Best things to do near Burj Khalifa

The Dubai Fountain, by the base of Burj Khalifa, is the world's tallest performing fountain, with dancing water jets and light shows choreographed to the tunes of classical music and pop hits. Set on Burj Lake, the show runs nightly from 6-11pm, at 30-minute intervals, and serves as a grand centrepiece to the Downtown Dubai neighbourhood. To get closer to the action, buy a ticket to access The Dubai Fountain Boardwalk, which allows visitors to get within nine metres of the show. Or, enjoy the production as a backdrop to dinner by asking for a terrace seat at one of The Dubai Mall's waterfront restaurants.

Nestled right next to the Burj Khalifa is The Dubai Mall – a haven for retail-lovers visiting the city. With over 1,200 stores to browse, the mall is home to a huge range of designer boutiques, high street brands, and department stores, covering everything from watches to novelty keychains. Our shopping highlights include Level Shoes, a curated space dedicated to all things with sole, Bloomingdale’s for a modern take on luxury collections, and Fashion Avenue that houses the world's finest labels. Keep an eye out for Dubai's remarkable sales seasons and festivals with Dubai Calendar to make your shopping expedition wallet-friendly.  

Once you've shopped to your heart's content, make your way over to Play DXB, previously known as VR Park, in The Dubai Mall. The biggest indoor virtual reality park in the world, you can experience new thrills with plenty of adrenaline-packed attractions, including 'Burj Drop', where you face a heart-racing virtual fall from Burj Khalifa. Younger children are well catered for at the mall, too. KidZania is home to a children's-sized version of a real city, where youngsters can role-play in dozens of workplaces, from a hospital and police station to a department store and chocolate factory.

Located by the Burj Park is Burj Plaza, the docking point for The Dubai Fountain Lake Ride. Here you can climb aboard a traditional abra boat that glides across the Burj Lake for picture-perfect views. Afterwards, visit Burj Plaza's Wings of Mexico sculpture nearby for Instagram-worthy selfies. Designed by Mexican artist Jorge Marin, the permanent sculpture features a large pair of bronze wings seemingly suspended in air, with the Burj Khalifa perfectly framed in the background.

After you've taken in the views from the At The Top observation deck at Burj Khalifa, head over to Burj Park to snap some photos of the iconic building itself. Set on its own little island, joined to the mainland by bridges, this pleasant green space is also ideal to picnic in the sunshine and watch the world go by. It's perfectly situated between the record-breaking skyscraper and The Dubai Mall, giving you the best of the city's urban wonders and relaxing green spaces. Lots of fun events take place here all through the year too.

Many of Dubai's gems live in Burj Khalifa's backyard, and among the most regal is the Dubai Opera, the cultural heart of Downtown. Remarkable productions take place on its acoustically-flawless stage, from renowned operas and plays to ballet and stand-up comedy. See their schedule for the latest shows and book yourself in for an evening of live entertainment. During the day, Dubai Opera's team can also take you on a guided tour through the venue, so you can venture backstage or learn more about its dhow-inspired architecture.