - the best Bagel in Dubai. The bagels are made fresh every day.
Sushi Art --with locations all over the city, this is a good Sushi restaurant
Krave -- just good all around food, especially burgers
Ladurée Dubai - the iconic French Cafe is always a good option and is conveniently located in all the Malls
Allo Beirut - very good Lebanese food with fantastic service
Arabica Cafe- just fantastic coffee with locations all over Dubai
Al Reef Bakery - the best Lebanese Bakery in Dubai--it feels like you are in Lebanon
3Fils - a wonderful fish restaurant located in the Dubai Fishing Harbor
Mama'eesh - traditional manaesh flatbreads--a wonderful spot for breakfast.
Geales and Indya by Vineet in the Royal Meridien Beach Resort in JBR
Some Higher-End Special Occasion Restaurants
Il Borro in the Naseem Hotel --one of the best Italian Restaurants in Dubai
Avli -also my the Tasha Group, but this one has beautiful Greek dishes
Zuma is probably my favorite sushi restaurant in the world, and you cannot miss it. The location in Dubai is better than London, where it started
Hutong - fabulous decor and food--my favorite Chinese restaurant in the City
Bull & Bear - an all-around good choice for burgers, steaks
Em Sherif - our favorite Lebanese Restaurant in Dubai with fantastic service
Sushi99 - fantastic sushi with views of the Burj Al Khalifeh. I might like it even better than Zuma.
GAL - a Turkish/Mediterranean fusion with fantastic views in downtown
Bebabel - excellent Lebanese food with a fantastic view of the Dubai Fountain
Pierchic - an Italian restaurant set on the end of a pier. The views and food are outstanding. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Dubai.
The Bay - in the Mandarin Oriental is my favorite restaurant in Dubai--great good, relaxing, wonderful service. Just perfect
Ruya a new restaurant we discovered in 2023. It is the best Turkish food I have ever eaten. The location is also stunning.
Nobu in the Atlantis - the iconic Nobu in the Palm is excellent; the decor, views, and food are fantastic.
Al Muntaha - this is a special occasion restaurant. It is located on the 54th floor of the Burj Al Arab.
Photography Gear & Advice
Getting PErmits
The first thing to be aware of in Dubai is that Drones are not allowed. Your drone will be confiscated at the Airport. The second thing to know is that many locations require you to get a permit prior to taking photos. For example, if you want to take photos in the DIFC area (where the Burj Khalifa is located) you need a permit. Luckily, a permit is very easy to obtain. For most permits you just go to the website of the location you want to shoot (i.e., DIFC Photo Request Form ) and request permission. The final bit of advice is that it is forbidden to photograph locals, and police or military locations.
Gear
My recommendation is one body (e.g., Canon EOR R5 or Nikon Z7/8) and two lenses (a very wide lens like the 15-35 mm and a medium telephoto 70-200mm). To capture the extremely tall building you will need a very wide lens or stand back a long distance. I would also bring a Tripod since the city is really fun to capture at night.
Photography is best in Dubai during the winter months. In February, if you are lucky, you might be able to capture a photo of the clouds below the tops of the skyscrapers.
Pro Tip: For more tips on Dubai this Youtube Channel by Alpha Spotting has a lot of good advice.
What to Photograph in Dubai...
One of the easiest ways to find the locations I will talk about below is by using Google Maps. Just Click on this Link to see my Map
1) Burj-Al Arab
The iconic 7-star Hotel is probably the most recognizable location in Dubai. Photographing it from the Beach is difficult unless you are willing to pay $150 for beach access at a local hotel. The one spot to get a clean shot of the Burj is from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Palm Jumeirah. Right in front of the hotel is a boardwalk where you can set up a tripod and take a photo.
Sunrise
I also love photographing the Burj Al Arab at night. From the restaurant Pier Chic, you can capture a unique view of the Burj Al Arab.
2) The Grand Mosque in the DIFC
I love the architecture of this modern mosque. It is located on Gate Avenue in the DIFC. It is really beautiful at sunset.
3) The Pointe on The Palm Jumeirah
From this location you can take a perfect photo of the Atlantis Hotel located at the end of the Palm. There is also a Fountain show every night at 7 pm.
4) Tolerance Bridge on the Dubai Canal
Tolerance Bridge is just a 3 minute walk down the sidewalk of the canal. T
There is another bridge, called the Pedestrian Bridge, that is just 3 more minutes down the sidewalk towards the building. The Pedestrian Bridge provides a great shot of the Dubai skyline.
5. The Twisted Bridge
The Twisted Bridge is better to shoot during the day when you can see the Shadows inside the bridge.
6) Dubai Creek
It probably offers the best location to capture the Dubai Skyline. There is a promenade with lots of photography locations. This is a sunset location.
7) The Eye on The Blue Water Island
Blue Water Island is a man-made island with a replica of the London Eye. From the JBR beach, you can take nice photos of the Eye. And finding camels on the beach is just icing on the cake.
There is even a Casino on the Island, which I did not expect.
