Shoot locations
Where to shoot in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Public places for your photo or video shoot: what each place is like, what it costs to get in, when it is busy, and roughly when the light is best. Times shift with the seasons.
Dubai
Umm Suqeim, Dubai
Kite Beach
Public beach and promenade
Named after the kitesurfers who fill the sky on windy afternoons. A long, free beach with a running track, food trucks and cafés along the sand.
- Entry
- Free entry. Parking is paid on most days (RTA); sunbeds and water sports cost extra.
- Busy times
- Busiest on weekend afternoons and evenings, when the car parks fill early. Quietest on weekday mornings.
CouplesFamilyLifestyleGoogle Maps: reviews and photos(opens in a new tab)Best light, roughly
- Before sunset4:30–6 pm
- Early morning6–9 am
Umm Suqeim, Dubai
Sunset Beach
Small public beach
A short stretch of sand right beside Burj Al Arab, loved by surfers and by anyone who wants the hotel's sail in the frame. Free and open to all.
- Entry
- Free entry. Street parking only, and spaces are limited.
- Busy times
- Busiest at weekends and around sunset, when surfers arrive. Weekday mornings are quiet.
CouplesProposalsPortraitsGoogle Maps: reviews and photos(opens in a new tab)Best light, roughly
- Before sunset4:30–6 pm
Jumeirah, Dubai
Jumeirah Public Beach
Open public beach
A free, relaxed beach in old Jumeirah, away from the hotel strips. Families come in the morning, and the city skyline sits behind the water.
- Entry
- Free entry.
- Busy times
- Busiest on weekend afternoons. Weekday mornings are calm.
FamilyKidsLifestyleGoogle Maps: reviews and photos(opens in a new tab)Best light, roughly
- Early morning6–9 am
- Before sunset4:30–6 pm
Bur Dubai and Deira, Dubai
Dubai Creek
Historic waterway
The saltwater creek where Dubai began as a trading port. Wooden dhows still load cargo, and abras carry people between Bur Dubai and Deira.
- Entry
- Free to walk. The abra crossing is AED 1 in cash; a private abra is about AED 120 an hour.
- Busy times
- Busiest in the evening and at weekends, when the souks fill up. Mornings are calmer.
PortraitsCouplesTravelGoogle Maps: reviews and photos(opens in a new tab)Best light, roughly
- Late afternoon3–5:30 pm
- Sunset and city lights5–6:30 pm
Bur Dubai, Dubai
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Heritage quarter
One of the oldest parts of Dubai, also called Al Bastakiya. Restored houses with wind towers, quiet lanes, small museums, galleries and cafés.
- Entry
- Free to walk. The small museums inside charge little or nothing.
- Busy times
- Quietest early in the morning. Best from November to March, in the morning or late afternoon.
PortraitsFamilyTravelGoogle Maps: reviews and photos(opens in a new tab)Best light, roughly
- Early morning6–9 am
- Late afternoon3–5:30 pm
Safa and Business Bay, Dubai
Dubai Water Canal
Urban canal and footpaths
A canal opened in 2016 that links Business Bay to the sea. Walkways, the arched Tolerance Bridge and city towers reflected in the water.
- Entry
- Free entry.
- Busy times
- Most walkers and cyclists come in the evening and at weekends, once it cools down.
CouplesPortraitsLifestyleGoogle Maps: reviews and photos(opens in a new tab)Best light, roughly
- Sunset and city lights5–6:30 pm
Al Qudra desert, Dubai
Al Qudra Lakes
Desert lakes
Man-made lakes in the desert south of the city, with birds, reeds and open dunes. Quiet at sunrise; there are no shops nearby.
- Entry
- Free entry. No shops, and few or no toilets.
- Busy times
- Busiest from Friday evening to Sunday, around sunset. Weekday mornings before 8:00 are the quietest.
CouplesProposalsFamilyGoogle Maps: reviews and photos(opens in a new tab)Best light, roughly
- Sunrise6–8 am
- Before sunset4:30–6 pm
Hatta, Dubai
Hatta Dam
Mountain reservoir
A turquoise lake held by a dam in the Hajar mountains, on Dubai's eastern edge. People come to kayak, walk and get out of the city.
