The Dubai Fountain

The Basics

Created by the designers of Las Vegas’ Bellagio fountains, The Dubai Fountain is the world’s tallest fountain comprised of 1,000 water formations and 6,600 lights, plus images and music. It’s free to watch from the lakefront, but 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 also a regular stop on Dubai city tours, Burj Khalifa experiences, and more.

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 fountain does its thing 12 times a day—twice in the early afternoon and at 30-minute intervals at night.

• 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 at the Dubai Fountain. 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.

What is the Dubai Fountain, and is it worth visiting?

The Dubai Fountain is the world’s largest performing fountain. Stretching for more than 900 feet (274 meters) in length, it shoots water 500 feet (152 meters) in the air with 1,000 water formations and 6,600 lights. It’s worth visiting to watch the light and sound shows held 12 times daily.

Where is the Dubai Fountain located and how can I get to it?

The Dubai Fountain is located near the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, on the Dubai Mall side of the Burj Khalifa Lake. You can take the red line metro to the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station and walk for around 10 minutes or take a taxi. The Dubai Fountain is also included in many sightseeing tours.

Is there a fee for visiting the Dubai Fountain?

The Dubai Fountain and its regular light shows can be enjoyed for free. Visitors can pay for a ride around the lake in a traditional abra, which offers a closer view. There is also a fee to walk the 892-foot (272-meter) long floating boardwalk around the Dubai Fountain.

What is the best time to visit the Dubai Fountain?

The shows at the Dubai Fountain occur 12 times a day, with two shows in the afternoon (1 and 1:30pm Saturday through Thursday and 1:30 and 2pm on Friday) and every half hour from 6 to 11pm. The shows at night are more scenic. Plan to arrive early to secure your spot.

How much time do I need at the Dubai Fountain?

Each show at the Dubai Fountain lasts around 5 minutes, though you should arrive a few minutes early to find a good viewing location. However, each show is different, and you may want to visit at various times to see the other shows, especially during the day and night.

Where can I enjoy the best views of the Dubai Fountain?

Taking an abra ride offers one of the best views from the lake itself. The floating boardwalk gets you as close as 30 feet (9 meters) to the fountains—a popular viewing spot in front of Dubai Mall. Watch from the walkway around the Souk Al Bahar, across the lake from Dubai Mall, for a less crowded view.

Ways to explore

The Dubai Fountain draws crowds, especially in the evenings. To avoid the main throng, prebook tickets for the Fountain Boardwalk or a shared-group lake cruise. Tickets are available for scheduled showtime slots and promise incredible close-ups of the cascades. Combo packages pairing Fountain Boardwalk access with entry to the Burj Khalifa observatories are also available.

Other ways to see the fountains include daytime Dubai city tours that pause at the lake, or nighttime excursions that make the fountains a star attraction. Alternatively, consider booking tours that combine visits to Dubai’s top landmarks with dinner at a restaurant with fountain views. To catch a show independently, book a hop-on hop-off bus that stops at the lakeside Dubai Mall.

Accessibility

The lakeside promenade and Fountain Boardwalk are both fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Lake boat rides may not be wheelchair-friendly, so it’s best to check when booking.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, water bottle, waterproof phone pouch for boat rides

What to wear

Garments that cover knees and shoulders; sunhats and sunscreen by day.

Not allowed

Drinking alcohol, smoking, loud or rude behavior, wearing revealing clothing

Amenities

Inside the Dubai Mall, you’ll find restrooms, shops, eateries, Wi-Fi, ATMs, and powerbank rentals.

Address

Besides the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai, the Dubai Fountain is on Burj Lake and is highly accessible by road, metro, and bus. Many Dubai tours stop nearby, offering an easy way to get here.

Driving

Follow the Downtown Dubai signs on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), take exit 50 onto the D71, and park at the Mall/Fashion or Grand/Cinema parking lots. From there, it’s a 15-minute or so stroll to the Burj Lake.

Public transportation

Disembark at Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa on Dubai Metro’s Red Line, and walk through the mall for roughly 15 minutes to Burj Lake. Frequent buses also serve the mall, including the 27 from Deira Gold Souk and the 28 from Oud Metha bus station.

Best times to visit

Arrive around 30–60 minutes before the afternoon or evening shows to ensure decent views. Shows are extra magical after dark, although the afternoon displays are still impressive and less crowded.

Best days to visit

Aim for a weekday outside public or school holidays. The crowds along the lakeside are significantly lighter through the week than at weekends (Friday to Sunday).

Best months to visit

Dubai’s cooler November to April weather makes for a more comfortable fountain-viewing experience, although it comes with high-season crowds.

Special events

Head here on New Year’s Eve for a sensory double-whammy: the spectacle of the sparkling fountains followed by the Burj Khalifa’s amazing midnight illuminations and fireworks.