Downtown Dubai

Other cities may have a “downtown” but Downtown Dubai is something more: a purpose-built neighbourhood which is home to some of Dubai’s most iconic attractions, including Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and The Dubai Fountain. No visit to the city is complete without at least one trip to Downtown Dubai – and there’s more than enough to keep you coming back again and again.

Located around 8km from Dubai Creek, which was the city's traditional centre, Downtown Dubai has become a key cultural hub. Along with the malls and tourist sights, the area is also home to a growing number of residential and commercial projects, and is one of the most prestigious areas in Dubai.

Rising from the heart of the neighbourhood, Downtown Dubai’s most prominent attraction literally cannot be missed: the 828m Burj Khalifa can be seen all across the city, and has become an icon of Dubai. The tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa is not only striking from the outside, but also stunning from within – don’t miss a visit to At The Top, where you can enjoy incredible views from the observation deck and also learn about the engineering marvels that enabled the tower’s construction.

Another must-visit sight in Downtown Dubai is Dubai Mall. The world’s largest destination for shopping, entertainment and leisure, it’s packed with fantastic things to see and do (along with great shops of course). From Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo to the Zabeel extension’s sports, e-karting plus ice-skating, Chinatown's House of Hype and so much more - get all the info you need from our dedicated guide to a day in Dubai Mall.

Just outside the mall, set within Burj Lake, you can also find The Dubai Fountain, the tallest performing fountain in the world. Enjoy its fabulous melding of light, water and music, with performances at 1pm and 1.30pm every day except Fridays when timings shift to 1.30pm and 2pm plus every half-hour from 6pm - 11pm every day. A perfect place to watch the fountain is Souk Al Bahar’s many waterside restaurants and lounges – and after your meal, you can explore the shops and boutiques within the souk.

For an evening of culture, head to Dubai Opera, the city’s premier performing arts space and a beautiful building opposite Burj Lake. Along with operas, you’ll find many other productions on offer, from plays to comedy shows, musicals to ballets, and performances from some of the world’s most famous rock and popular music stars.

Matching the stunning attractions in the neighbourhood, Downtown Dubai’s dining options include some of the city’s very best restaurants. One of the most spectacular is CÉ LA VI, located 220m high atop the Address Sky View hotel, and joining other outlets in Hong Kong, Tokyo and its native Singapore – enjoy world-class Asian cuisine alongside jaw-dropping Burj Khalifa views.

For fantastic views of the world’s tallest tower nearer the ground there are plenty of options, including Fouquet’s, a branch of the famed Parisian brasserie offering three storeys of sumptuous dining rooms. And just a short walk away is Jun’s from chef Kelvin Cheung, with his menu of comfort-food favourites combined with Indian and Far Eastern influences – and also with an amazing view.

There aren't many things that can distract diners from the towering Burj Khalifa, but KRASOTA’s dining experience is one. This gastro-theatre in Address Downtown only seats 20 people, where diners enjoy their bespoke tasting menu designed to match the 3D projections on the venue’s walls. And in the same hotel, you can experience less dramatic but no less refined Japanese cuisine in 99 Sushi’s chic setting.

Downtown Dubai’s shopping centres are also well-served with dining options. As an alternative to the standard food court fare, try out Le Maison Ani, appropriately located in Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue and serving impeccable French-Mediterranean cuisine. Over in Souk Al Bahar you’ll find Time Out Market’s collection of homegrown culinary concepts all in one dining hall – and views over The Dubai Fountain, if you time it right.

Thiptara in the Palace Downtown hotel also offers perfect fountain views, along with some of the very best Thai food in Dubai – experience their spicy roast red duck curry as you watch The Dubai Fountain’s son-et-lumiere show. If you’re planning on enjoying another musical extravaganza in the area, Dubai Opera’s in-house restaurant Belcanto not only has wonderful food, but also a delightful hidden rooftop lounge – ideal for after-show relaxation.

There are plenty of high-end hotels in Downtown Dubai – as you might expect from an area home to so many landmarks. And although there aren’t as many budget options in the district, there are plenty of ways to find nearby accommodation that won’t break the bank; keep reading for some suggestions.

At the top of Downtown Dubai’s five-star hotel collection is Armani Hotel Dubai, located within Burj Khalifa – and boasting all the glamour and luxury you might expect from a property by a celebrated fashion brand in the world’s tallest building. The first hotel designed by Giorgio Armani himself, you’ll find his signature touches throughout, as well as the highest levels of service.

While you might expect Armani Hotel to have the area’s highest rooms, that honour falls to Address Sky View, which lives up to its name thanks to stunning panoramic views over Dubai and Burj Khalifa. You can also find great views from sister properties  Address Downtown and Address Dubai Mall, which all offer the chain’s five-star service and also at Kempinski The Boulevard Dubai. 

For a taste of the best Arabian hospitality available, Palace Downtown Dubai offers traditional architecture in suitably expansive grounds on the edge of Burj Lake. And you can enjoy a boutique hotel experience at The Dubai Edition from Marriott, with its stunning lobby and chic design.

Two great four-star Downtown Dubai hotel options are the sister properties Vida Downtown and Manzil Downtown, both located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard and close to Dubai Mall – and both offering a comfortable boutique hotel experience. You can also enjoy four-star facilities at the Millennium Central Downtown hotel and Ramada By Wyndham Downtown, which are handy for the area’s sights.

Strictly speaking, Downtown Dubai’s only three-star hotel isn’t in Downtown Dubai: Rove Downtown is on the other side of Financial Centre Road, close to Dubai Mall’s Zabeel extension – still very close to everything you might want to see, and with Rove’s signature flair and comfort.

While there aren’t many budget options within Downtown Dubai itself, there are more to be found in the neighbouring Business Bay neighbourhood – and plenty of other budget hotels across the city to choose from.

By public transport: Downtown Dubai is easy to reach via Dubai Metro’s Red Line – head to the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall stop. From here you can take the air-conditioned walkway all the way to Dubai Mall, or exit the station to catch a bus or taxi. The F13 bus service runs from the Metro station in a circuit around Downtown Dubai, with stops at Dubai Mall and Palace Hotel.

Other RTA bus routes which serve Downtown Dubai include service 30 from Dubailand and Nad Al Sheba and service D03 from Dubai Design District. You can also catch services including 27, 28, 29, 81 and X22 direct to Dubai Mall. Use the RTA’s journey planner to work out the best route for you.

By car: Centrally located, Downtown Dubai is easily accessible by car via Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) and Al Khail Road (E44), two of the city’s main highways. The main route into the neighbourhood is via Financial Centre Road, from which you can reach both Dubai Mall and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. There’s plenty of parking throughout the area, with many hotels and attractions offering valet parking as well.

By taxi: As Downtown Dubai is home to many of the city’s most famous landmarks, it’s very well-known to taxi drivers, who should have no trouble finding your destination. There are also plenty of taxis available within Downtown Dubai, as well as a major taxi rank at Dubai Mall.