8) The View on Palm Jumeirah Island
You will need to buy tickets to access The View. The view is located in the Nakheel Mall so the parking is very easy. There is a dedicated elevator up to the 52nd floor. Of course, they charge you more for tickets at Sunset :). From the top, you get a 360 degree view of the Palm which allows you to take photos of the fronds of the palm. *Please note you are shooting through Glass but it looks like it has been polarized to reduce reflections.
9) The Dubai Marina
Sunset offers a fantastic view of the incredible architecture of Dubai. I found the best place to take photos is next to Nando's Cafe. But the bridges over the Marina also offer an excellent view.
It is worth walking around the area to find different views of the Dubai Marina.
10) Ras al Khor Flamingo Hideaway
Yes, there is a Flamingo wildlife preservation area in the center of Dubai. It is well worth a visit. They even have a photo blind, allowing a perfect vantage point.
With a longer lens, you can take nice, detailed shots of the Flamingos.
11) Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa Is one of the most iconic buildings in the world. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest skyscraper in the world and is located next to the Dubai Mall Downtown.
It is 828 meters in height and forms the heart of the downtown. There is a nightly fountain show that is well worth visiting.
12) The Museum of the Future
Is another stunning building in Dubai. The museum, which opened in late 2021, is an architectural and engineering marvel.
I love the entrance of the museum
Museum Entrance
From the Emirates Hotel you can get a reflection of the Museum of the Future
13) Graffiti in Dubai
Yes, there is some good Graffiti artwork in Dubai located along the Jumeirah Road near the Burj Al Arab. This came as a complete surprise to me. There is even a Banksy Exhibit in the Mall of the Emirates. That's the Mall that has an indoor Ski facility.
14. Meydan Bridge -
This bridge was made for Photography. It is just stunning at Sunset.
15. Business Bay Architecture
Business Bay in Dubai is a thriving hub of modern architecture. With its impressive skyline dominated by sleek skyscrapers, innovative designs, and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Business Bay stands as a testament to Dubai's status as a global business and financial center.
16. The Love Lakes
Located in the middle of the desert, Dubai's Love Lakes offer a serene oasis of natural beauty. These interconnected lakes are shaped like two intertwined hearts, symbolizing love and unity. Surrounded by golden sands and framed by lush greenery, the lakes provide a picturesque setting for romantic strolls, picnics, and peaceful contemplation. Visitors can also enjoy the wildlife.
17. The Architecture of DIFC
Located in the heart of Dubai, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) stands as a testament to modern architectural brilliance. This financial hub includes a striking skyline full of sleek skyscrapers and avant-garde structures. From the iconic Gate Building to the elegant Index Tower, each edifice in the DIFC showcases innovative architectural styles that redefine the cityscape.
With a mix of glass, steel, and concrete, the buildings in the DIFC symbolize the progress and prosperity of Dubai.
If you walk to the end of the Gate, you will have a great view of the Burj Khalifeh.
18. Deira (Old Dubai)
I highly recommend visiting Deira Old Dubai. Meander through narrow alleyways lined with traditional souks offering exotic spices, intricate textiles, and glittering gold. The aroma of freshly brewed Arabic coffee mingles with the sounds of merchants haggling in the vibrant streets.
19. From the Address Hotel Bar on the 63rd Floor
From the Bar on the 63rd Floor of the new Kempinski Hotel Downtown. It is attached to the Dubai Mall.
20. The Shangri-La Hotel
The Shangri La Hotel in Dubai has a deck on the 42nd floor with an amazing view. You have to stay in the hotel, or you can pay a fee to access the Viewing Deck.
From the 42nd Floor
21. The Four Points Sheraton 43rd Floor Bar
There is a bar on the 43rd Floor with an amazing view of Sheikh Zayed Road.
From the Bar on the 43RD Floor at Sunset
22. The Fountain at the Palace Hotel
A fountain in front of the Palace Hotel provides a wonderful reflection of the Burj Khalifeh in the evening.
23. The Address in JBR
The Address Hotel in the JBR area has a very unique design. There is a footbridge that takes you to Blue Water and provides a great spot to photograph this hotel.
A Trip Outside of Dubai to the Desert Conservation Area
It is definitely worth the trip to the Desert Conservation area outside of Dubai. It is only about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the center of Dubai, but you feel that you have driven for hours and hours since the scenery is so completely different.
We stayed at the Al Maha Resort, which has been on my Bucket List for years. Yes, it is expensive, but all meals are included. The food is also really generous and delicious. If you want to relax, this is the place for you. It is so peaceful and quiet. Each bungalow includes a small dipping pool. The surroundings are stunning, and there is a lot of wildlife to see. I highly recommend a trip to Al-Maha, which means the Oryx in Arabic.
A Day Trip to Abu Dhabi
It only takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach Abu Dhabi. If you are going for the day, there are two things to see in Abu Dhabi. The first is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is probably the most famous location. The second is the beautiful Louvre Abu Dhabi. Yes, the Louvre from Paris has opened in Abu Dhabi. The UAE and France formed a partnership for cultural exchange, and the highlight of this was the establishment of the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island.
I hope you have enjoyed this Travel & Photography Guide to Dubai. If you enjoyed this guide, I have many more guides at this link.