Burj Khalifa — At The Top observation deck (124 & 125)

The 124th and 125th-floor observation decks of the Burj Khalifa are the most visited paid attraction in the UAE and, on a clear day, hand you a 360-degree view that stretches from the Palm Jumeirah arch in the west to the Sharjah skyline to the east. The lifts move at 10 metres per second; the ride up takes under a minute and your ears pop.

What's included

• Timed-entry ticket to floors 124 and 125 (one indoor, one outdoor deck).

• Access to the multimedia exhibit on the lower floor.

• Telescopes with augmented-reality overlays of the city below.

When to go

Sunset slots (typically 17:00–18:30 in summer, 16:30–17:30 in winter) are the most photogenic and sell out 7-10 days in advance. If you're flexible, the 09:00 opening slot is cheaper, much less crowded, and the desert light is unusually crisp before haze builds up over the city.

Practical tips

• Arrive 15 minutes before your slot — the security check is airport-grade.

• Cameras and phones are allowed; tripods and large bags are not.

• The outdoor deck on 125 is open to the air; carry a light jacket between November and February.

• If you want to go higher, the SKY observation lounge on floor 148 is a separate, more expensive ticket.

Getting there

The entrance is inside the Dubai Mall on the Lower Ground floor, marked 'At The Top'. The Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall metro station (Red Line) connects to the mall via a 800-metre covered travelator. Paid parking is available in the Burj Khalifa-adjacent zone of the mall garage.