Photography

10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in Dubai

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From its humble beginnings as a modest fishing port, Dubai has a skyline that has changed beyond recognition, becoming one of the most photographed skylines in the world. But where are the top public spots to photograph this stunning city? Continue reading to find out.

There are plenty of options when it comes to enjoying Dubai’s skyline. Some of these views will make you rub your eyes to check whether what you see is fact or fiction. In fact, some of these places took my breath away, especially the last one. This is a list of my top places to bring your camera (and sketchbook). Which other places are worth checking too?

My favorite is #8, yours?

Check 10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in Bangkok

Virginia Duran Blog- 10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in Dubai- The Terracesource

1. The Terrace Bar
Location: Dubai Creek Harbour (Google)
Best Views: Dubai Skyline
Admission: Free admission, brunch AED99
Opening hours: Fri-Sat (10-22)
Description: Dubai Creek Harbour might be one of the least visited areas in Dubai. The Lagoons have been a few years in the making, and now the development is adding another exciting photography spot to visit. The Terrace is surrounded by the natural beauty of the 25-year-old Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, which has around 450 animal species on its 620 hectares. Dubai’s skyline from here is just beautiful.

Virginia Duran Blog- 10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in Dubai- Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotelsource

2. Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel
Location: Sheikh Zayed Road (Google)
Best Views: Dubai International Financial Centre, DIFC Gate Building
Admission: Free admission
Opening hours: Tue-Sat (18-12)
Description: Located at the Upper Pool deck at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Clique’s rooftop is the perfect place to capture Dubai’s International Financial Centre. Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel by Hazel Wong, is the world’s third-tallest all-hotel building. Other interesting buildings to photograph from here include The Tower and  Al Rostamani Maze Tower. Don’t miss the panoramic lifts in the lobby.

View from Four Points Dubai

source

3. Level 43 Lounge
Location: Sheikh Zayed Road (Google)
Best Views: Dubai International Financial Centre, DIFC Gate Building
Admission: Free admission
Opening hours: Tue-Sat (18-12)
Description: One of my favorite spots to bring my camera and sketchbook. This open air terrace sits 43 floors high, right on the busy and bustling Sheikh Zayed Road, providing its visitors with spectacular panoramic 360 degree views of Dubai’s skyline. A pool bar by day and a swanky lounge by night, this is the perfect place to photograph sunset as your mind wanders at the breathtaking views.

Virginia Duran Blog- 10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in Dubai- Taj Hotel Treehousesource

4. Taj Hotel- TreeHouse
Location: Burj Khalifa Blvd (Google)
Best Views: Burj Khalifa
Admission: Free admission, drinks from AED 80
Opening hours: Sat-Wed (17-1), Thu-Fri (17-3)
Description: Located in the Burj Khalifa’s back garden with uninterrupted views of the world’s tallest tower which never fail to lend a sense of the sublime. It gets quite crowded at night so you better come here early. For similar views, visit Above’s rooftop located at the Sofitel Hotel.

Virginia Duran Blog- 10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in Dubai- Burj Khalifasource

5. Burj Khalifa
Location: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd (Google)
Best Views: 360º Dubai
Admission: General admission starts at 125AED. Book your ticket in advance.
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (8-15.30/18-sunset).
Description: Built in 2009 as the tallest artificial structure in the world, standing at 829.8 m (2,722 ft). This mega structure designed by SOM is the top spot in the world to take pictures. Do not book the ticket that goes up to the very top- completely not worth it. Although it might be crowded, the best hour to visit is between the range from 5pm to 7pm, that’s why it’s a little bit more expensive. Views are absolutely breathtaking.

Virginia Duran Blog- 10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in Dubai- Burj Al Arab from 360 Rooftopsource

6. 360º Rooftop
Location: End of Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s Marina walkway (Google)
Best Views: Burj Al-Arab
Admission: Free Admission, check menu
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (17-2)
Description: Located at the end of Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s Marina walkway – one of the world’s most impressive locations – 360° promises a view of the Burj Al-Arab Hotel you’ll never forget. As a popular club by night, better come here before 8pm.

Virginia Duran Blog- 10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in Dubai- Dubai Marinasource

7. Dubai Marina
Location: Al Sufouh (Google)
Best Views: Dubai Marina, Cayan Tower, Princess Tower, The Marina Torch
Admission: Free Admission
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (18-2)
Description: In a city that’s full of awe-striking buildings, Dubai Marina stands out as the home to some of Dubai’s newest and most fascinating buildings and attractions such as the recently built Cayan Tower by SOM. The best place is from the other side of Al Sufouh Road going across the bridge to the North.

