10 Of The Most Beautiful Photo Locations in Dubai

Grab Your Gang & Get Snap Happy At Some Of Dubai’s Most Photo Friendly & Beautiful Locations

Whether you’ve got friends and family visiting or you want to get some snaps of the kids to package up as Christmas presents (only 2 months to go!), the weather and light is perfect for heading out and about to some of Dubai’s most photogenic locations. From the beach to the desert, city scapes to historical backdrops plus some really fun options too – these are some of our favourite spots to get some fabulous photos in Dubai.

Read More: Sassy Mama’s Top 10 Maternity & Family Photographers In Dubai

Located just off Al Suffouh Street, between Souk Madinat Jumeirah and The Palm, Black Palace Beach is one of the last beaches in Dubai that has been left undeveloped. With stunning views of the Burj Al Arab in the distance and almost always crystal clear, calm and shallow waters that stretch for miles, this is one of the best places to get those in water/iconic Burj shots as the kids splash about.

Read More: Fun In The Sun, The Best Beaches In Dubai 

Ahhh the magic of the desert – as winter arrives so does the opportunity to head into the sand dunes for picnics, camping and some seriously sassy shots! Whether in the daytime or at sunset, the colours of the dunes coupled with the vast expanse of space make for the perfect settings.

Read More: Happy Campers: Best Camping Spots For Families In & Around Dubai 

Lakes in the desert? No it’s not a mirage mamas – out beyond Arabian Ranches are a series of beautiful man-made lakes that a huge gaggle of geese, ducks, swans and over 130 species of other birds call home. Located in the middle of the Seih Al Salam desert and Bab Al Shams, the lakes were created by the civic body as part of an eco project and are the perfect place for a picnic while the kids wade in the water – and you get snap happy! Head out on Umm Suqeim Street, parallel to the Al Qudra bike track until you get to the Last Exit food truck park  – then prepare for a small amount of gentle off-roading. Our fave time to go is early morning or just before sunset when the light is beautiful and the birds come home for the night.
psst…rumour has it that visits to the area will be stopped if littering continues so be sure to leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photos!

Read More: 18 Of Dubai’s Best Hidden Gems 

Is there anything that screams ‘Dubai!’ more than the Burj Khalifa – glinting in the sunlight, twinkling at night – this iconic building is the stuff of photographers’ dreams! Grab your kids and head to the bridge which links the Dubai Mall with Souk Al Bahar for a big Burj backdrop – or get to the Burj Khalifa island park which has the same view but from the other side. Get down low with your camera and the Burj can be soaring above your little ones heads. Magic.

Read more: Dinosaurs, Sharks & Face Painting At Dubai Mall – Our Summer Playground 

There’s something about tall buildings and little kids that makes for the most dramatic of photos – and Dubai’s Water Canal is just the place to get clicking. Wander along the stretch between Safa Park and the Habtoor City hotels and there’ll be opportunities to get the camera out aplenty  – the bridges across the canal are also a great place to take a snap with the city skyline behind and the canal below.  Oh and after all that posing, the canal is one of the best places for the kids to bike/scoot and expel some energy.

Read more: Sassy Mama Has A Mini Dubai Marina Adventure

Breathtakingly beautiful, the winding waterways of Madinat Jumeirah offer adventures a plenty – from restaurants to Abra rides and much more! And then there are the photo opps – with the Burj Al Arab in the background, plus palm trees, gardens, traditional architecture and sparkling water, it’s a winning combo mamas! Take a 20 minute cruise onboard a traditional Abra with cushioned benches and snap away as the kids play at being pirates or your visitors soak up some of Dubai’s good life.

Read more: A-Z Guide For Families New To Dubai

How about colourful beach huts, a beachfront location, sun bleached fishing boats and in-water hammocks, the new Meraas ‘La Mer’ beach development in Jumeirah 1 is such fun to explore and photograph! Get the kids to pose in the hammocks, to play in the boats – to stand under ‘bucket’ style showers and you’re guaranteed a series of very sweet shots. Also magical at sunset when the colours of the sky through palm trees is simply gorgeous.

Read more: Dubai Has A New Beach Area & This Is Why You Need To Check It Out

We love a little graffiti backdrop (looks great on insta too!) and City Walk is the place to find it. The Dubai Walls Street Art project features work from over fifteen world renowned urban artists who’ve put their creative stamp on this Dubai district. Get a picture in front of suit and bowler hat wearing “vandal” and his slogan “I love Dubai” – so much fun!

Read More: Top Photography Tips For Soulful Shots This Summer 

One of the city’s most vibrant places and the heart of old Dubai, Dubai Creek is where you can watch and ride traditional dhows and Abras and visit the city’s famous souks. Cross the water on a wooden Abra and get some really cool snaps of the bustling creek while seagulls fly overhead before exploring the souks and the magical winding alleyways of the Al Fahidi Cultural District too. From the glittering gold souk to the colours of the spice souk plus some of Dubai’s oldest and most beautiful architecture – we love capturing a little bit of history.

Read more: Sassy Mama Field Trip: Children’s City in Dubai Creek Park

Formerly known as the Bastakiya Quarter, the peaceful labyrinthine lanes of this beautifully restored heritage area are SO photogenic. Sand-coloured houses, wind towers plus courtyard cafes, art galleries and even the occasional piece of commissioned street art – we just love it here.