Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain is the world's largest choreographed fountain system, performing a water, light, and music show every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 11 PM. It is free. The choreographed water jets reach up to 150 metres (higher than a 50-storey building) against the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa, and the whole thing is set to music ranging from Whitney Houston to Arabic classical. It is touristy and spectacular and there is no reason to pretend otherwise.

The best free viewing spot is the waterfront promenade between the Burj Khalifa and Souk Al Bahar. Arrive 10-15 minutes before the 6 PM show for the first performance (the crowd is thinnest then) and stake out a spot on the railing closest to the water. The fountains are also visible from inside the Dubai Mall through the lower ground floor windows, which is useful if it is too hot to stand outside.

The best paid viewing is a table at any restaurant in Souk Al Bahar, the traditional-style market across the footbridge from the mall. A AED 40 main course buys you a front-row seat to the show with the Burj Khalifa rising directly behind the fountains. The restaurants fill up around showtime, so arrive by 5:30 PM if you want a terrace table.

There are fountain boat rides (AED 85 for a 30-minute ride on the lake) which put you closer to the water jets. The experience is fine but the view is actually worse because you are too close and too low to see the full choreography. The promenade or a Souk Al Bahar terrace is the better perspective by far.