The Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building and one of the most iconic for its unusual architecture, reminiscent of the geometric shape of an Emirati flower. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of your visit.
At 828 metres, the Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building. But it is much more than that. It's also the embodiment of the United Arab Emirates' disruptive architecture and the site from which you can access one of Dubai's most breathtaking panoramic views.
In this article, we explain how to access one of the world's most iconic buildings, so that you can enjoy its many high-speed elevators, the open horizon of its 148th-floor observatory and all the services offered by this building, which houses offices as well as restaurants and boutiques.
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How to get to the Burj Khalifa building?
The best way to get to the Burj Khalifa is tobuy tickets online in advance. The building is one of Dubai's most visited attractions. Tickets are usually sold out if you want to buy them on the day. We therefore recommend that you plan your trip in advance and choose the date and time of your visit accordingly.
Tickets for the Burj Khalifa start at around 43 euros for adults. It gives you access to the 124th and 125th floors, which are the most famous, but not the highest observation decks. The highest observation deck is At The Top Sky, on the 148th floor. Admission costs around 132 euros.
If you want to visit other city attractions in addition to the Burj Khalifa, you can combine your purchase with other activities, such as a visit to the Dubai Aquarium. This saves you money on tickets and time, by avoiding queues.
Details to know:
- Price: Tickets for the 124th and 125th floors cost around 43 euros, while tickets for the 148th floor cost around 132 euros.
- Location: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Dubai.
- Opening hours: The building is open 24 hours a day, although the observation decks have shorter opening hours.
- How to get there: by Dubai Metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, by cab or by private tour.
Options for climbing the Burj Khalifa
To see the Burj Khalifa observatory, you can choose between two types of ticket. The first, and most popular, is the one that takes you to the 124th and 125th floors. An observation deck known as At The Top, from where you can see the most interesting views of Dubai. There is, however, an option for reaching the top.
The highest point, from which you can access a 360° view, is the 148th floor, where the At The Top Sky observatory is located. From here, you can see the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping center. From here, the Burj Khalifa, which stands at 828 metres, remains a small, almost imperceptible building.
With cumulative access to the 124th, 125th and 148th floors, you can visit all three observation decks for as long as you like. In all cases, you'll be riding high-speed elevators that will leave you breathless.
Burj Khalifa observation deck opening times
The Burj Khalifa is a multifunctional skyscraper, which means that in addition to observatories, offices and luxury accommodation, there are also a large number of commercial stores. The building is open 24 hours a day, every day. The observation decks do, however, have opening and closing times.
The At The Top observatory is open Sunday to Wednesday, 10am to 10pm, and Thursday to Saturday until midnight. During these hours, you can also visit the restaurants located on the observation decks, such as At Mosphere, the most luxurious.
This restaurant, which is one of the best places to dining in Dubaiis open every day until midnight. If you want to visit the observation deck in the evening, you can combine a gourmet dinner with the best 360° panoramic views of the city.
The At The Top Sky observation deck, too, is open from Sunday to Wednesday from 12pm to 10pm and from Thursday to Saturday until midnight. It's the ideal place to observe the city's night skyline and discover the lights of Dubai's buildings.
Are there guided tours of the Burj Khalifa, and is it worthwhile?
Some tours and excursions in Dubai include a visit to the Burj Khalifa in their itineraries. It's worth noting, however, that you don't really need the assistance of an expert local guide to enjoy the views and history of the building, developed in the observation decks. A place where you simply have to enjoy the panoramic views.
When visiting the Burj Khalifa on your own, you can stay on the observation decks for as long as you like and combine your visit with a tour of the shopping malls and a break at the restaurant. On a guided tour, you should always be prepared to continue.
An intermediate solution, between a self-guided and a guided tour, is a self-guided tour with an audioguide. Audioguides are available in several languages and enable you to discover the most important aspects of the building and its curiosities.
It's in the hotel area of the building that a guided tour is worthwhile. Here you can discover the suites and rooms, as well as the internal structure of the Burj Khalifa.
How to get to the Burj Khalifa?
The building is located in the center of Dubai. To get to the Burj Khalifa, a must-see in Dubai, you have several options:
-metro: you can take the Dubai Metro and get off at the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, which is on the red line. From there, you can walk a few blocks to the building.
- Cab: this is the most commonly used option, as although the building is centrally located, distances can be a little long. This transport service is very much in demand.
- Car: traffic in Dubai is a bit chaotic, but if you still want to visit the Burj Khalifa by car, you can park in the Dubai Mall parking lot, which is just a few blocks from the building's entrance.
