The Dubai Fountain sends jets of water dancing across Burj Khalifa Lake in Downtown Dubai, with the world's tallest building rising behind it. Opened in 2009 and designed by WET, the company behind the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas, the 275-metre-long installation has become one of the city's defining public spectacles.
Performances pair illuminated water with music ranging from Arabic songs to international pop and classical favourites. Each piece has its own choreography, so it is worth watching more than one show. The combination of music, movement and the surrounding skyline gives the fountain its appeal, whether you watch from the busy promenade or over dinner at a lakeside restaurant.
The waterfront viewing areas are free, though restaurant tables and the floating Fountain Boardwalk may require a reservation or ticket. Evening shows are particularly atmospheric after dark; check the current schedule before visiting, as timings can change. Arrive early for a place at the railing, especially on weekends. Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station on the Metro Red Line connects to the mall by a covered walkway; follow signs through the mall to the fountain.