Dubai has become famous in the news and on social media and for a good reason. Its architecture is a key highlight that has brought the city worldwide fame. The skyline is instantly recognisable, with the world’s tallest building standing among many skyscrapers. On the ground, the city features a mix of unique buildings in different styles, including huge malls and luxurious hotels. Even more amazing is that these architectural marvels were built in the desert in just a few decades. From the Burj Khalifa to The Museum of the Future, here are some of the most iconic buildings in Dubai.
The Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa is one of Dubai’s most famous buildings and the world’s tallest skyscraper. The 828-metre, 160-story tower can be seen sparkling in the distance from almost anywhere in the city.
It opened in 2010 after six years of construction, requiring 22 million man-hours and around $1.5 billion. The tower holds several records, including the tallest free-standing structure, the highest occupied floor, the highest outdoor observation deck, and the lift with the longest travel distance.
It was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the same firm that designed Chicago’s Willis Tower and New York’s One World Trade Center.
It has also appeared in several big-budget movies, such as Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.
- Location: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Burj Al Arab
Some Dubai buildings are instantly recognisable worldwide, including this sail-shaped luxury hotel, the tallest all-suite hotel in the world.
It’s often called a “seven-star” hotel, with 24-carat gold interiors and frequently hosts VIP guests like Justin Bieber, Gigi Bella Hadid and Roger Federer.
The Burj Al Arab holds several records, including the most costly cocktail, which costs Dh27,321 ($7,439), and the largest Swarovski crystal chandelier, which features 21,000 crystals worth Dh1.3 million.
- Location: Umm Suqeim 3 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Dubai Mall
The fame of this shopping mall comes not from its architecture but from its immense size, which is still growing as expansion continues. Currently, it has over 1,300 stores and more than 200 dining options.
International visitors will find familiar brands here, with stores like France’s Galeries Lafayette, America’s Bloomingdale’s, and the UK’s Debenhams.
There are many things to do inside the mall. You can explore the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, a virtual reality theme park, and an Olympic-sized ice rink. Outside, enjoy the choreographed Dubai Fountains and gaze up at the Burj Khalifa. You can find some of the best hotels near the mall.
- Location: Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 10 am to 12 am (Mon – Thu) 10 am to 1 am (Fri – Sat)
Dubai World Trade Centre
Initially called Sheikh Rashid Tower, Dubai World Trade Centre was one of the first skyscrapers in Dubai, a city now famous for its tall buildings.
Construction started in 1974. UK architect John Harris designed it under Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed, the ruler of Dubai at the time. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the tower on February 26, 1979.
The building has 38 floors and stands 184 metres tall. It was a solitary structure next to a narrower version of Sheikh Zayed Road, surrounded by a pale ochre landscape.
Architect and writer Todd Reisz mentioned in 2021 that Harris avoided using a lot of glass because he considered the available technology and what could be repaired and maintained in Dubai then. This way, they wouldn’t be left with a non-functional 30-story building.
- Location: Sheikh Zayed Road – Trade Centre – Trade Centre 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 8 am to 5 pm (Mon – Fri)
Atlantis, The Palm
Atlantis, The Palm is a world-famous hotel with over 1,500 rooms, a record-breaking water park, celebrity chef restaurants, and an aquarium with over 65,000 marine animals.
This five-star ocean-themed hotel, inspired by the myth of Atlantis, is at the top of Palm Jumeirah’s crescent. It opened in 2008 and reportedly cost $1.5 billion to build.
The architecture features classical Arabian influences, with semi-precious stones and fossilised shells used in the interiors and exterior.
The hotel also showcases a 10-metre-high sculpture by American glass sculptor Dale Chihuly, made from over 3,000 pieces of colourful blown glass. The lobby has eight hand-painted murals by Spanish artist Albino Gonzalez, set among its 19-metre-high arched ceilings.
- Location: Crescent Rd – The Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Dubai Frame
Glass, aluminium, steel and reinforced concrete combine to create one of Dubai’s most iconic structures, the Dubai Frame. This building, opened in 2018, stands 150 metres tall and 95 metres wide. It offers old and new Dubai views, symbolising a bridge connecting the city’s rich past with its impressive present.
The rectangular design follows the “golden ratio” of 1.618, which many architects and artists believe creates perfect structural balance.
