Tallest Buildings in the World

Whenever I visit a new country or city, my first port of call is always to see the view from the highest point. Majority of the time that’s from the tallest skyscraper or on top of a mountain. I love to figure out my bearings so I can navigate and plan a successful trip. I’m slightly obsessed with viewing decks and skylines - it’s always my favourite part of any new city that I visit.

There’s an official list of the tallest buildings in the world and I’ve been fortunate enough to visit a good amount of them. The list is constantly changing, with countries trying to out-height one another. Especially the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China and the USA.

I haven’t copied THE official list, however, this is every skyscraper I’ve been to in the top 100. I hope I inspire you to visit more - enjoy!

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1. Burj Khalifa, United Arab Emirates.

Standing at 828 metres tall with 163 floors, the Burj Khalifa (Khalifa Tower) in Dubai is the tallest building in the world. That’s nearly a kilometre in the sky! On a clear day, you can see the tower from every part of the city. The building is made up of apartments, the Armani Hotel, At The Top Sky observatory and one of my favourite restaurants - At.Mosphere. The viewing deck prices on floors 148, 125 and 124 can vary from 149dhs to over 500dhs which is pretty pricey! This is why I suggest visiting the At.Mosphere restaurant on floor 123 for breakfast - it’s the same view plus incredible food and drink.

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2. Shanghai Tower, China.

Moving on to the second tallest building in the world - Shanghai Tower, obviously located in Shanghai. Standing at 632 metres with 128 floors, it’s also the tallest twisted building and has the highest viewing deck in the world. The tower is also home to the J Hotel, a concert hall, plus many restaurants, bars and lounges. I highly suggest visiting on one of Shanghai’s rare clear, blue sky days, as the visibility will be next to nothing through the smog.

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3. Empire State Building, USA.

Undoubtedly the most famous building in the world. The Empire State is located on the west side of Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City. From 1931 - 1972, the building was the tallest in the world and the first to contain over 100 floors. Now after 90 years since completion, the Empire State has been demoted to 50th place on the official list. Around 4 million tourists visit the observation decks on floors 80, 84 and 102 (top floor) every single year. If you’re travelling to New York City for the first time, I recommend visiting ‘Top of the Rock’ at the Rockefeller Centre instead (controversial), as it undeniably has the best views of the city and the Empire State. You’re welcome.

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4. Jin Mao Tower, China.

One of the best and most memorable experiences of my life - hanging over the city of Shanghai at 340 metres! China’s next best thing to Toronto’s famous Edgewalk. The Skywalk at the Jin Mao Tower will cost you around 15 USD/100 CNY, where you can walk around the perimeter of the building for 30 minutes. Sitting on the edge of the 33rd tallest building in the world, with my legs hanging over, watching the tiny walks of life beneath me is something I’ll never forget.

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5. Address Downtown, United Arab Emirates.

Undeniably one of Dubai’s best hotels - situated on the Boulevard next to Dubai Mall. Standing at an impressive 302 metres, the building is one of the most famous in the city, with undisrupted views of the Burj Khalifa and surrounding skyscrapers. If you’re not lucky enough to stay at the hotel on New Year’s Eve, then I suggest visiting on one of their pool days. You certainly will not be disappointed as the views will take your breath away.

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6. Berliner Fernsehturm, Germany.

Berlins TV Tower is not technically on the tallest buildings list as it’s categorised under ‘tallest towers’. However, I couldn’t make this post without mentioning one of my greatest childhood memories. I spent a lot of time in Berlin growing up - visiting Alexanderplatz and going up the 368-metre tower was ritual for us. At the top of the Fernsehturm, there’s a revolving restaurant, so as you’re having lunch or dinner, you have 360 degrees of undisrupted city views. I think I will still be coming here with my grandkids.

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7. Willis Tower, USA.

Formerly known as Sears Tower and the tallest building in the world from 1974 to 1998. The 442 metres tall Willis Tower is now home to more than 100 businesses, plus radio and television stations are broadcast from the rooftop. Over 15,000 people work at the tower each day, not counting the thousands of building and Skydeck visitors. The Skydeck is an observation level with floating glass platforms - The Ledge extends four feet outside the 103rd floor. On a clear day, you can see the whole city of Chicago and across four states - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

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8. Taipei 101, Taiwan.

Located in one of my favourite cities in the world, the Taipei 101 broke records for being the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2010. Including having the world’s fastest passenger elevators from 2004 to 2015, taking you from the 5th to the 89th floor in 37 seconds. Standing at 508 metres tall, the building features an indoor observation deck on the 88th and 89th floors, and two outdoor observation decks on the 91st floor and 101st floor. The views from the decks are incredible… if you visit on a clear day hehe.

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9. One World Trade Center, USA.

The tallest building in the United States which was rebuilt after the Twin Towers were unforgettably destroyed in 2001. Even though the building is shiny and brand new, it’s one of the most haunting places I’ve ever been to in my life. I must have visited this part of Manhattan on five separate occasions and it’s very hard to do anything but pay your respects. Even after 20 years, the attack is still devastating to everyone that visits the tower and the 9/11 memorial. The One World Trade Center stands at 541 metres tall and is now home to many businesses, plus observation decks on the 100th, 101st, and 102nd floors.

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10. Gevora Hotel, United Arab Emirates.

The tallest hotel in the world and 66th tallest building in the world. The 356-metre tall hotel is located on Dubai’s busiest highway - Sheikh Zayed Road. At night you can see the building from every part of the city as the roof completely lights up. It’s even brighter than the Burj Khalifa! There’s also an open-air restaurant on the 75th floor called the Highest View Lounge, which boasts incredible views of the coastline and surrounding skyscrapers.

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11. 432 Park Avenue, USA.

Ok, so I technically haven’t been inside this building as you can only enter if you’re a multi-millionaire like J-Lo, who owns one of the apartments. However I’m a complete sucker for clean architecture and design, so when I first saw this building online, I knew I had to visit it one day. Even if from the outside. When the 425-metre building was first completed in 2015, records were broke as it became the tallest residential building in the world. It’s now the 3rd tallest residential building and 30th tallest building in the world. There was also huge criticism over the fact that the building disturbed the New York City skyline as it was taller than anything else around it. Having said that, I am obsessed with this building and want to live there. Please?

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12. 23 Marina, United Arab Emirates.

From one huge residential building to another - and I’ve actually worked at this one for the last 3 years. I currently teach swimming classes to some of the residents of 23 Marina, and nope the view never gets old! Teaching on the 60th floor with that view - I for sure pinch myself every time. 23 Marina stands at 392 metres tall and is right on the corner of the Dubai Marina. The building can be seen for miles all over the city. The residential building is currently the 4th tallest building in Dubai and 41st tallest building in the world.

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13. The Shard, United Kingdom.

This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the tallest building in the United Kingdom. London will always be my favourite city and seeing it from above is something I will never tire from. The Shard isn’t on the official tallest buildings list, however, it’s 309 metres tall and currently the 8th tallest building in Europe. This huge chunk of glass is home to many businesses, restaurants, residences and the observatory - The View from The Shard on floors 68-72.

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