Remember the unforgettable sequence in the 2011 film Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol where Tom Cruise swings on a rope along the exterior of an immense skyscraper? That building is Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower and the home of the Armani Hotel. While Cruise’s daredevil stunts — including a moment atop the building’s radio spire more than 2,716 feet above the streets — aren’t for the average visitor, the Burj Khalifa offers an accessible way to enjoy the same breathtaking panorama from its public vantage points.
Visitors commonly begin their Burj Khalifa experience at the adjacent Dubai Mall, where a multimedia presentation outlines the city’s rapid growth and the tower’s construction. From there, a moving walkway designed to evoke a sense of time travel leads guests from the mall to the tower entrance. Elevators then whisk visitors upward at a pace of roughly 32 feet per second, delivering them to the At the Top observation deck on the 124th floor.
The observation deck features floor-to-ceiling glass walls that provide a full 360-degree view of Dubai’s skyline, the Persian Gulf, and the surrounding desert. For those seeking a more intense sensation, an outdoor terrace allows you to feel the wind and take in the same open-air exposure that made the movie stunt so dramatic. If you prefer a more relaxed way to soak up the view, the At.mosphere restaurant on the 122nd floor offers nearly identical vistas from a comfortable indoor setting.
Whether you’re drawn by the film’s iconic imagery or simply want a commanding perspective on one of the world’s most spectacular cities, the Burj Khalifa’s observation areas deliver an impressive, memorable experience without having to perform any Hollywood-level stunts.