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The Best Photography Spots in Abu Dhabi


Abu Dhabi has something for everyone – luxury beach resorts, action-packed desert experiences, rich cultural heritage museums, as well as stunning spots for photographers, whether newbies or pros.
Looking to capture the best places in town? Here are the best spots in and around the capital of the UAE where you’re guaranteed to capture envy-inducing Instagram shots.

Corniche Beach

The immaculate 2km-long Corniche Beach is not only one of the best places to soak up some of Abu Dhabi’s year-round sunshine, it’s also perfect for a city-meets-sea photograph. Picture it: You enjoying some downtime on a pristine beach, with stunning skyscrapers rising proudly in the background.

Al Hudayriat Beach

The Al Hudayriat Island Beach Recreation Center is a new addition to Abu Dhabi that is dedicated to sport and recreation. It features a 10km cycle track, beachvolleyball, basketball, tennis and football courts, kayaking and kite surfing opportunities, as well as plenty of food trucks.

Yas Beach

Yas Beach, offers a wide range of facilities to guests, including a swimming pool, cafes and sun loungers on the beach. A white sand beach stretches for kilometers in either direction with crystal-clear waters.

Kai Beach

Kai Beach Pavilion is a popular sandy beachfront spot in Abu Dhabi that offers recreation and leisure in one package. Facilities include water sports, retail therapy, delightful bistros, and sun loungers for relaxation. The beach access fee is more expensive than on other public beaches in the city, but visitors rate the wide strip of soft sand and amenities worth the extra cost.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the world and a focal point of worship for Abu Dhabi. The venue features beautiful white domes and incredible details, including 1,096 amethyst-and-jasper-embedded columns and gold lead calligraphy on the interior of one dome. There are reflective pools, Swarovski chandeliers, a breathtaking prayer hall, and a courtyard with one of the world's largest marble mosaics.

Wahat Al Karama

The Wahat AlKarama is a modern, war memorial and tourist attraction in Abu Dhabi that offers a stunning view of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The memorial is made up of three structures, one pond, and poems and quotations inscribed on aluminum tablets. It's an incredibly sad yet important chapter in UAE's modern history, and is often featured on Instagram.

Emirates Palace

Located on a pristine private beach, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is the epitome of luxury in Abu Dhabi, showcasing Arabian hospitality at its finest. Each of the resort's rooms and suites is furnished to the highest levels of comfort, has stunning views and offers 24-hour butler service. Eight dining venues serve a variety of cuisines created by world renowned chefs and the resort boasts lush gardens, a lavish spa, two temperature controlled swimming pools, a kids' club and a private marina. With many of Abu Dhabi's main attractions within a short distance, including superb shopping destinations and impressive cultural and heritage sites, Emirates Palace provides guests with the perfect place to explore the beauty and charm of the UAE's capital.

Qasr al Hosn

This museum stands as the nation’s living memorial and a narrator of Abu Dhabi’s history. The oldest-standing structure in Abu Dhabi, the picturesque Qasr Al Hosn is home to an original watchtower that makes for incredible photographs. At the same Al Hosn site, you’ll also find House of Artisans and the Cultural Foundation, both of which offer incredible photo opportunities.


Abu Dhabi's Qasr Al Hosn is a historic site that tells the city's story from its early days as a fishing and pearling settlement to its modern metropolis. The site includes exhibits of artefacts and archival materials dating back to 6,000 BC. It was restored in 2018 after 11 years of work and now open as a museum.

Qasr al Watan

Qasr al-Watan is an impressive palace in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It's open to the public on days when it isn't being used for state business, and it has a library with high shelves of books, as well as a great hall and other features. The palace is a testament to Arabian architecture on a very grand scale and is one of the newest tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi.

Louver Abu Dhabi

Going to the Louvre Abu Dhabi for an inspiring dose of art and culture at the first universal museum in the Arab World? Get pictorial proof! The stunning architectural marvel, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, is understandably a huge hit on social media. You’ll want to capture the structure’s futuristic dome, composed of 7,850 stars that filter light through perforations, creating a dazzling display called the ‘rain of light’.


The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a world-renowned museum that features pieces from ancient to modern art. The museum is located on the outskirts of the city of Abu Dhabi, which makes it easy to get to. The architecture of the building is stunning and it houses many interesting galleries with a cross-section of art. There are also four rare old religious texts displayed side by side in one gallery.

Manarat al Saadiyat

The art gallery Manarat Al Saadiyat is located in Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island. It features many famous works of art, including a tile from the Ottoman Empire and a silk painting from Japan's 17th century. The gallery hosts workshops, film screenings and live music.

The National Aquarium

The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is an underwater kingdom with a range of high-quality exhibits. Highlights include a glass tunnel with fish, sharks, and more.

Emirates Heritage Club

The Heritage Village is a traditional Bedouin village that recreates the lifestyle of the desert people before Abu Dhabi's transformation into a modern city. The village features attractions such as carpentry, pottery and blown glass workshops, a campfire, falaj irrigation system and metal workspaces. It is managed by the Emirates Heritage Club, which preserves Arabic culture and tradition in this era of development.

