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Top 5 Photographic Locations in Abu Dhabi for Travel and Landscape Photography
June 6, 2025What is worth seeing during a week’s stay in Abu Dhabi through the eyes of a photographer?
If you’re planning a trip to the UAE and you’re passionate about travel photography, Abu Dhabi should be high on your list. With its striking blend of modern architecture, ancient culture, and vast natural beauty, the capital city offers some of the most beautiful photographic locations in the Middle East. Whether you’re shooting wide-angle desert vistas or detailed architectural marvels, this city is a goldmine for landscape photography enthusiasts.
Here are the top 5 photographic locations in Abu Dhabi that every photographer should visit:
Grand Mosque of Sheikh Zaid
Arguably one of the most iconic landmarks in the UAE, the Grand Mosque is a must-visit for anyone interested in architectural photography.
Sheikh Zaid was a charismatic visionary who created a new state. To honor his memory, one of the most beautiful mosques in the world—the Grand Mosque of Sheikh Zaid—was opened after his death, after ten years of construction.
We drive to the mosque in the afternoon, the second day after our arrival. After 3 pm, the heat has already eased a little, giving us a chance for better light for photos and a comfortable visit. If you want to visit the mosque, you must book a specific date and time for your visit. You must be on time; otherwise, you will not be allowed in. This is one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest tourist attractions, so be prepared for many visitors. The most convenient way to get to the mosque is by taxi or Uber. Interestingly, taxis are slightly cheaper here, although usually much less luxurious.
The entrance to the temple turns out to be unusual: we descend the stairs to a large shopping centre. We can buy local clothes in the numerous shops: long men’s cotton outfits, called kandura or dishdasha. To top it off, plain ghutras or shemaghs in red and white checkered patterns are tied with a black agal cord. There are also women’s outfits: abayas and jellabas. To enter the mosque, we must be dressed appropriately - European attire is accepted, but covered legs and shoulders for men are the minimum. Women must also cover their forearms and hair. The numerous stalls tempt with chocolates made from camel’s milk, with dates or pistachios.
The Grand Mosque is one of the most beautiful buildings of its kind in the world. Designed by the Syrian architect Yousef Abdelky, it sits on an artificially raised hill and towers over the surrounding area, occupying an area of 22 hectares including gardens and car parks. More than 3,000 workers built the complex over 11 years. The SZGM has set as many as three Guinness World Records[i].
The prayer hall houses the world’s largest carpet, woven by hand by 1,300 Iranian craftsmen. Woven over two years, the carpet weighs 47 tonnes. The second record went to the world’s largest chandelier. The 12-tonne giant, measuring 15 metres high, was gilded with 40 kg of 24-carat gold and studded with thousands of Swarovski crystals.
The third record was achieved by the world’s largest outer dome of the mosque, which is 85 metres in diameter. In total, the mosque boasts 82 domes, the finials of which are decorated with 24-carat gold. The Prayer Hall can reportedly accommodate more than 7,000 worshippers.
We are in the Ramadan period; the mosque has hundreds of visitors. In addition, at 6 p.m., the mosque closes for prayers. Normally, the mosque is reopened to visitors later in the evening. This would have been a treat—I would have been able to take night photographs, with the architectural elements beautifully illuminated. Unfortunately, conditions are what they are: among the numerous visitors, finding a good frame and an interesting shot is not easy.
I try to capture the atmosphere of the place and its style, which is a beautiful combination of the ornaments and ornamentation of Arab tradition and the ubiquitous white marble, giving a sense of modern minimalism. I draw attention to the place’s gems: the beautiful domes and arches.
Google maps location of the Grand Mosque:
24.412608621478533, 54.47522214049084
Wahat Al Krama
Located directly opposite the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Wahat Al Karama is a powerful war memorial that honors the UAE’s fallen heroes. The site offers a stunning panoramic view of the mosque, especially at sunset, when the reflection in the memorial’s water feature creates a perfect symmetry—ideal for dramatic and respectful landscape photography. This is a top location to photograph the mosque in all its glory at sunrise or sunset.
A monument stands here, designed by British artist Idris Khan. The 31 aluminium-covered, tilted plaques lean against each other. They symbolise unity, solidarity and mutual support with the soldiers who defend the country. Engraved on the surface of the plaques are the words of the oath of allegiance taken by the armed forces.
A typical shot from this location is the reflection of the mosque in the shallow water. Of course, I take these shots during sunset and the next day at sunrise. Depending on the time and weather, the effect can come out radically different: two shots are saturated and full of warm light. The third is almost monochrome, full of blue. I also try to find a more unique composition, using the curvature of the pool and the slightly lit plants by the road in the foreground. In the end, these shots are probably less spectacular but also less obvious.
Google maps location of Wahat Al Krama:
24.413364769566172, 54.4793269355712
Qasr Al Watan
The next day, I decided to see the ‘Palace of the Nation’ of Qasr Al Watan. This presidential palace is open to the public and offers stunning views, both inside and out. The grand halls, intricate mosaics, and palatial surroundings provide a sense of scale and elegance that’s perfect for high-impact images. Again, in the late afternoon, I will have better lighting for photography, and I want to stay for the Palace in Motion light show in the evening.
Photography is allowed here if you do not use ‘professional’ equipment. The assessment of this depends in practice on the guards. The security control temporarily requisitions my tripod, and the guard hesitates a moment, wondering whether the fact that I have as many as three lenses defines me as a professional and whether I can be allowed in.