- Private transport: several of Dubai's tourist companies offer guided tours of the Burj Khalifa as part of their city tours. These tours includeaccess to the observation deck on the 124th or 148th floor of the building. This option often deprives you of the time you need to enjoy the observatory fully and at length.
It is also possible to arrange a direct transfer from Dubai airport to the Burj Khalifa. However, you'll need to find somewhere to leave your luggage. This option can be tiring, especially if you've just come from a long journey.
Is it advisable to go to the Burj Khalifa observation deck with children?
The observation deck of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, can be a real spectacle for visitors of all ages. So if you're planning to visit Dubai with children, you might want to take them along to see the skyscraper. The best alternative, in this case, would be to opt for the observation decks on the 124th and 125th floors, a more controlled and less expensive place to visit.
The building also features children's stores, such as toy and clothing stores.
What children notice most about the Burj Khalifa is how luxurious the elevators look and how fast they go. A moment that fascinates them. In just a few seconds from the first floor, you can be at the top of the building.
What not to miss at the Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is an iconic building. Known the world over, it was created for entertainment. It therefore offers many tourist attractions and activities not to be missed during your visit.
The first thing to do is visit the observation decks, either the one on the 124th or 125th floors, or the At The Top Sky on the 148th floor, which is the building's main attraction. From here, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city and its surroundings, as well as some of the best outdoor photography around, perfect if you're an adrenaline junkie.
If you're more of a shopping enthusiast, you can visit the Dubai Mall, which is not attached to the Burj Khalifa, but is connected to it and offers a host of luxury boutiques and restaurants. If you decide to dine in the skyscraper, you can visit the At. Mosphere, located on the 122nd floor and directly connected to the observation decks in between.
And don't miss the sound and light show at the Dubai Fountain, the world's largest fountain. It offers an illuminated musical concert 24 hours a day.
Can I jump from the top of the building?
The question sounds like a joke, but the answer may surprise you: you can! After the building's inauguration, some people entered the observation decks as visitors and jumped illegally, leading to sanctions and alarming the authorities, who have since authorized parachute jumping with strict rules.
Many tourist service providers offer this experience, which remains expensive. Some experts also offer it on commemorative dates or for specific celebrations. So, if you're an adrenalin junkie, you can find a way to jump from the world's tallest building.
Be aware, however, that it is no longer possible to sneak into the building with flying equipment. Entrance controls are very strict, and penalties for violations are severe.
How long does it take to visit the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa?
How long does it take to visit the Burj Khalifa depends on several factors, such as the type of ticket purchased and the number of people present in the attraction at the time. In practice, you can stay as long as you like on the observation deck, but each ticket comes with an estimated time limit.
If you buy a general admission ticket, you can spend around 1 hour on the observation deck, including the time spent on the observation deck on the 124th floor and the time spent in the elevator to get there, which is a few minutes. If you buy a ticket for the 148th floor, which allows you to avoid the queues and enjoy a more exclusive visit, you can expect to spend a little more time at the Burj Khalifa and see Dubai by night.
Be aware, however, that waiting times can vary, depending on the time of year and the time of day you visit the building. In high season, crowds can be much greater, which can extend the time needed to complete the visit. It is therefore advisable to book in advance and plan your visit.
Tips for visiting the Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is not only the world's tallest building. It's also one of the tallest, and with a wide range of activities and attractions, the visit can be dense and tiring. To help you plan your itinerary and get the most out of your visit, we recommend the following tips:
- Buy your tickets in advance: to avoid long queues at the entrance, we recommend that you buy your tickets online in advance. This will allow you to choose the time and date of your visit.
- Don't miss a detail: the interior of the Burj Khalifa can be fascinating and offers so many activities and attractions to discover that you won't have enough eyes to enjoy them all. Pay particular attention, as you may find something to surprise you at every turn.
- Choose the right time for your visit: the best time to visit the Burj Khalifa is at sunset, when you can enjoy the panoramic view over the city
enjoy the panoramic view of the city day and night. We also recommend visiting the Burj Khalifa during the week, as weekends can be very busy.
- Dress appropriately: although Dubai is a modern, cosmopolitan city, it's important to dress appropriately and respect Muslim customs. avoid tight, provocative clothing.
- Enjoy the view: once at the top of the Burj Khalifa, take time to admire the panoramic view of Dubai. Don't forget to take a camera to capture the view from the top of the building - and, above all, have fun!
