Dubai is one of the most photographed cities on the planet. This ultra-modern metropolis blends the allure of nature with innovative architecture, making it a dream destination for anyone looking to capture stunning photos.
If you're planning a trip to the UAE, you're in for an incredible experience. Dubai offers a world of extravagance, from high-end shopping malls and towering skyscrapers to some of the most luxurious hotels you’ll ever encounter. It’s a city where every corner seems to have a new visual masterpiece, just waiting to be photographed.
We have curated a list of the best Dubai Instagram spots to help you maximize your time in this breathtaking city. Dubai may be costly, but the unique experiences and picturesque locations it offers make it worth every penny. This city offers countless spots, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems, that are perfect for your Instagram feed.
Here are our top five picks for capturing Dubai’s breathtaking beauty!
1. Burj Khalifa Tower
There’s little doubt that the most Instagrammable place in Dubai is the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. The legendary skyscraper is an integral part of the architectural appearance of the city and the most popular backdrop for selfies in Dubai.
If you don't take a picture of the Burj Khalifa… then you haven't been to Dubai!
For a close-up photo of the famous Burj Khalifa skyscraper with the Dubai Fountain in the frame, head to one of the restaurants in the Al Bahar Marine Market, which is located right in front of the tower.
For the best photos with the Dubai skyline in the background, buy a ticket and head to the glass viewing platform on the 124th floor. The tower’s observation decks are open from 10:00 am to midnight.
From Friday through Sunday, the viewing platform is open for sunrise—a unique time to take Instagram shots of the Dubai skyline. Early morning views are better, with golden light, less haze, and fewer crowds. Sunrise tickets are also the cheapest options, and they include a light breakfast at the cafeteria.
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2. Dubai Mall
A photograph of the mall? Nope! An Instagram photo at Dubai Mall! Photos from the largest mall in the world gather hundreds of likes.
Dubai Mall is home to over 1200 stores, an 800-seat food court, an ice rink, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. It also has two of the most Instagrammable spots in Dubai: the beautiful waterfall “Divers for Pearls” and the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.
Anyone will be impressed by photos of you surrounded by stingrays, sharks, and other fish in the aquarium at the Dubai Mall. Shots of the mall’s signature waterfall fountain, with streams of water sparkling in the sunlight, get just as many likes.
Until the discovery of oil, pearl mining and trade were the primary sources of income. The male figures “diving” down the 4-story cascade of water are a tribute to the young men who dove for pearls day after day without any special devices to make a living.
The hardest part of visiting the center is not getting so distracted by all the fun things to do that you forget to take a picture.
3. Dubai desert
Endless desert sand might seem boring during an airport transfer from Sharjah, but you’ll quickly change your mind if you get out in the desert yourself.
Desert safaris are the most popular day trips from Dubai, and there is a wide variety of activities to choose from. If you’re adventurous, you can go dune bashing, skiing on sand, or sandboarding! Perhaps you would prefer activities such as hot air balloons, quad bikes, wildlife observation, falcon shows, and thrilling camel rides.
Tours range from 4 hours in length to a full day. If you book a half-day tour, be sure to choose the afternoon option! Watching the sun set over the dunes is a memorable experience, and the afternoon light will transform the dunes into an ocean of gold. Once you see it, you’ll understand why the desert is considered one of the best Instagram spots in Dubai.
Imagine the likes you would get from posting photos of Dubai sunsets over the desert. And afterward, the best desert safaris end with a traditional Arabian dinner beneath the twinkling stars.
Whichever tour you decide to take, your day will be enjoyable and memorable.
4. Dubai Miracle Garden
Built on desert land, Dubai Miracle Garden certainly deserves its name. Make the desert bloom? How did they do that?
Forget about Amsterdam and its tulips! This spot might well be the blooming-est place on Earth. Featuring over 50 million flowers and 250 million plants, it’s the world's largest natural flower garden.
This wonderful place will captivate you with its unique flowerbeds and exotic flower sculptures shaped like world-famous buildings. The pictures for your feed will surely be a hit here. Don’t miss the chance to visit!
5. La Mer
La Mer is another impressive place worth visiting, especially for a first-time visitor to Dubai. This beachfront area reflects everything that modern Dubai has to offer: impeccable style, urbanism, and taking care of tourists.
You can easily spend the whole day here. With so many comfortable beaches, cinemas, outdoor activities, and dozens of cafes and restaurants with international and Arabian cuisine, there's no way you can ever get bored at La Mer.
What makes La Mer special is that it is one of the most Instagrammable locations in Dubai. The urban aesthetic of the area attracts visitors from all over the world time and time again.
Is it hard to find Instagram spots in Dubai?
So many impressive things in Dubai can be captured by a camera: the grandeur of its architecture, the Palm Jumeirah, the most spectacular fountain show, the tallest building in the world, and the most wonderful desertscapes.
But what is most striking is that Dubai is a testament to the greatness of the human imagination. This city was built out of nothing. In only a short time, Dubai has become a center of attraction for people from all over the world. It’s hard to find a spot in Dubai that isn’t worthy of a photo.
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What a dazzling place Linda. Dubai has long been on our list. We are traveling around the Deep South in the USA now but plan to go abroad again when things open up. We need a bit more fearlessness out there abroad before we decide to travel far and wide. Gotta be free!!!
Ryan
It’s on my list too, Ryan. I’m looking forward to being able to travel overseas again, as I’d love to see all those flashy spots in person. The one good thing that’s come out of this pandemic is that it’s been an incentive for me to explore more of America. I enjoy experiencing foreign cultures, but this really is an incredible country.