Dubai has long been synonymous with luxury, modern wonders, and stunning architecture. But beyond the grandiose skyscrapers and luxurious malls, there are dozens of unique places that seem to have been created specifically for perfect photos. This is a city where almost every corner can become the backdrop for your next photographic masterpiece.
In this article, we have compiled a list of ten locations that are particularly popular with Instagrammers from around the world. You will see not only world-famous landmarks, but also lesser-known, yet equally photogenic places. From the golden sands of the desert to futuristic gardens and colorful historic neighborhoods, there is a perfect angle for every style and mood.
Get your camera ready and charge your phone: we are going on a virtual journey through the most impressive and “Instagrammable” corners of Dubai that are definitely worth adding to your itinerary.
Al Fahidi Historical District
Dubai is often criticized for its lack of history and called artificial. Locals respond that they value their city and are proud of every decade of its history. Proof of this is the historic Al Fahidi district, which was the epicenter of city life long before Dubai became a modern metropolis. Here, you feel as if you have traveled back in time to Dubai in the early 1900s and are getting to know the emirate's historical heritage. It is worth taking a stroll through this district to see the traditional architecture, lose yourself in the narrow streets, and feel the spirit of old Dubai in the shopping areas and bustling courtyards. This colorful district is home to themed museums, cultural centers, contemporary art galleries, unusual restaurants, cafes, and guest houses.
Al Fahidi Historical District
One of the historic buildings, constructed from gypsum, coral, and limestone, houses a coffee museum that showcases coffee traditions from around the world, including the UAE. It is worth noting that coffee has been elevated to a cult status on the shores of the Persian Gulf, where it is prepared from green beans, giving it a distinctive and unusual flavor, with cardamom added. It is served very hot in small cups without handles. Coffee with dates instead of sugar is served to honored guests in every home.
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Another traditional drink you can try in the Al Fahidi neighborhood is local karak tea. Strongly brewed tea with milk and spices is served at the Arabian Tea House restaurant, which imitates the interior of Dubai's historic houses. Here you can also try local dishes, which are a staple of every family dinner and holiday in the emirate.
Gold and Spice Market
For a complete immersion in the colourful Arab world, use the traditional means of transportation around the city, the abra boat. For centuries, the abra has remained one of the most popular modes of transportation in Dubai, and now it serves as a water taxi, transporting tourists and locals from one bank of the Old City to the other.
Traditional Arabian abra boat
Finish your abra ride with a visit to Dubai's two most famous shopping destinations. You may be surprised to learn that they are not the Dubai Mall or Madinat Jumeirah, but the ancient gold and spice markets. At these bazaars, you can not only purchase exotic jewelry weighing several kilograms and the world's rarest spices, but also learn how to bargain—after all, this is an integral part of Eastern culture.
Hatta
The mountainous region of Hatta on the border with Oman is a location that can surprise even those who seem to know everything about Dubai. Just a couple of hours' drive from the city, you find yourself in a unique mountain enclave in the center of the Hajar Mountains, where skyscrapers give way to cliffs and the Persian Gulf coastline to emerald green lakes.
Hatta
Extreme sports enthusiasts from all over the Emirates flock here to spend time at the new Hatta Wadi Hub adventure center. The park offers more than 20 activities, ranging from the simplest (cycling, zorbing, rope climbing) to the most sophisticated (axe throwing, karting, zip-lining, kayaking). There are also some truly unique options, such as Asia's first diving park, Hatta Drop-in.
For those who are not interested in active recreation, Hatta will captivate you with its alien landscapes reminiscent of the set of the latest Mad Max movie and the meticulously designed Hatta Wadi Hub, where you will most likely want to stay overnight. Guests are offered a variety of accommodation options: tents, eco-lodges, and urban-style terraced trailers.
Hatta
La Mer
Perhaps the most important place for a traveler visiting Dubai for the first time is La Mer. This beach area reflects everything that modern Dubai has to offer: impeccable style, urbanism, and care for tourists. You can spend the whole day here: comfortable beaches, movie theaters, active recreation, and dozens of cafes and restaurants with international cuisine will keep you entertained. What makes La Mer special is that it is one of the most Instagrammable locations in Dubai—the urban aesthetics of this area attract tourists from all over the world again and again.
La Mer, @marianaguiadubai
Dubai is a city where every corner looks like a scene from a movie, and it is ideal for those who love taking beautiful photos. Here you can capture skyscrapers, the desert, beaches, and luxurious malls — all of which will instantly fill your Instagram feed with vivid impressions. We have compiled a list of the 10 most photogenic places where both beginners and experienced bloggers can take truly spectacular shots.
