Downtown Dubai

What Downtown Dubai is like

Downtown Dubai is a purpose-built district of about 2 km², developed by Emaar Properties next to Sheikh Zayed Road. At its centre is a man-made lake, the Burj Lake, with the Burj Khalifa rising on one side and the Dubai Mall on another. Around them are hotels, apartment towers, the Souk Al Bahar and Dubai Opera, all linked by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, a road of about 3.5 km lined with cafés and restaurants.

It is busy, polished and very walkable once you are inside the district. Crowds build in the evening, when the fountain shows run every half hour and the lake edge fills up.

The whole project cost about US$20 billion. The Burj Khalifa alone cost an estimated US$1.5 billion, and the fountain about AED 800 million. The Dubai Mall receives over 100 million visitors a year, so expect it to be crowded at weekends and on holidays. The district was built for walking between the sights, and most of the places listed below are within a few minutes of each other on foot once you are inside.

What to see and do

• Burj Khalifa: at 828 m, it is the tallest building in the world. Construction ran from 2004 to January 2010. For visiting the tower, see our attractions for details.
• Dubai Mall: one of the largest malls in the world, with around 1,300 stores, an ice rink and an aquarium.
• Dubai Fountain: the fountain on Burj Lake is about 275 m long and can shoot water up to 150 m high. Shows are free to watch.
• Souk Al Bahar: an Arabian-style shopping building beside the fountain, with over 100 shops and more than 20 restaurants, cafés and lounges.
• Dubai Opera: a 2,000-seat performing arts venue that opened on 31 August 2016.
• The lake by boat: the RTA runs electric traditional abras with stops at Dubai Mall, Burj Plaza and The Palace. The RTA lists AED 75 per person for a 25-minute trip.

Dubai Fountain show times

According to the Dubai Mall, evening shows run daily every 30 minutes from 18:00 to 23:00. Afternoon shows are at 13:00 and 13:30 from Saturday to Thursday, and at 14:00 and 14:30 on Friday. Watching from the lakeside is free. Shows can be paused for wind, maintenance or events, so check on the day.

Getting there and around

The nearest metro stop is Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall on the Red Line, on Sheikh Zayed Road. A covered walkway links the station to the Dubai Mall; it opened in December 2012. Be aware that the walk from the station, along the walkway and through the mall to the Burj Khalifa is more than a mile, so allow time and comfortable shoes.

Downtown is about 14 km from Dubai International Airport by road. Rome2Rio estimates about 13 minutes by taxi with no traffic, or about 25 minutes by metro from the airport stations. Rush hours on Sheikh Zayed Road can add a lot to taxi times.

Business Bay, with the Dubai Water Canal, lies immediately next door. See our Business Bay guide.

Where to eat

You have three main clusters. The Dubai Mall has a large choice of restaurants and food courts, several with views of the lake. Souk Al Bahar has more than 20 restaurants, cafés and lounges next to the fountain. The Boulevard has cafés and restaurants along its length, many with outdoor seating in the cooler months.

Practical tips

• Book Burj Khalifa tickets for a specific time slot, and aim to come down in time for an evening fountain show.
• Lakeside spots near the mall fill quickly in the evening. Arrive a few minutes before the show you want to see.
• If you arrive by metro, follow signs for the walkway and allow extra time to reach the tower.
• Parking for the fountain is signposted at P1 and the Cinema Parking at the Dubai Mall.
• Browse hotels in Downtown Dubai if you want to stay within walking distance of the tower.