World's Tallest Buildings You Can Visit in 2026

There's something about standing on an observation deck, hundreds of meters above a city, that never gets old. Cars look like toys, clouds drift by at eye level, and for a few minutes you get to see an entire skyline laid out beneath you. If you love chasing views like this on your travels, the world's tallest buildings are worth adding to your list.

This guide covers the 10 tallest buildings you can actually visit in 2026, from Dubai's Burj Khalifa to Seoul's Lotte World Tower, along with tips on how to plan your visit to each one.

Top 10 Tallest  Buildings in the World

Each of these buildings is more than just a height on a chart. Every one has its own story, its own design, and its own reason to visit, whether that's a record-setting observation deck, a glass floor that tests your nerve, or the engineering that keeps it standing through wind and earthquakes. Here is the list of Top 10 World's tallest buildings in the world

1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE (828m / 2,717 ft)

Still the undisputed king of the skyline, the Burj Khalifa has held the title of world's tallest building since 2010 and towers nearly 500 feet above its closest rival. With 163 floors, it houses residences, offices, a hotel, and two observation decks, including "At the Top" on the 148th floor, the highest observation deck on the planet.

• Ticket price: Approximately INR 3,800 to INR 9,500 ($40 to $100+) depending on floor level and time slot
• Best time to visit: November to March, when Dubai's weather is cooler; book sunset slots for the best light
• Getting there: Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa Metro Station, a short walk from the entrance

Traveler's tip: Book sunset or nighttime slots in advance; they sell out fastest and offer the best views of the Dubai Fountain show below.

2. Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (679m / 2,227 ft)

The newest entrant to the top of the list, Merdeka 118 opened to the public in recent years and instantly became Southeast Asia's tallest structure. Its angular, faceted glass façade is inspired by Malaysia's independence movement, and its observation deck, The View at 118, offers panoramic vistas over Kuala Lumpur's growing skyline.

• Ticket price: Approximately INR 2,400 to INR 4,300 ($25 to $45)
• Best time to visit: May to July, during Malaysia's drier season
• Getting there: Merdeka 118 or Hang Tuah stations on the KL rail network

Traveler's tip: Pair your visit with a trip to the nearby Petronas Towers for a full skyline comparison in one afternoon.

3. Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China (632m / 2,073 ft)

Shanghai Tower is easy to spot from a distance thanks to its twisting, spiral shape, which isn't just for looks. That curve actually helps the building handle strong winds better. Once inside, you'll ride one of the fastest elevators in the world, reaching the observation deck in less than a minute.

• Ticket price: Approximately INR 2,400 to INR 4,300 ($25 to $45)
• Best time to visit: September to November, when the skies are clearer and the weather is mild
• Getting there: Lujiazui Metro Station, in Shanghai's Pudong district

Traveler's tip: Go on a clear day. You'll get views all the way across the Huangpu River to the old Bund on the other side.

4. Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, Saudi Arabia (601m / 1,972 ft)

You can spot the Makkah Royal Clock Tower from almost anywhere nearby, mostly thanks to its giant clock face, the largest in the world. It sits right next to the Grand Mosque and is really part of a much bigger complex built around hotels and shops for pilgrims visiting Mecca.

• Ticket price: There's no standalone ticket here. Access usually comes through a hotel stay or as part of your pilgrimage arrangements
• Best time to visit: Outside Hajj season if you want things quieter, or during Hajj and Umrah if that's the purpose of your trip
• Getting there: Right next to Masjid al-Haram in central Mecca

Traveler's tip: Keep in mind this isn't a typical tourist stop. Your visit will likely depend on the pilgrimage calendar rather than a regular travel schedule.

5. Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, China (599m / 1,965 ft)4

Ping An Finance Center has become something of a symbol for Shenzhen itself, a city that's grown into a major tech and finance hub in just a few decades. It has one of the highest observation decks in China, and if you're up for something a bit more thrilling, there's also a separate Sky Walk experience for those who don't mind heights.

• Ticket price: Approximately INR 2,400 to INR 4,800 ($25 to $50), a bit more if you add on the Sky Walk
• Best time to visit: October to December, when the humidity drops
• Getting there: Shixia or Gangxia Metro Station, in Shenzhen's Futian district

Traveler's tip: Try to time your visit for dusk. Watching the financial district's lights come on all at once is worth the wait.

