Downtown Dubai is a 2 square kilometer district centrally located in the city, near Sheikh Zayed Road. In this modern part of Dubai, you’ll find some of the most iconic structures in the city, including the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, the world’s largest shopping mall, the Dubai Mall, and the the Dubai Fountain, the world’s largest fountain show.
In recent years, Downtown Dubai has experienced explosive growth, with many construction sites still present where massive skyscrapers and hotels are set to rise in the coming years. Many of these new projects are situated along Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, the central road in Downtown Dubai where the Burj Khalifa is also located. Along this spacious boulevard, you’ll also find many cozy restaurants and entertainment venues.
Souk al Bahar
Next to the major attractions such as the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall, the beautiful and highly luxurious hotel, The Palace Old Town, is also located in Downtown Dubai. This hotel is part of the smaller shopping mall Souk al Bahar, and is definitely worth a visit. The vast complex is beautifully landscaped around the Dubai Fountain lake and is built entirely in traditional Arabian style.
Souk al Bahar shopping mall is a mixture of small souvenir shops, clothing stores offering traditional attire, and various restaurants, many of which offer views of the Burj Khalifa and the fountain show. Furthermore, the 5-star hotels The Address Downtown Dubai and The Dubai Mall can be found in the Downtown Dubai district.
Dubai Opera
Since 2018, Downtown Dubai has its own opera house, the Dubai Opera. This is the only place in Dubai where you can watch shows such as ballet, opera, and theater. Since its opening, the Dubai Opera has welcomed a many of well-known performances, including the opera Il barbiere di Siviglia, the musicals Les Misérables and West Side Story, the ballet productions Giselle, Coppélia, and Maurice Béjart. Also, performances of the adapted “The Nutcracker” on an ice rink and concerts by José Carreras and Anoushka Shankar have been part of the program. For the most up-to-date schedule of events at the Dubai Opera, visit the website www.dubaiopera.com.
Where is Downtown Dubai?
The fastest way to travel to Downtown Dubai is by using the metro. The Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa metro station is the nearest station, and from this station, you can walk to the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa in just under 10 minutes. The metro station has a covered and air-conditioned pedestrian bridge that directly connects to the Dubai Mall shopping center. It is also possible to travel to Downtown Dubai by bus; it is best to take a bus stop near the Dubai Mall or the Burj Khalifa.
For those who prefer to travel to Downtown Dubai the taxi, it is best to tell the driver that you want to be dropped off at the Burj Khalifa, which is centrally located in Downtown Dubai. If you prefer to drive to Downtown Dubai with your own (rental) car, it is best to use the vast parking garage of the Dubai Mall, which has over 14,000 parking spaces, ensuring you can always find a free parking spot.
