Landmark · Downtown Dubai
Burj Khalifa
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At 828 metres, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world by a wide margin, and the scale only registers when you're standing at its base looking up until it disappears into haze. The main visitor experience is "At the Top" on levels 124 and 125, an indoor-outdoor observation deck with floor-to-ceiling glass and an open-air terrace; the pricier "At the Top SKY" on level 148 takes you far higher with a lounge and a more curated experience.
The view is pure Dubai, a grid of skyscrapers giving way abruptly to desert on one side and the Gulf on the other. Time your visit for sunset and you'll watch the city switch from gold to a carpet of lights, with the Dubai Fountain show beginning in the lake directly below.
Don't miss
- "At the Top" deck on levels 124–125 with an open-air terrace
- The level-148 "SKY" experience, the highest observation deck, with lounge service
- Sunset slots, when the desert and Gulf glow on opposite horizons
- Watching the Dubai Fountain show from directly above, in the lake at the base
- The downtown approach itself, the tower framed at the end of the boulevard
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Burj Khalifa
You can visit on your own (paid entry, tiered by deck level and time slot, sunset slots cost more. book on the official site; prime times sell out and at-the-door prices are highest). A tour adds transport and a guide, or combines nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inBurj Khalifa At The Top ticket with Optional Premium Access4.1★ · 792 travelers1–2 hoursFrom$48 per personSee dates →
Best full dayDubai Panorama : Full day with Burj Khalifa4★ · 1,119 travelers~9 hoursFree cancellationFrom$160 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleFull Day Private Tour Throughout Dubai with Burj Khalifa5★ · 161 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$300 per personSee dates →Good for
How travelers rate it
Know before you go
- Entry is via the lower ground floor of Dubai Mall, allow time to walk through the mall to reach it.
- Sunset slots are the first to sell out and the most expensive; book online well ahead.
- On hazy or sandy days visibility drops sharply, check conditions before paying for the highest deck.
- Pair it with the free Dubai Fountain show in the lake below, which runs every 30 minutes in the evening.
A bit of history
Opened in 2010 after six years of construction, the Burj Khalifa was the centrepiece of a new downtown district built largely from scratch. It was renamed at the last moment in honour of the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa, after the emirate's support during the 2009 financial crisis. Its design draws on the geometry of a desert flower and traditional Islamic architecture.
Common questions
Is the level-148 deck worth the extra cost?
It's noticeably higher and far less crowded, with lounge service and a more relaxed pace. If budget allows and you want the premium experience, yes; otherwise levels 124–125 already give an extraordinary view.
When is the best time to go up?
Sunset, for the gold-to-lights transition, but it's the priciest, busiest slot. A late-afternoon slot is a good-value compromise.
Can I see the Dubai Fountain from the top?
Yes, you can watch the show in the lake far below, and then see it at ground level after you descend, it runs every half hour in the evenings and is free.
How early should I book?
For sunset, several days ahead in peak season. Off-peak slots are more flexible, but online booking is always cheaper than the door.
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