Burj Khalifa.

The Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building, in Dubai, at 828 metres with 163 floors. It opened in 2010 and holds multiple architectural records including the highest occupied floor and the longest single-stop elevator.

Setting & geography

Burj Khalifa stands in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at coordinates 25.2°, 55.27°. The surrounding landscape — urban, coastal, mountainous or rural — frames how the site is approached, photographed and understood. It pushed the limits of what was technically possible at the time of its construction, and remains a benchmark of engineering ambition.

Architecture & form

As a engineering landmark, Burj Khalifa combines function and symbolism in proportions that still hold up against the eye. Its principal measurements are 828 m tall, dimensions that govern not only the experience of standing in front of the site but the way it appears in maps, photographs and the city skyline beyond. Materials, ornament and structural strategy all reflect what was available, fashionable and politically possible at the moment of building. Conservation work since has aimed to preserve the original intent while adapting to modern visitor numbers and safety standards.

Construction & history

Construction of Burj Khalifa took place in 2004 – 2010. The work is credited to Adrian Smith / SOM. Burj Khalifa has weathered war, weather, neglect and revival across its life. Each generation has read the site differently — sometimes as a sacred place, sometimes as a political monument, sometimes as a tourist attraction — and each reading has left its trace on what the visitor sees today.

Cultural significance

Burj Khalifa appears on stamps, coins, school textbooks and a thousand photographs taken every day. It functions as a piece of national identity for United Arab Emirates and as a piece of shared global heritage. UNESCO, national heritage agencies and local custodians typically have overlapping interests in the site’s protection — a useful tension that keeps the place both authentic and accessible.

Plan your visit

Most visitors reach Burj Khalifa from Dubai by public transport, organised tour or private taxi; check official sources for current opening hours, ticket prices and seasonal closures before you travel. Best light for photography typically falls in the early morning or the hour before sunset, when crowds also tend to thin. Modest dress and respectful behaviour are expected at religious or memorial sites; many landmarks restrict tripods, drones or large bags. Allow at least two hours on site and longer if you intend to visit any associated museums or grounds.

Specifications

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Did you know?

The Burj Khalifa's spire alone is taller than any other building in the world before its completion — and you can watch the sunset twice from the top in one evening.