Desert safari
One of the most popular locations in the Emirates, where people come to relax from the noise of the metropolis and the skyscrapers blocking the clouds and look at the endless sandy horizons. To ensure that the desert does not seem like an uninteresting place where all you can do is contemplate eternity over a cup of Arabic coffee with cardamom, go on a safari. There are now a huge number of companies in Dubai offering tourists different itineraries, but Arabian Adventures remains one of the most popular. This subsidiary of Emirates (which is a mark of quality in itself) picks up travelers from their hotels and takes them on a high-speed trip through the dunes. This entertainment is not for the faint of heart, but as you conquer the sands, you can see various desert animals in their natural habitat, from gazelles to white oryx. After the safari, guests go to watch the sunset and take pictures against the backdrop of the sun sinking into the sand, and the program ends with a traditional Arabic dinner in the middle of the desert and sparkling lights.
Arabian Adventures
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Mandarin Oriental Jumeira Dubai Hotel
One of the most stylish hotels built in Dubai in the last two years is the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira Dubai, offering guests impeccable service combined with panoramic views of the Persian Gulf. The hotel's luxurious interiors were created by renowned designer Jeffrey Allen Wilkes, so if you need to quarantine at the Mandarin Oriental, don't worry: the hotel's decor and views are just as impressive as the city's main attractions.
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira Dubai
The Mandarin Oriental also offers guests a unique gastronomic experience. Must-visit places include Tasca, a Portuguese restaurant by culinary genius José Avellaneda, and Netsu, a Japanese-style steakhouse where food is prepared using the traditional Japanese technique of Warayaki—on an open fire of burning straw.
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira Dubai
Dubai Frame
The uniqueness of the Dubai Frame—a skyscraper that divides the old and new cities in half—can only be truly appreciated by visiting the inside of this one-of-a-kind structure. From the outside, the building looks fragile, pretentious, and amazing: nowhere else in the world is there another structure resembling a giant picture frame covered in gold. At first glance, it may seem that it is not necessary to include it in the list of must-see places, but once inside, you find yourself in the world of the future and completely change your mind. Before climbing to a height of 150 meters, guests have the opportunity to visit an innovative museum, which, as is customary in Dubai, was created by a team of specialists from around the world. Here, among the sands, archival photographs of local residents come to life, the ghosts of market traders appear with the help of multimedia technologies, and interactive panoramic screens transport guests to a futuristic Dubai, where robots have completely replaced people in everyday life and spaceships plow through the vastness of the universe.
Dubai Frame
In 75 seconds, you find yourself on the 48th floor of the tower with a transparent bridge. From the height of this structure, you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the city, allowing you to see both old and new Dubai at the same time. On one side is the modern metropolis with its famous skyscrapers and Sheikh Zayed Road, and on the other side are the districts of Deira, Umm Hurair, and Karama, symbolizing the Old City. But the most interesting view opens up when you look down: as you walk across the 93-meter bridge, the touch-sensitive floor reacts to movement and becomes transparent, revealing the geometric landscape of Zabeel Park. We recommend taking the opportunity to visit the Dubai Frame in the near future: while the tourist flow remains low, guests of this popular architectural attraction have a unique opportunity to take beautiful pictures without sharing the glass bridge with groups of travelers from different countries.
Dubai Frame
Dubai Creek Harbour area
Another Instagram-worthy spot in Dubai is Dubai Creek, one of the city's newest and most promising areas. It is here that in 2020, another tallest building in the world was promised to be built, which promises to break the record of the legendary Burj Khalifa. The construction of the 928-meter tower has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the area around it continues to grow rapidly. In addition to business centers and luxury residential complexes, many restaurants and coffee shops are opening here. One of the establishments that has already won the hearts of connoisseurs of gastronomy and good service is the Mondoux restaurant, located right on the new waterfront. It is a great place for expats who like to come and work on their laptops over a cup of good coffee, as well as for tourists who want to diversify their gastronomic experience with experimental cuisine and dine with an excellent view of the skyscrapers. After lunch, take a stroll through the area, which resembles one large photo zone, and admire the bay. Believe me, this urban landscape can rival New York City.
Dubai Creek, @tgfromdubai
Dubai is a dream come true for anyone who loves taking beautiful photos. Each of these locations is unique and offers its own special shot that is sure to make your feed stand out.
The main beauty is that there is everything here: futuristic architecture, serene beaches, and authentic old neighborhoods. You can plan an entire trip, moving from one vivid impression to another, simply by following this list.
Pack your bags, charge your gadgets, and don't forget to free up some memory. Your trip to Dubai promises to be incredibly vivid, and your photo album will be filled with truly luxurious shots that you will want to look at again and again.
