Experiencing Dubai from above? Doesn't it sound awesome to visit the highest observation deck in the world? Dubai is a city of extremes, where many things are possible, somewhere you must visit once in your life. A city with many world records to their name, including having the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa.
In this blog about visiting the Burj Khalifa Observation Deck I will tell you everything about my experiences At The Top, one of the most popular things to do in Dubai and will conclude in the end if it is worth visiting.
Burj Khalifa facts
Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world at 828 meters, or 2716,5 feet and more than 160 floors. That in itself is impressive, but Burj Khalifa has even more records to its name. It’s the tallest free-standing structure in the world, has the highest number of floors, the highest occupied floor, the highest outdoor observation deck, an elevator with the longest travel distance and the tallest service elevator in the world! Truly impressive world records, let’s visit!
When traveling to Dubai get yourself a local prepaid sim card for the UAE to stay connected. It is very convenient to buy a sim card at Dubai Airport. Flying to Sharjah Airport then check out this guide for buying a sim card at Sharjah Airport.
At the Top, Burj Khalifa
An experience of a lifetime, it already starts when you buy your tickets for At the Top. In less than 60 seconds you will reach one of the world’s highest public observation decks, including an outdoor terrace. The elevator will take you directly to level 124 at an impressive speed of 10 meters per second! From level 124 you can even go up to 125. You’ll enjoy impressive 360 degrees views, if the weather is clear you can clearly see the Palm Jumeirah and the World islands.
There’s a souvenir shop on both levels, and a cafe to get some drinks or a snack. It also launched some exciting virtual reality (VR) experiences, that simulate the real-feel of scaling 160 habitable floors of the world’s tallest tower, as well as the climb to the highest point, the spire. You can also experience a simulated, four minute parachute-jump down to the Dubai Fountain, sounds cool right?
They also recently added the glass floor experience. Eighteen 4K LED screens simulate the view 800 meter below you. You can walk across the platform and while you do hairline cracks appear in the glass below you with every step you take.
Walking around you will notice the telescopes, which you can use to zoom in on the city below, or you can go back in time and see how it used to look like back in the day.
Traveltomtom’s recommendation
Do you want to take full advantage of your visit to At the Top, Burj Khalifa? Make sure to visit at the end of the afternoon, while it is still light, but when the sun is about to set. This way, you will experience Dubai by day, at sunset and at night.
At floor 124 & 125 you can stay as long as you want, so no need to worry that someone directs you to go down. You can even watch the famous Dubai Mall fountain show from up there, it’s worth it!
On top of visiting the observation deck at Burj Khalifa there are many more things to do and places to see in and around Burj Khalifa.
Things to do in and around Burj Khalifa
The Lounge
It shouldn’t be a surprise that The Lounge at the Burj Khalifa is the world’s highest lounge, located at 585 meters. Levels 124 and 125, the observation decks, offer truly stunning views of Dubai, so imagine what the views at the Lounge, at levels 152, 153 and 154 will be like.
The Lounge at Level 154 is the highest you can go at Burj Khalifa. From level 154 you can go down to levels 153 and 152.
Level 152 has an outdoor deck as well, which is impressive to visit.
Booking this experience comes with relaxed vibes, luxury seats and loungers and more impressive views. It also comes with one free alcoholic beverage, unlimited coffee, tea and juices and unlimited canapés, sandwiches and desserts.
Go all the way, enjoy this next level high tea with the best view in town!
At the Top, Burj Khalifa Sky
The SKY experience is another way of experiencing Burj Khalifa. You’re taken up to level 148, after visiting the regular levels at 124 and 125. At level 148 you’re offered coffee, tea and water, biscuits and dates, complimentary.
You will be able to step out onto the world’s highest observation deck with an outdoor terrace at 555 meters. Refreshments will be available for you at the Sky Lounge, and once you’re done at level 148 you can continue to the levels 124 & 125.
At.mosphere
Looking for some fine dining with truly breathtaking views of the city? At.mosphere is your place to be! Located at level 122 and at 442 meters, it’s a unique place for dinner. Be ready for an unforgettable culinary experience, high quality food accompanied by unbeatable views. Obviously one of the most unique restaurants in Dubai.
Armani Hotel Dubai
This is one of the most exclusive and luxury hotels in Dubai and located in the highest building in the world. It’s the world’s first hotel that is designed and developed by Giorgio Armani, overlooking Downtown Dubai from the iconic Burj Khalifa. Keep in mind though that you won’t have any Burj Khalifa views from here.
Downtown Dubai
It’s one of the world’s most prestigious square kilometer, with the Burj Khalifa standing tall as an anchor, Downtown Dubai, also referred to as ‘The Centre of Now’. It’s a very popular tourist destination in Dubai and includes commercial, residential, hotel, entertainment, shopping and leisure components, all set in open green spaces with lakes and other water features.
It’s one of the best places to go out for dinner, it offers culinary delights from around the world. It has no less than 160 food and beverage outlets, offering something to satisfy everyone. One of the most recommended places to visit in Dubai.
Dubai Mall
Everything is big, bigger, biggest in Dubai, and their malls are no exception. It’s the heart of Downtown Dubai. The Dubai Mall is equivalent in size to 200 soccer pitches, and over 1200 retail stores and more than 200 food and beverage outlets.
And this mall is so much more, for example it also has an aquarium, zoo and an Olympic-sized ice skating rink. The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo are the centerpiece of the mall, and it’s one of the largest aquariums in the world. You can literally spend hours here, and easily get lost. If you can’t find it here, it doesn’t exist!
Opposite the mall you have the Souk, a distinctive shopping area featuring jewellery and accessory shops, traditional Arab clothing and handicraft stores.
The Dubai Fountain
Another highlight of the Downtown Dubai area is the Dubai Fountain. Every day, after sunset, and every half hour, there’s a show with water, music and light spectacle. The fountain performs to a selection of different melodies, with the Burj Khalifa performing it’s own light-show.
Although Burj Khalifa has been the tallest building in the world for over 10 years now, and will remain so for the next few years, Saudi Arabia is building the Jeddah Tower which will get up to 1,000 meters (3,280 ft). And with the Jeddah Tower they will take the record of tallest building in the world away from Dubai. However, Dubai already started building the Dubai Creek Tower, which, once finished is supposed to rise beyond 1300 meters. And that would bring the world record of the world tallest building back to Dubai again.
Burj Khalifa is beyond imagination, I have never seen anything like it. It is not just a Dubai tourist attraction, it is already fantastic to just stare at it from the ground. I think it’s one of our top recommendations for anyone visiting Dubai. Being able to visit the tallest building in the world, and overlooking a city as impressive as Dubai is incredible and unforgettable.
This blog was written by travel writer and Traveltomtom team member Ashley. She was invited to visit At the Top, Burj Khalifa on behalf of Traveltomtom, and wrote this blog about her experiences.