Burj Khalifa

To get an idea of how tall the Burj Khalifa really is, you just need to compare it with the Empire State Building. At 1,454 feet (443.2 m) high the New York skyscraper is half the size of Dubai's giant tower.

Work on the Burj Khalifa started on 21 September 2004 and ended on 4 January 2010, more than one year after the originally planned date. The skyscrapers are notable for the unusually large amount of space dedicated to residential property.

Burj Khalifa's observation points

The Burj Khalifa has observation decks offering spectacular views. On floor 124, you'll find what was the original viewpoint and is still the best place to get panoramic views across the city.

The other, more recent observation deck, has become the highest in the world, beating the previous record-holder, the Canton Tower in Guangzhou. At 1829 feet (555 meters) high. the lookout occupies floor 148 of the Burj Khalifa and provides a birdseye view across the whole city.

You should take into account that the tickets often sell out in advance of the date, which is why we recommend that you buy the ticket online as soon as you know the day of your visit. Or you can buy your ticket with us, including hotel pickup.

The best time, and also the most popular, is at sunset. If you cannot buy tickets for this time, then it's better to go in the daytime rather than at night, as Dubai is not especially illuminated at night and the view is limited.

Around Burj Dubai

Alongside the Burj Khalifa, there is a large artificial lake where you'll find the Dubai Fountain, one of the city's essential attractions. Around the lake, you'll find bars, restaurants, and the huge Dubai Mall shopping center.

Facts and figures

• In Arabic, 'Burj' means tower.
• The 24 July 2007  the Burj Khalifa beat the previous record for the tallest building in the world held by Taipei 101 in the city of the same name.
• The construction of the tower has cost a total of $1.5 billion.
• The Burj Khalifa is visible from up to 60 miles away.
• The tower has 57 lifts, weighs 500,000 tonnes, and is covered in 28,601 glass panels.