What time does it get dark in Dubai and where's the best spot to see Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain at night?

If you only have half an hour during a night layover, skip rooftop restaurants and go straight to Burj Khalifa Lake next to Dubai Mall — great views of the tower and fountain show, then head straight back to the airport.

The city looks more impressive at night — Dubai lights up everywhere. Many tours offer night desert safaris with stargazing and bonfires, and a day trip to Abu Dhabi is also worth it to see its evening illumination.

At 18:30 it's not fully dark yet in Dubai — full darkness comes closer to 19:00-19:30 depending on the season, so plan to arrive for fountain photos around that time.