Virginia Duran Blog- 10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in Dubai- Turkish Village Restaurantsource

8. Turkish Village Restaurant
Location: Jumeirah Beach Rd,Jumeirah 1 (Google)
Best Views: Dubai Skyline
Admission: Free Admission
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (7-00)
Description: This restaurant is massive – set on two floors with sprawling outdoor terraces on both and amazing views of course. Don’t miss the unique panorama from a quite atypical point of view. Also, visit the amazing Jumeirah Mosque located just across the street.

Virginia Duran Blog- 10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in Dubai- TOMO Lounge Dubaisource

9. TOMO Lounge
Location: Exit 56 – Dubai (Google)
Best Views: Dubai Skyline
Admission: Free Admission, check menu
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (12.30-15.30/18.30-1)
Description: The former RED Lounge is now a cool Japanese restaurant with adjoining bar. Nestled near the pyramid peak of Raffles Dubai, a floor below award-winning club People by Crystal, TOMO sits in the 17th-floor spot. The views though… Make sure you book the table at the end of the rooftop.

Virginia Duran Blog- 10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in Dubai- Park Regis Kris Kin Hotelsource

10. Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel
Location: Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed St, Al Karama, Bur Dubai (Google)
Best Views: Dubai Skyline
Admission: Free Admission
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (10-18)
Description: Another cool spot located away from the buzzing life of downtown Dubai, this rooftop is perfect for getting uninterrupted views across Dubai. The best time to come is definitely sunset.

[BONUS]
Which is the one place to photograph Dubai’s skyline like any other spot? From the air.
Don’t miss skydiving! This is me the day of my birthday 🙂
Book your spot here.

Amazing Skydiving Dubai- Virginia Duran Architect

Check these and other amazing spots of Dubai on the map below or download the Free Architecture Guide of Dubai (PDF):

55 thoughts on “10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in Dubai”

  1. Pingback: 11 Great Buildings Under Construction | Virginia Duran Blog

    • Thanks Anne! It was the bggest challenge of 2016. Just to put you into context, I can’t even do theme parks, this was something hard for me… but well worth the effort 😀

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

        • haha that’s me too. But theme parks…oh I’ll never understand that you even have to pay to suffer. All that said, I would never do skydiving again. I won’t forget the feeling of “I’m going to die” 😛

          Liked by 2 people

    • heheh that’s one of my favorites. It’s a normal rooftop, but the effect of the picture looks dramatic 😛 Have you ever been to Dubai?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. Thank you so much for this post, I’m going to Dubai for the first time (well my first time leaving the airport, anyway!) next month and really want to take some nice skyline pics, this list is really useful 🙂

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    • Thanks Helen for your kind words! If you go to the Burj Khalifa, make sure you arrive at lest 1h before sunset, it’s more expensive but it’s completely worth ir 😉
      You are going to love Dubai, so photogenic!

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      • Hey Duran,

        Are we allowed to carry tripods to top of Burj Khalifa ? I might be visiting this month. Just wanted to make sure.

        Your pics are really awesome, planning my itinerary based on your article.

        Thanks

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        • Hello! Yes, you are allowed to bring tripods to the top of Burj Khalifa. It’s a stunning view at night so make sure you bring all your camera gear when you visit 😉
          Dubai is such an impressive city, enjoy!

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  9. Pingback: 10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in New York | Virginia Duran Blog

    • Hi Christian, let me know if any of these places changed their opening times etc. Have you been to Dubai before? Can’t wait to be back 🙂

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      • I’ve been twice, but both times only relatively short (sort of an extended stop over between Europe and Asia). This time short again (2.5 days), but a bit longer than the previous times and there should be opportunities to explore some of your mentioned spots.
        If you had to pick your top 3, which ones would you choose?

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  12. Pingback: The Free Architecture Guide of Dubai (PDF) | Virginia Duran Blog

  17. Thank you Virginia!
    My “holiday” will last for the year 😉 I’m planing to travel mostly in Asia after UAE. Thailand, Philippines, Korea, Japan, Indonesia,… I think we got the same traveling virus 😀
    Safe travels!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Oh wow, I didn’t realize Dubai was part of a bigger trip. That sounds amazing, I am very jealous just to read it. Enjoy your time in those lovely places 🙂

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      • Thank you Virginia!
        I can see you travelled a lot too. No plans for 2018?
        I am trying to build an audience on social media. You can follow me on IG @david.fernandes_photographe (photo) and @bonheur_nomade (travel)

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  18. Dubai is now a world-renowned tourist destination. Dubai itself has managed to surprise the world’s tourism experts. Dubai has many tourist sites and activities for tourists ages old and young. I have never been to Dubai but some of the information I see is very interesting. It makes me always want to go there, this article gives some photos that make me want to go there. Thank you for the information. zuiddrenthe.nl

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