What is at the top of Burj Khalifa?
Updated October 27, 2026
Quick answer
At the Top, the main observation deck, covers levels 124 and 125, with level 124 at 452 m. You get an indoor deck with floor-to-ceiling windows, an open-air terrace on level 124, viewing telescopes and interactive displays. Higher up are SKY on level 148 and the Lounge on levels 152–154.
Most visitors mean At the Top, which opened on 5 January 2010, the day after the tower itself. The visit starts on the lower ground floor of The Dubai Mall, passes a ground-floor exhibition on the tower's construction that several listings mention, and rises by double-deck elevators that reach 10 m/s (Wikipedia). Two higher decks have since opened: SKY on level 148 at 555 m in October 2014, and the Lounge on levels 152–154 at 585 m in February 2019. The Levels 124 & 125 ticket costs from $51 (AED 189, at 1 USD = 3.6725 AED) and is the way most people go up. Here is what you will find once you step out of the elevator.
What is on levels 124 and 125
Level 124 is the main deck, at 452 m. The ticket listings describe 360-degree views over the city, the Arabian Gulf and the desert, and an open-air terrace on level 124 where you can feel the breeze. The fast-track listing also mentions the deck's mashrabiya-style screens, the latticework pattern of Arabic architecture. Level 125 is one floor up. Free Tours by Foot describes a display on that floor, "Dubai – A Falcon's Eye View", which shows the city's landmarks from a falcon's point of view. From either floor, the Dubai Fountain is directly below: shows run every 30 minutes from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, as listed by the booking listing, and the listing advises booking a slot about 30 minutes before the show you want.
Telescopes, terrace and the VR experience
Viewing telescopes are included in the standard and fast-track tickets, and the listings say they help you pick out landmarks while learning about the engineering of the tower. The terrace on level 124 is the only outdoor space on the standard ticket; on the SKY level 148 ticket, a second outdoor terrace sits at 555 m. In December 2017, The National reported a virtual-reality add-on called Mission 828: a four-minute simulated climb up the spire ending in a parachute jump towards the fountain, at an extra charge. We could not confirm that it still runs, so treat it as a bonus if you find it, not a reason to book.
The souvenir shop and café
You leave through a retail area. The listings describe a stop at the retail counter to collect a souvenir and a café treat or soft drink at The Café on the ground floor, both sold as optional add-ons on the standard ticket. Souvenir photography is not included. One recent reviewer advises bringing some money for the souvenir shop; another, on the SKY ticket, found the café took cards only, and a third paid for a coffee and pastry add-on and was offered one or the other. Read what the add-on includes before you pay for it. Food and drinks for the higher decks come with the ticket: SKY 148 includes snacks and hot drinks, and the Lounge includes canapés and one house drink.
How long people stay
The standard and SKY listings give about 1.5 hours, and the SKY listing says attractions can be visited for up to 1.5 hours. The Lounge listing gives 2 hours. Queues add time at both ends: recent reviewers of the standard ticket waited up to an hour to go up, and one reviewer of the Sky Views combo waited at least 30 minutes to come down. Fast-track and SKY tickets skip the elevator line, and one fast-track reviewer noted that the skip also applies when you leave. If you want daylight, sunset and the lights in one visit, a slot about an hour before sunset works; check sunset times by month.
- Levels 124 & 125 — About 1.5 hours
- SKY level 148 + 124 & 125 — Up to 1.5 hours
- The Lounge, levels 152–154 — About 2 hours
Frequently asked questions
Which floor is At the Top Burj Khalifa?
Levels 124 and 125. Level 124 is at 452 m and has an open-air terrace.
Can you go outside at the top of Burj Khalifa?
Yes. Level 124 has an open-air terrace, and SKY level 148 has its own outdoor terrace at 555 m.
Is there food at the top of Burj Khalifa?
Not on the standard deck; the optional café treat is at The Café on the ground floor. SKY 148 includes snacks and hot drinks, and the Lounge includes canapés.
Can you see the Dubai Fountain from the top?
Yes, it is directly below. Book a slot about 30 minutes before the show you want, as the listing advises.
Is the top floor of Burj Khalifa open to visitors?
No. The highest floor visitors reach is level 154, part of the Lounge on levels 152–154. Above it are maintenance and equipment levels.
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