Gleaming superstructures, traditional Arabian townhouses, dreamy desert landscapes: Dubai is one of the most camera-ready destinations in the world. Join us on a sightseeing tour of the most beautiful places to point your lens in the Emirati city, as we unveil the most photogenic places in Dubai.

Dubai Miracle Garden

A dazzling technicolour oasis in the desert, Dubai Miracle Garden is a surreal horticultural trip, seemingly made for your Instagram feed. Its rainbow displays of more than 50 million blooms stretch as far as the eye can see. Capture the floral tunnel of hearts, the life-sized botanical Airbus aeroplane and record-breaking 18m Mickey Mouse.

Burj Khalifa

No visit to Dubai would be a complete without a shot of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. This cloud-kissing skyscraper ascends 830m high into the Arabian air, the slender needle at its tip puncturing the heavens. Stand at its base and you’ll have to crane your neck, so the 163-storey edifice is best snapped from afar. Take a deep breath and head up to its observation deck on the 148^th floor for an unparalleled city panorama.

Dubai Creek

This historic curve of saltwater was the lifeblood of early Dubai. Today, its banks are lined with traditional Arabian houses, mosques, souks and palaces. Hop on a sunset cruise and sail up the watery artery as the sun dips to capture this charismatic stretch at the most mesmerising time of day.

Dubai Desert

Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and head out to the sandy slopes of Dubai Desert on a safari to see some seriously photogenic places. Think; rolling Lawrence of Arabia dunes, roving camels, cerulean skies and sandboarders soaring across the drifts.

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

Echoing the curve of Dubai’s ‘D’, the unmistakable silhouette of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is one of the city’s signature sights. The luxurious, sail-shaped hotel rises high from the Persian Gulf as if setting off out to sea. The best place to shoot it is from powdery white Jumeirah Beach early in the morning or at sunset when it’s quiet. Be careful not to capture other tourists in your picture, as it’s illegal to take photographs of people without their consent or knowledge.

Al Bastakiya

Give your lens a break from shimmering glass and steel skyscrapers and treat it to a slice of authentic Arabia at Al Bastakiya in Dubai’s Old Town. Positioned by Dubai Creek, immaculately preserved merchant’s houses, art galleries and cafés cluster around narrow alleyways, while wind towers reach into the skies. You’ll get some great shots and a unique insight into the city’s fascinating past at one of Dubai’s most photogenic places.

Palm Jumeirah

An incredible feat of natural architecture, the Palm Jumeirah archipelago is a manmade wonder. Home to gorgeous resorts like Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, the palm tree-shaped cluster of islets look incredible from up high or out at sea. Head out on a speedboat around the archipelago, take a helicopter ride or if you’re brave enough, skydive over it.