Where to Find the Best Views in Dubai
Thanks to its distinct skyscrapers and palm-shaped islands, you haven't really seen Dubai until you've seen it from above. From flightseeing tours and marina cruises to sky-high observation decks, here's where to find the best views of the city.
Burj Khalifa
Unbeatable panoramas.
The ultimate Dubai view is from the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. Once you're in the elevator, you'll travel at 33 feet (10 meters) per second before alighting at the 124th-floor At the Top observation deck.
Helicopter rides
Soak up Dubai's unique geography from above.
To admire Dubai's extravagant features in style, hop in a chopper for a helicopter tour. As you soar above the city, you'll get a bird's-eye view of the Palm Jumeirah, Burj al Arab, Burj Khalifa, and Palm Islands and The World, a man-made archipelago.
Burj Al Arab
Food, drinks, and great views.
Burj al Arab, standing proudly offshore, bills itself as the most luxurious hotel in the world. Its 27th-floor restaurant, Al Muntaha ("the highest"), is one of the best places to get a view of Dubai's skyline, The World, and Palm Jumeirah. If you want to linger, the adjacent Skyview bar is open afternoons and evenings.
Seaplane tours
For a fantastic flightseeing opportunity.
Sightseeing cruises
See the skyline from the water.
After you've seen Dubai from above, hit the water to get a different perspective. Cruising options include speedboating around the Palm Jumeirah, touring the Dubai Marina by inflatable boat, and dining aboard a dhow along Dubai Creek.
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Lydia Schrandt is a writer, editor, and award-winning photographer currently based in Houston. She’s a contributor for USA TODAY 10Best and serves as the first chair of the Editors Council of the Society of American Travel Writers. Her work has appeared in Draft, Time Out Beijing, Travel+, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.