6. Lotte World Tower, Seoul, South Korea (555m / 1,819 ft)

Lotte World Tower is South Korea's tallest building, and it's got that modern, sleek look you'd expect, with sweeping views over the Han River and the city stretching out below. Up at the Seoul Sky observation deck, there's a glass floor section too, if you're brave enough to look down.

• Ticket price: Approximately INR 2,600 to INR 3,300 ($27 to $35)
• Best time to visit: March to May or September to November, when the weather is at its best
• Getting there: Jamsil Station, which connects directly to the building

Traveler's tip: Lotte World amusement park is right next door, so it's easy to turn this into a full day out.

7. One World Trade Center, New York City, USA (541m / 1,776 ft)

The tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, One World Trade Center rebuilt New York's skyline as a symbol of resilience. The One World Observatory offers 360 degree views of Manhattan, complete with panoramic restaurants inside.

• Ticket price: Approximately INR 3,800 to INR 7,600 ($40 to $80)
• Best time to visit: April to June or September to October, before peak summer crowds
• Getting there: WTC Cortlandt subway station, right at the base

Traveler's tip: Book timed entry tickets online. Walk in lines can stretch for hours, especially in peak summer season.

8. CITIC Tower ("China Zun"), Beijing, China (528m / 1,731 ft)

Shaped like an ancient ceremonial vessel, this tower is Beijing's tallest completed building and anchors the city's central business district. Its distinctive silhouette, narrow at the middle and wide at top and bottom, makes it instantly recognizable.

• Ticket price: Public observation access is limited; check current visitor policy before planning a visit
• Best time to visit: September to November, for Beijing's clearest autumn skies
• Getting there: Guomao Metro Station in Beijing's CBD

Traveler's tip: Best photographed from a distance in Beijing's CBD area, where its full form is visible against the skyline.

9. Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan (508m / 1,667 ft)

A former world record holder, Taipei 101 remains beloved for its pagoda inspired, stacked design and its engineering feats, including a massive tuned mass damper (visible to visitors) that keeps the building stable during typhoons and earthquakes.

• Ticket price: Approximately INR 1,900 to INR 2,200 ($20 to $23)
• Best time to visit: October to December, outside of typhoon season
• Getting there: Taipei 101/World Trade Center Metro Station

Traveler's tip: The damper viewing area is a favorite for families and engineering enthusiasts alike.

10. Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, China (492m / 1,614 ft)

Nicknamed the "bottle opener" for its distinctive trapezoidal aperture at the top, this tower remains one of Pudong's most photographed landmarks. Its observation deck features a glass bottomed walkway suspended nearly 500 meters above the city.

• Ticket price: Approximately INR 2,400 to INR 3,300 ($25 to $35)
• Best time to visit: September to November, alongside a Shanghai Tower visit
• Getting there: Lujiazui Metro Station, a short walk from Shanghai Tower

Traveler's tip: Visit alongside Shanghai Tower next door to knock out two record holders in a single trip.

Which One Should You Visit First?

If you can only pick one, make it the Burj Khalifa. It remains the tallest building on Earth by a wide margin, offers the most polished visitor experience of any skyscraper on this list, and sits inside Dubai, a city built for tourism with easy flight connections from most parts of the world. From there, Shanghai is your best next stop since it lets you visit two top 10 towers, Shanghai Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center, in a single trip.

Planning Your Skyscraper Tour

Chasing the world's tallest buildings is a bucket list travel theme in itself, one that can take you from the deserts of Dubai to the mountains of Taipei in a single itinerary. A few tips before you go:

• Book observation deck tickets in advance, especially for Burj Khalifa and One World Trade Center, where slots fill up fast.
• Check weather and visibility. Hazy or overcast days can significantly reduce what you can see from the top.
• Combine cities smartly. Shanghai alone offers two of the top 10, making it an efficient stop for skyline chasers. Many of the world's tallest buildings are located in Asia, making it an excellent region for a skyline-focused itinerary.
• Watch for Jeddah Tower. Currently under construction in Saudi Arabia, it's designed to become the first building in history to cross the 1,000 meter mark, and will likely dethrone Burj Khalifa once complete.