Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa has defined the Dubai skyline since it officially opened on 4 January 2010. Designed by Adrian Smith while he was at the Chicago practice Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the tower rises 828 metres to its architectural top, and its stepped, Y-shaped plan was inspired in part by a desert flower. It holds the title of the world's tallest building and anchors the whole Downtown Dubai district, with The Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain at its feet.

Most visitors come for the observation decks. At the Top covers levels 124 and 125, with the outdoor terrace on level 124 at roughly 452 metres. At the Top Sky adds level 148, at about 555 metres, and the most expensive option, The Lounge, occupies levels 152 to 154 at around 585 metres. Higher levels mean smaller crowds and more space at the windows, but the view from level 124 is already enough to show how the city is laid out: the desert edge, Sheikh Zayed Road's line of towers and, on a clear day, the coast and Palm Jumeirah.

Tickets are sold for timed slots, and booking ahead online is cheaper than buying on the day. Sunset slots sell out first and cost more, so plan early if you want to watch the light change over the city. Morning visits tend to have clearer air, while late evening shows the lit-up grid of the city at its best. Allow at least 90 minutes, including security screening and the queue for the lifts, which climb at high speed.

The deck entrance is inside The Dubai Mall rather than at the tower itself, so follow the At the Top signs once you are in the mall. If you would rather eat than look, At.mosphere on level 122 is a restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide, and booking is essential. The Armani Hotel inside the tower closed for a full renovation in April 2026, but the decks and the rest of the building remain open.

Families, first-time visitors and photographers will all get something out of a visit, and the decks are reached entirely by lift. The nearest Metro stop is Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall on the Red Line, linked to the mall by a long air-conditioned walkway. Pair a visit with an evening show at the Dubai Fountain and a walk along the Souk Al Bahar waterfront.