Milky Way in Abu Dhabi
You can see the Milky Way in Abu Dhabi with the naked eye, and even photograph it on your phone. The key is choosing the right location and time. Here’s what to know before you go.
What is the Milky Way
The Milky Way is our galaxy, home to the Sun and billions of other stars. From Earth, distant stars in its disc blend into a hazy band of light, giving the galaxy its name. The brighter region towards its centre, often called the Milky Way core, is the part many visitors come to photograph
When is the best time to see the
Milky Way in Abu Dhabi
April to October
is the main season for trips to see the bright central region. Here’s when to plan your night under the stars.It can also appear before dawn earlier in the year, while other parts of the Milky Way are visible in different seasons.
| Months | When to look |
|---|---|
| April & May | Plan for later at night |
| June to August | The core moves into evening viewing hours, with longer viewing windows around June and July |
| September and October | Aim for early evening after dark. The core sets earlier, while October brings more comfortable temperatures |
It can also appear before dawn earlier in the year, while other parts of the Milky Way are visible in different seasons.
Check a sky-planning app for your exact date and look towards the southern sky.
Does the
Moon
matter
Yes. Bright moonlight can hide the Milky Way. Start with nights around the new moon, then check moonrise and moonset for a dark viewing window. Clouds, dust and haze also affect visibility.
Can you photograph the Milky Way on your phone
Yes. An iPhone with Night mode, or a suitable Android phone, can capture it under good conditions. Try this:
- Clean the lens and support the phone on a tripod or a stable surface.
- Use the main camera at 1x and turn on Night mode. Keep flash off.
- On iPhone, turn Live Photos off and select the longest available capture time.
- Use a timer and keep the phone still until the photograph finishes.
Our guides help guests take photos on their own phones. Want to be in the picture? Ask for help setting it up, then hold still.
Can you see it
anywhere
in Abu Dhabi
You need skies dark enough for its faint glow to stand out. Head away from city lights, headlights and bright camps. We recommend the desert around Al Quaa, where we run our trips; other sufficiently dark UAE locations can also work.
For location details and directions, read our
Al Quaa visitor guide.
Do you need a
telescope
No. Under suitable conditions, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye as a subtle, cloudy band. Give your eyes around 20 to 30 minutes to adjust and keep your phone screen dim. Photographs often show more colour and detail than your eyes can see.
A telescope is useful for individual objects, including star clusters, nebulae, planets and other galaxies. Your eyes are better suited to taking in the Milky Way’s broad band.
Are there
organised Milky Way tours
in Abu Dhabi
Yes. Arabian Wanderers runs Milky Way trips from April to October, with 4x4 transport into the desert, a BBQ dinner, guided astronomy, a telescope session and help with phone photography.
Return bus transport from Dubai or Abu Dhabi is optional at AED 200 extra per person.
- April and October: evening Milky Way trips plus camping and glamping options.
- May to September: Milky Way trips without an overnight stay.
- November to March: camping and glamping trips.
Returns from evening trips may be after midnight. Check the itinerary for your date.
