Burj Khalifa Aussichtsplattform

At the Top Burj Khalifa: Our Visit to Levels 124 & 125, Dubai Mall and Fountain Show

Visiting the Burj Khalifa observation deck was part of our plan from the very beginning. As the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa impresses with cutting-edge architecture and modern technology. We love taking in breathtaking views, and we didn’t want to miss this one.

In this article, we’ll share how our visit to levels 124 and 125 went. You’ll learn why we had the view almost to ourselves. We’ll also take you to the Dubai Mall and the world-famous Fountain Show at the base of the tower – both surprised us more than expected.

Is At the Top Burj Khalifa Worth Visiting?

Yes, a visit is absolutely worth it*. If you’re in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa’s observation deck should be high on your list. You’ll get a unique view over the entire city and the Arabian Gulf.

The height of more than 450 meters on levels 124 and 125 is truly impressive. On a clear day, the view stretches all the way to the desert on the horizon. Even though Dubai has many spectacular places, this panorama will stay with you for a long time.

What fascinated us most wasn’t just the view, but the feeling of standing on top of everything. It gives you a real sense of how vast the city is. From up here, you can clearly see how far Dubai has grown in every direction.

How to Buy and Redeem Tickets for the Burj Khalifa

If you want to secure your preferred time slot, it’s best to book your ticket online in advance*. This allows you to plan ahead without relying on last-minute availability. It’s especially important if you want to visit during popular hours.

After booking online, you’ll need to exchange your voucher at the “At the Top” ticket counter in the Dubai Mall. The counter is located on the so-called Lower Ground level, right next to the food court.

Tip: Make sure to allow enough time for your first visit. The mall is massive, and you might not find the counter immediately. We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early to stay relaxed and on schedule. You can reserve your ticket online here*.

Levels 124 and 125 – The Observation Decks of the Burj Khalifa

From the “At the Top” ticket counter inside the Dubai Mall, the path leads you straight to the Burj Khalifa. You walk through several hallways featuring models, photos, and installations about the tower and its construction. These areas are well air-conditioned and clearly signposted.

Normally, these corridors serve as a waiting area. There are restrooms, barrier tapes, and wide queues similar to those at airports. We were lucky and passed through without waiting. So our chosen visit time really paid off — more on that in the next section.

The elevator takes you to the top in less than a minute. It’s one of the fastest elevators in the world and travels directly to the deck without stopping. At the top, you’ll arrive first at Level 124, followed by Level 125, which offers an even broader view.

The view is breathtaking. You can see the Arabian Gulf, the desert, and the skyline along Sheikh Zayed Road. We were lucky with clear weather and could spot many details of the city. The decks offer a true 360-degree view over Dubai.

Best Time to Visit At the Top Burj Khalifa – How We Had It Almost to Ourselves

We originally booked a ticket for 9:00 AM. But since we woke up early, we arrived at the ticket counter in the Dubai Mall already at 8:30 AM. The staff had no issue exchanging our tickets* for an earlier time slot.

We were allowed to head straight up — and had the entire route to ourselves. No queues, no other visitors. In the photos and video, you can clearly see how empty it was.

The walk from the ticket counter to the platform took about ten minutes. We were pleasantly surprised by the peaceful atmosphere. On the decks, there were only a few other early risers. In our experience, early morning is the best time for a relaxed visit to the Burj Khalifa.

Dubai Shopping Mall – More Than Just Stores

After our visit to the Burj Khalifa, we took some time to explore the Dubai Mall. It’s one of the largest shopping centers in the world and offers far more than just stores and restaurants. What surprised us most were the unexpected experiences we discovered along the way.

Die Eisbahn in der Dubai Mall – Dubai Ice Rink

A real highlight was the large ice rink in the middle of the mall. We love ice skating and spend a lot of time on the rinks in Berlin during the winter. So we couldn’t resist and bought tickets right away. The rink is impressively large – 60 meters long and 30 meters wide, meeting Olympic standards. The ice was perfectly prepared, and the space was pleasantly empty. So we were able to skate without any crowding and really enjoy ourselves.

We especially liked the skate rental. If you’ve ever been to a public rink, you probably know the standard blue rental skates – often uncomfortable and stiff. At the Dubai Mall, it was completely different. In addition to the standard rentals, they offered high-quality skates from Bauer, Graf, and CCM.

They even had Jackson figure skates available. We paid a small upgrade fee and got premium branded skates. The difference was immediately noticeable. They offered more stability and felt much better to skate with. Our two hours on the ice were an unexpected highlight of the day.

By the way, you can also book your tickets online in advance. This saves you waiting time at the rink and ensures you’ll get your spot without stress.
Click here to book your tickets*

More Attractions in Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall offers much more than just shopping. During our visit, we didn’t get the chance to see everything, but even the parts we did explore were impressive. One highlight that immediately catches your eye is the massive aquarium. Its glass wall is so large, you can see sharks and rays swimming past even from the hallway.

In addition to the aquarium, there are plenty of other experiences. These include a cinema, a virtual reality theme park, and a water play area for children. If you have enough time, you can easily spend an entire day here.

Dubai is also home to another unique mall that offers something truly special: skiing on real snow. The indoor ski slope is located in the Mall of the Emirates – and yes, we tried that too.

Fountain Show am Burj Khalifa

If you visit the Burj Khalifa or Dubai Mall, you should definitely watch the Fountain Show. The fountain is located in an artificial lake between the mall and the Burj Khalifa. It’s one of the largest water displays in the world. The jets shoot up to 150 meters high and are choreographed to music and light.

We visited in the evening and were immediately impressed by the atmosphere. Crowds had already gathered around the lake, eagerly waiting for the show to begin. It felt almost like a stadium event. The best viewing spots filled up quickly. During the show, people clapped, cheered, and took photos. The fountains danced to the music, and the Burj Khalifa itself lit up in perfect sync. Light animations ran across the entire facade, amplifying the visual impact.

This is an experience you shouldn’t miss. After sunset is the best time to watch, as the combination of water, music, and lights becomes even more magical.

Burj Khalifa Visit – Our Personal Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Breathtaking views over Dubai and the Arabian Gulf
  • Well organized, clearly signposted, and punctual
  • Visiting early in the morning can mean almost no crowds
  • Ideal to combine with a visit to Dubai Mall and the Fountain Show
  • Extra highlights like the ice rink and aquarium add variety

Cons

  • The entrance to the observation deck can be tricky to find
  • The viewing platform is enclosed in glass, which makes photography a bit harder

Our Final Thoughts on Visiting At the Top Burj Khalifa

For us, visiting the Burj Khalifa was a true highlight of our road trip through the Emirates. The view is absolutely stunning, and the chance to enjoy it almost alone in the early morning made it even more special. Combining the experience with Dubai Mall and the Fountain Show was definitely worth it.

If you plan well and book your tickets early, you can get the most out of this day. We especially recommend visiting before 9:00 AM. That way, you can enjoy the world’s tallest building without crowds and in a relaxed atmosphere.

Ready to Go? Here’s How to Plan Your Visit

If you want to experience the Burj Khalifa’s observation deck yourself, we highly recommend booking your tickets online in advance. This allows you to choose your preferred time slot and avoid long waits.

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