Inside the 48-story structure, a sky deck is accessible by an elevator ride that takes just 75 seconds. Exhibitions tell the story of Dubai.
- Location: Zabeel Park Jogging Track – Za’abeel – Al Kifaf – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 9 am to 9 pm (Mon-Sun)
Museum of the Future
The Museum of the Future in Dubai opened in February 2022 and quickly became popular. In its first year, it attracted over one million visitors from 163 countries. It won 10 international awards, including being named one of the 14 most beautiful museums in the world by National Geographic.
Designed by Dubai firm Killa Design, the 78-metre-tall structure features a unique facade of 1,024 stainless steel plates crafted entirely by robots. According to the architects, its shape symbolises Dubai’s continuous energy, while the elliptical void represents the unknown.
The low-carbon, stainless steel surface is decorated with Arabic calligraphy by Emirati artist Mattar Bin Lahej. The calligraphy is based on a poem by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, expressing his vision for the city’s future.
- Location: 67CP+H4Q – Sheikh Zayed Road – Trade Centre – Trade Centre 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening hours: 9 am to 7 pm (Mon-Sun)
Gevora Hotel
When it opened in 2018, the four-star Gevora Hotel became the world’s tallest hotel, standing 356 metres tall with 75 floors. It took the record from the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, 355 metres tall with 72 floors. However, this record is expected to surpass the 82-story Ciel Tower in Dubai Marina by 2023.
The construction of the Gevora Hotel took 12 years and cost over Dh500 million. The hotel features more than 500 rooms, suites, and five restaurants and is easily recognisable by its gold-coloured facade and tapered pyramidal crown.
- Location: 101 Sheikh Zayed Road – Trade Centre – DIFC – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 24/7
The Opus by Omniyat
Zaha Hadid’s first project in Dubai is a stunning piece of architecture that matches her famous award-winning designs.
The Opus houses the ME Dubai hotel, the only hotel in the world where Hadid designed both the exterior and interior. The cube-shaped building covers 7,831 square metres and consists of two towers that form a single structure with a large, irregularly shaped hole in the centre.
The two sides of the building are joined by a four-story atrium and a unique three-story bridge that hangs 71 metres above the ground.
- Location: Al Amal St – Business Bay – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Dubai Opera
Located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, the Dubai Opera is a 2,000-seat multi-purpose theatre that hosts world-class shows throughout the year. It was designed by lead architect Janus Rostock of Atkins and opened in. This dhow-shaped building pays tribute to the city’s maritime history.
The opera house’s design is highly flexible, allowing it to host various events, from musicals and ballets to fashion shows and art exhibitions. It is within walking distance of The Dubai Mall and features a restaurant on the rooftop and a sky garden with gorgeous views of the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa.
The entertainment lineup includes various performances, such as concerts by Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi, the musical The Phantom of the Opera, and even hologram shows.
- Location: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 10 am to 9 pm
Etihad Museum
Etihad Museum is designed to look like the constitution that founded the UAE. Located on the site of the Union House, where the UAE was established on December 2, 1971, the 25,000-square-metre building is both historically significant and architecturally unique.
The museum, designed by the Canadian firm Moriyama & Teshima Architects, features a striking curved white roof inspired by the shape of the treaty. It also has seven columns symbolising the pens used to sign the agreement for each emirate.
The museum has a library, education centre, temporary exhibition space, and restaurant. Across its eight permanent pavilions, visitors can learn about the events leading up to the UAE’s unification, particularly from 1968 to 1974, and the significance of its constitution for Emiratis.
- Location: 1 Jumeirah St – Al Mina – Jumeirah 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 10 am to 8 pm (Mon – Sun)
Cayan Tower
Cayan Tower is located in Dubai Marina, a 306-metre-tall, 75-story skyscraper designed by the same architectural firm behind the Burj Khalifa and Trump Tower in Chicago.
This distinctive, twisting luxury apartment building is the world’s tallest high-rise with a 90-degree spiral. Each floor rotates 1.2 degrees around a central cylindrical lift, creating the unique twist that sets it apart in Dubai’s impressive skyline. Formerly known as Infinity Tower, Cayan Tower stands out in the bustling Dubai Marina.
