Is there a dress code for Burj Khalifa?
Updated October 27, 2026
Quick answer
Yes, a light one. A seller of the official ticket describes the At the Top dress code as modest and comfortable clothing. You enter through The Dubai Mall, whose courtesy policy asks visitors to cover shoulders and knees, and the At.mosphere restaurant on level 122 asks for smart casual.
You will not be handed a written list at the elevator, but you will pass through three places with their own expectations. The observation decks expect modest, comfortable clothes, as Arabian Adventures puts it on its official-ticket page. The Dubai Mall, where the entrance is, has a courtesy policy that Gulf News reported as asking for knees and shoulders to be covered, reminded on signs and flyers at entrances. If you book a meal in the tower, the restaurants set the strictest rules. The simplest outfit that works everywhere is trousers, a knee-length skirt or dress, a top with sleeves and comfortable closed shoes. Then pick your ticket, from the Levels 124 & 125 ticket at $51 (AED 189, at 1 USD = 3.6725 AED) upward.
Is there a dress code at At the Top?
Arabian Adventures, a seller of the official At the Top ticket, lists the dress code as "modest and comfortable clothing". That is the only deck rule we could source; Burj Khalifa's own site blocks automated reading, so we do not quote it. In practice, this means everyday city clothes that would not stand out in a shopping mall. Beachwear and swimwear are the clear things to avoid. The same rule applies on the higher levels, SKY 148 and the Lounge on 152, which are reached through the same entrance.
Dubai Mall modesty guidance
The At the Top entrance is on the lower ground floor of The Dubai Mall, so the mall's rules apply before the decks do. Gulf News reported in 2018 that The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and City Centre used signboards, flyers and screens to remind visitors of their courtesy policy, which asks for knees and shoulders to be covered, especially during Ramadan. The National reported in 2013 that security at another Emaar mall handed out cards asking for "respectful clothing" covering shoulders and knees. Enforcement is usually a polite reminder, not a refusal. Covering shoulders and knees is the safe choice for men and women.
Restaurant dress codes (At.mosphere)
Dining in the tower raises the bar. At.mosphere, on level 122, is the restaurant most visitors mean. Arabian Adventures' listing for its afternoon tea states smart casual: for men no sports shoes, open shoes, shorts, sandals or sporty outfits; for women no sports shoes, rubber slippers or sporty outfits. It also sets a minimum age of 5. The meal on our dinner ticket is at the Burj Club on the third floor, and the listing does not state a dress code. The Lounge on level 152 serves drinks and canapés but is part of the observation-deck visit. See restaurants in Burj Khalifa for the full list.
- Observation decks — Modest and comfortable clothing
- The Dubai Mall — Shoulders and knees covered
- At.mosphere, level 122 — Smart casual, no shorts or sports shoes
Shoes and comfort
Wear shoes you can stand in for an hour or more. Recent reviewers mention that there is a fair amount of walking, few places to sit, and lines of up to an hour on the way up at busy times. The outdoor terraces on levels 124 and 148 are open to the air, so a light layer helps on a breezy winter evening. Dubai's summer heat matters only on the way in: the decks themselves are indoor rooms with terraces. A small bag is best: Arabian Adventures says strollers, laptops, sharp items, lighters and e-cigarettes go to the luggage room before the visit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dress code for ladies visiting the Burj Khalifa?
Modest and comfortable clothing, as a seller of the official ticket puts it. In The Dubai Mall, cover shoulders and knees.
Can I wear shorts to Burj Khalifa?
Shorts that cover the knee fit The Dubai Mall's guidance; shorter ones do not. Shorts are not allowed at At.mosphere on level 122.
Is there a dress code for Dubai Mall?
Yes. Its courtesy policy, reported by Gulf News, asks visitors to cover knees and shoulders, with signs and flyers at entrances.
Can I wear sandals to At the Top?
No deck rule bans them, but At.mosphere's smart casual code rules out sandals, and closed shoes are more comfortable for standing in line.
Do I need to dress up for the Lounge on level 152?
The Lounge listing gives no dress code. Smart casual fits both the Lounge and a meal afterwards.
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