Best places to watch the sun rise in the UAE

Dubai
Burj Khalifa
You know the view of the sunrise from the tallest building on the planet is going to be good and, with Core Direction, you can work out the body while catching a glimpse of one of nature’s most wonderful happenings.
Dhs149 (per person, per classes). Tue 7am, Fri 7am & 8.30am. Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, app.coredirection.com.

Dubai Creek
Shops, bars, restaurants, abra rides, The Dubai Frame… need we go on about all the super cool stuff that one can see and do in Dubai Creek? The natural waterway from the Arabian Gulf spans 14km and is one of the city’s most ideal locations to gaze eastward upon the rising sun. Where’s the top vantage point you ask? Check out the first tee at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club for the best shots.
Dubai Creek.

Hatta
We’re leaving the city for this sunrise hotspot and driving some 150km to the border of Oman and the wonderful wilderness of Hatta. Postcard perfect, the area has some of the most gorgeous scenery in the entire UAE, with stunning mountains, Hatta Dam and 16th century Hatta Fort all awesome places to catch the sun lift its sleepy head. Don’t forget about the beaut glamping spots and a road trip that was one of the most Instagrammed in the world back in 2019.
Hatta.

JBR Beach
This is one shot that you want to make sure the phone is charged for. Looking out towards Bluewaters Island, the sun glistens against the water’s surface while the massive 250m Ain Dubai Ferris wheel provides that razzle dazzle for the snap. And once you have had enough of day breaking, call into one of the local eateries dotted along the promenade for some brekkie.
Free entry. Open daily, 24 hours. JBR, Dubai.

Kite Beach
Are you even on Instagram in Dubai if you haven’t taken a pic on Kite Beach in front of the Burj Al Arab? A favourite locale for Insta-huns to flaunt their stuff in front of the cameras (friends’ phones), this beach is a splendid choice for those wishing to get up (or stay up) to watch the sunrise over Dubai.
Free entry. Open daily, 24 hours. Umm Suqeim, Jumeirah 3 (04 317 3999).

Love Lake
The stunning heart shaped lakes in Al Qudra are one of the best locations to set your eyes on the rising sun. Camp out the night before, underneath the stars, by the fire with marshmallows before setting the alarm to watch the sun bring brightness back to the land once again. You’d struggle for a more romantic holdup in the whole of the UAE.
Open daily 24/7. Al Qudra.

Moon Lake
Are we cheating for putting in two places from Al Qudra? No, we’re not, because Moon Lake was only just discovered, meaning that a pic here might be one of the most unique on the whole of the ‘gram.
Co-ordinates: 24.7874218, 55.3065662.

Abu Dhabi
Al Wathba Cycle Track
Slip into the Lycra and pop on the helmet and hit Al Wathba Cycle Track. Open all day, every day, the cycle routes are pristine and with zero traffic there will be nothing distracting riders from checking out the sun while working up a sweat.
Open daily, 24 hours. Al Wathba.

Jebel Hafeet
It might be a two-hour drive from the capital but the effort is totally worth it to catch big yellow making its presence felt on the landscape. Standing at 1,240m tall, the mountain guarding the city of Al Ain provides uninterrupted views of Oman and the desert. Stunning.
Co-ordinates: 24.057023, 55.777984, Al Ain.

Louvre Abu Dhabi
Forget about the outstanding collection of artefacts and paintings inside (well, for one morning) and jump into a kayak and paddle around the dome. With sessions beginning at 6am every day except for Monday, visitors can learn about the Louvre Abu Dhabi while taking in a cracking view of the sun slowly moving upwards.
Dhs126. Tue-Sun 6am. Saadiyat, louvreabudhabi.ae.

The Corniche
One of Abu Dhabi’s most iconic areas, the Corniche is probably the top pick for many looking to earn their early morning sunlight kicks. Some 4.5 miles long (that’s about 10,000 steps, score) there are plenty of places to perch yourself and watch the sun awake from his slumber.
Free. Open daily, 24 hours. Corniche.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Think Abu Dhabi. Think Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Arguably the finest building in the country, the mosque provides a magnificent backdrop to the rising sun. While visiting times start at 9am, there are tonnes of locations where one can stand outside and marvel at the sun hitting the beautiful, white bricked walls.
Free entry. Open Sat-Thu 9am-10pm, Fri 3pm-10pm. Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, szgmc.gov.ae.

Sharjah
Al Lulayyah Beach
Need somewhere to watch the sunrise in Sharjah. You’ll find it tough to beat Al Lulayyah Beach. Stretching out for 1.5km, the beach is the perfect spot to hit reset and clear the head of all the fuddle. A quick dip in the morning in the sea, will blow out the cobwebs and enable you to take on the day with gusto.
Free entry. Open daily, 24 hours. Sharjah.

Fossil Rock
Earn your right to see the sun come into view with a trek on Fossil Rock. One of the most scenic trails in the UAE, the formation offers great views, day and night, of Sharjah’s outback. The calves might not thank you but the mind, memories and social media most certainly will.
Free. Near Mleiha Visitor Centre, Sharjah.