Fortunately, the entire Fujifilm XT5 kit with three lenses fits into a small case, and the security guard decides it doesn’t look professional enough. I suspect I would not have been let in with a similar full-frame Canon kit. This is worth bearing in mind when going to the palace. After passing through security, we board a minibus to the palace.
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel, the majestic building makes an electrifying impression. The palace’s architecture skilfully blends traditional Arabian style with contemporary design.
The palace offers an opportunity to learn about the culture of the UAE — books and manuscripts introducing the region’s history, culture and knowledge. The palace also offers a variety of exhibitions that showcase the development of science, art and literature in the Arab world. The library and the House of Knowledge (House of Knowledge) contain countless books and manuscripts introducing the region’s history, culture and knowledge.
The palace also offers a variety of exhibitions that showcase the development of science, art and literature in the Arab world. The spectacular Presidential Banquet Hall (Presidential Banquet) allows visitors to see the halls where banquets and meetings of the greats of this world are held.
It is worth staying after the complex closes to watch the Palace in Motion show. It’s not only a beautiful light show but, more importantly, an excellent visualisation of the process of designing and building the palace, harking back to the history of the UAE and its desert beginnings. Taking photos at night without a tripod… all hope is in image stabilisation and the modern de-noising technology.
Google maps location of Qasr Al Watan:
24.462091834090938, 54.30581252835191
Etihad Towers
No modern skyline shot of Abu Dhabi is complete without Etihad Towers. These sleek skyscrapers not only make a stunning subject but also offer a panoramic observation deck on the 74th floor of Tower 2. From here, you can capture breathtaking views of the city, coastline, and even the Presidential Palace—making it an essential stop for landscape photography lovers looking for that epic cityscape.
Abu Dhabi is not overwhelmed by the accumulation of skyscrapers like Dubai. Looking at the city skyline from above, one sees a lot of space, relatively low-rise buildings and a lot of greenery. This makes me feel much more comfortable in Abu Dhabi than in Dubai, where the accumulation of tall buildings stretching one after the other for several kilometres was for me somewhat too much. One exception in Abu Dhabi is the beautiful skyscraper complex in the city centre. It is an excellent example of modern metropolitan architecture.
The view of these buildings at sunset captivates me. The combination of the blue of the central Etihad Towers with the copper facade of the Bab Al Qasr Hotel is imposing. It’s worth taking photos from around the Emirates Palace Hotel, but also drive up from behind where the towers contrast with the water of the small bay.
Google maps location to photograph from the Emirates Palace side:
24.460903893102365, 54.31788700900311
Google maps location to photograph from the backside:
24.456256105295072, 54.32667813354871
Louvre Abu Dhabi
A masterpiece of modern architecture, the Louvre is not only a cultural hub but also one of the most beautiful photographic locations in the city. The play of light and shadows through its dome, the reflections in the water, and the modern-meets-traditional design elements are a dream for any travel photography enthusiast.
The heir to the throne of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Muhammad bin Zaid Al Nahajan, aims to make Abu Dhabi an international cultural centre. On his initiative, a branch of Paris’ Louvre Museum was built on Saadiyat Island. For the right to use the Louvre name until 2037, and the rental of artworks, $520 million was paid[ii]. Not surprisingly, this project is regarded as “the largest French cultural project abroad”. The museum’s architect was Jean Nouvel, who later designed Qasr Al Watan.
The design of the Abu Dhabi Louvre is a fascinating combination of light and geometry in architecture. A symphony of concrete, water and the subtle play of reflected light, it combines modern architecture with the region’s traditions and the museum’s unique location on Saadiyat Island above the waters of the Arabian Gulf. The museum consists of 55 separate buildings connected by pools and canals.
The centrepiece of Nouvel’s vision is an enormous dome that hovers above the museum city. Despite its apparent weightlessness, the dome weighs around 7,500 tonnes (like the Eiffel Tower in Paris). Inspired by the dome of a mosque, a characteristic element of Arab architecture, Nouvel’s dome is a complex geometric structure made up of 7850 stars. These stars are repeated in different sizes and angles in eight different layers and the sun’s rays fall through the roof like a perforated umbrella.
I want the photographs to convey the modern feel and design of the place and focus on shapes and composition. I take some photos of exhibits and sculptures, but what inspires me is the combination of the simple geometry of the white walls with the green water and the openwork dome.
Bani Hashem Mosque (Banu Hashim)
Tucked away from the main tourist paths, Bani Hashim Mosque is a hidden gem that offers a unique opportunity for serene and intimate travel photography. Its elegant architecture, soft lighting, and peaceful atmosphere make it a favorite among photographers seeking a quieter but equally powerful subject. It’s especially beautiful during the early morning or at dusk, when the surrounding area falls into calm, reflective stillness.
It is a beautiful example of classical Arabic architecture. The combination of the blue mosaics on the walls with the golden dome is captivating. The mosque was built in the 1980s and is named after the Banu Hashim tribe, from which the Prophet Muhammad originated. It is a copy of the famous Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Google maps location of Bani Hashem Mosque:
24.40910963173459, 54.49375544263332
Whether you’re building your portfolio or simply chasing beautiful moments, Abu Dhabi is an unforgettable stop on your travel photography journey.
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