A Complete Record of an Autumn Adventure in the UAE! Chasing the Desert Sunset + Drinking Gold Leaf Coffee at the Palace Was Amazing

Who gets it! Autumn in the UAE directly welds "luxury and wildness" onto my travel list! With 25°C weather, I toured Dubai and Abu Dhabi visa-free, ready to go anytime, spending every day in awe 📸

🌅 3 Secret Stunning Photo Spots (with Best Times)

1. Burj Khalifa Observation Deck (5:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
Don’t rush early! Visiting the tower at dusk lets you capture both the cityscape in daylight and Dubai’s golden sunset. When the lights turn on, the whole city looks like it’s sprinkled with tiny diamonds.
2. Desert Dune Bashing Camp (Depart at 4:30 PM)
Riding a 4x4 dune bashing is super thrilling! Stop at the dune top to watch the sunset, where the orange-red glow dyes the desert like an oil painting. Every shot looks like the Sahara Desert. At night, enjoy starry sky bonfire shows.
3. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM)
Fewer people and soft light in the morning. The pure white marble hall and golden domes shine brilliantly under the sun. Wear the free black robe rental for photos to maximize the mysterious vibe (remember to take off your shoes before entering).

🍫 Must-Eat and Must-Buy List (No Regrets Edition)

- Food:
▫️ Al Fanar’s Arabic mixed grill platter, paired with saffron rice that’s so fragrant you’ll lick the plate clean
▫️ Gold leaf coffee at the Emirates Palace Hotel, full of ceremony (about 200+ per person, totally worth it for photos)
▫️ Shake Shack at Dubai Mall, perfect for recharging after shopping
- Shopping:
▫️ Patchi chocolates (cheaper at the airport duty-free than malls, great for gifts)
▫️ Small jewelry at the Gold Souk (priced by gram, negotiable, choose simple styles that won’t go out of fashion)
▫️ Local perfumes (choose the “Desert Flower” scent, long-lasting and more unique than regular perfume)

🚗 Travel Pitfall Avoidance Guide

1. Don’t join cheap desert dune bashing tours! Choose ones that include “Bedouin dinner + starry sky show” for a much better experience
2. Ferrari World is best visited right at opening to avoid long lines on the fastest roller coasters; spend the afternoon at Yas Waterworld (combo tickets for both parks are more cost-effective)
3. At Jumeirah Public Beach, take a picnic mat to watch the Burj Al Arab at sunset—more relaxed than paying for hotel afternoon tea

“In the UAE’s autumn, watching camels stroll in the desert by day and the light show under Burj Khalifa by night—the contrast is just so enchanting!”