- Location: Dubai Marina – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 8 am to 6 pm (Mon-Sun)
Jumeirah Mosque
The Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai, UAE, is a beautiful religious site on Beach Road. It’s open for guided tours six days a week and offers insights into Islam and life in the UAE. Built in 1979 as a gift from Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the mosque features white stone architecture inspired by the Fatimid Caliphate of Syria and Egypt. With a large central dome, twin minarets, and intricate stonework, it can hold up to 1,500 worshippers and looks especially stunning when lit up at night.
- Location: Jumeirah Beach Road – Jumeirah 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 8 am to 10 pm (Mon-Sun)
Jumeirah Emirates Towers
The Jumeirah Emirates Towers are two iconic skyscrapers in Dubai’s financial district. Celebrating their 20th anniversary, they include a 305-metre hotel and a 350-metre office building. Architect Hazel Wong designed them, combining traditional Islamic themes with modern design. The towers’ aluminium panels reflect the sun’s light, giving them a unique look from different angles.
- Location: Sheikh Zayed Road – Trade Centre – Trade Centre 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Wafi Mall
Wafi Mall opened in 1991, stands out with its Egyptian theme. Sphinx statues greet visitors at the entrance, and inside, you’ll find stained-glass pyramids, pharaoh sculptures, and columns decorated with hieroglyphics. The mall hosts international brands like Burberry and Chopard and local boutiques. It also features the Khan Murjan Souk, various restaurants, mini golf, and an outdoor pool. The impressive Raffles Dubai Hotel, designed like a pyramid, is also located here.
- Location: 68J9+GC2 – Umm Hurair 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 10 am to 10 pm (Mon – Fri) and 10 am to 12 am (Sat-Sun)
Mall of the Emirates
The Mall of the Emirates is well-known for its indoor ski slope, Ski Dubai. This indoor ski resort keeps a temperature of about -1°C all year, even during the hot UAE summer, and features an 85-metre-high mountain with five slopes.
Since opening in 2005, the Mall of the Emirates has been a top shopping destination in Dubai, loved by residents and tourists. It was designed by the American firm F+A Architects. Its domed main entrance foyer with a glass ceiling is instantly recognisable.
This Dubai Marina development stands at 107 storeys, including basement floors, a ground floor, and 100 above-ground levels.
- Location: Sheikh Zayed Rd – Al Barsha – Al Barsha 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 10 am to 11 pm (Mon – Fri) and 10 am to 12 am (Fri – Sun)
O-14 Building
This 22-story commercial tower, perched on a two-story podium, covers 300,000 square feet. It is a collaboration between the CreekSide Development Company of Dubai and
RUR Architecture of New York and the Despite winning several awards, the building might not be known by name, but its distinctive architecture makes it stand out. The O-14 building is wrapped in a 40-centimetre-thick exoskeleton with 1,300 holes. A one-metre space between the facade and windows lets hot air rise and cool air come in from below.
Designed by architects Reiser + Umemoto, it has an open concept to create a sense of space. The building houses offices, shops, and four levels of underground parking.
- Location: O-14 Base – Business Bay – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 24/7
The Gate Building
Modelled on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, it was the first building completed in DIFC. The 15-story building provides office and retail space over 46,000 square metres and frames the Emirates Towers and the World Trade Centre.
- Location: 677J+WFX – Trade Centre – DIFC – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Opening Hours: 8 am to 3 pm (Mon – Thu) 24/7 (Fri – Sat)
Final Takeaway
Dubai’s skyline is a stunning blend of modernity and tradition, reflecting the city’s ambitious spirit. Each building tells a unique story, from record-breaking heights to luxurious experiences. Whether you’re a tourist or a resident, exploring these architectural wonders is a testament to Dubai’s status as a global metropolis. With iconic structures like the Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, and the Museum of the Future, the city’s architecture showcases innovation, luxury, and cultural heritage. Dubai’s architectural marvels, built in the heart of the desert, truly epitomise its vision for the future and its rich history.
FAQs
Q: What is the best time to visit Burj Khalifa?
A: Early morning or late evening to avoid crowds and enjoy the views.
Q: Are there any free attractions in Dubai Mall?
A: Yes, the Dubai Fountain shows are free to watch.
Q: Can non-guests visit Burj Al Arab?
A: Yes, by booking a dining experience or afternoon tea.
