Three hundred million daily active users, 4.2 billion likes a day, 95 million posts every 24 hours; these are just some of the stats the fastest growing social network in the world boast on the day it announces one in 14 people on this planet has an Instagram profile.
So what better time than now to give you some of the best Instagrammers to follow in the United Arab Emirates?
Here’s a pick of 15 accounts you have to follow.
1. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai is a tour de force on social media.
Two of his biggest interests are adventure sports and photography, which put together make for a very impressive Instagram profile. Best of all, his 13.7 million followers are often offered insight into his family life.
2. Ehab Karas – This Egyptian ‘grammer loves a good selfie stick shot, be it while he’s afloat a massive inflatable pizza slice in JBR, or dune bashing in the desert.
3. Rashed Belhasa aka Money Kicks is living the dream of most kids on the planet, and if we’re perfectly honest most adults as well. Not only does he have an unbelievable collection of pets, he also gets to hang with every celeb setting foot in Dubai; Jackie Chan, Wiz Khalifa, Akon, Lionel Messi… the list is endless.
4. Arguably the most popular food blogger in the region, Karen McLean, aka Secret Squirrel Food takes her chia puddings very seriously. While this Australian blogger whips up her own dishes on a daily basis, ever so often you’ll find her frequenting her favourite eateries in Dubai.
5. If this account doesn’t make you want to slip into your yoga pants and practice that headstand, then we don’t know what will. Abbey Bates is the queen of downward dogs in Dubai, who rarely ever poses them in a boring studio. Travel around the emirate through the eyes of this bendy yogi…
6. Gentlemen, this suited Dubaian will make you rethink your wardrobe and your travel plans. Visit the world’s biggest fashion capitals with Elias El-indari, and let him show you where to buy your threads from. Pocket square mandatory.
7. In a city of many highs, Dubai-based photographer Pixelville admires the architecture of the city from a very lateral viewpoint. Expect a photo of Burj Khalifa from ground zero sitting alongside a freakishly brave shot of legs dangling atop one of the high risers in the Marina.
8. Walk along hidden alleyways in Deira and abandoned warehouses in Al Quoz through the lens of Huda Bin Redha. She loves an over-the-shoulder shot, adding sufficient mystery and enigma to her feed.
9. It’s not unreasonable to suggest Marcus Smith is Dubai’s fittest man, and if he’s not, his commitment to getting the rest of the city in shape makes him a worthy follow. Owner of Inner Fight gym, he’s also a motivational speaker, podcaster and more, packing it all into his Insta stream. They’re not your generic inspirational quotes either, they are all his own material and the mantra that has made him both a successful businessman and athlete.
10. You must have been living on the moon for the past 18 months if you haven’t heard of Jetman, Yves Rossy, and even then you might still have come across the jet-flying superstar and his wingman, Vince Reffet. The Dubai-based pair made headlines around the world with their stunt alongside Emirates.
11. Long-exposure shots that will make even the oldest Dubai resident drop their jaw in disbelief, Dennis Stever loves a good sunset shot.
12. If you’re a fan of snapbacks and sneakers, this cool Dubaian Herald Herrera needs one of your double-taps. Every photo is VSCO-filtered, with a sophisticated palette of black, white and grey.
13. Let Eugenia show you where to have your Saturday morning cappuccino, and what to wear while doing so. She loves supporting local fashion designers in her ‘grams, and takes some really flattering selfies while doing so.
14. Perhaps the fastest way to keep up to date with what His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai does in his day-to-day is through his Instagram profile. It also offers incredible insight into what his vision for the city was and still is, as we can see from the post below.
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