Dubai Architecture Guide

From the Burj Al-Arab to Cayan Tower, these spots are stunning.

2 min read•Jun 23, 2017•By Lydia Schrandt

Hi, I'm Lydia!

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.

No stranger to superlatives (tallest, most luxurious, and more), the Dubai skyline has become one of the most impressive and iconic on the planet. From the ultra-modern to the traditional, here are some of the city's top architectural attractions.

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Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa. | Photo Credit: Ilona Ignatova / Shutterstock

Towering 2,716 feet (828 meters) over the city, the Burj Khalifa dominates the Dubai skyline as the world’s tallest building. While impressive when viewed from a distance, the building’s 124th-floor At the Top observation deck offers not-to-be-missed 360-degree views.

Burj Al-Arab

The Burj from above. | Photo Credit: Irina Wilhauk / Shutterstock

While the sail-shaped Burj al Arab might not be the tallest in the Dubai skyline, the prominent structure still displays incredible architectural detail and houses one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, where the interior is just as impressive as the building's iconic silhouette. It's worth splurging on a cocktail or afternoon tea just to gawk at the 590-foot (180-meter) lobby atrium.

Cayan Tower

The twisting Cayan Tower. | Photo Credit: Luciano Mortula - LGM / Shutterstock

The 73-floor, 1,004-foot (306-meter) Cayan Tower stands along the Dubai Marina and is most notable for its 90-degree twist—it's the tallest tower of its kind in the world—that makes it almost instantly recognizable.

Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Jumeirah Beach Hotel sits on the water like a great wave. | Photo Credit: Ivan Mateev / Shutterstock

The Jumeirah Beach Hotel doesn't even rank in the top 100 tallest buildings in Dubai, yet it's an architectural landmark none the less, thanks to its distinctive wave shape.

JW Marriott Marquis

The Emirati sun. | Photo Credit: slava296 / Shutterstock

The world's tallest hotel occupies the 1,165-foot (355-meter) twin towers of the JW Marriott Marquis. Opened in 2013, the jagged, postmodern design of the buildings was inspired by the form of a date palm.