Burj Khalifa★★★
The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world — by far. 828 meters, 163 usable floors, over 200 floors in total. The tower is so tall that the temperature at the top is 10°C cooler than at the base, and the sunset occurs 2–3 minutes later on the upper floors than below.
The design by American architect Adrian Smith (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill) is inspired by the desert flower Hymenocallis — the Y-shaped base gives the tower its distinctive silhouette and structural stability. Over 12,000 workers built the record tower over six years (2004–2010), leaving the world speechless at its opening.
Observation Decks
- At the Top (Level 124/125, 456 m): The standard observation deck with indoor and outdoor areas. Panorama over all of Dubai, with clear visibility to Iran. From 169 AED (42 EUR), cheaper in advance online. Less crowded in the morning.
- At the Top Sky (Level 148, 555 m): The premium platform with personal tour, refreshments, and a visit to Level 125. From 399 AED (100 EUR). The breathtaking view is worth the extra cost — from here you can see the curvature of the Earth.
- The Lounge (Level 152–154, 585 m): The world's highest restaurant. Afternoon Tea from 750 AED (187 EUR) per person. Must be booked weeks in advance.
Dubai Fountain
At the foot of the Burj Khalifa lies the Dubai Fountain — the largest choreographed fountain system in the world. Over a length of 275 meters, 6,600 lights and 50 color projectors shoot water jets up to 150 meters high, synchronized to music from Andrea Bocelli to Arabic classics. Shows: daily from 6:00 PM every 30 minutes (1:00 and 1:30 PM on weekdays, 1:30 and 2:00 PM on Fridays). Free.
💡 Tipp
Book the Burj Khalifa for 30 minutes before sunset — you experience Dubai in daylight, in the golden sunset, AND at night with twinkling lights. You see the sunset 2–3 minutes longer at the top than on the ground. Online tickets are 30–50% cheaper than at the box office.