The Dubai Fountain Tours

The Dubai Fountain, which sits in the Burj Khalifa Lake in Downtown Dubai, beneath the Burj Khalifa, is the world’s largest choreographed fountain system. Visitors flock to the shop- and restaurant-lined lakeside to watch the spectacle: water jets bursting to life and swaying in synchronicity to lights and music.
 
The Basics
Created by the designers of Las Vegas’ Bellagio fountains, The Dubai Fountain is the world’s tallest fountain—think 900 foot (275 meters) high— and comprises circles and arcs of jets that shoot water up to 500 feet (150 meters) in the air. The fountain does its thing 12 times daily—twice in the early afternoon and at 30-minute intervals at night—creating an extravaganza of 1,000 water formations and 6,600 lights, plus images and music. It’s free to watch from the lakefront; you can also pay to ride an abra boat or walk on the floating Dubai Fountain Boardwalk for close-up views.

The Dubai Fountain is features prominently on many Dubai tours, with lakeside stops often slotted in after a visit to Dubai Marina. Others focus on the fountain and Burj Khalifa alone, combining the Burj observatory with lunch or dinner at a lakefront hotel that overlooks the fountain. Some tours, meanwhile, include entry to The Dubai Fountain Boardwalk—the ultimate vantage point.
 
Things to Know Before You Go

• Seeing The Dubai Fountain is essential for first-time visitors and families with children.
• Each show lasts for about five minutes; each is different from the last.
• The waterfront outside the Dubai Mall is the most popular place to watch the shows.
• Arrive 10 minutes or so before the scheduled start to secure the best vantage point.

 
How to Get There
The Dubai Fountain is located toward the Dubai Mall side of the Burj Khalifa Lake. The easiest way to get there is by taking the Dubai Metro; ride the red line to the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station and it’s around a 10-minute walk from there. Alternatively, take a cab to the Dubai Mall.
When to Get There
Shows take place every afternoon and evening. Afternoon shows start at 1pm and 1:30pm Saturday through Thursday, and 1:30pm and 2pm on Fridays. Evening shows start every half-hour between 6pm and 11pm.
 
Other Dubai Fountain Viewing Points
For stellar fountain views with fewer crowds, post up on the walkway around the Souk Al Bahar, the shopping complex across the lake from the Dubai Mall. To get there, walk across the Souk Al Bahar bridge—just make sure to do so before crowds descend onto the waterfront.