It doesn’t matter how many times you watch the sun rise in the UAE, it’s magical every time. A golden glow warming the sky line, and your skin.

Never seen it? Shame on you. Set that alarm and get down to one of these top UAE attractions early morning now.

Here’s our pick of the best places to watch the sun rise (and see the sunset) in the UAE.

Dubai

Bluewaters Island

Whether you take in the view from the largest observation wheel in the world, Ain Dubai (which is set to reopen after the summer), or against its majestic backdrop, sunset at Bluewaters Island hits different. It’s got glistening water, beachside entertainment, and plenty of cool restaurants overlooking the sky, after all.
Bluewaters Island, 10am onwards, bluewatersdubai.ae

At the Top, Burj Khalifa

You know the view of the sunrise from the tallest building on the planet is going to be spectacular. What better place to get a glimpse of one of nature’s most wonderful happenings? (Just go on a cloud-free day).
Dhs115.50 (per person). Daily, 10am-11pm. At the Top, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, www.tickets.atthetop.ae

Dinner in the Sky JBR

We’ll just casually drop in the fact that you can experience culinary finesse from a height of 50 metres in Dubai, which means you can trace the sunset from up above to below the horizon while gorging on your meal in the sky.
From Dhs599. Sun-Sat, different sessions between 2pm-9.30pm. Dinner in the Sky, dinnerinthesky.ae

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.

Dubai Frame

Views of the sunset from this huge rectangular structure will immediately put you in the right frame of mind. You’ve seen the unique building while driving, or you must’ve seen the views from inside during the day. But Dubai Frame really shines at sunset, with the sky coloured in pink hues and skylines from different parts of Dubai stippled on the horizon.
Dhs50. Daily, 9am-9pm. Dubai Frame, Zabeel Park, dubaiframe.ae

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 (or setting) 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 hours. Al Qudra.

Moon Lake

Are we cheating for putting in two places from Al Qudra? No, we’re not, because Moon Lake is still relatively newly 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.

Skydive Dubai

Where is the sunset? In the sky. So, what would make the best place to catch the sunset? The sky, of course. Jump right in to the setting sun from The Palm drop zone for views of Palm Jumeirah or the desert drop zone for the more rustic experience.
From 1,599. Skydive Dubai, skydivedubai.ae

TheView at The Palm

360-degrees views from 240 meters above the ground, overlooking the iconic Palm Jumeirah. We know we don’t need to say more. But we will. Imagine just how much better the stellar view gets at golden hour. Catch the sunset at this signature Dubai postcard spot. Keep the cameras and the poses ready.
From Dhs100. Daily, 9am-10pm. The View at The Palm, theviewpalm.ae (800 843 8439).

Viewing decks and terraces

If you can’t stay away from a good plate of food for too long, then head over to the many restaurants with viewing decks and terraces for the best glimpse of the sunset and even better food. You can choose from some on this spectacular list of the best outdoor restaurants of Dubai in 2022.

Abu Dhabi

Al Ain Zoo

Make it a real adventure in the wild by catching the sunset at the region’s largest zoo. Watch as the sun sets in the company of gazelles, giraffes, ostriches, jaguars, gorillas, crocodiles and more.
Dhs31.50 (adult); Dhs10.50 (kids aged three -12). Al Ain Zoo, alainzoo.ae

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.

Observation Deck at 300

At 300-metres off the ground, Observation Deck at 300 makes for an ideal spot to catch the sun dip below the horizon. It’s the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi, and has large glass windows which are made picture-perfect with the twilight rays. Cameras, at the ready.
Dhs95 (Dhs55 redeemable at the café). Sun-Sat, 12pm-8pm. Observation Deck, Level 74, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers (02 811 5666).

Qasr Al Watan

The presidential palace, with its extraordinary architecture, is a sight to behold at sunset. Coloured in the golden hour light, the palace’s white façade adds a little magic to sunsets at Qasr Al Watan. Thirty minutes after sundown, you can also enjoy a remarkable light-and-sound show included in the ticket.
Dhs65 (adult); Dhs30 (kids aged 4-17). Qasr Al Watan, qasralwatan.ae

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.

Sir Bani Yas Island

At the pristine Sir Bani Yas Island, you can catch the sunrise or sunset on an adventurous 4×4 safari across the wilderness, among 17,000 animals – or from the comfort of your private villa on this serene island on the Arabian Gulf.
Sir Bani Yas Island, anantara.com/en/sir-bani-yas-abu-dhabi

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 (or late afternoon) 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 or retreat into another cosy night of sleep.
Free. Open daily, 24 hours. Corniche.

Wahat Al Karama

Beautifully designed as a lattice of 31 tablets with commemorative quotes and poetry, Wahat Al Karama is a memorial for Emirati martyrs. The structure is in itself gorgeous at golden hour, but the daily pre-sunset Honour Guard march makes it all the more worthy of a visit at sunset.
Wahat Al Karama, wahatalkarama.ae/en/index

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 morning dip 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.

Buhaira Corniche

A stretch of cafés, restaurants, and entertainment venues on one side, and water on the other. That’s how we do sunsets in Sharjah. Don’t forget to check out Al Majaz Waterfront, where you can grab a warm cuppa and sit on one of the benches overlooking the water, you can catch the sunset on the run around the track, or you can be seated at one of the waterside dining spots as the yolk dips below the horizon.

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. Your calves might not thank you – at first – but the mind, memories and social media most certainly will.
Free. Near Mleiha Visitor Centre, Sharjah.

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