A visit to Burj Khalifa will give you highest views in Dubai. And a chance to visit the highest outdoor observation deck in the World.
Getting high in Dubai! Not that kind of high, settle down kiddos. If it was that kind of high, you would be reading about my adventure alongside the British mother who got herself arrested for drinking a glass of wine on an Emirates flight.
Which sounded very strange to the girl who successfully drank a bottle of champagne in Emirates 1st Class between Sydney and Dubai on my way to Prague a couple of months ago. Of course, more details came to hand and her arrest had nothing to do with alcohol but an expired passport and aggro attitude. The UAE authorities stated, “A legal claim was issued against Ms Holman with charges of profanity and photographing a government official at the border crossing, a restricted area.”
The more concerning possible tabloid partner is another British woman (what is it about the Brits and Dubai?) that was charged with having extramarital sex after reporting being raped by two men. I came across that disturbing story when looking into the glass of wine gal.
On to happier stories of female visitors to Dubai. If you are wondering, I had an amazing time and avoided arrest. I even had a legal cocktail or two (during Ramadan!!) without incident.
If you want to get higher than a kite in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa is the place to do it. Standing at an impressive 829.9M, Burj Khalifa is the tallest building and tallest free standing structure in the World. I’m pretty sure kites can’t fly that high.
Burj Khalifa isn’t only the tallest building and free-standing structure. It boasts the highest number of stories, the highest occupied floor (which would scare the living daylights out of me on a daily basis if I lived there), highest outdoor observation deck, an elevator with the longest travel distance and tallest service elevator. All of those are World records and will make an acrophobe shake in their shoes.
The viewing area at Burj Khalifa is called At the Top and offers an incredible view of Dubai. You easily see how Dubai is sprawling out and reclaiming the desert. No chance of hiding the amount of building taking place. You will see as many cranes as buildings dotting the landscape.
When looking out at the horizon it is dusty and hot. Look down and your eyes will be cooled by manmade canals snaking through the city. Plus water features. You can see how urban planners and architects make use of cooling water to refresh the city.
How long does a visit to Burj Khalifa take?
When visiting At the Top at Burj Khalifa the average person spends one hour 30 minutes. I didn’t spend anywhere near that amount of time. I went, I saw, photographed and was out of there in around 45 minutes. You are welcome to stay as long or as little as you like.
Am I right at the top when visiting At the Top?
No, you are not at the top of Burj Khalifa when you visit At the Top. At the Top is located on levels 124/125.
What is Burj Khalifa Sky?
Burj Khalifa Sky is the highest public access point you will be able to visit on level 148. This is where you will find the World’s highest outdoor observation deck.
How do I find Burj Khalifa?
Look up guys, it is hard to miss! Alright, I will be serious. The Burj Khalifa is conveniently located next to Dubai Mall.
Shopping at Dubai mega mall and a killer view, not bad for an afternoon in Dubai.
Sara xx
Belly Rumbles visited as a guest of Dubai Tourism, but all opinions remain her own.
Burj Khalifa
1 Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard
Downtown Dubai, Dubai UAE
Danik
Ok, so for me, the views look fantastic and I love viewpoints. Don’t get me wrong but for me there might be one slight problem (but would still love to go up there and check it out), the fear of shear drops! As soon as I look straight down, I get dizzy. I can look across the landscapes/horizon not a problem, but shear drops,…oh h!
Sara
I’m a bit like you Danik, I have a problem with heights. I’m with looking down if there is a wall of glass between me and the drop. I could never be one of those people that sit on the edges of cliffs/buildings etc and take those photos!!
Jenn and Ed Coleman
Look up guys.. It’s hard to miss… You say that but I had a similar call to On-Star trying to find the St Louis Arch. I called in they said – You should be able to see it. Which I could but I still had no clue where to park. Knowing the Burj Khalifa is next to the mall is valuable travel information.
Sara
Yes, I was being a bit of a smart ass 😉 And in probably six months time (that is how quickly construction is going on) there will be buildings blocking it when looking up.
Tami
Those views are amazing; I can’t even imagine being that high up. I’m not sure I’d be willing to visit that outdoor observation deck, but I can enjoy your photos!
Sara
The outdoor deck is pretty secure, well it makes you feel that way. But it is a long way up, I think lift ride up is the worst part.
Carol Colborn
Oh, now I am so sad I didn’t go up Burj Khalifa when we were in Dubai! Those views are absolutely stunning! Thanks for giving me the chance to recover from that mistake,
Sara
Glad to share some of the views with you Carol. So many things to do in Dubai, you can’t fit it all in.
Hannah
Oh my, the Burj Khalifa building is crazy tall! My husband suffers from a severe ‘allergy’ to heights (his way of saying he’s terrified)… so we never get to go up these places. Thank you for all the pics of the views you can get (wow, what a lot of construction), as that’s the only view of Dubai I’m ever going to get!
Sara
What a shame about hubby, but I totally understand. Glad you were able to see the heights via my photos. There is a lot of construction going on.
Linda
Good to hear that you survived Dubai without being incident. We visited the Burj when we were in Dubai twice. But first we had a dust storm. And then we had fog. So on both occasions it was not worth going up to the top of the Burj Khalifa. You got such great views from the top. When we got back, we would like to go right to the top observation level.
