Burj Khalifa Views

Climbing the world's tallest building has many advantages, as you can see many of the city's buildings. At a height of 828 metres, the Burj Khalifa offers breathtaking panoramic views of Dubai and its most famous landmarks.

Luisa María Lugo

Luisa María Lugo

10 min read

Burj Khalifa Views

Dubai, United Arab Emirates | ©Denys Gromov

Even if you only spend one day in Dubai, the impressive structure of the Burj Khalifa is one of the things you have to see. Since its opening, it has welcomed millions of people from all over the world to visit its two observation decks for unparalleled views of the city. From them they get unparalleled views of the city.

If you plan to visit any of the observation decks of the world's tallest building, it's important to know what you can see from them. That way, when you visit, you'll know what you're looking at. I'll tell you all about it in this article.

What are the viewpoints of the world's tallest building like?

At the At the Top SKY| ©Fabio Achilli
At the At the Top SKY| ©Fabio Achilli

Inside the Burj Khalifa there are offices, restaurants, gyms and even living quarters. However, the floors that tourists want to go to are**: 124, 125 and 148**. Here you will find the famous observation decks of the Burj Khalifa, from which you will get breathtaking views. Let's talk about them:

The terrace of At the Top (124th and 125th floors)

Inside At the Top there is a café, a gift shop and cameras connected to screens. On the latter it is possible to look at the landscape and zoom in to the points of the city of your choice. These also have images showing the change of the city in recent years.

The 124th floor has a terrace where you can see Dubai from above and, if you look up, you are surprised by the remaining 400 metres. As for the 125th floor, this floor also overlooks the city, but there are electronic devices that you can use (some of which you have to pay to access). You can go up to this observation deck by buying tickets on the official Hellotickets website.

The exclusivity of At the Top Sky (148th floor)

On the 148th floor, at an impressive height of 555 metres, is the At the Top Sky , the highest observation deck in the world. Like the observation deck on the 124th floor, this one has an outdoor area protected by glass panels from which you can admire the city.

The visit to this observation deck is limited to 30 minutes, but it is still a period of time that you can enjoy to the fullest. In case you prefer not to go out on the terrace of this viewpoint, don't worry, the interior has comfortable seating. The 148th floor is less frequented than the 124th and 125th floors, as it is more exclusive and the entrance fee is higher.

Those who have access to At the Top Sky are treated with great hospitality, waiting their turn in a lounge on the ground floor. There they are greeted with dates and coffee until they are escorted to the lifts to the 148th floor.

Get tickets to the Burj Khalifa's two observation decks

What do you need to know before you go to the Burj Khalifa?

Burj Khalifa from the Dubai Mall| ©Maher Najm
Burj Khalifa from the Dubai Mall| ©Maher Najm

Here are a few important points to keep in mind before visiting this building. First, the ticket prices for the Burj Khalifa on Hellotickets:

  • Observation Deck At the Top (124th and 125th floors): about 43 € - opening hours 10:00 to 22:00, from Thursday to Saturday the Observation Deck is open until midnight.
  • At the Top Sky Observation Deck (148th floor): about 128 € - opening hours 12:00 to 22:00, closes at midnight on the same days as the At the Top Observation Deck.

I recommend buying your tickets for At the Top (124th and 125th floors) and combined tickets for At the Top and At the Top Sky (124th, 125th and 148th floors) in advance, if you buy them online, you can purchase them before you arrive in Dubai. In case you buy in person, go one or two days before your visit to the building's ticket office to find tickets available at the time and date you want.

The second point is related to the lifts, they are capable of going up 10 metres per second, but don't worry. They are made so that people do not perceive the high speed, but even so, it is normal to feel a little discomfort in your ears as you go up.

Finally, when you enter the Burj Khalifa you will find a small exhibition where you will learn about the history of the building and the construction process. You can take a leisurely stroll through this section to make your visit more complete.

Get tickets to the top of the Burj Khalifa

See a luxury hotel in the city

View from the Burj Khalifa towards the Burj Al Arab and The Palm| ©felibrilu
View from the Burj Khalifa towards the Burj Al Arab and The Palm| ©felibrilu

Before I begin, I'd like to make it clear that the buildings of Dubai can be seen from any of the observation decks at the Burj Khalifa. From them you get a panoramic view of the best mosques of Dubai and the best monuments of the city. One of the sights you see is the Burj Al Arab. This luxurious hotel is located 16 kilometres from the skyscraper and measures 321 metres.

Thanks to the angle of view you get from the observation decks and the height of the hotel, you have the chance to see it. The hotel is located on one of Dubai's artificial islands, connected to the coast by a bridge. It is easy to see where the hotel is, just look at the beach.

The Burj Al Arab is a 7 star hotel and even from the Burj Khalifa it is possible to see why. The shape of the building is inspired by a sailing ship and there is a helipad on the roof.

Get tickets for At the Top (124th and 125th floors)

The world's largest photo frame

View of the Dubai Frame from the Burj Khalifa| ©Eduard Marmet
View of the Dubai Frame from the Burj Khalifa| ©Eduard Marmet

Dubai is full of modern buildings that have unique appearances, one of them is the Dubai Frame. It was designed to resemble a window or picture frame and is located just over 7 kilometres from the Burj Khalifa and is 150 metres high.

From the observation decks of the world's tallest building you can see the Dubai Frame, even if you go at night you can see it as it is illuminated. An interesting fact about this building is that it frames several buildings in the city, including the Burj Khalifa.

Get tickets for the top of the Burj Khalifa

The world's largest shopping mall at your feet

View of the Dubai Mall from the Burj Khalifa| ©elisasophia
View of the Dubai Mall from the Burj Khalifa| ©elisasophia

When you stand on the highest vantage points in the world it seems that vehicles and even other buildings are very small. From the heights you have the opportunity to look down on a huge shopping mall (with 1,200 shops): the Dubai Mall. This one deserves to be on the list of what to see in the Burj Khalifa.