Emirates Park Zoo

The Emirates Park Zoo is a family-friendly zoo located in Abu Dhabi. The zoo offers a variety of activities and animal interactions for visitors of all ages. It features the Petting Zoo, Bird Park, Wildlife Park, The Farm, The Aquarium, the Reptile House and more.

Al Ain Oasis

With its still-operational traditional falaj (ancient irrigation system) and meandering pathways shaded beneath a thick canopy of over 147,000 date palms and other fruit trees, Al Ain Oasis – situated in Abu Dhabi’s garden city about a one-and-a-half-hour’s drive away from the capital − is the perfect place for some peaceful posing.

Mangrove National Park

The fascinating Mangrove National Park and the Jubail Mangrove Park, the first self-contained educational, nature and leisure destination of its kind in the emirate. Here you can take pictures of abundant greenery and marine and land creatures – think crabs, herons, flamingoes, gazelle and, if you’re lucky, dugong and dolphin – from resting nodes, viewpoints, floating platforms, boardwalks or kayaks.


The Eastern Mangrove National Park is a natural wonder in Abu Dhabi that is home to over 60 bird species, including hawks and eagles, as well as channels for kayaking and other water activities. The park is also great for families who want to get away from the city and see some of the UAE's most stunning scenery.

Fossil Dunes

The Fossil Dunes Abu Dhabi are a natural tourist attraction located outside of the city in Abu Dhabi. The sands here have been wind-swept and over time create many cool formations. This is a great place to capture interesting shots in winter as the weather is favorable.

The Empty Quarter

The Empty Quarter is the world's largest uninterrupted desert. Almost the size of France, this natural wonder holds about half as much sand as the entire Sahara Desert, extends to parts of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

Ferrari World

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is an amusement park themed around racing cars and other adrenaline-pumping activities. It features 20 attractions, including the world's fastest roller coaster, along with shows, dining options, and more.

Warner Bros

Warner Bros World is an indoor amusement park located in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The theme park is based on characters and superheroes from Warner Bros movies and TV shows. There are 29 rides, shows, and attractions to enjoy, including virtual reality experiences and rides inspired by classic cartoons like Tom & Jerry. It is one of the largest amusement parks in the world, and it is a highly popular tourist destination for visitors to Abu Dhabi.

Yas Water World

Yas Water world is a world-leading water park in Abu Dhabi that features thrilling rides and attractions for all ages. Among its many attractions are static surfing waves and slides, as well as shopping and dining.

Yas Marina Circuit

As well as being the home of the Formula 1® Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina circuit has an extensive year-round programme of motorsports, and a range of driving experiences and health and fitness events that are open to everyone.

Yas Bay

The Yas Bay waterfront is a beautiful and popular tourist attraction in Abu Dhabi. It has a promenade along the water with views out over the bay, as well as colorful lights to complete the evening atmosphere.

Yas Mall Dancing Fountain

The Yas Mall Dancing Fountain is a world-class attraction that offers tourists an unforgettable experience. It features beautiful choreography and is perfect for a break in between adventures. There are delicious dining options available, as well as indoor and outdoor seating to get the most from the show.

Saadiyat Beach Club

Offering a plethora of luxury amenities and stunning vistas of the Arabian Gulf, Saadiyat Beach Club is aInstagramable getaway spot for those looking for a day or weekend head-start on their vacation plans. With dining options that include three world-class restaurants, an infinity pool and gorgeous beachfront setting, the club offers something for everyone.

Nurai Island

The resort hotel Zaya Nurai Island Welcome Centre is a beautiful oasis with private plunge pool, outdoor shower, private dining area, and cabana with direct beach access. The resort's seasonal movie space, wave pool, and teepee-style beach tents are all standout features.

The Ritz Carlton​

This luxury resort offers stunning views of the sea and boasts elegant rooms, suites and villas with all the modern amenities. The hotel also has several dining options that cater to different cuisines as well as a spa and a sprawling pool.

The ST Regis Abu Dhabi

The St. Regis Abu Dhabi effortlessly combines authentic Arabian hospitality with over a hundred years of bespoke St. Regis tradition. This luxury beach hotel offers direct access to the private Nation Riviera Beach Club, health and fitness center, kids club and a wonderful, renovated swimming pool in addition to its’ sandy beach. Adjacent to Nation Galleria Mall with more than 60 retail shops, a cinema and a variety of entertainment options, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi is also in close proximity to the trendy and sophisticated district of Al Bateen, Qasr Al Watan, Emirates Palace and many of the Embassies. The St. Regis Abu Dhabi is the social epicenter for royalty and luminaries in the art of residential living at West Corniche.

W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island

The W Abu Dhabi Yas Island is a top-notch contemporary hotel located over the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The design is unique and influenced by New York City's Asymptote Architecture, with two 12-story towers connected by a monocoque steel and glass bridge. There are also 4 restaurants, as well as a spa.

Saadiyat Rotana Resorts​

The Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas offers refined, stylish rooms and suites with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. It has a range of dining options to suit everyone's taste, as well as a variety of leisure facilities. Its setting on the pristine white beach of Abu Dhabi's breathtaking Saadiyat Island is simply breathtaking.

Comments

  • reply
    soap2day
    May 9, 2024
    Your blog is a beacon of light in the often murky waters of online content. Your thoughtful analysis and insightful commentary never fail to leave a lasting impression. Keep up the amazing work!

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