Burj Khalifa or Khalifa Tower (Burj Khalifa, Arabic name: برج خليفة), until 2010 known as Burj Dubai or Dubai Tower is an ultra-high skyscraper located in the center of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The construction of the Burj Khalifa was started in 2004, and the grand opening took place on January 4, 2010, after which the Khalifa Tower became the first mega-tall and tallest building in the world. However, now the tower has competitors.
The name of the building is dedicated to the second President of the UAE and the former Emir of Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Burj Khalifa has 163 floors. The total height of the tower is 829.8 meters (2,722 feet), and the height without an antenna is 828 meters.
The main structure of the building is made of reinforced concrete and glass.
The architecture of Barj Khalifa was inspired by the structure of the Hymenocallis desert flower.
The Dubai Tower is a high multi-level (multi-stage) tower with a telescopic spire, which acts as the crown of the entire building.
In addition, Burj Khalifa is an example of modern construction design and technological innovations.
Today Burj Khalifa is the main symbol and one of the most visited Dubai attractions.
In the evening, the Burj Khalifa is illuminated
Inside the Burj Khalifa. Visit to Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa skyscraper is a multifunctional building, inside which there are: office and commercial premises, private apartments, Armani Hotel, observation decks, cafe, panoramic restaurant, lounge, rooftop pool, fitness and spa centers and shops.
The skyscraper has 3 separate entrances - for tourists and visitors to the observation decks, for hotel guests and for apartment owners. The tower has 57 high-speed elevators and 8 escalators. The Burj Khalifa elevators are two-story cabins that can accommodate 12-14 people each and run at a speed of up to 10 meters per second.
Viewing platforms in Burj Khalifa
There are 360-degree viewing platforms in the skyscraper:
- At the TOP Burj Khalifa, located on the 124th and 125th floors, at an altitude of 452 and 456 meters. On the 124th floor there is an open observation deck, fenced with glass panels. On the 125th floor there is a closed observation deck with a glass floor that cracks underfoot. The time of visiting the viewing rooms is unlimited;
- At the TOP Burj Khalifa SKY, located on the 148th floor, at an altitude of 555 meters and has an outdoor terrace. The time of visiting the observation room is limited to 30 minutes.
The ascent to the observation rooms is carried out by a two-story elevator, which takes guests to the 124 floor of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper in less than 60 seconds.
Visits to all viewing rooms are paid.
The cost of the visit depends on the selected viewing room and the time of the visit. There are tickets to visit 124+125 floors or 124+125+148 floors. There is also a combo ticket to the observation rooms on the 124 and 125 floors + Dubai Aquarium, which is located near the Burj Khalifa in Dubai Mall. In addition, it is possible to order a visit to the viewing rooms at sunrise with treats (the service is available on Saturday and Sunday), or a visit to the viewing rooms + a three-course brunch in a cafe.
There are discounted tickets for children from 4 to 12 years old; children under 4 years old for viewing - free of charge.
Tickets to the Burj Khalifa observation decks and combo tickets can be purchased online on the website (the website is listed at the end of this article) or here →
Burj Khalifa Lounge
On the 152-153-154 floors, at an altitude of 585 meters, there is the highest lounge in the world with an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy tea/coffee or in the evening with cocktails and canapes.
Hotel in Burj Khalifa
In the Burj Khalifa skyscraper is the 5-star Armani Hotel Dubai, occupying 11 floors.
In the hotel: restaurants, bar, swimming pool, spa, free Wi-Fi and direct access to the Dubai Mall.
The hotel has rooms and suites with panoramic views of Dubai.
Room amenities include: flat-screen TV, DVD player, iPod dock, minibar, safe, bathrobes, slippers, hairdryer and free toiletries.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel 
Near Burj Khalifa. Where is the Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa is located in the heart of Dubai, in Downtown Dubai, which is a large large-scale mixed-use complex in which the main attractions of the city are located.
Next to the Burj Khalifa are: large Dubai Mall with aquarium, an Arabic-style shopping mall "Souk Al Bahar", a park with a lake and the famous Dubai fountain showing water and music shows, a promenade, a landscape park, Dubai opera and Sky Views entertainment area with an observation deck, a glass slide and a walk along the edge.
During the fountain show, the Burj Khalifa skyscraper also participates in the performance, shimmering to the sound of music in different colors. More about the Dubai Fountain with photos and videos...
Practical information
Burj Khalifa Website: burjkhalifa.ae.
Burj Khalifa Address: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd - Downtown Dubai - Dubai - UAE.
Coordinates of Burj Khalifa: 25°11'50.0"N 55°16'27.0"E (25.197222, 55.274167).
You can get to Burj Khalifa by taxi, car, public buses or metro. Burj Khalifa metro station; it is most convenient to go from the station via an indoor air-conditioned passage to Dubai Mall, and then exit the mall to the lake with a fountain and Burj Khalifa.
The entrance to the Burj Khalifa building is also possible by crossing the Dubai Mall.
All accommodation facilities in Dubai, including near and with views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain, can be viewed and booked here
