Located next to Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall is the largest shopping and entertainment destination mon the planet. Featuring more than 1,200 retail stores and hundreds of F&B outlets, the mall is a paradise for shopping enthusiasts, foodies, thrill seekers and fans of leisure.
For those interested in high fashion, Dubai Mall is also home to more than 70 signature outlets, including retailers such as Bloomingdale’s and Galeries Lafayette. But this article is a guide to one of the most Instagrammable spots at the mall, the iconic waterfall Dubai mall Experience.
Cascading from the ceiling to the ground floor, the Dubai Mall Waterfall – more famously called the Human Waterfall – is an indoor masterpiece attracting tens of thousands of people to admire the design and ambience, plus click beautiful pictures for social media.
What Exactly Is Dubai Mall Waterfall
You might be coming to Dubai Mall for the first time, or it is your 20th time at the mall. The Dubai Mall Waterfall in UAE is one of the best places to explore here. If you look carefully at the images attached in this article, you might find something special.
The Dubai Mall Waterfall has an astonishing height of 24 meters. But more importantly, the intricate piece features life-size, fiberglass sculptures of human divers frozen mid-dive. This is important as the artistic installation is a representation of the UAE’s rich history.
Inspired by the UAE’s ancient practice of pearl diving, these human-like installations are strategically placed to create a memorable motion effect. This is a nod to the oil rich nation’s transformation from fishing and pearling to the current day metropolis.
Things To Do at Dubai Mall Waterfall
Dubai pays great attention to helping the millions of tourists coming to the Emirate from different parts of the globe better understand its rich history, heritage and traditions. The Waterfall in Dubai Mall is a significant representation of this fact.
Nonetheless, the waterfall at Dubai Mall is more than just for aesthetic reasons. Ofcourse, it presents the perfect backdrop to click pictures for Instagram. But cafes and seating areas nearby also make it an ideal spot to relax before continuing the shopping journey.
The soft sounds of the gracefully cascading Human Waterfall offers a tranquil contrast to the buzz of tens of thousands of shoppers at the 1,200+ retail stores and thrill seekers at dozens of entertainment areas. You are going to remember this place for long.
Top tips for better experience at Dubai Mall Waterfall
The Dubai Mall Waterfall is certainly beautiful. But it is also popular – meaning, thousands of people flock to the site each day for photographs. In order to ensure a smoother and more comfortable experience at this prime location, here are some suggestions.
1. The waterfall creates an intriguing backdrop all the time. Bring a camera along to capture the stunning indoor masterpiece better.
2. The Dubai Mall Waterfall cascades from the ceiling to the bottom floor. This means that each level of the mall offers a different perspective of the art installation.
3. Besides clicking pictures, you can also treat the waterfall as a scenic and peaceful area of the bustling mall to just relax and take a break from the tiring shopping spree.
4. The waterfall is open during mall hours (more on this later). It is accessible on all days, though coming here on weekdays or early mornings ensures better photo opportunities.
5. You can also explore the waterfall just before sunset, in order to seamlessly transition from the indoor setting to the beautiful Dubai Fountain spectacle just outside.
Dubai Fountain is reopening: Why it is important
The mesmerising Dubai Fountain closed earlier in 2025 for major upgrades. Besides the choreographed fountain performances, tourists and residents alike also like the boating opportunities here. The upgrades are expected to be completed on time.
Emaar recently replied to a comment on one of its reels on Instagram, announcing that the Dubai Fountain is expected to be fully operational by October 1, 2025. The comeback is going to be nothing less than majestic, right?
The reason for mentioning Dubai Fountain in a Dubai Mall Waterfall guide is simple. You can come to the waterfall just as the sun is about to set (all indoors). Next minute, go outdoors as the Dubai Fountain performance is about to start – enabling the perfect transition.
Dubai Mall: Opening Hours
For all retailers:
- Monday to Thursday: 10 am to 11 pm
- Friday to Sunday: 10 am to 12 am
For all restaurants and food courts:
- Monday to Thursday: 10 am to 12 pm
- Friday to Sunday: 10 am to 1 am
Dubai Mall: Getting Here
The gigantic Dubai Mall is easily accessible from different parts of the Emirate and beyond. The Dubai Metro Red Line has a dedicated stop for the destination. You can alight at the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall stop – connected to the mall through a footbridge.
If coming from Dubai International airport (DXB), head to the metro station at Terminal 1 after your flight lands and get on the Red Line heading to EXPO Metro Station. Besides metro, one can also book a taxi or use ride-hailing platforms such as Careem and Uber.
You can also find frequent buses catering to the needs of passengers in the area. Bus routes featuring a stop here include 27, 28, 29, 30, 50 and 81. The Dubai Mall is one of the best places to explore in the Emirate and make memories that last a lifetime.
Dubai has also updated its driving licence rules for tourists from 50+ countries – making it easier for many people to drive in the city using their native licence. Here is a detailed guide to Dubai Mall parking zones and fees.
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