Interesting Facts About The Burj Khalifa

– This post was written by Becky Wicks –

Ah, Dubai. A city dripping with razzle, dazzle and five-star treatments. Its biggest attraction (literally) is the mighty Burj Khalifa, built from concrete, steel – and superlatives. You might have heard a few things about it since it opened its doors and viewing decks in a star-studded ceremony in 2010, but here are some interesting facts about Burj Khalifa you might not have known before.

It’s not just the world’s tallest building

What you need to know, first and foremost, is that it boasts the world’s highest observation deck on level 148, where you can admire Dubai from 555 meters high. It also has the highest restaurant from ground level. Atmosphere, Dubai perches at 442 metres above the city and serves up unparalleled views with its five-star menu on floor 122.

As far as tall things go, the Burj Khalifa’s pretty darn tall. At over 828 metres (2,716.5 feet) and more than 160 stories, Burj Khalifa is nothing short (at all) of a record breaker. Looking for facts about Burj Khalifa to blow your mind? Look no further.

Acrophobics should skip it

Those with a fear of heights might want to bypass the Burj Khalifa altogether. They’ll definitely want to skip the double-decker elevator. One of the most interesting facts about Burj Khalifa is that its elevator climbs to the skies at speeds of 36 kilometers/hour and deposits guests at the observation deck in roughly 2 minutes. Stairs aren’t really an option.

Its shadow is a giveaway

No one knew exactly how tall the Burj Khalifa was until after it opened. Officials kept its height a secret, presumably so that no one anywhere else could plan a taller one. The building’s architects, Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, also had the sneaking suspicion that someone might announce the height before the official launch, by measuring the Burj Khalifa’s shadow. Thankfully, no one figured that out (or no one bothered too!).

The Shanghai Tower would cower in its shadow

With a height of 828 meters (2,717 feet), the sky-piercing Burj Khalifa is not only Dubai’s tallest building, it’s the tallest building on the whole planet. A surprising and interesting fact about Burj Khalifa is that it towers almost half a mile high, surpassing the Shanghai Tower, which stands at a measly 632 meters tall (pah!) It’s also three times higher than the Eiffel Tower!

The desert can’t touch it

Special cladding panels have been put in place all over the Burj Khalifa to help it withstand the stifling Dubai heat. In the height of summer, temperatures can reach a staggering 120 degrees, so those 24,348 panels really help.

It could hold a lot of jungle beasts, and people

Even if it was standing empty, the Burj Khalifa would weigh 500,000 tons. That’s the equivalent of 100,000 elephants! If you’re really into Burj Khalifa facts, it was built by a whopping 12,000 workers. That’s right; over 12,000 people worked on-site during the building of Burj Khalifa, at any given time, making it one of the busiest construction sites in human history.

Wind doesn’t bother it

The Burj Khalifa, like most skyscrapers, was designed to bend slightly with the wind, but this top-notch tower is tuned like a musical instrument. An interesting fact about Burj Khalifa is that the harmonics of the wind will never match those of the building – you won’t even register a movement.

So nice it was named twice

The Burj Khalifa was once simply called the Burj Dubai, but its name was changed at the opening ceremony. If you’re looking to impress someone with facts about Burj Khalifa, tell them how it was renamed in honor of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Emir of Abu Dhabi, thanks to the money he gave Dubai to pay off its debts (sssh!).

It’s cooler at the top

The temperatures at the top of the Burj Khalifa are usually about 15 degrees cooler than at the bottom, so it’s the equivalent of scaling a mountain without any effort. You might want to take another layer up there with you.

More interesting facts about the Burj Khalifa:

It has the world’s tallest free-standing structure 

It has the world’s tallest service elevator

It has the highest occupied floor on planet earth

It has the world’s highest number of stories

It has the world’s highest outdoor observation deck

It has the elevator with the world’s longest travel distance

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Plan your visit to the Burj Khalifa

When’s the best time to visit the Burj Khalifa?

The best time to visit At The Top Burj Khalifa is when the crowds are smaller, which tends to be in the early mornings between 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and in the evening before it closes for the night. The busiest time at the Burj Khalifa is sunset. Only the 124th, 125th, and 148th floors are open to the public – and we have tickets to all three of them! Take also a read of our ultimate Dubai travel guide to find out everything you need to know before visiting the city of gold!

What are the Burj Khalifa’s open hours?

The Burj Khalifa is open every day from 8.30 AM – 10.00 PM. On Friday and Saturday, you can also take a sunrise tour at 5.30 AM. 

Can I visit the Burj Khalifa at night?

You can visit the Burj Khalifa at night from Sunday to Thursday, between 10:00 AM to midnight, and from Friday to Saturday, between 10:00 AM to midnight. The last time you can enter is 11:00 PM throughout the week.

How to get to the Burj Khalifa

Take the Red Line of the Dubai Metro and get off at the Burj Khalifa station — it is the closest station to the Dubai Mall. Here are some top tips on how to get around Dubai.

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Looking for more Burj Khalifa facts and fun things to do in Dubai? Check out our blogs on 21 Things to Do in Dubai with Kids: Water Parks, Gardens, & VR Adventures and 7 of The Best Desert Safari Experiences in Dubai. For more iconic Dubai landmarks, take a read of everything you need to know about the Burj al Arab!