To see the mall you need to go out to the outside areas of the viewing platforms and get close to the glass. Because of fear of heights or simply because of how incredible it seems to be so high up, you may momentarily think you are about to fall. Don't worry, approach the glass with confidence, look down and see the Dubai Mall.

Although it looks like a small building from above, it is not, it is about 502,000 square metres. Inside the Dubai Mall are shops of well-known brands such as Dior and Zara. There is also a large aquarium, an ice-skating rink and a cinema.

Get tickets for At the Top (124th and 125th floors)

Two towers that wouldn't match the Burj Khalifa if they were joined together

View from At the Top, right side Emirates Towers| ©Guilhem Vellut
View from At the Top, right side Emirates Towers| ©Guilhem Vellut

Emirates Towers is an architectural complex consisting of two towers: Emirates Tower One and Emirates Tower Two. The first is 355 metres high and the second is 309 metres high, the two huge buildings can be seen from the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa.

Emirates Tower One was once the tallest building in the United Arab Emirates. However, adding the height of Emirates Tower Two would make it 664 metres tall, falling short of the Burj Khalifa.

The towers have similar appearances, one of them has a hotel and both have gardens, parking, spa, gym and more.

Get tickets to the top of Burj Khalifa

Plan to visit the Burj Khalifa at night and see the Dubai Fountain

Burj Khalifa Building Fountain| ©Jen Heath
Burj Khalifa Building Fountain| ©Jen Heath

Right in front of the world's largest building is the Dubai Fountain, where shows are performed every night. Because access to the Burj Khalifa at night is available until 22:00 (on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays it closes at midnight), you have the opportunity to enjoy them from above.

The Dubai Fountain is also known as "The Dancing Fountain" or "The Musical Fountain". Every night (18:00 - 23:00) shows are presented every half hour, in which you see water jets being launched to the rhythm of different songs.

Why is it also recommended to watch the Dubai Fountain shows from above? The water jets are capable of reaching a height of 150 metres, which together with the lights makes it possible to see everything from the viewing platforms. If you want to see a sample of what this fountain does, here is a video.

Book tickets for the fountain show in Dubai

See a thriving residential area of the city in the distance

Dubai Marina Quarter| ©Ankur Panchbudhe
Dubai Marina Quarter| ©Ankur Panchbudhe

When the skies are clear, it's possible to see the Dubai Marina from above, some 22 kilometres from the Burj Khalifa. However, as soon as you're at one of the viewpoints, you'll be able to make out this must-see Dubai neighbourhood on the horizon, close to the coast.

The Marina is full of modern buildings, which are lit up at night, so if you visit the viewpoints at night and the sky is clear, you'll be able to see it too. On the other hand, there's plenty to do here too, from strolling the streets to cruising the Dubai Marina.

Get tickets to the top of the Burj Khalifa

Enjoy an unforgettable sunset

Sunset from the observation deck of Burj Khalifa| ©Simon Bierwald
Sunset from the observation deck of Burj Khalifa| ©Simon Bierwald

What to see at the Burj Khalifa? One of the best options is the sunset, which is one of the times of the day when most people go up to the observation decks. Many want to watch the sun go down and create colours that invade the sky for a few minutes.

As the sun goes down, the lights of the big buildings in Dubai start to come on. Since many people want to access At the Top and At the Top SKY at sunset, it's best to follow these tips:

Buy your tickets online a few days or weeks in advance. Arrive a few hours early at the Burj Khalifa ticket office so you get access at the time you want.

While you wait for your access time to the observation deck, I recommend participating in other activities to get to know the city, such as the ones mentioned in this post on the best tours and excursions in Dubai.

Get tickets to the top of the Burj Khalifa

One of the tallest skyscrapers in Dubai

Address Boulevard as seen from the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa| ©Jim Hoffman
Address Boulevard as seen from the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa| ©Jim Hoffman

On one side of the Burj Khalifa is the Address Boulevard, a luxury hotel in Downtown Dubai. Construction began in 2012, and it has 72 floors and a height of 370 metres. Although its rooftop is only 300 metres high, there are two antennas on it, which add 70 metres to its height.

There are 3 swimming pools at the Address Boulevard, one of which offers visitors excellent views of the tallest building in the world. An interesting feature of this hotel is that it has internal access to the Dubai Mall, which is very useful for its guests.

Get tickets to the top of the Burj Khalifa

A luxurious hotel on one of Dubai's most popular islands

View of the Atlantis Hotel| ©lensnmatter
View of the Atlantis Hotel| ©lensnmatter

On Palm Island is the Atlantis Hotel, the spot where it stands is visible from the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa. Although the building is only 22 storeys high, it is not difficult to see it from the tower you plan to visit, as its design is what helps you to distinguish it.

The Atlantis Hotel has two towers, both of which are connected by a bridge, its appearance may remind you of a castle. To see the hotel from the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa, look at the palm-shaped island.

Get tickets for the top of the Burj Khalifa

A building inspired by the sea

Jumeirah Beach Hotel| ©David Jones
Jumeirah Beach Hotel| ©David Jones

It's impossible to deny that the architects who design many of Dubai's buildings are very creative. In addition to the buildings I told you about earlier, there is one that looks futuristic and inspired by the sea. The Jumeirah Beach Hotel is shaped like a wave and can be seen from the Burj Khalifa.

This hotel is close to Atlantis and the Burj Al Arab on Jumeirah St. The building has blue windows that allow you to make it out from the Burj Khalifa, and from the heights you can see its resemblance to a wave.

Get tickets to the top of Burj Khalifa