Hotels near Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain spans 275 metres of the Burj Khalifa Lake and shoots water up to 150 metres into the air - roughly the height of a 50-storey building. The system uses 6,600 lights and 25 colour projectors to create choreographed shows set to music ranging from Arabic classical to contemporary pop. Shows run every 30 minutes from 6pm to 11pm daily, with additional afternoon shows at 1pm and 1:30pm. Watching from the waterfront promenade is completely free.

For a closer perspective, the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk extends over the lake and puts you within 9 metres of the water jets. Access costs 20 AED (EUR 5). Alternatively, a traditional abra boat ride on the lake during the show costs 65 AED (EUR 16) and lasts 30 minutes, offering an on-the-water viewpoint. Both the Boardwalk and the boat ride are excellent for photography and video.

Pro Tip: Position yourself on the Souk Al Bahar terrace (across the footbridge from Dubai Mall) for an unobstructed fountain view with the Burj Khalifa directly behind it. Grab a table at one of the restaurants 30 minutes before the first evening show to secure the best vantage point without standing in a crowd.