Sara
Hehe Linda, I didn’t think there would be any incidents when I was there. Good luck on your next visit, I have my fingers crossed for clear skies!
Kathleen
Oh boy, I’m pretty sure I would get sick way up there. Holy smoke that’s tall building. The views do look amazing though, if I could look out the windows. Some of the photos look kind of hazy. Is that from dust or pollution? Thanks for the tour. That may be as close as I get.
Sara
It is high, that’s for sure. I think the haze is a mixture of heat and dust. I can’t see it being pollution. There isn’t a big heavy industry industry, nor do there seem to be lots and lots of cars on the road that would cause it. But happy for somebody to add to my thoughts.
Anda
I’ve seen a documentary about Burj Khalifa a few years ago. I believe at the time this was the tallest building in the world. It must have been quite an experience seeing the world from so high up. I am scared of heights, but I’d still love to go up there someday.
Sara
It was an experience and the views were great. Gives you a really good understanding of the size of Dubai too.
Christina Pfeiffer
Burj Khalifa seems to be the spot to get a bird’s-eye view of Dubai. From your photos, it looks like Dubai is even more of a skyscraper forest than when I last visited!
Sara
It seems to keep growing up and out Christina, and I don’t think that growth will stop for a while.
Shruti Prabhu
Wow! Burj Khalifa really is such a beautiful spot to see Dubai from a maddening height. Do you have to prebook the viewing tickets? I always worry about queues in places like these. Even though you get done within an hour, sometimes the queues add so much more time.
Sara
Hi Shruti, for convenience you can book your tickets on line. When booking you select the day and the time you wish to visit. It was all very well organised when we were there, no real waiting. You may have to line up for the lift to come down for a few minutes, but going up seems to work swiftly.
Julius
Looks great! But the visibility is not that good. Are there any days of the year (or times) in which the visibility is better so that you can see further? E.g. here in central Europe, cold winter and early mornings are better for longer views.
Sara
Winter months should be clearer, and they are also the most popular month for people to visit. I understand that even with a ticket you will need line up and wait going up and down. Especially if you are after a sunset photos.
Rosemary
Simply stunning views from the Burj Khalifa. I am a little scared of heights and I’m not sure I’d have the courage to go all the way to top. Have not been to Dubai yet, for many reasons including the attitudes towards women – as you introduced in the article. Nevertheless, what a great experience and pretty handy to have the mall closeby.
Sara
The views were stunning it would be worth trying to dig up some extra courage to go to the top if you ever get to Dubai.
sherianne
I admit it, you grabbed my attention! And, I’m a curser. I would likely get arrested. Anyways… those views from Burj Khalifa are insane and possibly worth the arrest!
Sara
I think you would really have to step out of line to get arrested in Dubai. They are trying to encourage tourists big time 😉
Lisa
Haha love the beginning of this article! And I totally agree with you, I’d be scared to my core if I lived anywhere close to the top of Burj Khalifa. Amazing pictures of the incredible views ?
Sara
I would be freaking out on a daily basis living that high up!! Thanks for the lovely words about the pictures.
Claire
I went a few years ago to Dubai (without any problems!) and we went up the Burj Khalifa too, it really is incredible up there! Although I found it so strange that you can see all the new buildings and skyscrapers then a whole load of desert, it is bizarre!
Sara
It is bizzare that contrast between all the skyscrapers/buildings, existing and being built, and then the dessert. It is worth heading up just to see that, it is amazing.
Linda
Seriously, weren’t you afraid that a strong desert wind will come and blow the building over? I’ve seen pictures of Burg Khalifa before and my stomach churns just imagining standing on the highest outdoor viewing platform in the world. Or isn’t it as scary as it looks? I must say you were rewarded with great views for your “braveness”.
Sara
Yes Linda I was!!!!!! Not a heights fan, and a strong dessert wind or other natural disasters (or not natural) ran through my head. It really isn’t that scary when you are up there, you feel pretty protected.
Nisha
I have been to Dubai but long back when Burj Khalifa wasn’t there. So time to go again.
Those views are fab, from that high up. Would love to go to the outdoor observation deck. I know it’d be very windy out there but the views !
Sara
It is windy Nisha, but not as windy as you would think. The glass protects you from a lot of the wind. The wind that does hit you is rather a nice change from the stillness and heat on the ground.
Jim Whittemore
It’s insane when you make it to the top, isn’t it?
Also nice to take the elevator all the way to the top while being served a nice refreshing juice beforehand.
I myself only stayed at the top for about 45 mins as well, didn’t feel the need to stay any longer than that.
I’m imagining that average goes up for those who visit the restaurant.
Sara
It’s totally insane. I didn’t get the juice experience sadly 🙁
Archana Singh
I had been to Dubai several times yet I never miss going to Burj Khalifa. You are absolutely right the high that you get standing at the tallest building in the world is mindblowing. Really like your pictures and crisp writing.
Sara
Thanks for the lovely words about my pictures and writing, you are very kind. It is mind blowing to visit. Quite a feat of engineering.