- Entry
- Free to visit. Kayaks are paid, from about AED 60 for a single.
- Busy times
- Busiest at weekends and in the cooler months. Weekdays are calmer.
CouplesAdventureFamilyGoogle Maps: reviews and photos(opens in a new tab)Best light, roughly
- Early morning6–9 am
- Late afternoon3–5:30 pm
Abu Dhabi
Corniche, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Corniche
City beach and promenade
Abu Dhabi's long seafront, with a public beach, parks, palm-lined paths and the city's towers along the water.
- Entry
- Entry fee. The main public beach is free. The family gates (2 and 3) charge AED 10 per adult and AED 5 per child.
- Busy times
- Busiest on weekend evenings, especially in winter.
FamilyCouplesLifestyleGoogle Maps: reviews and photos(opens in a new tab)Best light, roughly
- Before sunset4:30–6 pm
- Early morning6–9 am
Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Saadiyat Beach (Kai Beach)
Natural beach, paid entry
A white-sand beach on Saadiyat Island with protected dunes and a wooden boardwalk. Hawksbill turtles nest on this coast, so the dunes stay wild.
- Entry
- Entry fee. The beach is now run as a beach club (Kai Beach). Recent guides list adults from about AED 75 to 150 on weekdays and more at weekends, and some days may be ladies only.
- Busy times
- Busiest at weekends. Weekdays are calmer and cost less.
CouplesPortraitsFamilyGoogle Maps: reviews and photos(opens in a new tab)Best light, roughly
- Before sunset4:30–6 pm
Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi
Eastern Mangroves
Mangrove park and waterfront
A promenade on the edge of Abu Dhabi's mangrove forest. Calm channels, green trees and kayaks gliding through.
- Entry
- Free entry and free parking. Guided kayak tours are paid, from about AED 150.
- Busy times
- Busy on winter evenings. Early morning is cooler, with more birds.
PortraitsCouplesNatureGoogle Maps: reviews and photos(opens in a new tab)Best light, roughly
- Early morning6–9 am
- Late afternoon3–5:30 pm
Breakwater, Abu Dhabi
Heritage Village and Breakwater
Heritage village by the sea
A recreated traditional village with a fort, palm-frond huts and an old market. Across the water, the Corniche towers make the backdrop.
- Entry
- Free entry. The village is open 9:00–16:00 (Fridays 15:00–21:00); the waterfront outside stays open for sunset.
- Busy times
- Busiest on Friday evenings and weekends.
FamilyTravelPortraitsGoogle Maps: reviews and photos(opens in a new tab)Best light, roughly
- Before sunset4:30–6 pm
- Sunset and city lights5–7 pm
Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi
Al Wathba Fossil Dunes
Protected desert landmark
Ancient dunes hardened over thousands of years into curved, wave-like shapes. A free protected site outside the city.
- Entry
- Free entry; you register your details at the gate. Open 8:00–22:00, until 23:00 Friday to Sunday.
- Busy times
- Busiest around sunset at weekends.
PortraitsFashionAdventureGoogle Maps: reviews and photos(opens in a new tab)Best light, roughly
- Before sunset4:30–6 pm
Liwa, Abu Dhabi
Moreeb Dune, Liwa
Giant desert dune
Tal Moreeb rises over the edge of the Empty Quarter near Liwa and is one of the tallest dunes in the world. A long drive, best at sunrise.
- Entry
- Free to visit. During the Liwa Festival (mid-December to early January) some events are ticketed.
- Busy times
- Very busy during the Liwa Festival. Quiet the rest of the cooler season.
CouplesAdventureFashionGoogle Maps: reviews and photos(opens in a new tab)Best light, roughly
- Sunrise6–8 am
- Before sunset4:30–6 pm
Photos are illustrations of each place. Fees, opening hours and busy times come from public sources checked in October 2026 and can change, so check before you go.